Sammy Morris

Infobox NFLactive


currentteam=New England Patriots
|width=150
currentnumber=34
currentposition=Running back
birthdate=birth date and age|1977|3|23
birthplace=Oxford, England
country=England
heightft=6
heightin=0
weight=218
debutyear=2000
debutteam=Buffalo Bills
college=Texas Tech
draftyear=2000
draftround=5
draftpick=156
pastteams=
* Buffalo Bills (2000-2003)
* Miami Dolphins (2004-2006)
* New England Patriots (2007-present)
statseason=2007
statweek=17
statlabel1=Rushing yards
statvalue1=1,853
statlabel2=Average
statvalue2=4.0
statlabel3=Rushing Touchdowns
statvalue3=17
nfl=MOR536043

Samuel Morris (born March 23, 1977 in Oxford, England) is an American football running back who currently plays for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He previously played for the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills and collegiately for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

College career

Morris played with the Texas Tech Red Raiders from 1996-1999 but he sat out his junior season because of NCAA ineligibility, He played 9 games as a senior racking up 562 rushing yards on 140 carries and 3 touchdowns and serving as team captain. Morris Played in the first 8 games as a Redshirt freshman in the 1996 season rushing for 226 yards and four touchdowns on 29 carries. Morris Majored in communications.

Professional career

Morris was drafted in the fifth-round (156th overall) by the Buffalo Bills in the 2000 NFL Draft. During his stint with the Bills, Morris was a backup to the likes of Antowain Smith and Travis Henry. He used his natural physical ability to excel on special teams and played a vital role in the Bills special teams during his tenure there. He was also a third-down back and excelled in pass protection.

Morris signed a free agent contract with the Miami Dolphins on 12 March, 2004, and though he was expected to be a fullback he ended up being the team's leading rusher following the abrupt retirement of Ricky Williams. He backed up rookie running back Ronnie Brown in 2005.

2006

On September 1, 2006 Morris was suspended for the first four games of the regular season. He violated the league's substance abuse policy, stemming from him taking a banned substance, pseudoephedrine, in the over-the-counter medicine Sudafed. Upon his return, he resumed his role as the team's top backup running back.

2007

On March 3, 2007 the New England Patriots signed Morris to a four-year, $7 million contract. Morris was being utilized as a 1-2 running back punch with Laurence Maroney. On October 14,2007 Morris suffered a chest injury on while playing against the Dallas Cowboys. On November 2,2007 the Patriots announced that RB Sammy Morris (chest) was placed on injured reserve, ending his season.