Eric Steinbach

Infobox NFLactive


currentteam=Cleveland Browns
currentnumber=65
currentpositionplain=Offensive guard
birthdate=birth date and age|1980|4|4
birthplace=New Lenox, Illinois
heightft=6
heightin=6
weight=295
debutyear=2003
debutteam=Cincinnati Bengals
highlights=
* Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year (2002)
college=Iowa
draftyear=2003
draftround=2
draftpick=33
pastteams=
* Cincinnati Bengals (2003-2006)
* Cleveland Browns (2007-present)
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Games Started
statvalue1=78
statlabel2=Games Played
statvalue2=79
statlabel3=Fumbles Recovered
statvalue3=1
nfl=STE195838

Eric Steinbach (born April 4, 1980 in New Lenox, Illinois) is an American football player who currently plays for the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League. He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round (33rd overall) in the 2003 NFL draft. He played college football for the University of Iowa.

High School years

Steinbach is a graduate of Providence Catholic High School. He was a member of the 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997 State Championship Teams. He was also a part of the Celtics' 50-game winning streak & was considered "The Best All-Around Football Player In Illinois History" by the "Chicago Tribune". He also holds the Illinois sack record totaling 62 in 4 years as a letterman. Robert Gallery, another highly touted offensive lineman, was a college teammate at Iowa. Steinbach additionally qualified twice for the state track meet in the shot put. At the time of graduation he held the school record for the shot put.

College career

Steinbach was widely rated as the top guard available in the 2003 NFL Draft after a University of Iowa career culminated by All-America honors from "Pro Football Weekly" and the Walter Camp Foundation. His senior season also included Big Ten Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year honors from league coaches. He was an education major.

Professional career

In the 2003 NFL Draft, he was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round (33rd overall) and was immediately named a starter. Through the 2006 season, Steinbach has appeared in 63 out of a possible 64 regular-season games, 62 as a starter. Steinbach's relentless work-ethic sets him apart from his counterparts. He specializes in improving offenses, regardless of the situation. Kirk Ferentz, his coach at Iowa, & longtime NFL offensive lineman coach, mentioned Steinbach was the "Best Offensive Lineman he has ever coached in his 27+ years of experience." Yahoo! Sports called him one of the Top 10 Free Agents to watch for a few months prior to the end of the 2006 season. [ [http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Avkvi2sk42_n2gz8ZtCAj9n.uLYF?slug=cr-freeagents110106&prov=yhoo&type=lgns False advertisement - NFL - Yahoo! Sports ] ] The versatile and durable Steinbach can play at the guard, tackle, and center positions on the offensive line, and his speed and athleticism help to make him one of the leagues premier pulling lineman.

On March 2, 2007, (the first day of the years NFL Free Agency period) the Browns signed Steinbach to a 7-year, $49.5 million contract (of which $17 million is guaranteed), making him one of the highest paid offensive lineman in the history of the game. He had consistently been rated as a Top 5 Free Agent (and widely considered number one among offensive lineman) following the 2006 season by every major sports authority, and is set to anchor an improving Browns offensive line. [ [http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=cr-steinbach030207&prov=yhoo&type=lgns Browns land Steinbach - NFL - Yahoo! Sports ] ]

On 2007-12-18, Steinbach was named as a first alternate for the 2008 Pro Bowl at offensive guard.cite web|author=Jackson, Zac|date=2007-12-18|title=Edwards, Cribbs headed to Hawaii|url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/article.php?id=7991|publisher=clevelandbrowns.com|accessdate=2007-12-19]

References

External links

* [http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/player.php?id=2859 Browns Player Bio]