Anthony Fasano

Infobox NFLactive
name=Anthony Fasano


currentteam=Miami Dolphins
currentnumber=80
currentposition=Tight end
birthdate=birth date and age|1984|4|20
birthplace=Glen Ridge, New Jersey
heightft=6
heightin=4
weight=255
debutyear=2006
debutteam=Dallas Cowboys
college=Notre Dame
draftyear=2006
draftround=2
draftpick=53
pastteams=
* Dallas Cowboys (2006-2007)
* Miami Dolphins (2008-present)
status=Active
highlights=
* Mackey Award finalist (2005)
nfl=FAS072076

Anthony Joseph Fasano (born April 20, 1984 in city-state|Glen Ridge|New Jersey) is an American football tight end for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Notre Dame.

Early years

Fasano attended and played high school football at Verona High School in city-state|Verona|New Jersey, where he was a four-year letterman as a tight end and defensive lineman.cite web | title = Player Bio: Anthony Fasano | work = UND.com | url = http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/fasano_anthony00.html | accessdate = 8 July | accessyear = 2008 ] During his senior season in 2001, he caught 78 passes for 1,460 yards and 23 touchdowns as a tight end while also adding 119 solo tackles as a senior. He set both season and career TD receptions records for the county (23 and 42, respectively). He also set school records in receptions in a season and career, touchdowns in a season and solo tackles in a season. Fasano finished his career with 168 catches and more than 2,500 yards and played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Fasano also earned eight letters in other sports, including four in basketball, two in baseball and two in track. During his first baseball outing as a freshman, he pitched a one-hitter. He was a two-time all-league selection in baseball, three-time all-conference selection in track and a two-time captain in basketball.

College career

As a freshman at the University of Notre Dame in 2002, Fasano failed to see playing time. The following season, he appeared in 11 games while starting three. He finished the season with 18 receptions for 169 yards and two touchdowns. Fasano caught four passes for 33 yards, including first career touchdown on a two-yard pass from Brady Quinn, against USC.cite web | title = Irish Fall To No. 5 USC | work = UND.com | url = http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/101803aaa.html | accessdate = 8 July | accessyear = 2008 ]

In 2004, Fasano started nine of the 11 games in which he appeared for the Fighting Irish. In a game against Purdue, Fasano earned John Mackey National Tight End of the Week honors after catching eight passes for 155 yards (a school record). He also caught two touchdowns in a game against Washington. Fasano finished the season with 27 receptions for 367 yard and four touchdowns.

During his 2005 senior season, Fasano caught 47 passes for 576 yards (both third on the team) and two touchdowns.cite web | title = 2005 Overall Individual Statistics | work = UND.com | url = http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2005-2006/teamcume.html#TEAM.IND | accessdate = 8 July | accessyear = 2008 ] His touchdown catches on the season came against Navy and Tennesseee, both on passes from Brady Quinn. He was one of three finalists for the John Mackey Award, given annually to the nation's top tight end.

Fasano finished his collegiate career with 92 catches for 1,112 yards and eight touchdowns.cite web | title = TEAM: Roster Anthony Fasano Profile | work = MiamiDolphins.com | url = http://www.miamidolphins.com/newsite/team/roster/playerBio.asp?docid=33140 | accessdate = 8 July | accessyear = 2008 ] He left the school ranking second in all-time in receptions and receiving yards by a tight end.

Professional career

Pre-draft

At the NFL Scouting Combine in February 2006, Fasano measured in at 6-foot-4 and 259 pounds.cite web | title = KFFL - Anthony Fasano, TE | work = KFFL.com | url = http://www.kffl.com/player/13455/nfl/news | accessdate = 8 July | accessyear = 2008 ] However, he did not run the 40-yard dash at the Combine due to an injured hamstring. At Notre Dame's Pro Day in March, Fasano posted 40-yard-dash times of 4.74 and 4.71 seconds.

Prior to the 2006 NFL Draft, Fasano visited with the Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Redskins.

Dallas Cowboys

Despite the presence of All-Pro tight end Jason Witten, the Dallas Cowboys selected Fasano in the second round (53rd overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft. It was reported that Fasano reminded then-head coach Bill Parcells of former NFL tight end Mark Bavaro, who played under Parcells with the New York Giants. Fasano agreed to terms on a contract with the Cowboys on July 27.

During his rookie season with the Cowboys, Fasano appeared in all 16 games while starting five. He became the third rookie tight end in franchise history to start the season opener when he opened the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 10. He finished the season with 14 catches for 126 yards, and was also part of a blocking unit that helped running back Julius Jones rush for over 1,000 yards.

A shoulder injury bothered Fasano throughout training camp and preseason in 2007, but he went on to appear in every one of the team's regular season games while starting six of them. He caught his first career touchdown on a 26-yard pass from Tony Romo against the Green Bay Packers on November 29.cite web | title = NFL Game Center: Post Game - Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys - 2007 Week 13 | work = NFL.com | url = http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter?game_id=29371&displayPage=tab_gamecenter&season=2007&seasonType=REG&week=13 | accessdate = 8 July | accessyear = 2008 ] He suffered a mild concussion in the team's Week 15 contest but did not miss a game. Fasano finished the season with 14 receptions for 143 yards and a touchdown.

For his efforts during the 2007 season, Fasano earned an additional $104,865 from the NFL's Performance-Based Pay program. Following the year, He underwent shoulder surgery in January 2008.

Miami Dolphins

On April 25, 2008, the Miami Dolphins agreed to acquire Fasano, along with linebacker Akin Ayodele, from the Cowboys in exchange for a fourth-round pick (100th overall) in the 2008 NFL Draft.cite web | title = Dallas Cowboys deal Ayodele, Fasano to Miami for 4th-round pick | work = DallasNews.com | url = http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/042608dnspocowtrade.9d8d3c04.html | accessdate = 8 July | accessyear = 2008 ] Dolphins executive vice president Bill Parcells, general manager Jeff Ireland, head coach Tony Sparano and other assistants were with the Cowboys organization when Fasano was drafted in 2006. The pick sent to Dallas for Fasano was eventually traded to the Oakland Raiders, who used it to select cornerback Tyvon Branch.cite web | title = Tyvon Branch | work = Raiders.com | url = http://www.raiders.com/Team/PlayerBio.aspx?id=43486 | accessdate = 8 July | accessyear = 2008 ]

During training camp in August, Fasano switched from No. 81 to No. 80 after fellow tight end Aaron Halterman, who had previously worn No. 80, was waived/injured.

References

External links

* [http://www.miamidolphins.com/newsite/team/roster/playerBio.asp?docid=33140 Miami Dolphins bio]
* [http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/fasano_anthony00.html Notre Dame Fighting Irish bio]