Zak DeOssie

Infobox NFLactive


caption=Zak DeOssie at the New York Giants Super Bowl champions parade in NYC.
currentteam=New York Giants
currentnumber=51
currentposition=Linebacker
birthdate=birth date and age|1984|5|24
birthplace=North Andover, Massachusetts
heightft=6
heightin=4
weight=249
debutyear=2007
debutteam=New York Giants
college=Brown
highlights=
* Super Bowl champion (XLII)
draftyear=2007
draftround=4
draftpick=116
pastteams=
* New York Giants (2007-present)
statweek=5
statseason=2008
statlabel1=Tackles
statvalue1=11
statlabel2=Sacks
statvalue2=0
statlabel3=INTs
statvalue3=0
nfl=DEO425791

Zak DeOssie (born May 24, 1984 in North Andover, Massachusetts) is an American football linebacker who plays for the New York Giants in the National Football League (NFL). He attended Phillips Academy Andover and Brown University.

College Career

Zak DeOssie played college football for Brown University. While playing for Bears DeOssie was a two-time I-AA All-American and he was among the finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award twice, which goes to the nation's top FCS defensive player.

Professional Career

NFL Combine and NFL Draft

DeOssie became the first player in Brown's history to be invited for NFL Combine, he was also the only Ivy league player to be invited for the 2007 NFL combine. He posted the eighth fastest forty yard time (4.58) among the linebackers that significantly boosted his draft stock. He also put up 26 reps on 225 pounds bench press, which was the fifth best for a linebacker. [http://www.nflhs.com/News/Features/2007DraftZakDeOssie_04172007_jjc.asp]

New York Giants selected Zak DeOssie in the fourth round of 2007 NFL drat, he was the 116 overall pick.

2007 NFL Season

Zak DeOssie mostly played on the special teams during his rookie season, after the regular long snapper Ryan Kuehl put on the injured reserve, DeOssie shared the long snapping duties with fellow rookie Jay Alford for the 2007 season. DeOssie also contributed with 6 tackles and helped Giants win the Super Bowl XLII.

2008 NFL Season

DeOssie is expected to play extended role in defense in 2008 in wake of the Giants decision to move the outside linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka to defensive end. He will also continue to share the long snapping duties with Jay Alford.

Personal life

Zak DeOssie is the son of Dianna and Steve DeOssie, a former NFL player who also won a Super Bowl (Super Bowl XXV) with the New York Giants. Thus making them the first father-son combination to be on Championship teams for the same franchise.Fact|date=February 2008

Zak DeOssie grew up in North Andover as a New England Patriots fan, he was also a ball boy for the Patriots. Ironically DeOssie was a member of the Giants team that beat the Patriots to win the Super Bowl XLII. [http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2008/02/03/pals_rooting_for_local_hero_up_to_a_point/]

External links

* [http://www.giants.com/team/player.asp?player_id=301 New York Giants bio]