Brandon Fields

Infobox NFLactive


name=Brandon Fields
|width=
caption=
currentteam=Miami Dolphins
currentnumber=2
currentpositionplain=Punter
birthdate=birth date and age|1984|5|21
birthplace=Southfield, Michigan
heightft=6
heightin=5
weight=235
debutyear=2007
debutteam=Miami Dolphins
college=Michigan State
draftyear=2007
draftround=7
draftpick=225
pastteams=
* Miami Dolphins (2007-present)
status=Active
highlights=
* College awards and honors
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Punts
statvalue1=77
statlabel2=Punting Yards
statvalue2=3,327
statlabel3=Punting Average
statvalue3=43.2
nfl=FIE463209

Brandon David Fields (born May 21, 1984 in city-state|Southfield|Michigan) is an American football punter for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dolphins in the seventh round in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan State.

Early years

Fields attended St. John's High School in city-state|Toledo|Ohio.cite web | title = TEAM: Roster Brandon Fields Profile | work = MiamiDolphins.com | url = http://www.miamidolphins.com/newsite/team/roster/playerBio.asp?docid=27205 | accessdate = 4 July | accessyear = 2008 ] During his senior season, he handled kickoff duties for the football team and was a first-team all-state selection as a punter. Fields also lettered in basketball at St. John's.

College career

After high school, Fields attended Michigan State University.cite web | title = Player Bio: Brandon Fields | work = MSUSpartans.CSTV.com | url = http://msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/fields_brandon00.html | accessdate = 4 July | accessyear = 2008 ] He earned numerous honors during his freshman season in 2003. He led the Big Ten and was second in the nation with a 46.4-yard average. In a game against Nebraska, Fields set an Alamo Bowl record with a 62-yard punt.

Fields had the most productive season of his collegiate career as a sophomore in 2004, leading the nation with a 47.9-yard punting average. Honors on the season included numerous All-Big Ten and All-American selections. He was also a finalist for the Ray Guy Award, given annually to the nation's top punter.

As a junior in 2005, Fields handled the kickoff duties for the first four games of the season in addition to being the team's punter. He wrapped up his collegiate career with a 45.0-yard punting average as a senior.

Awards and honors

During his collegiate career at Michigan State, Fields earned the following honors:

Freshman (2003)
* Mid-season SI.com All-American
* Second-team coaches All-Big Ten
* First-team media All-Big Ten
* First-team "Sporting News" Freshman All-American
* Honorable mention Rivals.com All-American
* Second-team "Sporting News" All-American

Sophomore (2004)
* Second-team coaches All-Big Ten
* First-team media All-Big Ten
* First-team AP All-American
* First-team FWAA All-American
* First-team Rivals.com All-American
* First-team SI.com All-American
* First-team Walter Camp All-American
* Ray Guy Award finalist

In addition to his football accolades, Fields was an Academic All-Big Ten selection each of his four years at Michigan State.cite web | title = Eighteen Spartan Football Players Earn Academic All-Big Ten Honors | work = MSUSpartans.CSTV.com | url = http://msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120705aai.html | accessdate = 4 July | accessyear = 2008 ]

Professional career

Pre-draft

Prior to the 2007 NFL Draft, Fields was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.cite web | title = KFFL - Brandon Fields, P | work = KFFL.com | url = http://www.kffl.com/player/16365/nfl/news | accessdate = 4 July | accessyear = 2008 ] At his Pro Day in April, Fields measured in at 6-foot-4 7/8 and 236 pounds.

Miami Dolphins

Fields was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round (225th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft. The pick used to select Fields was acquired from the St. Louis Rams earlier in the offseason in exchange for punter Donnie Jones. Fields was the first punter drafted by the Dolphins since Brent Bartholomew in 1999 and was the first rookie to handle punting duties for the team on a full-time basis since Reggie Roby in 1983. On May 24, the Dolphins signed Fields to a four-year contract.

Fields handled punting duties for the Dolphins during all 16 games of his rookie season. His 77 punts averaged 43.2 yards in length, with 10 of them landing inside the opponent's 20-yard line. He also served as the holder on field goals and extra points. His gross average ranked seventh in the AFC and led all four rookie punters in the NFL that season.

During the 2008 offseason, it was reported that new Dolphins Vice President Bill Parcells "absolutely loves Brandon Fields."cite web | title = The Tuna speaks to ME (and others) | work = Herald.com | url = http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/2008/06/the-tuna-speaks.html | accessdate = 4 July | accessyear = 2008 ] The team did not pursue competition for him that offseason.

tatistics

References

External links

* [http://www.miamidolphins.com/newsite/team/roster/playerBio.asp?docid=27205 Miami Dolphins bio]
* [http://msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/fields_brandon00.html Michigan State Spartans bio]