Geoff Pope (American football)

Infobox NFLactive


name=Geoff Pope
|width=
caption=
currentteam=Cincinnati Bengals
currentnumber=24
currentpositionplain=Cornerback
birthdate=birth date and age|1984|6|21
birthplace=Detroit, Michigan
heightft=6
heightin=0
weight=186
debutyear=2007
debutteam=New York Giants
college=Howard
undraftedyear=2007
pastteams=
* Miami Dolphins (2007)*
* New York Giants (2007)
* Cincinnati Bengals (2008-present):*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
status=Practice Squad
highlights=
* Second-team All-MEAC (2006)
* Super Bowl champion (XLII)
nfl=POP249173

Geoffrey Pope (born June 21, 1984 in city-state|Detroit|Michigan) is an American football cornerback who is a practice squad player for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Howard.

Pope has also played for the New York Giants. He earned a Super Bowl ring with the Giants in Super Bowl XLII.

Early years

Pope attended University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy.

College career

Eastern Michigan

Pope originally attended Eastern Michigan, where he appeared in 25 games and racked up 24 tackles and two pass breakups from 2002 to 2004.

Howard

In 2005, Pope transferred to Howard seeking more playing time. He played 22 games over two seasons for the Bison, totaling 76 tackles, seven pass breakups and four interceptions.

Professional career

Pre-draft

Pope ran a 4.29 40-yard dash at his Pro Day prior to the 2007 NFL Draft.

Miami Dolphins

After going undrafted in the 2007 NFL Draft, Pope signed a free agent contract with the Miami Dolphins.

On the Dolphins' first official depth chart of training camp, released August 6, Pope was listed as the seventh and final cornerback. In the team's first preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 11, Pope registered two tackles while playing primarily on special teams and on defense in the fourth quarter.

Pope made it through the first round of cuts but was released by the team on September 1 as the roster was trimmed to 53 for the regular season. The following day, the New York Giants signed Pope to their practice squad.

New York Giants

Pope spent the entire 2007 regular season on the Giants' practice squad. With cornerback Sam Madison injured, the Giants activated Pope from the practice squad on December 31. He replaced safety Craig Dahl on the roster. Pope was inactive for the team's Wild Card contest, but made his NFL debut on January 13 in the team's divisional round matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. He saw extensive playing time on defensive and special teams, recording one tackle in the contest. On January 20, Pope participated in the NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field and recorded one tackle.

Pope was released by the Giants during final cuts on August 30, 2008. The next day he was signed to the teams' practice squad, only to be released the following day on September 1.

Cincinnati Bengals

The same day he was released from the Giants' practice squad, Pope was signed to the Cincinnati Bengals' practice squad on September 1, 2008. He was promoted to the active roster on September 16 after guard Frank Davis was waived. Pope was waived by the Bengals on September 23 after the team signed cornerback Jamar Fletcher. He was re-signed to the practice squad the following day.

External links

* [http://www.bengals.com/team/player.asp?player_id=225 Cincinnati Bengals bio]
* [http://www.howard-bison.com/sports/fball/2006/Bios/Pope_Geoffrey Howard Bison bio]
* [http://www.giants.com/team/player350.html New York Giants bio]