The story behind Toniu Fonoti......

Portland Fanatic

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The story behind Toniu Fonoti......

He did not get beat out by Dielman...he broke his hand and has a plate in it...should be ready to play in the next week or so after his second surgery a few weeks ago. Last year All-pro....read on.........

If we can land him on the cheap...my heck let's do it!

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Fonoti_Toniu.jpg


Number: 77
Name: Toniu Fonoti
Position: Guard
College: Nebraska
Height: 6-4
Weight: 350
DOB: 11/26/81
Experience: 4th NFL Season
Acquired: Draft 2A - 2002
Hometown: Hauula, Hawaii

Had Drew Brees not had such a phenomenal year in 2004, people might very easily have mentioned the name Toniu Fonoti (TONE-u Foe-no-TEE) when discussing NFL Comeback Player of the Year.


Related:

After sitting out the 2003 season with a foot injury, Toniu returned to the field in 2004 more determined than ever. He started every game and finished the season as an All-Pro. Toniu’s devastating blocks filled the highlight reels as he helped pave the way for the league’s sixth-ranked rushing offense. As a unit, the Chargers offensive line surrendered only 21 sacks in 2004, fourth-fewest in the NFL.
Toniu began his professional career wearing number 71, but last year he switched to 77, the number he wore as a collegian at Nebraska.

A huge man on the field, Fonoti is otherwise a gentle giant. He is a devout family man who enjoys spending time with his wife, U’ilani, and the couple’s daughter, Fetogi. Toniu wears a tattoo on his left arm bearing Fetogi’s name. His younger brother, Taualai, is a senior outside linebacker at Stanford.

TRANSACTION HISTORY: Selected by Chargers in second round (39) of NFL Draft, April 20, 2002.

2004: First-team All-Pro by SportsIllustrated.com... selected to USA Today’s All-Joe Team... named Chargers Alumni Player of Week along with fellow starting offensive linemen following Week 11 win at Kansas City... started Weeks 1-16 and Wild Card Playoff game at left guard.
 

Billy Bullocks

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Pull the trigger. If he can play guard too, thats a plus, LA and Rivera wont be around forever
 

Portland Fanatic

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Billy Bullocks said:
Pull the trigger. If he can play guard too, thats a plus, LA and Rivera wont be around forever

He plays left guard....

Plan:
~ Get Fonoti...sit for a few weeks to heal hand and learn play book...after break start at LG and move LA to LT. By then that will provide enough time to this board that Tucker can not handle LT...

~ Long term...LA in second to last year of contract...let them battle it out next year or cut LA...sorry sounds so insensitive.

2006 Draft LT...play behind Flo for year...2007 move Flo to battle Pettiti at RT...loser plays swing Tackle

Line up now 2005:
LT = LA
LG = Fonoti
C = AL
RG = Rivera
RT = Pettiti

2007:
LT = 2006 drafted rookie
LG = Fonoti
C = who knows...Al needs to get bigger and stronger
RG = Rivera
RT = Flow or Rivera...who ever wins...other is swing.

I got it figured out....go do it Jerrah!!! :bow:
 

Cbz40

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cowboyfan4life_mark said:
Isn't the deadline tomorrow?


Ok ....Thanks I knew the deadling was getting close if it had not already expired.
 

CrazyCowboy

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Portland Fanatic said:
He plays left guard....

Plan:
~ Get Fonoti...sit for a few weeks to heal hand and learn play book...after break start at LG and move LA to LT. By then that will provide enough time to this board that Tucker can not handle LT...

~ Long term...LA in second to last year of contract...let them battle it out next year or cut LA...sorry sounds so insensitive.

2006 Draft LT...play behind Flo for year...2007 move Flo to battle Pettiti at RT...loser plays swing Tackle

Line up now 2005:
LT = LA
LG = Fonoti
C = AL
RG = Rivera
RT = Pettiti

2007:
LT = 2006 drafted rookie
LG = Fonoti
C = who knows...Al needs to get bigger and stronger
RG = Rivera
RT = Flow or Rivera...who ever wins...other is swing.

I got it figured out....go do it Jerrah!!! :bow:

Ref above: RT = Flow or Rivera...who ever wins...other is swing.

Did you mean to leave Pettit out for 2007?
 

Portland Fanatic

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CrazyCowboy said:
Ref above: RT = Flow or Rivera...who ever wins...other is swing.

Did you mean to leave Pettit out for 2007?

Good catch...typing to fast....I meant Pettiti vs Flo at RT...losing plays swing.
 

zagnut

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Fonoti is a really terrific young guard. I cannot see why the Chargers would trade him. Anything is possible, but I don't think he would come cheap. I imagine San Diego would want an equally young, promising player - maybe Canty.
 

BigWillie

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I don't believe Fonoti would be too high on the idea of playing for Dallas, nor should we.

We were EXTREMEMLY interested in Fonoti, but instead drafted Gurode in 2002.

Here are two quotes by Fonoti clueing you in on his personality. These quotes are taken from a website he frequents --

"The front wall allowed Nebraska quarterbacks to be sacked only seven times for the season. It is hard when your QB is running around like a frickin idiot(thanks Eric Crouch... Heisman my ***). And against Texas-Tech I broke Russ Hochstein's single game knockdown record. He had 23... I had 32."

And the other --

"At the combine I benched 225 32 times (I could of done more but I got bored at ..32 so I stoped) but I benched 500 for one. I ran a 5.49 in the 40 but I had a 28 inch vetical leap. Well I was drafted as the seventh pick in the second round by the San Diego Chargers... they were lucky they got to draft me in the second round (Thanks Quentin Jammer) Minnesota and Dallas were mighty interested! But Minnesota got Bryant McKinney and Dallas got there losser Andre Gurode so I was happy they didnt pick me! I mean look where Dallas is now... good job"

Now mind you, I am a DIEHARD Nebraska fan, and absolutely loved the dominance Fonoti shows, but I would NEVER want his attitude on this squad....EVER!
 
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