Andre Fluellen

Andre Fluellen (born March 7, 1985[1]) is an American football former defensive tackle. He played college football at Florida State and was drafted in the third round of the 2008 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions.

Andre Fluellen
refer to caption
Fluellen with the Lions in 2011
No. 79, 93, 96
Position:Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1985-03-07) March 7, 1985
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:302 lb (137 kg)
Career information
High school:Cartersville (GA)
College:Florida State
NFL Draft:2008 / Round: 3 / Pick: 87
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:68
Sacks:4.5
Forced fumbles:1
Fumble recoveries:1
Player stats at NFL.com

High school career

A native of Cartersville, Georgia, Fluellen attended Cartersville High School, where he played on both the offensive and defensive lines. As a junior, he had 88 tackles, 10 sacks, six forced fumbles and scored two touchdowns. In his senior year, he added 93 tackles and 11 sacks. Regarded as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Fluellen was ranked the No. 28 defensive tackle prospect in a class highlighted by the sole five-star Nate Robinson.[2] After official visits to Vanderbilt, Florida, Auburn, and Florida State, Fluellen chose the Seminoles.

College career

After redshirting his initial year at Florida State, Fluellen appeared in all 12 games of the 2004 season. Serving as a back-up to Brodrick Bunkley, he finished the year with six tackles, including one for loss, and two pass breakups. Against both Miami (FL) and Duke he recorded two tackles each. In his sophomore season, Fluellen replaced Travis Johnson at defensive tackle. Recording 26 tackles on the year, he ranked second on the team behind Bunkley for most tackles by a defensive lineman. Fluellen also had 7.5 tackles for loss, and tied for third on the team in quarterback hurries with twelve. Season-highs in both tackles (eight) and tackles for loss (two) he recorded against North Carolina State.

As a junior, Fluellen faced the task of replacing Bunkley at the nose guard position, named one of the “ten toughest vacancies” in college football.[3] Bunkley's original successor, junior college transfer Paul Griffin, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the first quarter against Troy, the second game of the season.[4] Fluellen was moved to his position, and started at nose guard for the remainder of the season. He finished seventh on the team in tackles, and first among all defensive lineman, in tackles with a career-high 28 stops. Fluellen also had eight tackles for minus yardage (fourth on the team).

On the eve of his senior season, Fluellen was named one of the “ten seniors to watch in '07” by ESPN.[5] He was named to several preseason All-American and All-Atlantic Coast Conference teams, but managed to start only five games, missing three entire contests due to a left elbow hyperextension. He ended the season with 21 tackles (10 solos), including two sacks, one pressure and a pair of pass deflections.

Professional career

2008 NFL Draft

After his injury-plagued senior campaign, Fluellen's draft stock plummeted. In their pre-draft coverage, Sports Illustrated projected him to be a sixth-round draft choice.[6] Fluellen was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft, 87th overall, using the third round pick acquired in a trade with the Cleveland Browns.[7]

Detroit Lions (2008–2012)

In four years with the Lions, Fluellen played 51 games, recording 48 tackles and 2.5 sacks, starting five times.[8] He was released by the Lions on August 31, 2012 in one of their final roster cuts of the 2012 preseason.

Miami Dolphins (2012)

Fluellen was signed by the Miami Dolphins on September 19. He was to have a reserve role in place of the injured reserve player Tony McDaniel. He played two games with the Dolphins,[8] who released Fluellen on October 2, 2012 upon McDaniel's return to the active roster.[9]

Return to Detroit (2012)

Fluellen signed with the Lions on December 11, 2012.[8] He played in three games, starting one, and totaled six tackles.

Chicago Bears (2013)

On April 9, 2013, Fluellen was signed by the Chicago Bears.[10] Fluellen was released by the Bears on May 20, 2013.[11]

Third stint with the Lions (2013–2014)

On July 26, 2013, Fluellen was signed by the Lions, marking the third time in his career that he joined the team.[12] On August 31, 2013, Fluellen was cut by the Lions organization in the effort to finalize the 53-man roster.[13] In September, he was re-signed by the Lions.[14] In 8 games in 2014, he totaled 10 tackles and a career-high 2.0 sacks.

Buffalo Bills (2015)

On June 16, 2015, Fluellen signed a contract with the Buffalo Bills. For final roster cuts, he was released on September 4, 2015, but re-signed with the team on September 7[15] and was cut from the team once again on September 11, 2015.[16] He was then re-signed to the active roster the following day.[17]

Detroit once again (2015)

On October 7, 2015, Andre Fluellen was signed by the Detroit Lions after Tyrunn Walker was placed on injured reserve. it was the ninth time Fluellen had signed with the Lions.[18] On December 9, 2015 Fluellen was released from the injured reserve list by the Lions, making him a free agent.

References
  1. "Andre Fluellen - Stats, Bio". SI.com. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
  2. "Rivals.com". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  3. Feldman, Bruce (March 8, 2006). "Ten toughest position vacancies". ESPN Insider.
  4. "'Noles star DT out for season". Central Florida Future. September 12, 2006. Archived from the original on October 8, 2013.
  5. "Amendola, Brinkley highlight seniors to watch in '07". ESPN. June 22, 2007.
  6. "SI Grade". CNN.
  7. "2008 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  8. Rogers, Justin (December 11, 2012). "Detroit Lions place Corey Williams on IR, re-sign Andre Fluellen". mlive.com. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
  9. "Dolphins Sign Jabar Gaffney; Make Other Roster Moves". Miami Dolphins. October 2, 2012. Archived from the original on October 4, 2012. Retrieved October 5, 2012.
  10. "Bears sign Fluellen, Moore, Boggs". Yahoo! Sports. Associated Press. April 9, 2013. Archived from the original on April 13, 2013. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  11. PlexusGroupe (May 20, 2013). "Bears release DT Andre Fluellen – ProFootballTalk". Profootballtalk.nbcsports.com. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  12. McCosky, Chris (July 26, 2013). "Lions bring back defensive tackle Andre Fluellen". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on July 27, 2013.
  13. "Detroit Lions finalize 53-man roster; TE Joseph Fauria, WR Kris Durham make the team". mlive.com. August 31, 2013.
  14. "Detroit Lions sign DT Andre Fluellen for third time in 13 months". Detroit Free-Press. September 23, 2013.
  15. "Bills add Andre Fluellen to 53-man roster; Five added to practice squad". BuffaloBills.com. September 7, 2015. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  16. "Bills sign Enemkpali to 53-man roster amid reports that he may be suspended". Archived from the original on September 12, 2015. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
  17. Bills add Fluellen to 53-man roster (again)
  18. Birkett, Dave (October 7, 2015). "Lions sign Andre Fluellen for the 9th time". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
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