1. Joseph David Berger is an American former professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League for the Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings.
32 Facts About Joe Berger
1. 2.
Joe Berger was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL draft.
3.
Joe Berger was a walk-on at Michigan Technological University, where he was converted from a linebacker into an offensive tackle.
4.
Joe Berger started three games at left tackle as a redshirt freshman.
5.
Joe Berger was lost for the season after suffering a knee injury in a game against Grand Valley State University.
6.
Joe Berger finished his college career with 28 games started at right tackle and three at left tackle.
7.
Joe Berger was a four-time Academic All-GLIAC selection, a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District pick, and a two-time All-American pick as a right tackle.
8.
Joe Berger played in the Cactus Bowl and the NCAA Division II All-Star game.
9.
Joe Berger was selected by the Carolina Panthers with their second of two sixth-round draft choices in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL draft, becoming one of only three football players to be drafted from Michigan Tech and the first since 1987 when the Giants selected quarterback Dave Walter in the 11th round.
10.
Joe Berger was declared inactive in two games and played in each of the final three games as a backup.
11.
On November 24,2006, Joe Berger was claimed off waivers by the Dallas Cowboys, but was inactive for the rest of the season.
12.
On February 27,2009, Joe Berger signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Miami Dolphins, reuniting with former Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells, who was the team's Executive Vice President of Football Operations.
13.
Joe Berger was released on September 5,2011, before the start of the regular season, after the team signed Ryan Cook.
14.
On September 12,2011, Joe Berger signed with the Minnesota Vikings the day after the regular-season opener.
15.
On March 12,2013, Joe Berger re-signed with the Vikings on a one-year deal.
16.
Joe Berger spent training camp and preseason with the Miami Dolphins and was acquired by the Vikings on September 12,2011, the day after the regular-season opener at San Diego.
17.
Joe Berger saw extended action at Chicago in week six, replacing injured starter John Sullivan at center in the 2nd half.
18.
Joe Berger started his first game of the season at center against the Green Bay Packers in week seven, the first start of rookie quarterback Christian Ponder's career.
19.
Joe Berger started in the final two games of season at left guard in place of starter Steve Hutchinson.
20.
Joe Berger was primarily used on special teams, where he was a regular on a kickoff return unit that ranked among the NFL leaders in return average and was tied for 3rd in the NFL with six returns of 40 yards or more on the season.
21.
Joe Berger saw his first career playoff action in the NFC Wild Card game against the Green Bay Packers on January 5,2013.
22.
In 2013, Joe Berger appeared in all 16 games, starting two, contributing on special teams and providing depth along the offensive line.
23.
Joe Berger started at left guard and right guard in place of injured starters Charlie Johnson and Brandon Fusco against Washington and Philadelphia.
24.
Joe Berger played a vital role on a kickoff return unit that helped rookie wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson set team records for return yards, return average and return touchdowns.
25.
On October 19,2014, Joe Berger came into a game against the Buffalo Bills after starting center John Sullivan suffered a concussion; he blocked for rookie running back Jerick McKinnon's 103-rushing yard effort against one of the NFL's best run defenses and allowed no sacks and recorded a tackle.
26.
Joe Berger finished the season having played in 61 consecutive games.
27.
Joe Berger was named as the Vikings starting center and started every game for the 2015 season, helping Adrian Peterson run for a league-leading 1,485 yards and 11 touchdowns.
28.
On January 6,2016, Joe Berger was rated +26.8 by Pro Football Focus, the highest among all centers in the NFL for the season.
29.
Joe Berger was the most consistent center as he had the lowest percentage of negatively-graded run blocks at the position.
30.
Joe Berger missed two contests with a concussion he suffered in the eleventh game against the Detroit Lions.
31.
Joe Berger led the offense with 1,116 snaps played, which were at right guard and one game at center, in place for an injured Pat Elflein against the Chicago Bears.
32.
On March 23,2018, Joe Berger announced his retirement from the NFL after 13 seasons.