Josh Morgan
{{Short description|American football player (born 1985)}}
{{About|the American football player|the drummer|The Subways|the Canadian politician|Josh Morgan (politician)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| image = Josh morgan bears.jpg
| caption = Morgan with the Chicago Bears in 2014
| number = 84, 15, 19
| position = Wide receiver
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|6|20}}
| birth_place = Washington, D.C., U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0
| weight_lbs = 218
| high_school = H. D. Woodson
(Washington, D.C.)
| college = Virginia Tech (2004–2007)
| draftyear = 2008
| draftround = 6
| draftpick = 174
| pastteams = * San Francisco 49ers ({{NFL Year|2008}}–{{NFL Year|2011}})
- Washington Redskins ({{NFL Year|2012}}–{{NFL Year|2013}})
- Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|2014}})
- New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2015}})*
| status =
| highlights =
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 209
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 2,558
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 12
| pfr = MorgJo00
}}
Joshua Lewis Morgan (born June 20, 1985) is an American former professional football wide receiver. He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2008 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2008/draft.htm |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} He played college football at Virginia Tech. He also played for the Washington Redskins and Chicago Bears.
Early life
Morgan played quarterback, wide receiver and cornerback at Eastern Senior High School in Washington, D.C. before transferring to H.D. Woodson High School for his senior year. During his senior season, he accumulated eight catches for 275 yards and three touchdowns in a game against Glen Mills (Pa.) High School. He passed for 987 yards and rushed for 898 during his junior year, and finished with five passing and eight rushing touchdowns. He also played basketball and was named the most valuable player in two of the tournaments his team participated in.
College career
Morgan ranks fourth in Virginia Tech history with 122 receptions, eighth with 1,817 receiving yards (a 14.9 avg.) and fifth with 16 touchdowns.{{cite web|title=Virginia Tech Football Records|url=http://www.hokiesports.com/football/records/receiving.html|access-date=May 23, 2013|archive-date=May 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180530000812/http://www.hokiesports.com/football/records/receiving.html|url-status=dead}} He finished his career with 2,435 all-purpose yards.
During his senior season in 2007, Morgan led the team with a career-high 46 catches for 552 yards (a 12.0 avg) and five touchdowns, while playing alongside Eddie Royal, now with the San Diego Chargers, and Justin Harper, now with the BC Lions. In 2006, he finished second on the team with 33 receptions for 448 yards (a 13.6 avg.) and four touchdowns.
As a sophomore in 2005, he finished with 28 catches for 571 yards (a 16.8 avg.) and four touchdowns. During his freshman season in 2004, he caught 15 passes for 346 yards (a 23.1 avg.) and three touchdowns. Morgan's 126 yards receiving vs. Auburn in the 2005 Sugar Bowl set a school bowl game record.
Professional career
{{nfl predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 0
| weight = 219
| dash = 4.47
| ten split = 1.49
| twenty split = 2.58
| shuttle = 4.29
| cone drill = 7.06
| vertical = 40.5
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 0
| bench = 14
| wonderlic =
| arm span =
| hand span =
| note = All values from NFL Combine
}}
=San Francisco 49ers=
==2008 season==
In 2008, Morgan's preseason performances won him a place on the final 53-man roster. He became ill just before the season and lost 15 pounds. Morgan made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals. In Week 7 against the New York Giants, he caught five passes for 86 yards and scored his first touchdown. The week after, he had his first career start. After suffering a one-inch tear in his groin in November, he missed the next four games. Playing in only 12 games, Morgan showed real promise as he finished his rookie season with 20 receptions for 319 yards and three touchdown receptions.
==2009 season==
Morgan was made a starter by Week 1 of the 2009 season. In October, after the 49ers had finally signed their 2009 first-round draft pick (wide receiver Michael Crabtree), it was assumed that Morgan might lose his starting job to the rookie.{{cite web | url=http://blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers/2009/10/crabtree-likely-to-start-sundays-game.html | title=Crabtree likely to start Sunday's game | author=Matt Maiocco | author-link=Matt Maiocco | publisher=Press Democrat | access-date=October 27, 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://archive.today/20091021000201/http://blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers/2009/10/crabtree-likely-to-start-sundays-game.html | archive-date=October 21, 2009 }} Instead, Morgan retained his starting position and played alongside Crabtree. By the end of his second season, he played in all 16 games, starting 15 of them, and recorded 52 receptions for 527 yards and three touchdowns.
==2010 season==
In his third season, Morgan recorded a career-high of 698 receiving yards on only 44 receptions. He also scored two touchdowns.
==2011 season==
On October 11, 2011, Morgan was placed on the injured reserve list after a promising start to the 2011 season due to a broken bone in his right leg.{{Cite web|work=ESPN.com|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/7085097/josh-morgan-san-francisco-49ers-needs-surgery-broken-leg|title=Josh Morgan out with broken leg|date=October 10, 2011|access-date=August 14, 2012}} He finished the season with 15 receptions, 220 yards, and one touchdown in just five games.
=Washington Redskins=
Image:Josh morgan redskins.jpg' training camp in 2012.]]
==2012 season==
Morgan signed a five-year contract worth $12 million for the first two years, $7.5 million of which guaranteed, and the last three years voidable by the Washington Redskins on March 13, 2012.{{cite news|work=WashingtonPost|first=Mark|last=Maske|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/post/redskins-negotiating-with-49ers-wr-josh-morgan/2012/03/13/gIQAZhvEAS_blog.html| title=Redskins sign 49ers WR Josh Morgan|date=March 13, 2012|access-date=March 13, 2012}} By the start of the 2012 season, he was named the second starting wide receiver opposite of Pierre Garçon after competing with Leonard Hankerson for the starting flanker position.{{cite news|work=WashingtonPost.com|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/wp/2012/09/03/redskins-depth-chart-wr-josh-morgan-listed-as-starter-opposite-pierre-garcon/|last=Jones|first=Mike|title=Redskins depth chart: WR Josh Morgan listed as starter opposite Pierre Garcon|date=September 3, 2012|access-date=September 11, 2012}} In Week 2 against the St. Louis Rams, he was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct during the Redskins' two-minute drive attempt in the fourth quarter to tie with or beat the Rams.{{cite news|work=WashingtonPost.com|last= Jones|first=Mike|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/wp/2012/09/17/redskins-rams-five-observations-from-sundays-loss/| date=September 17, 2012|access-date=September 17, 2012|title=Redskins-Rams: Five observations from Sunday's loss}} After catching a pass on a third down and being tackled by Cortland Finnegan, Finnegan shoved Morgan while he was getting up and put his hand in Morgan's face. Morgan reacted by throwing the ball at Finnegan and the Redskins were then given a 15-yard penalty.{{cite news|work=WashingtonPost.com|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/wp/2012/09/16/josh-morgan-i-shoulds-just-kept-my-calm/|title=Josh Morgan: 'I should've just kept my calm'|date=September 16, 2012|access-date=September 17, 2012|last=Jones|first=Mike}}{{cite news|work=WashingtonPost.com|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/wp/2012/09/17/mike-shanahan-doesnt-plan-to-discipline-josh-morgan/|title=Mike Shanahan doesn't plan to discipline Josh Morgan|date=September 17, 2012|access-date=September 17, 2012|last=Jones|first=Mike}} Redskins kicker Billy Cundiff then attempted a 62-yard field goal on fourth down, missing and leaving the final score 31–28. Morgan was later fined $7,875 by the NFL for the penalty.{{cite news|work=WashingtonTimes.com |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/redskins-watch/2012/sep/21/out-hand-redskins-rams-game-results-least-55000-fi/ |title="Out of hand" Redskins-Rams game results in at least $55,000 in fines |last=Campbell |first=Rich |date=September 21, 2012 |access-date=September 23, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922114654/http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/redskins-watch/2012/sep/21/out-hand-redskins-rams-game-results-least-55000-fi// |archive-date=September 22, 2012 }} On a play where Robert Griffin III rushed for 12 yards, the ball popped into the air as he was tackled, Morgan caught the ball and ran it 13 yards for a touchdown in the Week 13 win over the New York Giants.{{cite web|work=Redskins.com|url=http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Morning-After-Stats-Recap-Redskins-Giants/82c3517d-82f7-4165-ae7d-a433625869b7|last=Tinsman|first=Brian|date=December 4, 2012|title=Morning After Stats Recap: Redskins-Giants|access-date=December 10, 2012|archive-date=December 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121207084243/http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Morning-After-Stats-Recap-Redskins-Giants/82c3517d-82f7-4165-ae7d-a433625869b7|url-status=dead}} In the next game against the Baltimore Ravens, he scored his first receiving touchdown of the season.{{cite web|work=Redskins.com|url=http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Monday-Morning-Stats-Pack-Redskins-Ravens/24c2d86d-17d7-486d-b0fb-8166dba7ef27|last=Tinsman|first=Brian|date=December 10, 2012|title=Monday Morning Stats Pack: Redskins-Ravens|access-date=December 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121212070153/http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Monday-Morning-Stats-Pack-Redskins-Ravens/24c2d86d-17d7-486d-b0fb-8166dba7ef27|archive-date=December 12, 2012|url-status=dead}}
==2013 season==
Morgan took over as the team's kick returner in place of struggling rookie Chris Thompson.{{cite web|work=CSNWashington.com |url=http://www.csnwashington.com/football-washington-redskins/talk/morgan-embraces-new-role-return-game |title=Morgan embraces new role in return game |date=October 19, 2013 |first=Tarik |last=El-Bashir |access-date=November 11, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112030019/http://www.csnwashington.com/football-washington-redskins/talk/morgan-embraces-new-role-return-game |archive-date=November 12, 2013 }}
Originally named the starter at the start of the season, he lost his starting position to Hankerson.{{cite web|work=Redskins.com|url=http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Hankerson-Seizes-Second-Receiver-Job/015337dc-e3bc-4365-a199-71206b708dbf|title=Hankerson Seizes Second Receiver Job|last=Tinsman|first=Brian|date=November 15, 2013|access-date=November 21, 2013|archive-date=November 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131118205146/http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Hankerson-Seizes-Second-Receiver-Job/015337dc-e3bc-4365-a199-71206b708dbf|url-status=dead}} For the first time in his career, he was benched after being listed as inactive in Week 11. The following week, he returned to his starting position after Hankerson was moved to injured reserve.{{cite news|work=WashingtonTimes.com|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/nov/26/redskins-wide-receiver-josh-morgan-rebounds-benchi/|title=Redskins wide receiver Josh Morgan rebounds from benching|first=Brian|last=McNally|date=November 26, 2013|access-date=November 27, 2013}}
=Chicago Bears=
On April 21, 2014, Morgan agreed to a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears after the Redskins chose not to pick up the last three years of his five-year contract.{{cite web|work=ESPN.com|url=https://www.espn.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/10818072/chicago-bears-sign-josh-morgan-one-year-contract|title=Bears sign WR Josh Morgan|date=April 21, 2014|access-date=April 21, 2014}}
=New Orleans Saints=
Morgan signed with the New Orleans Saints on May 17, 2015.{{cite web | url=http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2015/05/new_orleans_saints_josh_morgan.html#comments | title=New Orleans Saints sign veteran receiver Josh Morgan, according to source | publisher=nola.com | date=May 17, 2015 | access-date=May 17, 2015 | author=Woodbery, Evan}} He was released on September 5 for final roster cuts before the start of the season.{{cite web|work=ESPN.com|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/new-orleans-saints/post/_/id/17645/new-orleans-saints-cut-22-players-including-stanley-jean-baptiste|first=Mike|last=Triplett|date=September 5, 2015|access-date=October 2, 2015|title=New Orleans Saints cut 22 players, including Stanley Jean-Baptiste}}
=NFL statistics=
| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan=2|Year !! rowspan=2|Team !! colspan=2|Games !! colspan=5|Receiving !! colspan=5|Rushing !! colspan=2|Fumbles | |||||||||||||
| {{tooltip|GP|Games played}} | {{tooltip|GS|Games started}} | {{tooltip|Rec|Receptions}} | {{tooltip|Yds|Receiving yards}} | {{tooltip|Avg|Yards per reception}} | {{tooltip|Lng|Longest reception}} | {{tooltip|TD|Receiving touchdowns}} | {{tooltip|Att|Rushing attempts}} | {{tooltip|Yds|Rushing yards}} | {{tooltip|Avg|Yards per rushing attempt}} | {{tooltip|Lng|Longest rushing attempt}} | {{tooltip|TD|Rushing touchdowns}} | {{tooltip|Fum|Fumble}} | {{tooltip|Lost|Fumbles lost}} |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 || SF
| 12 || 1 || 20 || 319 || 16.0 || 48T || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2009 || SF
| 16 || 15 || 52 || 527 || 10.1 || 61 || 3 || 5 || 61 || 12.2 || 20 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2010 || SF
| 16 || 11 || 44 || 698 || 15.9 || 65 || 2 || 2 || 17 || 8.5 || 13 || 0 || 2 || 1 | |||||||||||||
| 2011 || SF
| 5 || 5 || 15 || 220 || 14.7 || 30T || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2012 || WAS
| 16 || 15 || 48 || 510 || 10.6 || 32 || 2 || 3 || 25 || 8.3 || 9 || 0 || 1 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2013 || WAS
| 14 || 7 || 20 || 214 || 10.7 || 21 || 0 || 2 || 13 || 6.5 || 9 || 0 || 2 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2014 || CHI
| 14 || 7 || 10 || 70 || 7.0 || 13 || 1 || 2 || 30 || 15.0 || 21 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| Total || 93 || 61 || 209 || 2,558 || 12.2 || 65 || 12 || 14 || 146 || 10.4 || 21 || 0 || 5 || 1 |
Personal life
Growing up in Washington D.C., Morgan was a fan of the Washington Redskins, along with his family, during his childhood and formative years.{{cite web|title=In Search of Stability, Morgan Comes Home|work=Redskins.com|access-date=March 15, 2012|first=Gary|last=Fitzgerald|date=March 15, 2012|url=http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/In-Search-of-Stability-Morgan-Comes-Home/db1de557-7229-48ac-9881-256d35e95a69|archive-date=March 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318000419/http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/In-Search-of-Stability-Morgan-Comes-Home/db1de557-7229-48ac-9881-256d35e95a69|url-status=dead}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [http://www.chicagobears.com/team/roster/Josh-Morgan/57b13637-1963-497a-bea5-b85c9a3b47eb Chicago Bears bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427160925/http://www.chicagobears.com/team/roster/Josh-Morgan/57b13637-1963-497a-bea5-b85c9a3b47eb |date=April 27, 2014 }}
- [http://www.redskins.com/team/roster/Josh-Morgan/80b897a3-bd8b-4a48-8268-892755fa8fee Washington Redskins bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120816085640/http://www.redskins.com/team/roster/josh-morgan/80b897a3-bd8b-4a48-8268-892755fa8fee/ |date=August 16, 2012 }}
- [http://www.49ers.com/team/roster/josh-morgan/c5a25054-5814-4c37-9b4c-5689769081c4/ San Francisco 49ers bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616050615/http://www.49ers.com/team/roster/josh-morgan/c5a25054-5814-4c37-9b4c-5689769081c4/ |date=June 16, 2012 }}
- [http://www.hokiesports.com/football/players/2007/morgan.j.html Virginia Tech Hokies bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720121245/http://www.hokiesports.com/football/players/2007/morgan.j.html |date=July 20, 2008 }}
{{49ers2008DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Morgan, Josh}}
Category:Players of American football from Washington, D.C.
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:Virginia Tech Hokies football players
Category:San Francisco 49ers players
Category:Washington Redskins players
Category:Chicago Bears players
Category:New Orleans Saints players
Category:H. D. Woodson High School alumni