Six Scarlet Knights Sign NFL Free Agent Contracts
Aug 09 | Football
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (August 9, 2011) – Six former Rutgers standouts have signed NFL free agent contracts as the NFL has resumed following the lockout. The new members of the NFL from Rutgers are offensive lineman Howard Barbieri (Houston Texans), cornerback Brandon Bing (Denver Broncos), outside linebacker Jonathan Freeny (Miami Dolphins), defensive back Joe Lefeged (Indianapolis Colts), outside linebacker Alex Silvestro (New England Patriots) and defensive tackle Charlie Noonan (Philadelphia Eagles).
The six players look to add to Rutgers’ impressive list of undrafted free agent signings to make 53-man rosters in the NFL, as five former Scarlet Knights who went undrafted were on active NFL rosters last season (Gary Brackett, Eric Foster, Kevin Haslam, Shaun O’Hara, Jamaal Westerman).
Barbieri started all 12 games at center for the Scarlet Knights in 2010 and was voted one of three tri-captains by his teammates. He finished his career with 25 starts on the offensive line, including 20 straight to close out his career. Barbieri received the David Bender Trophy at Rutgers’ annual awards banquet, given to the team’s best offensive lineman.
Bing joins former Rutgers standout Nate Jones in Denver. Bing started all 11 games he played in at cornerback a season ago, missing the season-finale at West Virginia due to a leg injury. He finished fifth on the team with 65 total tackles and blocked four kicks. Bing was named BIG EAST Special Teams Player of the Week (9/6) after he blocked the first two punts of his career with the second one being scooped up by Lefeged and returned for a touchdown in the season opener against Norfolk State.
Freeny returns to his native Florida to play for the Dolphins. Despite a nagging knee injury throughout the season, Freeny started all 12 games at defensive end for the Scarlet Knights. He tied for team lead with three fumble recoveries and ended the season with 38 tackles and seven tackles-for-loss.
Lefeged should feel right at home in Indianapolis with a pair of former Scarlet Knights on the roster in Brackett and Foster. Lefeged was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s top defensive back in 2010 and was a Second Team All-BIG?EAST performer. He broke the school record for kickoff return yards in a season with 948 yards in 2010 and finished third season as the starter at strong safety. A tri-captain, Lefeged started all 12 games with 84 tackles, second-most on team. He was named BIG EAST Defensive and Special Teams Player of the Week (first time ever in league history a player has won both awards in the same week) after a standout performance at FIU (9/11), where he blocked two punts, forced two fumbles, had an interception and posted six tackles and returned a pair of kickoffs and pair of punts in the win at the Panthers.
Silvestro joins former RU teammate and Pro Bowl cornerback Devin McCourty in Foxboro. Silvestro started all 12 games at defensive end in 2010 and was sixth on the team with 56 tackles. He led Rutgers with 14.5 tackles-for-loss and 5.5 sacks and tied for fourth in the BIG EAST in tackles for loss with 1.05 per contest. One of the most consistent performers on the squad over his four-year career, Silvestro played in 49 career games, second-most of any active player in 2010. He started the final 39 consecutive games of his career.
Noonan signed with his hometown Philadelphia Eagles after serving as a two-year starter at defensive tackle for the Scarlet Knights. In 2010, he started all 12 games and totaled 38 tackles, including 2.5 tackles-for-loss with two quarterback hurries. Noonan was voted one of three team captains during preseason camp by his teammates and he finished with a career-best eight tackles against Army (10/16). Noonan was also the recipient of the Frank R. Burns Award, presented to the player who displays extraordinary mental and physical toughness during 2010 spring practice.
