Dolphins sign former Chargers OG Fonoti

[joelbolt]

Dolphins sign G Fonoti, release TE Rader (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-1107dolphins,0,2440924.story?coll=sfla-sports-front)

By Alex Marvez
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Posted November 7 2006, 5:55 PM EST

The Dolphins made several personnel moves Tuesday highlighted by free agent guard Toniu Fonoti being signed to the 53-man roster after reserve tight end Jason Rader was waived.

A once-promising starter for San Diego under the guidance of now-Dolphins offensive line coach Hudson Houck, Fonoti faded from the NFL after struggling with personal and weight issues in 2005. While listed as six-foot-four and 350 pounds, Fonoti hovered near 400 pounds during a three-game stint with Minnesota in 2005.

Fonoti, who started 16 games for San Diego in 2004, was waived by Tampa Bay at the end of the preseason.

The Dolphins also released tackle Tony Pape, a 2004 seventh-round draft choice, from the practice squad Tuesday and cleared defensive tackle Rodrique Wright to return to practice. The Dolphins now have three weeks to decide whether to activate Wright to their 53-man roster or stash him on the reserve/non-football injury list for the remainder of this season.

A standout defensive tackle at Texas, Wright probably would have gotten chosen earlier than the seventh round in this year's draft were it not for a shoulder injury discovered during medical testing at the NFL Scouting Combine. Wright underwent surgery shortly after being drafted by the Dolphins.

Even if he impresses during practice, the Dolphins seem likely to keep Wright on the reserve/NFI list because the team already is using roster spaces on promising young defensive linemen Kevin Vickerson and Fred Evans.

[FanSince1979]

LOL. How many teams is that now? Tell me if I'm wrong, but I think it went like this: SD => MIN => TB => MIA

Did I miss anybody?

[mtxsound]

LOL. How many teams is that now? Tell me if I'm wrong, but I think it went like this: SD => MIN => TB => MIA

Did I miss anybody?

Dunkin Donuts?

[joelbolt]

What’s sad is he had so much potential with us. Not only was he a beast he was a good guy. I think he came into the NFL too young and had a difficult time handling the adjustment. All the problems he had pointed back to immaturity in my opinion. I hope the best for him.

[joelbolt]

Dunkin Donuts?Ouch! Not nice at all. What can you expect from someone who lives in Bakersfield? J/K :) I grew up in that hell hole.

[byteme202]

Thats too bad cause I really liked the guy the first season he played for us. I thought he had a lot of potential. I hope he can get his stuff together

[mtxsound]

Ouch! Not nice at all. What can you expect from someone who lives in Bakersfield? J/K :) I grew up in that hell hole.

Hey Bakersfield isn't that bad anymore, we got running water now. Of course you are now spoiled by that San Diego weather. At least I hold it down for the Chargers here in Bakersfield, not everyone up here is a Raiders fan.

[mtxsound]

What’s sad is he had so much potential with us. Not only was he a beast he was a good guy. I think he came into the NFL too young and had a difficult time handling the adjustment. All the problems he had pointed back to immaturity in my opinion. I hope the best for him.

I agree, I hope he can make a comeback and more importantly get down to a healthier weight. He will have major health problems if he doesn't shed some of those pounds. He could turn around make a great comeback!!

[TCUFAN5]

i think we should bring him back here.. seriously if he shows that he can play within the system and keep his weight under control you cant tell me he wasnt a dump truck.. he moved things.

[mtxsound]

i think we should bring him back here.. seriously if he shows that he can play within the system and keep his weight under control you cant tell me he wasnt a dump truck.. he moved things.

But I think there were some locker room issues with him, Im not sure as to what extent they were but he definitely caused some problems. I dont think we need that.

[robanalog]

Hudson Houck is in Miami right? This may be where he (Fonoti) wants to be. Maybe Houck can get him back to where he was in 2004...

[byteme202]

But I think there were some locker room issues with him, Im not sure as to what extent they were but he definitely caused some problems. I dont think we need that.Agreed he was starting to get cancerous. I'd only want so see him back here if he could start kicking serious ass & start showing jr. type leadership quality.. Not gonna happen

[chargertom]

Fonoti can be a road grader. I hope all the shuffling around has given him some insight into his issues, and he settles down and plays ball. I liked the guy, and I didn't see him as a cancer at all.

Hopefully, under Hudson, he will achieve the greatness that can be his if he bears down, and plays the way I know he can. I wish Fonoti all the best with his new team.

[LA Boltman]

LOL. How many teams is that now? Tell me if I'm wrong, but I think it went like this: SD => MIN => TB => MIA

Did I miss anybody?

I think you missed the Raiders didn't you? I think he was with them for a short stint.

[mtxsound]

I think you missed the Raiders didn't you? I think he was with them for a short stint.

I think he was rumored to go there, but the Twinkie supply in the Bay Area was already heavily depleted due to the presence of Warren Sapp, so the Bay Area Trade Commission asked them to nix the trade.

I kind of remember something about it though, maybe it was a rumor or he failed a physical but I don't think he was ever an official member of the Raiders.

Ok, now in all seriousness I need to get off of his back, the guy did pretty good here in 2004. I won't do it again.

[Bolt4Life]

The Dolphins are like all ex-chargers

[DrTran]

The Dolphins are like all ex-chargers
You could say the AFC East is the Chargers retirement home:

Flutie, Harrison, Caldwell all left for in New England
Tim Dwight in New York for the Jets, also was in New England.
Macintosh and Fonoti in Miami, Seau too before he went north.

Probably more I cant remember.

[Smaug]

You could say the AFC East is the Chargers retirement home:

Flutie, Harrison, Caldwell all left for in New England
Tim Dwight in New York for the Jets, also was in New England.
Macintosh and Fonoti in Miami, Seau too before he went north.

Probably more I cant remember.



Cleo Lemon, and Wes Welker.

[Bolt4Life]

Cleo Lemon, and Wes Welker.

and Dave Ball

[Tycebrew]

I think you missed the Raiders didn't you? I think he was with them for a short stint.


No, he was never a Raider. He also was not a locker room cancer. In fact, he was a good locker room guy.

The thing with Fonoti was that he was a few days late to mini camp due to training in Houston. He felt he wasn't getting the correct training here in San Diego, so he went out on his own to Houston to train. He always got 2nd opinions from doctors on his injuries, because he wasn't satisfied with our doctors recommendations.

He was a good locker room guy and if he keeps his weight in control, he can still play in this league. I knew Tampa wasn't his last chance.

[Ice717]

and Dave Ball

david boston

[darrenat0r]

david boston

Dolphins also got Justin Peelle..