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OL Rob Murphy (official thread)

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I will always remember him for his tenacious play and mean streak. My favorite game of his is when Ohio State played WVU in 1998. Before the game John Thornton talked all kind of smack and Murphy dominated him. It was a shame that Rob Murphy was academically ineligable in 1999. Would have been a 3 time all-american. Him not playing probably cost Ohio State a bowl game that year.
 
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6/15

Murphy given task of protecting Dickenson
Lions hope former Ohio State star will put an end to revolving door of tackles
GRANT KERR

SURREY, B.C. -- Rob Murphy has quarterback Dave Dickenson's back in the offensive scheme the B.C. Lions will unveil in the regular-season opener tomorrow.

Murphy will make his Canadian Football League debut at left tackle against the Saskatchewan Roughriders and is expected to protect Dickenson from blind-side hits.

Left tackle is considered the key position in the offensive line for teams with right-handed quarterbacks, as most teams do. The Lions are no exception, with Murphy earning the starting assignment in training camp.

Murphy and Jason Jimenez, both imports, are newcomers to the Lions' offensive line, which yielded a league-high 73 quarterback sacks last season when Dickenson and other B.C. quarterbacks often were sitting ducks for pass rushers.

The left tackle position has been a revolving door for the Lions since they last won the Grey Cup in 2000. Five blockers were used at the position last season -- Freddie Moore, Jamal Powell, Sherko Haji-Rasouli, Moe Elewonibi and Amariah Farrow -- without much success.

Murphy, 29, came to the Lions during training camp on the recommendation of offensive line coach Howard Mudd of the Indianapolis Colts. Mudd once had Murphy among his blockers in the National Football League.

Adjusting to the CFL game takes time for an offensive lineman, Murphy conceded this week after playing two preseason games and beating out import Belton Johnson for the position. Murphy also has had to learn about the enthusiasm of Lions offensive line coach Dan Dorazio.

"I've played for intense coaches before, but this is a whole new type of intensity," Murphy said. "He is a technician [who] pushes you."

Murphy gave up his position with a real estate development firm in Florida to continue his playing career after NFL stints over seven years in Kansas City, Indianapolis, San Francisco and Detroit. He left Ohio State University a year before graduation.

His roommate during his sophomore season with the Buckeyes was Brent Johnson, a pass-rushing end now with the Lions who was chosen the CFL's outstanding Canadian player in 2005.

"He's actually the first guy I called to inquire about the CFL," the 6-foot-5, 310-pound Murphy said. "He said this would be a good place to be."

The opportunity to be a starter again appealed to Murphy, who was a starter during three years at OSU and again in NFL Europe with the Frankfurt Galaxy.

The Lions initially tried to lure former Toronto Argonauts tackle Dwayne Morgan out of retirement, but when that failed, B.C. player personnel director Bob O'Billovich turned his attention to Murphy.

"Howard [Mudd] thought he would be a good offensive tackle in this league because he moved well," O'Billovich said. "And Rob was looking for an opportunity where he could play a lot right away."

The interior of B.C.'s offensive line remains intact with centre Angus Reid flanked by guards Kelly Bates and Bobby Singh. All are non-imports. They'll be flanked by Murphy and the 6-foot-6, 311-pound Jimenez.

"People utilize their quickness on the edge," Murphy said about CFL defensive ends who usually speed rush rather than use bull-rush techniques. "The NFL has bigger defensive linemen and they're stronger, but up here they're quicker."

The Lions have gone through 13 players at the left tackle position since 2000. Moore was the only one to hold the spot a full season, in 2004.

B.C. needs to keep Dickenson, 33, healthy because Casey Printers, the CFL's outstanding player in 2004, left for the NFL and the Kansas City Chiefs during the off-season. The backups now are Jarious Jackson and Buck Pierce.

"This is a bigger test than last week," Lions head coach Wally Buono said about playing Saskatchewan in a league game rather than the Calgary Stampeders twice in the preseason. "From a physical aspect, [the new tackles] are more than adequate . . . familiarity, understanding what to do . . . that's more important."

So is playing well against Saskatchewan because the Lions will meet the Roughriders three times during the first five weeks of the schedule.

Protection game

CFL teams allowing fewest quarterback sacks in 2005 regular season:

1. Saskatchewan 23

2. Calgary 27

3. Winnipeg 31

4. Montreal 32

5. Hamilton 38

6. Edmonton 39

7. Toronto 47

8. Ottawa 63

9. B.C. 74

(Note: Ottawa no longer in league)
 
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7/13/06

Dangerous even in practice

Rob Murphy says teammate Johnson best DE he's faced

Gordon McIntyre, The Province

Published: Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Even at half speed in practice, Brent Johnson is dangerous. Just ask his old teammate and roomie from Ohio State.
"You have guys in this league who are just pure pass-rushers and you have guys who are stronger suited to stop the run," offensive tackle Rob Murphy said. "Brent, from what I've seen in four games and going against him in practice, he's definitely the best defensive end I've faced.
"It makes me play better just going against him in practice. Even if we're not going full-go he's always working his technique. He always keeps you conscious that you have to work your technique or he's going to beat you.
"Even going half-speed."
Murphy, a defenceman on his high school hockey team, was a two-time all-America with the Buckeyes. Now 29, the 6-foot-5, 310-pounder bounced around five NFL teams, NFL Europe and the XFL, mostly as a centre, before joining the Lions this season to protect Dave Dickenson's blind side.
In Murphy's latest outing, Friday's loss at Edmonton, the Lions tackle did such a fine job shutting down Eskimos rush-end Joe Montford that the three-time CFL player of the year and four-time league sack leader hit Murphy in the groin out of frustration, earning an ejection.
"Any position on the defensive or offensive line, it's all about hand placement," Murphy said. "Brent uses his hands better than anyone I've seen in the CFL. His hands are so strong.
"One minute he's clubbing your hands down, next thing you know he's lifting them up or just flashing them," Murphy said. "He's really active. He's been around this league long enough to know the tricks of the trade and he uses them.
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BC Lions: History made to measure
Players don tuxedos to win five of six at CFL Player Awards gala
Published: Friday, November 17, 2006

WINNIPEG -- Lion Power ruled in tuxedos Thursday night. Whether that silvery glow of CFL dominance carries over to the 94th Grey Cup game won't be known until Sunday.

Resplendent in evening finery, Lions slotback Geroy Simon, defensive end Brent Johnson, left tackle Rob Murphy and defensive tackle Aaron Hunt accepted an unprecedented five individual trophies at the 2006 Rogers CFL Player Awards gala.

In addition, Lions' veteran DB Mark Washington earned the prestigious Tom Pate award for outstanding community work and sportsmanship.

No other CFL team has won five CFL player awards in a single season before.

Calgary kicker Sandro DeAngelis, in the special teams category, was the only non-Lion among this year's award winners.

Canada's most outstanding native player last season, Johnson was a double winner in both the Canadian and outstanding defensive player categories this time.

Simon, who set a Lions pass receiving record of 1,856 yards, was a near unanimous choice. He polled 44 first-place votes among the 47 voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada. Simon easily outdistanced Winnipeg Blue Bomber running back Charles Roberts, the East Division nominee.

"When I was first came to the CFL, my goal was just to get 1,000 receiving yards," Simon said. "Now, to be the most outstanding player of the league, it's been amazing. I've been saying it all year: This is a dream season. We've just got to finish it off now. We have a great team."

Simon is the first Lion to win the league's most outstanding player award since receiver David Williams in 1988. Casey Printers (2004), Doug Flutie (1991) and Mervyn Fernandez (1985) are other Lions who have been named the league's top player.

Johnson became the first player in CFL history to be a dual winner of the Canadian and most outstanding defensive player awards simultaneously.

Toronto Argonauts' Jim Corrigall, a defensive end from Barrie, Ont., was the last Canadian to be named the league's premier defender, in 1975. Three years later, tight end Tony Gabriel, from Burlington, Ont., was the named the league's most outstanding player and top Canadian. He was the last native-born player to take two awards in the same season before Johnson. "It's tricky when dreams come true," Johnson said. "You really don't know what to say when it all happens. This is what I aspired to do, not just award-wise, but to be in this game, to be in this league. and to perform for a long time at this level."

Playing a position usually designated for an import, Johnson was aided in breaking the stereotype with the arrival of coach Wally Buono, who was without preconceived notions that Canadians couldn't excel at defensive end.

"When I first got here, it didn't matter that I was a three-year starter at Ohio State and All-Big 10 in my senior year," said the Kingston, Ont., native. "Fair enough. You've got to pay your dues. There was a different mentality here before Wally."

A seven-year NFL veteran, Murphy turned to the CFL after the Miami Dolphins decided not to sign him and he sought out Johnson, his former roommate at Ohio State, for advice. Murphy was told the Lions would be a good fit, and Johnson's persuasion convinced Murphy to sign with B.C.

An All-American at Ohio State, Murphy said that honour can't compare with being All-CFL. "This is a lot better," Murphy said. "Playing at Ohio State was a great honour, but coming up into the professional ranks, playing in the NFL, and being named lineman of the year in Canada, I can't fathom it right now. I'm soaking this week up and savouring this."

Hunt had nine sacks as starting defensive tackle to become the sixth Lion in the past nine years to be named the CFL's top rookie.

"I knew the Lions had set starters [at defensive tackle] when I arrived here," he said. "I was just trying to play as much as possible. It ended up being a whole lot more than that."

Nominated four times previously for an award that distinguishes a player from his peers, Washington said the Pate award was special. "I don't mind winning awards on talent. Those are fine, too," he said. "But this is a players' association award, and it's special."

That's a word that pretty much summed up the Lions' night.

[email protected]
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http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/sports/story.html?id=a613dc3e-ddff-4951-bf50-9a74b72275c1
 
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Hockey's in his blood

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Deep down in his heart, the CFL's most outstanding offensive lineman would rather be putting on skates tonight instead of cleats.
And if that were the case, someone would probably end up getting beat up.
B.C. Lions left tackle Rob Murphy is a solid football player who has bounced around the NFL, NFL Europe and XFL for the last six years. If he had his druthers, however, he would likely pick the NHL as the league in which he truly wants to play.
"I'm originally from upstate New York, so hockey is in my blood," said Murphy, who has the hockey hair to prove it. "I started playing when I was five or six years old and played all the way up until college. "I love it. It's my first love. I still love it more than football. I just kind of grew out of the body frame. I knew I'd make money playing football more than hockey."


Murphy, 29, was born in Buffalo but grew up in Cincinnati, and he started playing high school hockey when it was just starting to get popular in southern Ohio. He was a defenceman at Archbishop Moeller High, and let's just say it didn't take long for him to find his role.
"I was a goon," the 6-foot-5, 310-pounder said. "I went out there and just beat the crap out of people. I scored a few goals here and there every year, but I was more the enforcer out on the ice.
"I've got the state record for penalties and penalty minutes."
Game? Single-season? Career?
"All of the above," he stated, somewhat proudly. "I broke the career record in my junior year."
While most high school hockey leagues frown on the fisticuffs, Murphy said the game was still somewhat of a novelty in southern Ohio at the time, so there was a little more leniency when it came to suspensions.
"It was perfect timing for me," he said.
Murphy was all set to begin a real estate career in Florida after the Detroit Lions released him in the spring, but he called his old Ohio State Buckeyes teammate and roommate, Lions defensive end Brent Johnson, to inquire about the CFL.
Smart move, because he was voted the league's top offensive lineman on Thursday, and he will play for the Grey Cup tonight against the Montreal Alouettes.
The move to Vancouver also helped him get his hockey fix that was sorely lacking in Florida.
"It's a little refreshing, because playing seven years in the NFL, all you hear on radio and TV is football, football, NFL, NFL," he said. "And even if you love football, you kind of get burnt out about it, so it's kind of refreshing to see the first story on sports is the Canucks."
Tonight, though, he will be focused on pigskin instead of pucks, and he will bring his nasty edge to the Lions offensive line.
The only problem? Fighting is prohibited. "Oh yeah I miss it," he said. "That's one of the very few things I've been good at in life."
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Father of Eskimos lineman confronts son's on-field foe after game

GRANT KERR
July 10, 2007

VANCOUVER -- Security was better at the B.C. Lions game last weekend when there were fewer altercations in the stands, but someone forgot to police the area between the dressing rooms at B.C. Place.
That's where Lions offensive tackle Rob Murphy says he was confronted by the father of Edmonton Eskimos lineman Adam Braidwood after the Canadian Football League game won 29-9 by B.C. on Friday night.
Murphy claims he was approached by a fan wearing an Edmonton No. 91 jersey, the same number worn by Braidwood, a second-year Eskimo who played high-school football in the Vancouver suburb of Delta.



Cont...

Earlier, Murphy was ejected from the game with 8:32 remaining following a scuffle with Braidwood after the whistle.


"I felt bad about that," Murphy told a Vancouver radio station Sunday. "That's kind of out of character."
Murphy had been singled out earlier in the week by Esks defensive end Rahim Abdullah, who called Murphy and teammate Jason Jimenez, also an offensive tackle, the dirtiest players in the league.
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Out of character?
 
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B.C. Lions offensive lineman Murphy claims second CFL top lineman honour

By THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO - Tackle Rob Murphy of the B.C. Lions was named the CFL's top lineman for the second straight year Thursday night.

Murphy received the honour at the league's awards banquet at Roy Thomson Hall. Voting was conducted by the Football Reporters of Canada as well as the eight CFL head coaches.
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CANOE -- SLAM! Sports - CFL - CFL News: B.C. Lions offensive lineman Murphy claims second CFL top lineman honour
 
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Lions? Murphy puts family first
Mike Beamish, Canwest News Service
Published: Sunday, June 22, 2008

VANCOUVER -- When he decided to bypass the NHL all-star game to be with his pregnant wife in Florida, goalie Roberto Luongo was not universally hailed as father of the year by Vancouver Canuck fans.

If his decision was debatable, his motive was unimpeachable. B.C. Lions left tackle Rob Murphy, a fellow Floridian, calls the family versus team furor reprehensible.

"I don't care what anyone thinks - the fans, the players on my team - I'm doing what's right," said Murphy, after rejoining his Lions for the first time Sunday at practice in Surrey, B.C. "Once my wife goes into labour I'm gone. I'll have a contingency plan in Calgary, or wherever I go. I'm lucky I have a coach who understands and puts family first."
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After missing all of training camp and two pre-season games, Murphy, a two-time winner of the CFL's most outstanding lineman award, arrived in Vancouver from Florida on Saturday. His wife, Amy, is still two months away from full gestation, but she is expected to give birth soon to premature triplets - two boys and a girl. Her parents live nearby, in Orange Park, Fla.

"It's a good situation," Murphy said. "She's getting great care, seeing the best specialists money can buy. The kids will probably spend two months in the neo-natal unit after they're born. My dad told me, ?Son, you never do anything easy in life' and I agreed with him. After this, Amy and I are done."

The couple bought a home in Cloverdale, B.C., last season, although Rob will be batching it until the end of the season while his wife and babies remain in Florida. Going into his option year, Murphy was prepared to make 2008 his last final one in footbalI. Now, he feels that decision, too, is premature.

"The good thing about not really playing my last two years in the NFL is that it kind of saved my body," Murphy, 31, says. "As long as I'm having fun, my wife told me ?Go for it.' She's given me the green light to play for three or four more years."
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Lions’ Murphy puts family first
 
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Return of Murphy adds strength to Lions O-Line
2008-07-16
Lowell Ullrich
The Vancouver Province


There is a slight glow about Rob Murphy upon his return to the Lions this week which has nothing to do with his changed status as a father of triplets.
Talk to the CFL's two-time top offensive lineman about the fact coach Wally Buono mentioned during his absence he would not hesitate to insert a third import for protection and the Lions left tackle lights up in a way not even having three new bundles of joy can provide.
"I'm a better guard than a tackle," grinned Murphy, who can point to six NFL seasons at the position on his resume. "If I played guard I'd probably kill somebody."

CFL.ca - Return of Murphy adds strength to Lions O-Line
 
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