Dan Connolly life and biography

Paul Connolly is an American football offensive lineman for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Southeast Missouri State.

Career Transactions
Dan Connolly originally joined the Patriots as a practice squad player on Sept. 12, 2007 ... Originally signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as a rookie free agent prior to the 2005 season ... Placed on injured reserve with a finger injury (9/4/06) ... Released by the Jaguars (9/1/07) ... Signed to the Patriots' active roster (2/5/08) ... Released by the Patriots (10/20/08) ... Signed to the Patriots practice squad (10/22/08) ... Signed to the Patriots' active roster (12/14/08).

Career Highlights

2010 (9/8)
* Started at right guard in place of the injured Stephen Neal against the Steelers (11/14) and helped the Patriots become the first team in 2010 to record over 100 rushing yards (103) against a stingy Steelers defense, including a 17-yard rush by BenJarvus Green-Ellis that was the longest run by any player against the Steelers this season. Also helped power Tom Brady to 350 passing yards.
* Saw time at left and right guard, as well as full back in some goal line situations against the Browns (11/7). Also returned two kickoffs for 19 yards.
* Was part of an offensive line that helped BenJarvus Green-Ellis to a career-high 112 rushing yards and two touchdowns against the Vikings (10/31).

2009 (14/4/0/2):
* Played in a career-high 14 games with four starting assignments at right guard in place of an injured Stephen Neal.
* Made his first NFL start, playing at right guard in place of the injured Neal in the Patriots' 31-14 victory over the New York Jets (11/22).
* Was inactive for the first two games of the season before making his 2009 debut vs. Atlanta (9/27) on special teams.
* Saw action at center, right guard, and as an eligible receiver as a third tight end throughout the season.
* Was inactive for the postseason game vs. Baltimore (1/10) due to an injury suffered in the season-finale at Houston (1/3).

College

* Was a four-year starting offensive tackle at Southeast Missouri State.
* All-conference selection for four consecutive seasons.
* Finished career with 46 consecutive starts.
* Started at offensive tackle in all 11 games as a senior.
* Earned first-team all-conference.
* Started at offensive tackle all season as a junior and earned second-team all-conference after allowing only one sack.
* As a sophomore, started at offensive tackle all season.
* Earned second-team all-conference after not allowing any sacks.

Personal
* Daniel Paul Connolly was born the son of John and Mary Beth Connolly on Sept. 2, 1982.
* Was a three-time all-district and all-conference at Marquette High in Chesterfield, Mo.
* First member of the 1,000-pound weight lifting club.
* Actively supports his teammates' community efforts.
* Majored in general studies.
* Dan and his wife Lori have a daughter, Caroline.

Extra

* Dan's brother, Patrick, is the former Chef de Cuisine at Radius, a French restaurant in Boston. Patrick was the winner of the prestigious James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef in the Northeast region for 2008. He is now the head chef at Bobo in the West Village in New York City.

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