Nick Greisen
Encyclopedia
Nick A. Greisen is an American football
linebacker
who is currently a free agent
. He was drafted by the New York Giants
in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Wisconsin
.
Greisen has also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars
, Baltimore Ravens
and Denver Broncos
. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback
Chris Greisen
.
at Wisconsin
. He finished his career with 337 tackles, 11 sacks and five interceptions. As a senior he started every single game and finished with a career-high 167 tackles. This earned him All-Big Ten Conference
first-team honors. He majored in agricultural business.
of the NFL in the 2002 NFL Draft
, as a linebacker out of the University of Wisconsin–Madison
. Adept at both weakside and middle linebacker, Greisen has been a spot starter, special teamer, and consistent backup. He made over 75 tackles in both the 2004 and 2005 campaigns, and has forced four sacks and five fumbles to date.
on April 28, 2006 and played one season with the team posting 82 tackles and his first career interception on September 10 versus the Dallas Cowboys
. He was released in September 2007.
(three votes) and Ray Lewis (second place with four votes) on the list, which was led by Zach Thomas
(six votes).
Greisen was released by the Ravens on March 12, 2009, saving the team $400,000 in salary cap
space.
with a knee injury on August 4.
He was released on August 12, 2010.
of the United Football League on September 8, 2010.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
who is currently a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. He was drafted by the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft
2002 NFL Draft
The 2002 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft took place April 20–21, 2002 at the theater at...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Wisconsin
Wisconsin Badgers football
The Wisconsin Badgers are a college football program that represents the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. They play their home games at Camp Randall Stadium, the fourth-oldest stadium in college football...
.
Greisen has also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
and Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Chris Greisen
Chris Greisen
Christopher J. Greisen is an American football quarterback for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at Northwest Missouri State...
.
College career
Greisen played college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Wisconsin
Wisconsin Badgers football
The Wisconsin Badgers are a college football program that represents the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. They play their home games at Camp Randall Stadium, the fourth-oldest stadium in college football...
. He finished his career with 337 tackles, 11 sacks and five interceptions. As a senior he started every single game and finished with a career-high 167 tackles. This earned him All-Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
first-team honors. He majored in agricultural business.
New York Giants
Greisen was originally a fifth round (152nd pick overall) draft choice by the New York GiantsNew York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the NFL in the 2002 NFL Draft
2002 NFL Draft
The 2002 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft took place April 20–21, 2002 at the theater at...
, as a linebacker out of the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
. Adept at both weakside and middle linebacker, Greisen has been a spot starter, special teamer, and consistent backup. He made over 75 tackles in both the 2004 and 2005 campaigns, and has forced four sacks and five fumbles to date.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Greisen was signed by the Jacksonville JaguarsJacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
on April 28, 2006 and played one season with the team posting 82 tackles and his first career interception on September 10 versus the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
. He was released in September 2007.
Baltimore Ravens
On September 19, 2007, Greisen signed with the Ravens. On March 13, 2008 the Ravens re-signed him to a three-year, $4 million contract. The deal includes a $1 million signing bonus. On July 1, 2008, he was the youngest player to receive a vote from ESPN.COM's coach's poll for the smartest players. At 28, Greisen (one vote) joined teammates Ed ReedEd Reed
Edward Earl Reed Jr. is an American football free safety for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Ravens 24th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...
(three votes) and Ray Lewis (second place with four votes) on the list, which was led by Zach Thomas
Zach Thomas
Zachary Michael Thomas is a former American football linebacker. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas Tech....
(six votes).
Greisen was released by the Ravens on March 12, 2009, saving the team $400,000 in salary cap
Salary cap
In professional sports, a salary cap is a cartel agreement between teams that places a limit on the amount of money that can be spent on player salaries. The limit exists as a per-player limit or a total limit for the team's roster, or both...
space.
Denver Broncos
On April 28, 2009, Greisen signed a one-year contract with the Denver Broncos. He was placed on season-ending injured reserveInjured reserve
The injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
with a knee injury on August 4.
He was released on August 12, 2010.
Omaha Nighthawks
Greisen was signed by the Omaha NighthawksOmaha Nighthawks
The Omaha Nighthawks are a professional American football team based in Omaha, Nebraska, which plays in the United Football League, joining the league as an expansion team in 2010. For their first season, the Nighthawks played their home games at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium before moving to TD...
of the United Football League on September 8, 2010.