Pisa Tinoisamoa
Encyclopedia
St. Louis Rams
Tinoisamoa was drafted out of the University of HawaiiUniversity of Hawaii
The University of Hawaii System, formally the University of Hawaii and popularly known as UH, is a public, co-educational college and university system that confers associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees through three university campuses, seven community college campuses, an employment...
by the St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft
2003 NFL Draft
The 2003 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 was held April 26–27, 2003 at the Theatre at...
. On July 24, 2003, Tinoisamoa signed a four-year $2.90 million contract with the Rams.
In his rookie season he played in all 16 games and finished the season with 76 tackles, two sacks and three interceptions. He was the first Rams rookie to lead the team in tackles.
The following season, he recorded a career-high 95 tackles and 1.5 sacks. In 2005, he led the team tackles for the third straight season, recording 94. He also recorded 1.5 sacks and two interceptions.
On October 11, 2006, he signed a five-year $24.7 million contract extension with the Rams. The 2006 season saw him play in 11 games after breaking his hand versus the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
on December 11. He finished the campaign with 36 tackles and two sacks. In 2007, he recorded 40 tackles and two interceptions in 9 games. Hand, knee, shoulder, elbow, and ankle injuries struck in ‘06 and ‘07, forcing Tinoisamoa to miss 12 of 32 games. But he stayed healthy the following season, playing all 16 games and led the team in tackles.
On May 8, 2009
2009 St. Louis Rams season
The 2009 St. Louis Rams season is the 72nd season for the St. Louis Rams, and the 15th in St. Louis. Due to the Rams winning only against the Detroit Lions, they finished with the NFL's worst record at 1–15, earning the first overall selection in the 2010 NFL Draft in Steve Spagnuolo's first season...
, Tinoisamoa was released by the Rams. Tinoisamoa was scheduled to make a base salary of $3.25 million and count $4.25 million against the cap. Releasing him freed up $2.25 million in cap space.
Chicago Bears
Tinoisamoa agreed to a one-year contract with the Chicago BearsChicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
on May 29, 2009. Pisa was named starting strong-side linebacker in August 2009. He follows Adam Archuleta
Adam Archuleta
Adam Jason Archuleta is a former American football safety. He played college football at Arizona State, and was drafted by the St. Louis Rams 20th overall in the 2001 NFL Draft....
as another player brought over to the Chicago Bears who was coached under Lovie Smith
Lovie Smith
Lovie Lee Smith is the head coach of the Chicago Bears professional football team of the NFL. Smith has been to the Super Bowl twice, as the defensive coordinator for the 2001 Saint Louis Rams and as the head coach for the Chicago Bears in 2006....
in St. Louis during Smith's time as defensive coordinator.
Tinoisamoa was placed on Injured Reserve due to a knee injury on December 2, 2009.
After the Bears signed linebacker Cato June
Cato June
Cato Nnamdi June is a free agent American football linebacker who most recently played for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was selected by the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. A 2006 Pro Bowl choice, June was a...
, Tinoisamoa's jersey number was changed to 49, giving June number 59.
On April 12, the Bears re-signed Tinoisamoa.