Marc Bulger
Encyclopedia
Marc Robert Bulger [ˈbʊldʒər] (born April 5, 1977 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
) is a former American football
quarterback
. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints
in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at West Virginia
.
Bulger was also been a member of the Atlanta Falcons
, St. Louis Rams
, and Baltimore Ravens
. He was the 2004 Pro Bowl
MVP.
at West Virginia University
where he holds 20 passing records including 8,153 passing yards. He was a sports management major.
in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft
and spent training camp with the team before being waived.
during the 2000 season
.
practice squad late in the 2000 season, Bulger was re-signed by the Rams on January 12, 2001.
Bulger did not see action in any contests during his first season with the Rams; he was inactive as the third quarterback for 16 regular season games and all three postseason contests. In 2002, after the Rams started 0-5, Bulger filled in for an injured Jamie Martin, who had been filling in for the injured Kurt Warner
, and finished the season with a 6-0 record in games that he both started and finished, but Bulger was injured early in a game against the Seattle Seahawks
and the Rams ended the season at 7-9. In 2003, Bulger helped lead the Rams to a regular-season record of 12-4 and the division championship; the Rams lost to the Carolina Panthers
in the second round of the playoffs after having earned a bye in the first round. In June 2004, Warner was released and Bulger was named the Rams' starting quarterback. The Rams signed Bulger to a four-year $19.1 million contract. Bulger was also MVP of the 2004 Pro Bowl
. After the 2006 season, Bulger was selected as a reserve the Pro Bowl
, after recording an NFL-best eight games with a quarterback passing rating of more than 100. It marked the second time that he was voted to the Pro Bowl.
On September 10, 2006, in a game against the Denver Broncos
, Bulger reached 1,000 completions faster than any quarterback in NFL history. Bulger achieved this in 45 games, two games less than ex-Rams QB Kurt Warner
. Drew Bledsoe
and Peyton Manning
needed 48 games, and it took Dan Marino
49.
On July 28, 2007, Bulger signed a six-year, $62.5 million contract extension with the Rams. The contract included $27 million in guaranteed money and put him in a group of six quarterbacks making $10 million a year or more. Bulger had one year remaining on a four-year, $19.1 million contract, which would have paid him $4 million in 2007. In the 2007 NFL season
, Bulger was plagued with injuries through the entire season as was the entire team. Injuries on the offensive line took effect as he threw more interceptions than touchdowns for the first time in his career. He was considered one of the biggest disappointments of the 2007 season, though some argue the offensive line was primarily to blame. The St. Louis Rams
record was a poor 3-13.
On September 23, 2008, after starting 0–3, Bulger lost his starting role to Trent Green
. However, seven days later, new head coach Jim Haslett
named Marc Bulger the starting quarterback for the rest of the season.
On November 9, 2008 vs the Jets, Haslett replaced Bulger with Green after halftime after the Jets took a 40–0 lead in the first half, cued by 4 first half Rams turnovers.
A week later he was put back in as starting quarterback. His performances improved slightly as the year went on, but he still turned in another lackluster season with more interceptions than touchdowns and continuously declining completion percentages.
Bulger was placed on season-ending injured reserve
on December 26, 2009.
Bulger asked for, and was granted, his release by the Rams on April 5, 2010, his 33rd birthday.
on a one-year, $3.8 million deal that also had the possibility of increasing to $5.8 million through incentives.
in Pittsburgh. He comes from a family of collegiate athletes. His father, Jim, was a quarterback for Notre Dame
from 1970-73. His brother Jim was on the Notre Dame golf
team, sister Kate was drafted into the WNBA, and youngest sister Meg was a standout guard for his alma mater, West Virginia
. Bulger married Mavis Armbruster and has a baby girl named Elsa.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
) is a former American football
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...
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...
. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft
2000 NFL Draft
The 2000 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur U.S. college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 15–16, 2000...
. 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 West Virginia
West Virginia Mountaineers football
The West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University in the NCAA FBS division of college football. Dana Holgorsen is the team's 33rd head coach. He has held the position since he was promoted in June 2011 after the resignation of Bill Stewart. The Mountaineers play their...
.
Bulger was also been a member of the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, 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,...
, and 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...
. He was the 2004 Pro Bowl
2004 Pro Bowl
The 2004 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl was played on February 8, 2004 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. The final score was NFC 55, AFC 52, the most points scored in a Pro Bowl game. Marc Bulger of the St. Louis Rams was the game's MVP.-Game summary:...
MVP.
College career
Bulger 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 West Virginia University
West Virginia Mountaineers football
The West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University in the NCAA FBS division of college football. Dana Holgorsen is the team's 33rd head coach. He has held the position since he was promoted in June 2011 after the resignation of Bill Stewart. The Mountaineers play their...
where he holds 20 passing records including 8,153 passing yards. He was a sports management major.
Statistics
- 1997: 168/284 (59.2%) for 2,128 yards and 12 TD vs. 9 INT. 46 carries for -65 yards and 2 TD.
- 1998: 274/419 (65.4%) for 3,607 yards and 31 TD vs. 10 INT. 33 carries for -92 yards and 0 TD.
- 1999: 143/237 (60.3%) for 1,709 yards and 11 TD vs. 13 INT. 24 carries for -122 yards and 1 TD.
New Orleans Saints
Bulger was originally drafted by the New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft
2000 NFL Draft
The 2000 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur U.S. college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 15–16, 2000...
and spent training camp with the team before being waived.
Atlanta Falcons
Bulger spent two weeks on the practice squad of the Atlanta FalconsAtlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
during the 2000 season
2000 NFL season
The 2000 NFL season was the 81st regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XXXV when the Baltimore Ravens defeated the New York Giants.Week 1 of the season reverted to Labor Day weekend in 2000...
.
St. Louis Rams
After spending time on the St. Louis RamsSt. 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,...
practice squad late in the 2000 season, Bulger was re-signed by the Rams on January 12, 2001.
Bulger did not see action in any contests during his first season with the Rams; he was inactive as the third quarterback for 16 regular season games and all three postseason contests. In 2002, after the Rams started 0-5, Bulger filled in for an injured Jamie Martin, who had been filling in for the injured Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
, and finished the season with a 6-0 record in games that he both started and finished, but Bulger was injured early in a game against the Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
and the Rams ended the season at 7-9. In 2003, Bulger helped lead the Rams to a regular-season record of 12-4 and the division championship; the Rams lost to the Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
in the second round of the playoffs after having earned a bye in the first round. In June 2004, Warner was released and Bulger was named the Rams' starting quarterback. The Rams signed Bulger to a four-year $19.1 million contract. Bulger was also MVP of the 2004 Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
. After the 2006 season, Bulger was selected as a reserve the Pro Bowl
2006 Pro Bowl
The 2006 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl was played on February 12, 2006 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. It marked the 27th consecutive time that the National Football League's all-star game was held in Honolulu...
, after recording an NFL-best eight games with a quarterback passing rating of more than 100. It marked the second time that he was voted to the Pro Bowl.
On September 10, 2006, in a game against the 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...
, Bulger reached 1,000 completions faster than any quarterback in NFL history. Bulger achieved this in 45 games, two games less than ex-Rams QB Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
. Drew Bledsoe
Drew Bledsoe
Drew McQueen Bledsoe is a former football quarterback in the National Football League, best known as the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots from 1993-2001. During the 1990s, he was considered the face of the Patriots franchise...
and Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998 after a standout college football career with the...
needed 48 games, and it took Dan Marino
Dan Marino
Daniel Constantine "Dan" Marino, Jr. is a retired American football quarterback who played for the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League...
49.
On July 28, 2007, Bulger signed a six-year, $62.5 million contract extension with the Rams. The contract included $27 million in guaranteed money and put him in a group of six quarterbacks making $10 million a year or more. Bulger had one year remaining on a four-year, $19.1 million contract, which would have paid him $4 million in 2007. In the 2007 NFL season
2007 NFL season
The 2007 NFL season was the 88th regular season of the National Football League.Regular-season play was held from September 6 to December 30....
, Bulger was plagued with injuries through the entire season as was the entire team. Injuries on the offensive line took effect as he threw more interceptions than touchdowns for the first time in his career. He was considered one of the biggest disappointments of the 2007 season, though some argue the offensive line was primarily to blame. 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,...
record was a poor 3-13.
Trent Green
Trent Jason Green is a retired professional American football quarterback. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Indiana University....
. However, seven days later, new head coach Jim Haslett
Jim Haslett
James Donald "Jim" Haslett is an American football coach and former linebacker. He is currently the defensive coordinator of the Washington Redskins. Previously, he served as the head coach for the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League, and the New Orleans Saints and St...
named Marc Bulger the starting quarterback for the rest of the season.
On November 9, 2008 vs the Jets, Haslett replaced Bulger with Green after halftime after the Jets took a 40–0 lead in the first half, cued by 4 first half Rams turnovers.
A week later he was put back in as starting quarterback. His performances improved slightly as the year went on, but he still turned in another lackluster season with more interceptions than touchdowns and continuously declining completion percentages.
Bulger was placed on season-ending injured reserve
Injured 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...
on December 26, 2009.
Bulger asked for, and was granted, his release by the Rams on April 5, 2010, his 33rd birthday.
Baltimore Ravens
On June 23, 2010, Bulger reached an agreement with the Baltimore RavensBaltimore 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...
on a one-year, $3.8 million deal that also had the possibility of increasing to $5.8 million through incentives.
Retirement
Although several teams were interested in signing him, Bulger announced his retirement from football on August 2, 2011.Career statistics
| Year | Team | G-S | Passing Comp.-Att. |
Yards | Pct. | TD | Int. | Long | Sacks-Lost | Pass Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | St. Louis | 0-0 | ||||||||
| 2002 | St. Louis | 7-7 | 138-214 | 1,826 | 64.5 | 14 | 6 | 58 | 12-102 | 101.5 |
| 2003 | St. Louis | 15-15 | 336-532 | 3,845 | 63.2 | 22 | 22 | 45 | 37-288 | 81.4 |
| 2004 | St. Louis | 14-14 | 321-485 | 3,964 | 66.2 | 21 | 14 | 77t | 41-302 | 93.7 |
| 2005 | St. Louis | 8-8 | 192-287 | 2,297 | 66.9 | 14 | 9 | 67t | 26-188 | 94.4 |
| 2006 | St. Louis | 16-16 | 370-558 | 4,301 | 62.9 | 24 | 8 | 87t | 49-366 | 92.9 |
| 2007 | St. Louis | 12-12 | 221-378 | 2,392 | 58.5 | 11 | 15 | 68 | 37-269 | 70.3 |
| 2008 | St. Louis | 15-15 | 251-440 | 2,720 | 57.0 | 11 | 13 | 80t | 38-263 | 71.4 |
| 2009 | St. Louis | 9-8 | 140-247 | 1,469 | 56.7 | 5 | 6 | 50 | 14-85 | 70.7 |
| 2010 | Baltimore | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0-0 | 0.0 |
| Totals | 96-95 | 1,969-3,171 | 22,814 | 62.1 | 122 | 93 | 87t | 254-1,863 | 84.4 |
Personal
Bulger is a graduate from Central Catholic High SchoolCentral Catholic High School (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
Central Catholic High School is a Roman Catholic college preparatory school for boys in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. It is a part of the Diocese of Pittsburgh and is administrated and partially staffed by the Brothers of the Christian Schools....
in Pittsburgh. He comes from a family of collegiate athletes. His father, Jim, was a quarterback for Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
from 1970-73. His brother Jim was on the Notre Dame golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
team, sister Kate was drafted into the WNBA, and youngest sister Meg was a standout guard for his alma mater, West Virginia
West Virginia Mountaineers
The West Virginia Mountaineers are the athletic teams of West Virginia University. The school is a member of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and the Big East Conference. On July 1, 2012 the Mountaineers will switch conferences, moving from the Big East to the Big 12, becoming...
. Bulger married Mavis Armbruster and has a baby girl named Elsa.