Friedman, Lennie

After a terrific four-year career as a guard on the offensive line at Duke University, Friedman was selected by the the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 1999 draft. He played with Denver through the 2002 season, and then signed with the Washington Redskins prior to the 2003 season. With returning Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs at the helm (replacing Steve Spurrier), expectations were high in Washington, but the team sputtered during the season. The Redskins finished the season with a record of 6-10 and tied for second place in the NFC East (with the Dallas Cowoys, and New York Giants).

Birth and Death Dates:
b. October 13, 1976

Career Highlights:
Lennie was a three-year starter at left guard for the Duke Blue Devils, and was named All-Atlantic Coast Conference first team in 1998. During his career, the Blue Devils struggled to complete, compiling an overall record of 6-27-0 during Friedman's final three years. In 1999, the Broncos selected him in the second round (61st pick overall) of the NFL Draft. He suffered a torn ACL in training camp that year and was placed on injured reserve for the season. When Friedman recovered enough to compete, he joined the Barcelona Dragons in the NFL Europe League. He was named to the All-NFL Europe League team, and to the Iron Man team, where he played every offensive down.

In 2000, Lennie played in all 16 of Denver's regular season games, starting in eight of them in place of the injured Marc Schlereth. On December 31, he started for the Broncos in their AFC Wild Card loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The following year, Friedman moved into the starting lineup upon Schlereth's retirement and played in 15 games, starting in 14 of them. After beginning the season 3-1, the Broncos finished the year with a record of 8-8 and third place in the AFC West.

In 2002, Friedman was named the Broncos' starting left guard. On September 3, however, only days before the season opener, Lennie broke his thumb and had to have surgery. He hoped to miss only one or two games, but Lennie ended up not starting a game during the 2002 regular season. During the year, Friedman appeared in two games (both victories -- October 27 against New England and December 1 against San Diego). Denver finished the season, 9-7, and in second place in the AFC West, but the team missed the playoffs.

Following the 2002 season, Friedman was released by the Broncos as part of a massive salary cap purge. Within days of being released, Friedman signed with the Washington Redskins as a backup guard. Because of injuries to other players, Lennie was forced to play center and he started in about half of Washington's games during the 2003 season. That year, the Redskins finished with a record of 5-11 and in third place in the NFC East.

Origin:
Livingston, New Jersey

Career Dates:
Lennie played for the Duke Blue Devils from 1995-1998. He then played for the Barcelona Dragons in the spring of 2000. In the NFL, he played for the Denver Broncos from 2000-2002 and currently plays for the Washington Redskins.

Physical description:
6'3", 290 lbs.

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