Mark Restelli
| Free agent | |
 Restelli with the Dolphins in 2011 | |
| Date of birth | March 4, 1986 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Houston, Texas |
| Career information | |
| Status | Active |
| CFL status | International |
| Position(s) | LB |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Weight | 215 lb (98 kg) |
| US college | California Polytechnic State |
| High school | Santa Margarita Catholic |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 2009–2010 | Edmonton Eskimos |
| 2011 | Miami Dolphins* |
| 2011 | Edmonton Eskimos |
| 2012 | Montreal Alouettes* |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Honorable Mention All-Great West Conference | |
Mark Restelli (born March 4, 1986) is a professional Canadian football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He most recently attended training camp with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos as a street free agent in 2009 and played until he was signed by the Miami Dolphins in 2011. Despite a strong preseason (which included 4 tackles and a defended pass in the fourth quarter of the final preseason game versus the Dallas Cowboys), on September 4, 2011 he was released by the Dolphins during their final roster cuts. On September 9, 2011 he announced that he would be resuming his football career in the Canadian Football League with the Edmonton Eskimos. He played college football for the Cal Poly Mustangs.
College career
Restelli was a four year starter at Cal Poly and never missed a game.[1] He had 267 tackles, three sacks, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. Restelli ranks in the top ten lifetime in tackles at Cal Poly.[1] In 2007, he was named Honorable Mention All-Great West.[1] As a senior he was named Defensive Team Captain.[1] Restelli majored in agricultural business and viticulture.[2]
Professional career
Edmonton Eskimos
Restelli signed with the Edmonton Eskimos on April 29, 2009, after attending an Eskimos free-agent tryout camp in Long Beach, California.[3][4] After the release of Derrick Doggett on June 10,[5] Restelli's main competition for the starting weakside linebacker spot[6] was fellow import rookie Tumbo Abanikanda.[7] Restelli debuted for Edmonton on June 17 in a preseason game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders and recorded one tackle and an interception while Abanikanda recorded three tackles.[8] Eskimos head coach Richie Hall has called Restelli and Abanikanda's battle the closest one in camp so far. Hall also stated that he hoped, "one player outperforms the other player" in Edmonton's next preseason game against the BC Lions on June 21."[8] Eskimos general manager Danny Maciocia said that Restelli "plays as if his hair is on fire."[9] In his three seasons with the Eskimos Restelli recorded 74 defensive tackles, 21 special teams tackles, and 4 sacks.
Miami Dolphins
In January 2011, Restelli signed a contract with the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League.[10] He spent the training camp and preseason of the 2011 season playing on special teams. Despite a strong preseason performance (in the final preseason game versus the Dallas Cowboys, Restelli recorded four tackles and a defended pass), Restelli was released in the final round of cuts on September 3.[11]
Return to the Edmonton Eskimos
Following his release by the Dolphins, Restelli returned to the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. He spent the remainder of the 2011 CFL season as a backup linebacker.
Montreal Alouettes
On February 15, 2012, Mark Restelli became a free agent after playing out his option year for the Edmonton Eskimos. On February 21, 2012, the Montreal Alouettes announced that they had signed Restelli.[12] On June 16, 2012, he was released by the Alouettes along with eight other players. Restelli was injured for most of Montreal's training camp.[13]
Personal
Even though Restelli is from California, he claims that he does not surf. During the Edmonton Eskimos 2009 training camp, after being asked about it, Restelli responded, "You've got to be like the 10th person to ask it."[14]
Restelli's first football job came on the Santa Margarita football sidelines as a 10-year-old waterboy alongside future New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez. Restelli and Sanchez played on the same Pop Warner team for three years. They shagged footballs on the Santa Margarita practice field for quarterback Carson Palmer, who went on to win the 2002 Heisman Trophy and become the top overall selection in the 2003 NFL draft. The two were Eagles junior varsity basketball teammates (incorrect. Restelli only played freshman year while Sanchez was an 8th grader.) before Sanchez left to play his junior and senior seasons at Mission Viejo High.Santa Margarita's Restelli gets his shot at NFL
References
- ^ a b c d "#44 Mark Restelli". Edmonton Eskimos. Retrieved 2009-06-24.
- ^ Annicchiarico, Mario (June 6, 2009). "Eskimos hopeful Restelli blends intelligence with California culture". The Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 2009-06-24. [dead link]
- ^ Aird, Donovan (April 29, 2009). "Cal Poly linebacker Mark Restelli heads north to Canadian Football League". San Luis Obispo Tribune. Archived from the original on May 3, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-24.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Jones, Terry (2009-07-15). "Restelli quite a find for Eskimos". Edmonton Sun. Retrieved 2009-07-16.
- ^ Moddejonge, Gerry (June 11, 2009). "Doggett gone". The Edmonton Sun. Retrieved 2009-06-24.
- ^ Annicchiarico, Mario (June 18, 2009). "Rookie QBs may be keepers". The Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on June 21, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-24.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Annicchiarico, Mario (June 17, 2009). "'Tired of beating up on each other'". The Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 2009-06-24.
- ^ a b Moddejonge, Gerry (June 21, 2009). "Strong battle on weak side". Edmonton Sun. Retrieved 2009-06-24.
- ^ MacKinnon, John (June 26, 2009). "Eskimos' front office has depth". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 2009-06-29. [dead link]
- ^ http://bleacherreport.com/articles/573554-miami-dolphins-sign-cfl-linebacker-mark-restelli-to-contract
- ^ http://www.kcoy.com/Global/story.asp?S=15466795
- ^ Alouettes go Hunt-ing, sign DT
- ^ http://en.montrealalouettes.com/article/the-alouettes-release-nine-players The Alouettes release nine players
- ^ Moddejonge, Gerry (June 13, 2009). "Turf, not surf". Edmonton Sun. Retrieved 2009-06-24.