Mike Karney Michael John Mario Karney ( born July 6 , 1981 in San Jose , California ) is an American football fullback who is currently a free agent of the National Football League ( NFL ) . He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft . He played college football at Arizona State . He was also a member of the St . Louis Rams . Early years . Karney attended Kentwood High School in Covington , Washington and garnered varsity letters in football and baseball . In football , he was a " USA Today " All - USA Honorable Mention selection , a PrepStar All - Region honoree , named the No . 15 player in the Northwest . Karney rushed for 800 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior as his team went to the Class 4A state title game , its first appearance in 10 years . College career . Started 28 of 46 games at Arizona State and had 78 yards on 32 carries and 37 receptions for 308 yards and a touchdown . Karney is said to have trained in college by strapping his car to his back and attempt to pull it around . As a senior , he recorded 14 catches for 106 yards and in 2002 , opened 11 of 14 games , posting 20 rushing yards on eight carries and hauling in 13 passes for 121 yards . All Pac - 10 honorable mention in 2001 , opening seven games and playing in every contest . That season had six carries for 18 yards and caught six passes for 39 yards , including a seven - yard touchdown vs . San Diego State . Professional career . Pre - draft . Karney was rated as one of the top fullbacks coming out of college . New Orleans Saints . Karney was drafted in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints . Karney was signed to three - year $ 1 . 3 million contract on July 29 , 2004 , and proved to be a solid lead blocker and average receiver out of the backfield . The Saints gave up two picks to draft Karney . In his first two seasons he started 22 of 32 games . He was re - signed to a contract extension prior to the 2006 season ( July 13 , 2006 ) . The extension was for a reported four - years and $ 5 . 6 million including incentives , and included a $ 1 . 2 million signing bonus . On December 10 , 2006 , against the Dallas Cowboys on " Sunday Night Football " , Karney had his best NFL game , scoring two receiving and one rushing touchdowns , his first three touchdowns in the NFL . After the 2006 season Karney was voted Second - team All - pro and was voted a Pro Bowl alternate . In 2007 he repeated his honor of being an alternate to the Pro Bowl . He was released by the Saints on March 5 , 2009 , the night of the rehearsal dinner for his wedding . St . Louis Rams . Karney signed a three - year , $ 4 . 9 million contract with the St . Louis Rams on March 11 , 2009 . The deal includes $ 1 . 7 million guaranteed . Karney was needed because , according to ESPN ' s John Clayton , " The Rams have been struggling at that position since they released Madison Hedgecock early in 2007 . " Hedgecock ended up starting for the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII and was Second - team All - Pro and Pro Bowl alternate in 2008 . On the day of the Karney signing , Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo said , " Mike has proven to be a solid fullback since entering the league in 2004 . We are excited that he is now a Ram and we looking forward to him being an effective part of our offense in the future . " Steven Jackson echoed that saying , " I ' ve seen the holes that he ' s opened up … I ' m looking forward to working with him . " On February 8 , 2011 , the Rams released Karney . Seattle Seahawks . Karney visited with the Seahawks on August 30 , 2011 , but was not signed to a contract by Seattle .