Brian de la Puente has made the most of an opportunity that started on the New Orleans practice squad in 2010 with him ascending to take over the club’s starting center duties in 2011, where he’s since started 28 games, including all 16 in 2012. Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by San Francisco in 2008, de la Puente spent part of the 2008 season on Kansas City’s active roster and has also served stints on the practice squads of Kansas City, Carolina and Seattle.
NFL CAREER – Brian de la Puente has made the most of an opportunity that started on the New Orleans practice squad in 2010 with him ascending to take over the club’s starting center duties in 2011, where he’s since started 28 games, including all 16 in 2012. Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by San Francisco in 2008, de la Puente spent part of the 2008 season on Kansas City’s active roster and has also served stints on the practice squads of Kansas City, Carolina and Seattle.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Re-signed to a one-year contract (RFA), 4/9/13; Signed to a reserve/future contract, 1/13/11; Signed by New Orleans to practice squad, 10/15/010; Released from Seattle Seahawks practice squad, 9/21/10; Signed to Seattle practice squad, 9/16/10; Waived by 49ers, 9/3/10; Signed to reserve/future contract by 49ers, 1/22/10; Signed to Carolina Panthers practice squad, 11/17/09; Released from Seattle Seahawks practice squad, 11/10/09; Signed to practice squad by Seattle, 9/30/09; Released from Seattle practice squad, 9/22/09; Signed to Seattle practice squad, 9/16/09; Waived by Seattle, 9/5/09; Claimed off waivers by Seattle, 8/25/09; Waived by Kansas City Chiefs, 8/24/09; Signed by Kansas City to active roster from practice squad, 12/30/08; Signed by Kansas City to practice squad, 10/30/08; Waived by Kansas City, 10/29/08; Claimed off of waivers by Kansas City, 9/1/08; Waived by 49ers, 8/30/08 Signed by San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent, 5/1/08.
2012 – Started all 16 games at center for the first game in his career. Part of an offensive line that surrendered only 26 sacks, tied for the third-lowest total in the NFL. Contributed to an offensive unit that ranked second in the NFL in total net yards (6,575)…Blocked for a unit that rushed for a season-high 163 yards at Carolina, Sept. 16…Helped block for a 446-yard passing performance by QB Drew Brees at Green Bay, Sept. 30…Blocked on a record-setting performance for Brees vs. San Diego, Oct. 7, when he set the NFL record for consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass (48)…Blocked for an offensive attack that had 458 net yards and did not allow Brees to be sacked for the first time of the season at Tampa Bay, Oct. 21…Blocked for a running attack during a three-game winning streak between Nov. 5 – Nov. 18, when the Saints managed at least 100 rushing yards in each contest…Blocked for an offensive attack that garnered 487 total net yards at N.Y. Giants, Dec. 9…Helped block for an offense in a 41-0 shutout vs. Tampa Bay, Dec. 16 that ran up 149 yards on the ground…Part of a standout effort by the offensive line that allowed Brees to throw for 446 yards and not get sacked once in an overtime win at Dallas, Dec. 23. 2011 – Played in 16 games and started 12 of the final 13 games and both playoff contests at center. Integral part of an offensive line that only relinquished 24 sacks, tied for the second-fewest in the NFL. Contributed to an offense that that set an NFL single-season record with 7,474 net yards, finishing first in passing and sixth in rushing…Made first career regular season appearance on special teams in the opener at Green Bay, Sept. 8...Started his first career game and helped lead the offense to 503 total net yards at Jacksonville, Oct. 2…Started and helped offense total 557 net yards including a season-high 236 yards rushing vs. Indianapolis, Oct. 23 and would handle duties in the middle for the remainder of season…Helped pave the way for 463 total yards that included 164 yards rushing vs. Atlanta, Dec. 26…Contributed to an offense that set a franchise record with 617 net yards vs. Carolina, 1/1/12, also setting the league single-season net yardage mark…Made his first postseason start and helped offense set an NFL record with 626 total yards in NFC Wild Card Playoff game vs. Detroit…Contributed to an offense that put together 472 total net yards in NFC Divisional Playoff game at San Francisco. 2010 – After going to training camp with 49ers, spent one week on Seattle’s practice squad before joining Saints practice squad, Oct. 15 for remainder of season. 2009 – After going to training camp with Chiefs, had stints on Seattle and Carolina practice squads throughout the season. 2008 – After he was claimed off of waivers by Chiefs from 49ers following final roster cutdown, spent seven games on Chiefs roster, where he was inactive for each contest…Spent remaining nine games on practice squad.
COLLEGE – Played in 26 games with 16 starts at California…Started all 13 games as a senior in 2007 and earned honorable mention All-Pac-10…Part of a 2007 unit that allowed a league-low 11 sacks and helped Justin Forsett rush for 1,546 yards to rank second in conference, second on Golden Bears’ all-time single-season list and 15th nationally…Played in 10 games (three starts) as a junior in 2006 after seeing first action with spot duty in 2005…Legal studies major.
PERSONAL – Earned first-team All-South Coast League, All-CIF Southern Section and All-Orange County as a senior at San Clemente (Calif.) HS as he led team to CIF semifinals and played in 2002 Shrine All-Star Game…Learned sign language in high school to communicate better with his youngest sister, Riki, who is deaf…Super Bowl XLVII week, volunteered to fit underprivileged youth and adults with hearing aids…Brian and his wife Makenzie had their wedding officiated by teammate FB Jed Collins.
