Rob Petitti

Rob Christopher Petitti (born May 21, 1982 in Clark, New Jersey) is an American football offensive tackle for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Pittsburgh.

Petitti has also played for the New Orleans Saints, St. Louis Rams and Florida Tuskers.

Early years
Petitti played high school football at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, where he was twice named to All-New Jersey Group I team. He was also a two-time All-Division, All-Shore, All-County selection. He was a three-year starter as an offensive and defensive lineman. He recorded 90 tackles during his final two prep seasons. He now coaches the offensive line at his old high school while he is recovering from his injury. He is also coaching lacrosse.

College career
Petitti attended Pitt.

In 2003, Petitti, earned First-team All-Big East Conference, First-team All-Eastern College Athletic Conference honors. He was named the coaching staff's Co-Lineman of the Game for the Ball State contest and Co-Blocker of the Game against Syracuse. He started all year at left offensive tackle. For the season he recorded 87 knockdowns with eight touchdown-resulting blocks. He also, allowed 7.5 of the team's 43 quarterback sacks.

In 2004, Petitti earned Second-team All-American selection by The Sporting News and College Football News, Third-team honors from The NFL Draft Report and Associated Press. He was a unanimous First-team All-Big East selection by the coaches. Petittie was also a three-time All-Big East pick, the first Pitt offensive lineman to since Ruben Brown was a three-time selection from 1992 - 1994.

Dallas Cowboys
Petitti was selected in the sixth round (209 overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys.

Petitti was forced to start at right tackle as a rookie. He made his first NFL start in the season opening win at the San Diego Chargers. By doing so, he became the first rookie since Dave Widell in 1988 to start an opener at the right tackle position for Dallas. He was also only the second rookie to start a season opener at the position in franchise history. In 2005, Petitti and Larry Allen were the only two offensive players for the Cowboys to play every offensive snap that season.

Because of his significant playing time as a rookie, Pettiti earned $271,287 in performance pay, doubling his signing bonus and minimum base salary. Petitti was released by the Cowboys on September 2, 2006.

New Orleans Saints
On September 4, 2006, Petitti — along with Cowboys teammate Terrance Copper — was claimed off waivers by the New Orleans Saints.

In 2006, Pettiti played in one game for the Saints. He was a backup to Jon Stinchcomb. He was waived by the Saints on August 31, 2007.

St. Louis Rams
On October 24, 2007 he was signed by the St. Louis Rams, to a two-year, $1.1 million contract, to fill the roster spot vacated the release of Claude Terrell, after Terrell was released after he allegedly assaulted his wife in Houston. In 2007, Petitti played in five games for the Rams, with one start. He also recovered one fumble.

On July 23, 2008, Petitti was waived/injured by the Rams after tearing his Achilles tendon in the offseason. He was placed on season-ending injured reserve two days later.

Florida Tuskers
Petitti was drafted by the Florida Tuskers in the UFL Premiere Season Draft in 2009. He signed with the team on August 25.

Carolina Panthers
Petitti was signed by the Panthers on December 15 to replace injured Jeff Otah.