Examine individual changes

'{{Infobox NFL player |name=Henry Melton |image=Melton Quinnan 123.jpg |image_size=200 |alt= |caption=Melton (69) on the sideline during a Bears game. |current_team=Free agent |number=-- |position=[[Defensive tackle]] |birth_date={{Birth date and age|1986|10|11|mf=y}} |birth_place=[[Desoto, Texas]] |death_date= |death_place= |height_ft = 6 |height_in = 3 |weight_lbs = 290 |high_school = [[Grapevine High School|Grapevine (TX)]] |college=[[Texas Longhorns football|Texas]] |draftyear=2009 |draftround=4 |draftpick=105 |debutyear=2010 |debutteam=Chicago Bears |finalyear= |finalteam= |pastteams= * [[Chicago Bears]] ({{NFL Year|2009}}–{{NFL Year|2013}}) * [[Dallas Cowboys]] ({{NFL Year|2014}}) * [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] ({{NFL Year|2015}}) |status= |highlights= * [[Pro Bowl]] ([[2013 Pro Bowl|2012]]) |statweek=15 |statseason=2015 |statlabel1=[[Tackle (football move)|Total tackles]] |statvalue1=128 |statlabel2=[[Quarterback sack|Sack]]s |statvalue2=22.5 |statlabel3=[[Fumble|Forced fumbles]] |statvalue3=4 |statlabel4=Fumble recoveries |statvalue4=6 |nflnew=henrymelton/238403 |pfr=MeltHe99 }} '''Henry James Melton'''<ref>{{cite web | title=ESPN Profile | work= ESPN.com | url=http://m.espn.go.com/nfl/playerinfo?playerId=12695 |accessdate=}}</ref> (born October 11, 1986) is an [[American football]] [[defensive tackle]] who is currently a free agent. He played [[college football]] for the [[University of Texas at Austin|University of Texas]], where he was a [[running back]] for the [[2005 Texas Longhorn football team|2005 National Championship team]], and also played on [[special teams]].<ref name="bio">{{cite web | url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=15&change_well_id=17&member_id=123 | title=Henry Melton #37 | work=MackBrownTexasFootball | accessdate=2007-03-14}}</ref> He was drafted by the [[Chicago Bears]] in the fourth round of the [[2009 NFL Draft]] and has also played for the [[Dallas Cowboys]]. ==Early years== While attending Grapevine [[High School]] Melton was a second-team "All-USA" selection by [[USA Today]]; he gained over 800&nbsp;yards and scored eight&nbsp;[[touchdown]]s as a senior.<ref name="LL PDF">{{cite news | url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/doc_lib/2005_ULL_notes.pdf | title=Texas Game Notes - Louisiana Lafayette | accessdate=2007-03-14 | publisher=MackBrownTexasFootball | format=PDF}}</ref> He earned All-District (5-5A) honors as a junior while rushing for over 800 yards and 12 TDs and averaged 6.2 yards per carry in 2003. He also gained over 800 yards as a sophomore. He also lettered in [[baseball]] and [[track and field|track]]. ==College career== Melton's first appearance as a Longhorn was on September 3, 2005 against the [[University of Louisiana at Lafayette|Louisiana-Lafayette]] [[Louisiana–Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns football|Ragin' Cajuns]].<ref name="LL-Statesman">{{cite news | title=Charles sets Longhorn mark while taking over for injured Selvin Young; 270-pound Melton flashes speed on scoring run | publisher=Austin American Statesman | date=4 September 2005 | author=Golden, Cedric | accessdate=2006-07-30}}</ref><ref name="LL-box">{{cite web | url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/000_stats/05/game01.htm | title=Louisiana-Lafayette vs Texas (Sept 03, 2005) | work=MackBrownTexasFootball | accessdate=2007-03-14}}</ref> Melton was a backup running back in his first two seasons, according to Mike Lampe. He carried 132 times for 625 yards (4.7-yard average) and 16 touchdowns. In 2007, Melton switched to defensive tackle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000084816/article/jj-watt-jared-allen-jake-long-among-nfls-best-linemen|title=J.J. Watt, Jared Allen, Jake Long among NFL's best linemen|work=[[National Football League]]|date=2012-10-24|accessdate=2012-10-24}}</ref> Over the summer prior to the [[2007 Texas Longhorn football team|2007 Longhorn football season]], Melton and teammate [[Sergio Kindle]] were arrested in separate incidents on charges of driving while intoxicated.<ref name="Law Seeks Out">{{cite news | url=http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2007/08/03/Sports/Law-Seeks.Out.Texas.Football.Again-2929321.shtml | title=Law seeks out Texas football, again | publisher=The Daily Texan | author=Jankowski, Philip | date=3 August 2007 | accessdate=2007-08-03}}</ref><ref name="UT tackle turns self in">{{cite news | url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5024080.html | publisher=Houston Chronicle | title=UT tackle turns self in on aggravated robbery charge | author=Duarte, Joseph | date=3 August 2007 | accessdate=2007-08-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2007/08/03/jones_suspended_indefinitely.html | title=Jones suspended indefinitely | publisher=Austin American Statesman | author=Halliburton, Suzanne | date=3 August 2007 | accessdate=2007-08-03}}</ref> Both players were suspended from the team for the first three games of the season. They were required to do community service and missed the first two days of practice in order to visit with a woman whose son was crippled by a drunk driver.<ref name="miss3">{{cite news | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2962285 | title=Melton, Kindle to miss first three games of season for DWI charges | agency=Associated Press | date=5 August 2007 | accessdate=2007-08-06}}</ref> Melton became a starter in his senior season and had 29 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks. As a backup defensive end as a junior, he made 11 tackles with one sack. ==Professional career== ===Pre-draft=== Melton measured 6-3⅛ and 269 pounds and ran a 4.64 40-yard dash at the University of Texas Pro Day. He bench pressed 225 pounds 23 times, had a vertical leap of 34½" and a broad jump of 10'1". ===Chicago Bears=== He was selected by the [[Chicago Bears]] in the fourth round (105th overall) of the [[2009 NFL Draft]]. On May 29, 2009, Melton agreed to terms on a four-year deal with the Bears.<ref>(May 29, 2009)[http://mystateline.com/content/fulltext/?cid=70722 Bears sign Melton] My Stateline.com. Retrieved May 29, 2009.</ref> During a preseason game, Melton returned a kickoff for 20 yards.<ref>{{cite news|last=Koster |first=Kyle |url=http://blogs.suntimes.com/sportsprose/2009/08/now_returning_kicks_for_the_be.html |title=Now returning kicks for the Bears: Defensive end Henry Melton? - Sports Pros(e) |newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date=2009-08-15 |accessdate=2012-10-16}}</ref> Melton registered his first NFL sack on [[Brett Favre]] during a Week 10 game against the [[Minnesota Vikings]].<ref>(Nov 17, 2010)[http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/11/bears-melton-credited-with-sack-of-favre.html Bears' Melton credited with sack of QB Favre] Chicagobreakingnews.com</ref> In 2011, Melton recorded a career-high 7 sacks, third most by a defensive tackle, behind [[Cincinnati Bengals|Bengals']] [[Geno Atkins]] and [[Oakland Raiders|Raiders']] [[Tommy Kelly]], who had 7½ sacks apiece. Melton and teammate and center [[Roberto Garza]] were eventually named to the USA Today All-Joe Team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Garza-Melton-voted-to-USA-Todays-All-Joe-team/904FF782-DC4D-4F66-91D5-7FBA4BC7C860 |title=Garza, Melton land on "All-Joe" team |publisher=[[Chicago Bears]] |date=2012-02-09 |accessdate=2012-08-04}}</ref> In 2012, during organized team activities (OTAs), Melton appeared in the backfield as a running back, resembling former Bears defensive lineman and fullback [[William Perry (American football)|William Perry]]; Melton had not played running back since his days at Texas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d829a3889/article/henry-melton-the-bears-new-fridge?module=HP11_content_stream |title=Henry Melton the Bears' new 'Fridge' |publisher=NFL.com |date=2012-06-07 |accessdate=2012-08-04}}</ref> In the season opener against the [[Indianapolis Colts]], Melton sacked [[Andrew Luck]] twice, as the Bears went on to win 41-21.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.chicagobears.com/2012/09/10/ |title=Write Now Blog &#124; 2012 &#124; September &#124; 10 |publisher=[[Chicago Bears]] |date=2012-09-10 |accessdate=2012-10-16}}</ref> On December 26, Melton was named to his [[2013 Pro Bowl|first Pro Bowl]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Rosenthal|first=Gregg|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000117397/article/2013-pro-bowl-roster-analysis-nfc|title=2013 Pro Bowl roster analysis: NFC|publisher=[[National Football League]]|date=2012-12-26|accessdate=2012-12-26}}</ref> In the 2012 season, Melton recorded 32 tackles and six sacks, tied for third in the league among defensive tackles.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mayer|first=Larry|url=http://blog.chicagobears.com/2012/12/28/meltons-move-inside-pays-major-dividends/|title=Melton’s move pays major dividends|publisher=[[Chicago Bears]]|date=2012-12-28|accessdate=2013-01-15}}</ref> On March 1, 2013, Melton was given the franchise tag by the Bears,<ref>{{cite web|last=Wilkening|first=Mike|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/01/bears-give-henry-melton-the-franchise-tag/related/|title=Bears give Henry Melton the franchise tag|publisher=[[Profootballtalk.com]]|date=2013-03-01|accessdate=2013-03-01}}</ref> worth $8.45 million.<ref>{{cite web|author=[[Associated Press]]|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/agent-says-bears-melton-accepts-042236262--nfl.html|title=Agent says Bears' Melton accepts franchise tender|publisher=[[Yahoo! Sports]]|date=2013-03-08|accessdate=2013-03-08}}</ref> In 2013, Melton was carted from the field during the third game on September 22, against the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]], with a left knee injury. A [[Lachman test]] on the field was indicative of an [[anterior cruciate ligament injury]], and an [[MRI]] was scheduled.<ref>Wilson, Aaron (2013-09-23), NFLPost.com. [https://sports.yahoo.com/news/bears-worried-melton-may-torn-121047401--nfl.html "Bears worried Melton may have torn ACL"]</ref> On September 23, Melton was ruled out for the remainder of the 2013 season,<ref>{{cite web|last=Mayer|first=Larry|url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Henry-Melton-out-for-year-with-torn-ACL/e5f11b34-5114-4b1a-acc1-7531f0d27f6f|title=Henry Melton out for year with torn ACL|publisher=[[Chicago Bears]]|date=2013-09-23|accessdate=2013-09-23}}</ref> and was placed on injured reserve four days later.<ref>{{cite news|last=Biggs|first=Brad|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-chicago-bears-landon-cohen-20130927,0,7760800.story|title=Bears sign defensive tackle Cohen, put Melton on IR|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=2013-09-27|accessdate=2013-09-29}}</ref> ===Dallas Cowboys=== On March 18, 2014, Melton signed a 1-year contract along with incentives, including a team option for 3 more years with the [[Dallas Cowboys]], hoping he could regain his [[Pro Bowl]] form.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rosenthal|first=Gregg|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000335160/article/cowboys-add-henry-melton-unlikely-to-sign-jared-allen|title=Cowboys add Henry Melton, unlikely to sign Jared Allen|publisher=[[National Football League]]|date=2014-03-18|accessdate=2014-03-18}}</ref> After missing the last 13 games of the 2013 season with a torn ACL, he struggled in training camp as his knee recovered and he worked through a groin strain. Although he began the season as a starter at [[defensive tackle]], injuries forced him into a pass-rushing role, with [[Tyrone Crawford]] passing him on the depth chart. His production faded as the year went on and his season ended with a bone bruise on his right knee and being placed on the [[injured reserve list]] before the playoffs. He finished with 5 sacks (registered in the first 9 games), 20 tackles, 17 quarterback pressures, 4 passes defensed and 2 fumble recoveries. On February 14, 2015, the Cowboys declined to exercise the contract's three year option, allowing him to become a [[free agent]] on March 14, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|last1=George|first1=Brandon|title=Source: Dallas Cowboys decline to pick up 3-year option on DT Henry Melton’s contract, making him a free agent|url=http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/2015/02/source-dallas-cowboys-decline-to-pick-up-3-year-option-on-dt-henry-meltons-contract-making-him-a-free-agent.html/|website=Dallas Morning News}}</ref> ===Tampa Bay Buccaneers=== On March 12, 2015, Melton agreed to terms and signed a one-year contract with the [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]], reuniting him with his old head coach [[Lovie Smith]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-smith/Bucs-Get-Defensive-Sign-Melton-Conte/0f379180-4ac6-49df-8b16-381e30122f65|title=Bucs Get Defensive, Sign Melton, Conte|work=Buccaneers.com|first=Scott|last=Smith|date=March 12, 2015|accessdate=March 12, 2015}}</ref> He was a backup that was used at [[defensive tackle]] and [[defensive end]], posting 30 tackles (second highest mark in his career), 2 sacks, 2 passes defensed and 2 fumble recoveries. ==Personal life== On June 1, 2007, while a Junior at the University of Texas, Melton was arrested and charged with intoxicated driving in downtown [[Austin, Texas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2889986|title=Texas officials looking into defensive end's arrest|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=2007-06-01|accessdate=2013-12-22}}</ref> On December 22, 2013, Melton was again arrested in [[Grapevine, Texas]] with public intoxication and assault.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000301743/article/henry-melton-arrested-for-alleged-public-intoxication-and-assault|title=Henry Melton arrested for alleged public intoxication and assault|publisher=[[National Football League]]|date=2013-12-22|accessdate=2013-12-22}}</ref> ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== * [http://www.buccaneers.com/team-and-stats/roster/Henry-Melton/4c6fab05-e20c-4839-92e0-710c817827f9 Tampa Bay Buccaneers bio] * [http://www.dallascowboys.com/team/roster/Henry-Melton/4c1df08a-576a-44c2-9fbd-54abfd2ada96 Dallas Cowboys bio] * [http://www.chicagobears.com/team/roster/Henry-Melton/1028fd1c-56b2-420a-9c57-61a4864578dd Chicago Bears bio] {{2005 Texas Longhorns football navbox}} {{Bears2009DraftPicks}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Melton, Henry}} [[Category:1986 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Players of American football from Texas]] [[Category:American football defensive tackles]] [[Category:American football defensive ends]] [[Category:American football running backs]] [[Category:Texas Longhorns football players]] [[Category:Chicago Bears players]] [[Category:Dallas Cowboys players]] [[Category:Tampa Bay Buccaneers players]] [[Category:People from Grapevine, Texas]]'