Montrae Holland

Montrae Rondrell Holland (born May 21, 1980) is a former

Holland was born in Jefferson, Texas with a defect in his right leg which he had corrected in seventh grade. Doctors had to break his leg and fuse his growth plates together on both legs, which stunted his growth, which made it so he could not grow any more.^[1]

Holland attended

Holland accepted a football scholarship from Florida State University. As a redshirt freshman, he was a backup at right guard. As a sophomore, Holland started all 13 games at right guard and did not allow a sack. He contributed to the team leading the nation in passing (384 yards per game) and scoring offense (42.4 points per game).

As a junior, Holland started every game at right guard, while allowing only two sacks. As a senior, he started the first 10 games at right guard.

Holland was a three-year starter and registered a streak of 29 consecutive starts at

Professional career

New Orleans Saints

Holland was selected by the

In 2004, Holland was named the full-time starter at right guard, missing three games with a torn ligament in his right knee, that he suffered in the eleventh game, against the Atlanta Falcons. He contributed to Deuce McAllister's third consecutive 1,000-yard season.

In 2005, Holland began the season as reserve for the first three games, before starting seven games at right guard in place of free agent-bust Jermane Mayberry and three games at left guard. In 2006, he was a backup at guard and was declared inactive in two playoff games.

Denver Broncos

On March 3, 2007, Holland signed as a free agent with the Denver Broncos.^[4] He passed Chris Kuper on the depth chart and started 16 games at right guard.

In

In 2008, the Dallas Cowboys acquired Holland because they needed depth in the offensive line after Kyle Kosier missed 13 games with a foot injury. He appeared in seven games (two starts)

In 2009, the Cowboys tried to convert Holland into a backup center, but because this was a new position to him, he was not effective. He was declared inactive for all 16 regular season games and in two playoff contests.^[7]

In 2010, Holland was mostly a reserve player, starting two games at left guard in place of an injured Kosier.^[8]

In

On June 24, 2008, Holland was presented by Mayor Bob Avery with the key to his hometown Jefferson, Texas, for his generous contributions over the years to the community, including his support of the Marion County Youth Football league.

References