Player Profile

GAMES/STARTS: (regular season, playoffs): 1998 (0/0 - Oak.), 1999 (14/9 - Oak.), 2000 (0/0 - Ten.), 2001 (5/2 - Ten.), 2002 (16/16, 2/2 - Ten.). Totals - 35/27, 2/2.

PRO: After losing second round draft choice Al Johnson to a knee injury in training camp, the Dallas Cowboys turned to Gennaro DiNapoli (pronounced ju-NAIR-oh duh-NAP-oh-lee) to help stabilize the center position while providing depth at guard. DiNapoli comes to Dallas after spending the previous four seasons with the Tennessee Titans. He was originally selected by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round (109th overall) of the 1998 NFL Draft. He was traded to the Titans on Aug. 27, 2000 for a condi-tional selection in the 2001 NFL Draft.

2002: DiNapoli started all 16 games and two playoff contests at center for the Titans. He was part of a Tennessee offensive line that cleared a path for 1,952 rushing yardswhile allowing just 21 sacks, the second lowest total in the NFL and the fewest in the Oilers/Titans history since the 1978 unit gave up 17. A key part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack in games against Houston (11/10), Pittsburgh (11/17) and at Jacksonville (12/22). In the Titans AFC Divisional Playoff win against Pittsburgh (1/11/03), DiNapoli and the offensive line paved the way for 338 yards of total offense while surrendering just one sack.

2001: DiNapoli played in five games, starting two, at center for the Titans. He saw his first action of the season on special teams in the 27-24 win at Detroit (10/21). DiNapoli moved to right guard and con-tinued seeing playing time on special teams in the win at Cleveland (12/2). He served at left guard and on special teams at Minnesota (12/9) before earning his first start with the Titans at center in place of the injured Kevin Long (right knee). He helped the offense record 167 rushing yards, including a career-high 142 yards by Skip Hicks, against Green Bay (12/16). He started at center again at Oakland (12/22) before moving to left guard in the fourth quarter of the Raiders game when Bruce Matthews exited with an injured groin.

2000: After being traded from the Raiders on Aug. 27, DiNapoli did not see any action with the Titans despite being active for four games.

1999: DiNapoli started nine-of-14 games for the Raiders helping lead the way for more than 100 yards rushing in seven-of-nine starts. He started the first eight games of the season before being sidelined with an injury. After returning from the injury, DiNapoli saw time in a reserve role.

1998: After being selected in the fourth round (109th overall) of the NFL Draft by the Raiders, DiNapoli was active for four games but did not see any playing time.

COLLEGE: A four-year letterman at Virginia Tech, DiNapoli earned All-Big East honors after starting every game at guard as a senior for the second consecutive season. DiNapoli settled into the fulltime role at right guard as a junior after starting the final eight games of his sophomore campaign at that posi-tion. He started his collegiate career at left tackle.

PERSONAL: A communications major, DiNapoli was a standout tight end and defensive tackle at Milford, CT, Academy and Cazenovia, NY, High School. He earned first-team all-league honors in his final prep season. He was rated the seventh-best player in the New England region by SuperPrep.