Age: 23
College: San
Diego State
Height: 6’5” Weight: 240
Prelude:
One of the
Cards’ two third-round draft choices in 1987 (62nd overall), it was
hoped that Awalt would be able to compete against veteran TE Doug Marsh and
backup Jay Novacek. When Novacek went down with an injury, he started nine
games in the strike-interrupted season.
1987 Season Summary
Appeared in 12
of 15 games
[Bracketed
numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]
Pass
Receiving
Receptions – 42
Most
receptions, game – 9 (for 97 yds.) vs. Philadelphia 11/1, (for 124 yds.) vs.
Tampa Bay 11/8
Yards – 526
Most yards,
game – 124 (on 9 catches) vs. Tampa Bay 11/8
Average gain
– 12.5
TDs – 6 [16,
tied with seven others]
100-yard
receiving games - 1
Rushing
Attempts – 2
Yards – -9
Average gain
– -4.5
TDs – 0
Scoring
TDs – 6
Points – 36
Awards & Honors:
NFL Rookie of
the Year: Sporting News
NFC Rookie of
the Year: UPI
2nd
team All-NFL: NEA
Cardinals
went 7-8 in the strike-shortened season (three games were played with
replacement players) to finish third in the NFC East.
Aftermath:
The franchise
moved west to Phoenix in 1988 and, while his production dropped due to
splitting time with Novacek and battling a foot injury, Awalt had a good year
with 39 catches for 454 yards and four TDs. There were concerns about his
blocking, but he was a sure-handed receiver and caught another 33 passes for
360 yards in ’89. Initially slated to be shifted to H-back in 1990, Awalt
instead was dealt to the Dallas Cowboys and settled into a backup role. He
caught 18 passes in two seasons and moved on to Buffalo, where he had six
catches in 1992 and ’93. For his seven-season career, he caught 138 passes for
1583 yards (11.5 avg.) and 10 touchdowns. Awalt’s first year remained his best.
--
Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie
of the Year in the NFL, AFL (1960-69), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized
organization (Associated Press – Offense or Defense, Newspaper Enterprise
Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, or the league
itself – Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year).
[Updated 2/5/14]
[Updated 2/5/14]
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