Age: 23
College: Arizona
State
Height: 6’2” Weight: 189
Prelude:
Highly
regarded following a college career in which he was a two-time All-American and
three-time All-Western Athletic Conference selection, Haynes was chosen by the
Patriots in the first round (fifth overall) of the 1976 NFL draft. He quickly
made an impact, both as a defensive back and a punt returner.
1976 Season Summary
Appeared in
all 14 games
[Bracketed
numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]
Interceptions
– 8 [3, tied with Joe Lavender & Rod Perry]
Most
interceptions, game – 3 at NY Jets 11/21
Int. return
yards – 90 [17]
Most int.
return yards, game – 42 (on 2 int.) at Baltimore 11/14
Int. TDs – 0
Fumble
recoveries – 3
Forced fumbles
– 0
Punt Returns
Returns – 45 [3, tied with Butch Johnson]
Yards – 608 [2]
Most yards,
game – 156 (on 4 ret.) vs. Buffalo 11/7
Average per
return – 13.5 [2, tied with Eddie Brown]
TDs – 2 [2]
Longest
return – 89 yards
Scoring
TDs – 2
Points – 12
Postseason: 1 G (AFC Divisional playoff at Oakland)
Interceptions
– 0
Fumble
recoveries – 0
Punt returns
– 1
Punt return
yds. – 13
Punt return
TDs – 0
Awards &
Honors:
NFL Defensive
Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA
AFC Rookie of
the Year: UPI, NEA, Sporting News
2nd
team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, NEA
1st
team All-AFC: AP, UPI, Pro Football Weekly, Sporting News
Pro Bowl
Patriots went
11-3 to finish second in the AFC East and qualify for a Wild Card berth. Lost
AFC Divisional playoff to Oakland Raiders (24-21).
Aftermath:
Haynes
quickly developed into one of the NFL’s premier cornerbacks and was chosen to
the Pro Bowl in each of his first five seasons. He intercepted 23 passes during
that time and averaged 10.9 yards on 105 punt returns, most of which came
during his first two years. Fast and with excellent reactions, as well as being
a thorough student of his craft, he was outstanding at pass coverage. Following
an injury-shortened 1981 season, he came back with one last Pro Bowl year for
the Patriots before moving on to the Los Angeles Raiders. Haynes led the NFL
with 220 yards on six interception returns in 1984, his first of two
consecutive seasons in which he received consensus first-team All-Pro
recognition. His career lasted 14 years, until 1989, and he ended up with a
total of 46 interceptions and nine Pro Bowl selections. Haynes was inducted
into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1997.
--
Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie
of the Year in the NFL (including NFC/AFC), 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 2/4/14]
[Updated 2/4/14]
Another one of the best at his position, especially when he went to the Raiders and teamed up with Lester Hayes.
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