MVP Profile: Walter Payton, 1985

Running Back, Chicago Bears

Age: 31

11^th season in pro football & with Bears

College: Jackson State

Height: 5’10” Weight: 202

Prelude:

Chosen by the Bears in the first round of the 1975 NFL draft, Payton played hurt during his rookie season (and missed the only game of his career) as he accumulated 679 rushing yards. He broke out in ’76, running for 1390 yards on a league-leading 311 carries and scoring 13 touchdowns, and followed that up with a MVP season in 1977 in which he rushed for 1852 yards, including a then-record 275 in a single game. Over the course of the next seven seasons, Payton rushed for over a thousand years in all but strike-shortened 1982 and led the NFC in rushing for five straight years, despite being part of a lackluster offense that had opposing teams keying on him. In 1984 he surpassed Jim Brown’s NFL career record of 12,312 rushing yards. Payton was named to the Pro Bowl seven times and was a consensus first-team All-Pro on four occasions prior to ‘85.  

1985 Season Summary

Appeared and started in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 324 [4]

Most attempts, game - 28 (for 192 yds.) at Green Bay 11/3, (for 53 yds.) at NY Jets 12/14

Yards – 1551 [3]

Most yards, game – 192 yards (on 28 carries) at Green Bay 11/3

Average gain – 4.8 [8, tied with James Brooks & Eddie Lee Ivery]

TDs – 9 [8, tied with Roger Craig & Larry Kinnebrew]

100-yard rushing games - 10

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 49      

Most receptions, game – 6 (for 37 yds.) vs. Tampa Bay 9/8

Yards – 483

Most yards, game - 69 (on 4 catches) vs. Detroit 11/10

Average gain – 9.9

TDs – 2

Passing

Attempts – 5

Completions – 3

Yards – 96

TDs – 1

Interceptions – 0

All-Purpose Yards – 2034 [4]

Scoring

TDs – 11 [9, tied with Mike Quick]

Points – 66

Postseason: 3 G

Rushing attempts – 67

Most rushing attempts, game - 27 vs. NY Giants, NFC Divisional playoff

Rushing yards – 186

Most rushing yards, game - 93 vs. NY Giants, NFC Divisional playoff

Average gain rushing – 2.8

Rushing TDs – 0

Pass receptions – 8

Most pass receptions, game - 7 vs. LA Rams, NFC Championship

Pass receiving yards - 52

Most pass receiving yards, game – 48 vs. LA Rams, NFC Championship

Average yards per reception – 6.5

Pass Receiving TDs - 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL MVP: NEA, Bert Bell Award

1^st team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, NEA, Sporting News

1^st team All-NFC: UPI

Pro Bowl

Bears went 15-1 to finish first in the NFC Central with the conference’s best record while leading the NFL in rushing (2761 yards) and NFC in scoring (456 points). Won NFC Divisional playoff over New York Giants (21-0), NFC Championship over Los Angeles Rams (24-0), and Super Bowl over New England Patriots (46-10).

Aftermath:

Payton played two more seasons, and was selected to the Pro Bowl once more in 1986. Not only a productive ground gainer, he was an outstanding blocker and receiver out of the backfield, as well as an accomplished passer on option plays (he was even the club’s emergency quarterback). Payton ultimately totaled 10 thousand-yard rushing seasons. He was a consensus first-team All-Pro five times and was chosen to nine Pro Bowls. The even-tempered player known as “Sweetness” was also an unselfish team leader and hard worker, and was popular not only with Bears fans, but throughout the league. He retired as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher with 16,726 yards and also topped the list in carries (3838) and rushing TDs (110); his total of 125 touchdowns ranked second. Payton also caught 492 passes for 4538 yards and exceeded 2000 yards from scrimmage in four seasons. The Bears retired his #34 and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1993. 

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MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league itself). 

Rookie of the Year: Al Richardson, 1980

Linebacker, Atlanta Falcons

Age: 23 (Sept. 23)

College: Georgia Tech

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 206

Prelude:

Richardson was an eighth round draft choice by the Falcons for 1980, one of four linebackers the Falcons took. Starting on the outside, he combined with fellow rookie Buddy Curry, veteran Fulton Kuykendall, and second-year OLB Joel Williams to create an outstanding corps of linebackers.

1980 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – N/A

Interceptions – 7 [5, tied with 7 others]

Most interceptions, game – 2 at San Francisco 9/28

Int. return yards – 139 [4]

Most int. return yards, game – 52 (on 1 int.) at Philadelphia 12/7

Int. TDs – 0

Fumble recoveries – 3

Forced fumbles – 0

Scoring

TDs – 1

Points – 6

Postseason: 1 G (NFC Divisional playoff vs. Dallas)

Interceptions – 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: AP (co-winner)

2^nd team All-NFC: UPI

Falcons went 12-4 to finish first in the NFC West with the best record in the conference. Lost NFC Divisional playoff to Dallas Cowboys (30-27).  

Aftermath:

Due to an injury to Joel Williams, Richardson became the team’s chief blitzing linebacker in 1981 and, while his interception total dropped to one, he led the Falcons with 10.5 sacks (unofficially). A fractured shoulder blade limited Richardson to five games in 1983, following the strike-shortened ’82 season, and his level of performance dropped off thereafter. His career lasted just six seasons, through 1985, until he was cut during the preseason in ‘86. Overall, he played in 77 games and intercepted 9 passes; sacks not being an official statistic until 1982, he was credited with 9 but in actuality had more than double that number.

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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). 

MVP Profile: Michael Strahan, 2001

Defensive End, New York Giants

Age:  30 (Nov. 21)

9^th season in pro football & with Giants

College: Texas Southern

Height: 6’5”   Weight: 275

Prelude:

Strahan was chosen by the Giants in the second round of the 1993 NFL draft, but a preseason foot injury hindered his progress as a rookie. He moved into the starting lineup in ’94 and was a consensus first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection for the first time in 1997, a year in which he also reached double digits in sacks with 14. He duplicated the honors in ’98 and went to the Pro Bowl for a third straight year in 1999 despite a drop in sacks from 15 to 5.5. Following a slow start in 2000, Strahan reasserted his dominant pass rushing skills as the season progressed and finished up with 9.5 sacks.

2001 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 22.5 [1]

Most sacks, game – 4 at St. Louis 10/14

Multi-sack games (2 or more) – 5

Interceptions – 0

Fumble recoveries – 1

Forced fumbles – 6

Tackles – 62

Assists – 11

Sack total of 22.5 set NFL record

Scoring

TDs – 1

Points – 6

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Player of the Year: AP

1^st team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, Sporting News

1^st team All-NFC: Pro Football Weekly

Pro Bowl

Giants went 7-9 to finish third in the NFC East.

Aftermath:

Strahan was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2002 and again led the NFL with 18.5 sacks in ’03, when he was a consensus All-NFL selection for the fourth (and last) time. While major injuries hampered him in 2004 and ’06, Strahan played until 2007, a total of 15 seasons, and retired following a Super Bowl title for the team. Fast and adaptable, he ended up with 141.5 sacks, which ranked fifth all-time at his retirement, and was selected to the Pro Bowl on seven occasions.

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MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league itself). Also includes Associated Press NFL Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year.

1984: Late TD Pass Propels Gold Over Gunslingers

The Denver Gold of the United States Football League had gotten off to a 7-1 start during the 1984 season, but were in the midst of a five-game losing streak as they faced the San Antonio Gunslingers on May 25. At 7-6 Denver was still on top of the mediocre Pacific Division, but Head Coach Craig Morton’s club desperately needed a win and was without injured starting QB Craig Penrose.

The Gunslingers, in their first season in the USFL, were 5-8 despite coming off a win at Washington the previous week and had their own difficulties. Poorly managed, the Gunslingers, who were coached by Gil Steinke, were respectable on the field and had overcome a 0-4 start. Rookie QB Rick Neuheisel showed considerable promise, but it was the young-but-tough defense that fueled the improvement.

There were 20,077 in attendance for the Friday night game at Alamo Stadium. The Gunslingers took a 3-0 lead late in the first quarter on a 32-yard field goal by Nick Mike-Mayer. Brian Speelman tied the score less than five minutes into the second quarter with a 23-yard field goal and then backup QB Fred Mortensen (pictured above) threw to RB Bill Johnson for a 23-yard touchdown with 4:20 remaining in the first half. It was 10-3 in favor of the visitors at the intermission.

In the third quarter, San Antonio took advantage of a fumble recovery at the Denver 7. RB George Works ran for a TD from two yards out and, with the successful extra point, the game was tied at 10-10. Speelman added another field goal later in the period to make it 13-10 and, before the quarter was over, Denver got a break when the Gunslingers failed to convert a fourth down, allowing the Gold to take over at the San Antonio 29. Four plays later, and now in the final quarter, RB Harry Sydney ran for a three-yard touchdown and Denver was ahead by 20-10.

The Gunslingers got within seven points as the 34-year-old veteran Mike-Mayer kicked his ninth straight field goal, from 33 yards out four minutes later. A blocked punt by LB Reggie Oliver then set up another score for San Antonio. Works scored his second touchdown from a yard out and Mike-Mayer booted the tying extra point. But the decisive play of the game came with 1:52 left on the clock as Mortensen tossed a pass to RB Dave Preston that was good for a 32-yard touchdown. It was enough to give the Gold a 27-20 win.

Denver outgained the Gunslingers (394 yards to 252) and had more first downs (16 to 10). However, they also turned the ball over twice, to one by San Antonio.

In his relief role, Fred Mortensen completed 19 of 27 passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns with none intercepted. WR Elmer Bailey led the Denver receivers with 4 catches for 82 yards while WR Leonard Harris was right behind with three receptions and 81 yards. Harry Sydney rushed for 42 yards on 9 carries.

For the Gunslingers, Rick Neuheisel was successful on 11 of 20 throws for 148 yards and no TDs or interceptions. RB Marcus Bonner had 43 rushing yards on 6 attempts and also caught 4 passes for 29 yards. WR Danny Buggs gained the most receiving yards with 50 that all came on a single reception. George Works (pictured at left), who scored two touchdowns, gained 37 yards on 10 carries.

Ending the losing streak did not mark a turnaround for Denver. The Gold lost the following week and won just once more the rest of the way, finishing at 9-9 and in third place in the Pacific Division – although, in a week division, they remained in contention until the season finale. San Antonio also finished third in the Central Division with a 7-11 record.

Fred Mortensen appeared in seven games and completed 64 of 100 passes for 994 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions. Released by the Gold following the season, he was picked up by San Antonio for 1985.

Rookie of the Year: Nick Pietrosante, 1959

Fullback, Detroit Lions

Age:  22 (Sept. 10)

College: Notre Dame

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 225

Prelude:

An All-American in college, Pietrosante was taken in the first round of the 1959 NFL draft by the Lions, who were looking to improve their inside running game. While there were questions regarding his speed, he more than met expectations in his rookie year.

1959 Season Summary

Appeared in 10 of 12 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 76
Most attempts, game - 17 (for 134 yds.) vs. Green Bay 11/26

Yards – 447 [16]
Most yards, game - 134 yds. (on17 att.) vs. Green Bay 11/26 

Average gain – 5.9 [2]

TDs – 3 [14, tied]
100-yard rushing games - 1

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 16      

Yards – 140

Average gain – 8.8

TDs – 0

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 5

Yards – 98

Average per return – 19.6

TDs – 0

Longest return – 24 yards

Scoring

TDs – 3

Points – 18

Awards & Honors:

NFL Rookie of the Year: Sporting News

Lions went 3-8-1 to finish fifth in the NFL Western Conference.

Aftermath:

Pietrosante rushed for a career-high 872 yards in 1960 and followed up with 841 yards in ’61. He was selected to the Pro Bowl following both seasons. While his numbers dropped off thereafter due to nagging injuries, he played seven years with the Lions and ran the ball 938 times for 3933 yards (4.2 avg.), making him the franchise’s all-time rushing leader at the time, and 28 touchdowns. He also caught 134 passes for 1323 yards. Pietrosante finished up his career as a backup for two years in Cleveland and ended up in 1967 with 4026 rushing yards.

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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 2/22/17]

1999: Dameyune Craig Passes for 611 Yards in NFL Europe Game

As a quarterback in the NFL, Dameyune Craig appeared in just six games over a period of four seasons after signing with the Carolina Panthers as a free agent out of Auburn. But on May 22, 1999 as a member of the Scottish Claymores of NFL Europe, Craig compiled a passing yardage total that no NFL quarterback to date has approached.

Craig had been allocated to the developmental league by the Panthers for the 1999 spring season. The Claymores came into the game at 3-2 following a bad loss against the Rhein Fire in Dusseldorf the previous week. They were facing the Frankfurt Galaxy, who had beaten the Claymores in Edinburgh in overtime a few weeks earlier and were also 3-2.

There were 33,915 fans in attendance for the Saturday game at the Waldstadion in Frankfurt. The Galaxy opened the scoring four minutes into the contest when QB Pat Barnes connected with WR Mike McCullough for a 23-yard touchdown

The Scots came right back on a drive highlighted by Craig’s pass to FB Jamie Reader that picked up 52 yards. Craig threw to WR Donald Sellers for 14 yards and capped the series with a five-yard scoring pass to Sellers. The successful extra point made it 7-7.

Two plays later, safety Lee Wiggins got the ball back for the Claymores when he intercepted a pass by Barnes at midfield. Completions to RB Jesse Haynes and TE Shon Bell got the Scots deep into Frankfurt territory, but with fourth-and-goal at the one, Craig was unable to score on a quarterback sneak and the Claymores came up empty.

The Galaxy made the most of the reprieve in a possession highlighted by missed tackles and ending early in the second quarter with Barnes throwing to McCullough for a 43-yard TD. The Claymores didn’t take long to tie the game up again. Craig threw to WR Yo Murphy who charged down the sideline for a 75-yard touchdown.

The Scots put together a seven-play scoring drive that featured long gains by Sellers and WR Kevin Drake and concluded with Craig tossing a 24-yard TD pass to Bell. The tally was 21-14 in favor of the Scottish club at the half.

The Claymores extended their lead early in the third quarter, once more in spectacular fashion as Craig threw to Sellers for a 44-yard touchdown. The Galaxy came alive on offense and drove into scoring territory, but DE Jermaine Benoit sacked new Frankfurt QB Jake Delhomme for an 11-yard loss and, on the next play, DB Denorse Mosley intercepted a pass in the corner of the end zone to extinguish the threat.

Craig, going for the big strike, immediately hit Sellers for a 71-yard gain, but the Claymores fumbled the ball away on the next play. However, Frankfurt wasn’t able to move offensively and, regaining possession, the Scots started the fourth quarter with a Craig pass to Sellers for 36 yards. Three plays later, Haynes ran for a one-yard TD and, with another successful PAT, the Claymores held a seemingly-comfortable 35-14 lead.

Frankfurt wasn’t finished, however, and with 13 minutes left on the clock commenced a comeback. The Galaxy scored on a five-yard touchdown pass from Delhomme to McCullough. Shortly thereafter, Craig fumbled and safety Jamaal Alexander recovered for the home team. Two plays later, Delhomme hit WR Todd Floyd for a seven-yard TD and, with another successful extra point by Ralph Kleimann, the Claymores led by just 35-28.

Again the Scots came through with a big play as Craig connected with Sellers for a 39-yard touchdown. It was 42-28 with three minutes remaining, but the Galaxy proved to be resilient. Frankfurt put together a 77-yard drive in eight plays that concluded with Delhomme throwing to Bailey for a six-yard TD. It was once again a one-touchdown game.

The Galaxy kept it interesting with a successful onside kick that was recovered by LB Jimmy Clements. With 1:24 still on the clock, Frankfurt had the ball at its own 42 yard line. However, four plays later CB Joey Eloms intercepted a Delhomme pass in the end zone to finally nail down the 42-35 win for the Claymores.

Many league records fell in the 77-point contest, including most combined yards (1073). Dameyune Craig completed 27 of 37 passes for 611 yards and five touchdowns – the yardage total was not only a NFL Europe record but surpassed the existing NFL record by 57 yards. Donald Sellers, allocated by the Rams, set a league receiving yardage record with 264 yards on 9 catches that included three touchdowns.  Yo Murphy added 8 pass receptions for 149 yards and a TD and Shon Bell had 5 catches for 96 yards.

“We had no idea that we had chalked up so many yards,” said Claymores Head Coach Jim Criner. “During the course of a ball game all you are really worried about is the score. It was nice to have that kind of productivity and it’s nice to know our players are capable of it.”

“I may have had some big numbers but I also had two turnovers that could have cost us the game,” said Craig, who was self-critical despite his big performance. “You have to look for perfection with regards to the overall game plan and I could have done better. As far as the passing, I think I played pretty close to perfection although I did turn the ball over twice which could have hurt the team.”

Craig’s jersey was sent off to Canton for display in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He went on to complete 198 of 339 passes (58.4 %) for 2932 yards and 21 touchdowns with 12 interceptions for a 92.7 passer rating. It proved to be the high water mark of his pro football career – he retired to coaching after a year playing arena football in 2002. Ironically, it was Frankfurt’s Delhomme, allocated to NFL Europe by the Saints in ’99, who went on to a career as the starting quarterback for the Carolina Panthers from 2003 to ‘09.

Donald Sellers and Yo Murphy were the top two receivers over the course of the season, just as they had been against Frankfurt. Sellers caught 58 passes for 931 yards (16.1 avg.) and seven touchdowns and Murphy had 45 receptions for 752 yards (16.7 avg.) and four TDs.

The big win over the Galaxy ended up being the high point of the season for the Claymores. They lost their remaining games and finished in fifth place at 4-6. Frankfurt recovered to place second in the league at 6-4 and went on to defeat Barcelona for the league title. 

MVP Profile: Otto Graham, 1948

Quarterback, Cleveland Browns

Age:  27 (Dec. 6)

3^rd season in pro football & with Browns

College: Northwestern

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 190

Prelude:

A single-wing tailback in college, Graham chose to sign with the Browns of the new AAFC rather than the NFL Detroit Lions, who had drafted him in the first round in 1944, after coming out of the Navy. An outstanding athlete, he first played pro basketball before joining the Browns for the 1946 season. Mobile and an accurate passer, Graham threw for 1834 yards as a rookie and led the AAFC with 17 TD passes as the Browns won the league championship. He was the league’s MVP for the first time in ’47 as he led the AAFC in overall passing as well as completion percentage (60.6), yards (2753), TD passes (25), and yards per attempt (10.2) and the Browns again won the title.

1948 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 333 [3]

Completions – 173 [2]

Yards – 2713 [1]

Completion percentage – 52.0 [3]

Yards per attempt – 8.1 [3]

TD passes – 25 [2]

Most TD passes, game – 4 vs. NY Yankees 10/24, at San Francisco 11/28

Interceptions – 15 [4, tied with Bob Chappuis, Bob Hoernschemeyer & Sam Vacanti]

Passer rating – 85.6 [3]

Rushing

Attempts – 23

Yards – 146

Yards per attempt – 6.3

TDs – 6 [7, tied with Mickey Colmer & Julie Rykovich]

Interceptions

Interceptions – 1

Return yards – 0

TDs – 0

Punt Returns

Returns – 1  

Yards – 12

Average per return – 12.0

TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 6 [18, tied with Bob Pfohl, Jack Russell & Julie Rykovich]      

Points – 36

Postseason: 1 G (vs. Buffalo Bills, AAFC Championship)

Pass attempts – 24

Pass completions – 11

Passing yardage – 118

TD passes – 1

Interceptions – 1

Rushing attempts – 1

Rushing yards – 0

Average gain rushing – 0.0

Rushing TDs – 0

Kickoff returns – 1

Kickoff ret. Yards – 46

Kickoff ret. TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

AAFC MVP: League (co-winner)

1^st team All-AAFC: League, AP, UPI

2^nd team All-NFL/AAFC: Sporting News

2^nd team All-AAFC: NY Daily News

Browns went 14-0 to finish first in the Western Division. Defeated Buffalo Bills for AAFC Championship (49-7).

Aftermath:

The Browns won the AAFC title once more in 1949, and Graham led the league in passing yards (2713). He was a consensus first-team All-AAFC selection. The Browns moved to the NFL in 1950 and won another championship. They lost title games in 1951 and ’52, but Graham was a consensus first-team All-Pro in ’51 and led the league in pass attempts (364), completions (181), yards (2816), and TD passes (20) as well as interceptions (24). Cleveland won the Championship games following the 1954 and ’55 seasons (the latter after Graham was coaxed out of retirement to play one more year) and he led the league in completion percentage in each of his last three years as well as yards (2722) and yards per attempt (10.6) in 1953, and TD percentage (8.1) and yards per attempt (9.3) in ’55. Altogether, over 10 seasons (four in the AAFC, 6 in the NFL) Graham averaged 9.0 yards per attempt (a record 8.6 in the NFL alone) while throwing for 23,584 yards (10,085 in AAFC, 13,499 in NFL) with 174 TDs (86 in AAFC, 88 in NFL). He also ran for 882 yards and scored 44 TDs, with a high of 8 in 1954. He was a first-team All-league selection three times in the AAFC as well as three more times in the NFL and was chosen for the first five Pro Bowls. Perhaps most significantly of all, he quarterbacked Cleveland to a championship game in all ten years, winning seven of them. The Browns retired his #14 and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1965.

[Updated 6/14/13]

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MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league itself). 

Rookie of the Year: Leslie O’Neal, 1986

Defensive End, San Diego Chargers

Age: 22

College: Oklahoma State

Height: 6’3”   Weight: 252

Prelude:

Determined to improve their defense, the Chargers traded up in the 1986 NFL draft to take O’Neal in the first round (8^th overall). He was a two-time All-American in college and moved quickly into the starting lineup where he performed extremely well until a knee injury in the 13^th game knocked him out for the rest of the year.

1986 Season Summary

Appeared in 13 of 16 games

(Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20)

Sacks – 12.5 [9]

Most sacks, game – 5 vs. Dallas 11/16

Multi-sack games (2 or more) – 3

Interceptions – 2

Most interceptions, game – 1 at NY Giants 9/14, at Kansas City 10/19

Int. return yards – 22

Most int. return yards, game – 17 (on 1 int.) at NY Giants 9/14

Int. TDs – 1 [4, tied with 21 others]

Fumble recoveries – 2

Forced fumbles – 3

Tackles – 82

Scoring

TDs – 1

Points – 6

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA (co-winner)

AFC Rookie of the Year: UPI

Chargers went 4-12 to finish fifth in the AFC West while tying for second in the NFL in sacks (62).

Aftermath:

The severe knee injury suffered late in his rookie season cost him all of 1987 and the first half of ’88. By 1989 he was a Pro Bowl performer, listed as an outside linebacker but often lining up as a down lineman while showing skill in dropping back into pass coverage. He registered 12.5 sacks and another 13.5 in 1990 as he again received Pro Bowl recognition. A smart and savvy player on the field, he took criticism for his attitude off of it. Following a lesser year in 1991, O’Neal was moved back to defensive end in ’92 and compiled a career-high 17 sacks as he again received Pro Bowl recognition. It was the first of four straight Pro Bowl years as he solidified his reputation as one of the NFL’s top pass rushers while registering 54 sacks. O’Neal left the Chargers as the club’s all-time sack leader with 105.5 and joined the St. Louis Rams in 1996. After two disappointing seasons in St. Louis, he moved on to the Chiefs for the final two years of his career. Overall, O’Neal had 132.5 sacks, which ranked sixth all-time at the time, and was chosen to the Pro Bowl on six occasions.

[Updated 6/14/13]

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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). 

MVP Profile: Ken Easley, 1984

Safety, Seattle Seahawks

Age: 25

4^th season in pro football & with Seahawks

College: UCLA

Height: 6’3”   Weight: 205

Prelude:

Highly regarded after an outstanding college career, Easley was taken by the Seahawks in the first round (fourth overall) of the 1981 NFL draft. He immediately moved into the starting lineup at strong safety and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1982 and ’83, when he was also a consensus first-team All-NFL honoree. In his first three years, he intercepted 14 passes as he demonstrated excellent ball-hawking skills to go along with his solid tackling.

1984 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 0

Interceptions – 10 [1]

Most interceptions, game – 3 at San Diego 10/29

Int. return yards – 126 [11, tied with Michael Downs]

Most int. return yards, game – 58 (on 1 int.) vs. Kansas City 11/4

Int. TDs – 2 [1, tied with seven others]

Fumble recoveries – 1

Forced fumbles – 0

Punt Returns

Returns – 16

Yards – 194

Most yards, game – 59 (on 2 ret.) vs. Cleveland 9/3

Average per return – 12.1 [4]

TDs – 0

Longest return – 42 yards

Scoring

TDs – 2

Points – 12

Postseason: 2 G

Sacks – 0

Interceptions – 1

Int. return yards – 21

TDs – 0

Punt Returns – 6

Most punt returns, game – 5 vs. LA Raiders, AFC Wild Card playoff

Punt Return Yards – 57

Most punt ret. Yards, game – 52 LA Raiders, AFC Wild Card playoff

Punt Return Avg. – 9.5

TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Player of the Year: AP

1^st team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, NEA, Pro Football Weekly, Sporting News

1^st team All-AFC: UPI, Pro Football Weekly

Pro Bowl

Seahawks went 12-4 to finish second in the AFC West and qualify for the postseason as a Wild Card entry while leading the NFL in interceptions (38). Won AFC Wild Card playoff over Los Angeles Raiders (13-7). Lost AFC Divisional playoff to Miami Dolphins (31-10).

Aftermath:

An injury suffered while returning a kick cost Easley three games in 1985, but he was still an outstanding and disruptive performer when healthy and was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection for the third straight year as well as a Pro Bowl honoree for the fourth straight. Continued ankle trouble hindered him further in ’86 and he had surgery. Easley came back to gain a fifth Pro Bowl selection in the strike-interrupted 1987 season but, due largely to acrimony related to his role in the players’ strike, he was traded to the Cardinals in the offseason. He never played for the Cards, however, when a physical revealed a kidney condition that forced his retirement. In seven seasons, Easley intercepted 32 passes and set the standard at his position, but his outstanding career came to a too-early end.

[Updated 6/14/13]

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MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league itself). Also includes Associated Press NFL Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year.

1984: Reaves Tosses 4 TD Passes as Bandits Beat Outlaws

The Tampa Bay Bandits of the United States Football League were on a roll, having won five straight games prior to hosting the Oklahoma Outlaws on May 14, 1984. Head Coach Steve Spurrier’s team featured an exciting offense directed by 34-year-old QB John Reaves and a defense that was solid up front if less proficient at defending against the pass.

The Oklahoma Outlaws, one of six new clubs for the USFL’s second season, appeared to be going in the opposite direction, having lost three straight games by lopsided scores after getting off to a promising 6-2 start. Coached by Woody Widenhofer, the offense featured QB Doug Williams, who had spent five seasons with the NFL Buccaneers and was making his return to Tampa. Defense was the biggest problem for the Outlaws, who had given up an alarming 124 points in the three losses leading up to the game against the Bandits.

There were 45,116 fans in attendance for the Monday night contest at Tampa Stadium, and they lustily booed Williams when he first appeared. The game started off as a shootout as the Bandits scored the first three times they had the ball, driving 77, 78, and 79 yards respectively, and Oklahoma did so on its first two possessions.

On the first series, RB Gary Anderson tossed an option pass to TE Marvin Harvey for a 10-yard touchdown to finish it off. The Outlaws came back with a scoring drive of their own, with WR Alphonso Williams catching a pass from Doug Williams for an 11-yard TD. It was 7-7 after a period of play.

RB Greg Boone scored a touchdown for the Bandits on the first play of the second quarter, running in from a yard out, and Tampa Bay’s lead increased when John Reaves threw to WR Spencer Jackson for a 26-yard TD. Down by 21-7, the Outlaws rallied back with two quick scores. Williams tossed a 14-yard touchdown pass to WR Lonnie Turner to cap a five-play, 69-yard series. He then threw to TE Jerry Price from three yards away and, with the successful extra point, the game was tied with 2:42 left in the half.

However, the Bandits responded by going 74 yards in seven plays ending with a 10-yard Reaves scoring pass to Harvey. It was 28-21 at the midpoint. 

After a very competitive first two quarters, Tampa Bay’s defense shut down the Outlaws in the second half. Reaves tossed a pass to WR Eric Truvillion for a 35-yard touchdown in the third quarter and to Anderson for a six-yard TD in the final period. The extra point was missed after the fourth scoring pass by Reaves, but it hardly mattered, and in any event Truvillion, who normally caught passes, threw one to Harvey from 13 yards out for a TD that capped the scoring. It was the third touchdown for Harvey, each coming from a different passer. Tampa Bay ended up winning comfortably by a final score of 48-21.

The Bandits rolled up 511 total yards to Oklahoma’s 435 and had the edge in first downs by 28 to 27. However, the Outlaws turned the ball over four times, to none by Tampa Bay. Oklahoma had three possessions end with interceptions, one via a fumble, and one more in which they had to turn the ball over on downs. There was only one punt during the game, by the Bandits in the second quarter.

John Reaves had a big day as he completed 22 of 31 passes for 378 yards and four touchdowns with none intercepted. WR Willie Gillespie had 5 catches for 107 yards while Marvin Harvey contributed 5 receptions for 68 yards and the three scores. Eric Truvillion pulled in four passes for 74 yards and a touchdown while also passing for a TD. Gary Anderson rushed for 49 yards on 17 carries and had a touchdown pass as well.

For Oklahoma, Doug Williams was successful on 25 of 48 throws for 317 yards and three TDs, but also had three intercepted. In addition, Williams was flagged once for unsportsmanlike conduct after arguing a call and was also penalized for a late hit on an interception return that sparked a scuffle between the teams along the sideline as well as a shower of debris from some nearby fans. Alphonso Williams caught 6 passes for 119 yards and a TD. RB Ted Sample ran for 70 yards on 8 carries.

The sixth straight win for the Bandits put them a game behind the Birmingham Stallions in the Southern Division. They went on to finish at 14-4 and earn a Wild Card playoff spot, although they lost convincingly to the Stallions in the first round. Oklahoma’s collapse continued and the Outlaws ended up at 6-12 and fourth in the division.

John Reaves, who had been a disappointment in the NFL, ranked fifth among USFL passers as he threw for 4092 yards and 28 touchdowns with a 57.5 completion percentage. Eric Truvillion and Marvin Harvey were favorite targets, each catching 70 passes and scoring 9 touchdowns while accumulating 1044 and 938 yards, respectively. 

Rookie of the Year: Lenny Moore, 1956

Halfback, Baltimore Colts

Age:  23 (Nov. 25)

College: Penn State

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 190

Prelude:

An outstanding all-around talent in college, Moore rushed for 2380 yards, intercepted 10 passes, and averaged 15.8 yards on punt returns and 24.3 yards on kickoff returns. He was taken in the first round of the 1956 NFL draft by the Colts (9^th overall).

1956 Season Summary

Appeared in all 12 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 86

Most attempts, game - 13 (for 185 yds.) vs. Green Bay 10/28

Yards – 649 [8]

Most yards, game – 185 yards (on 13 carries) vs. Green Bay 10/28

Average gain – 7.5 [1]

TDs – 8 [3, tied with Alan Ameche & Hugh McElhenny]

100-yard rushing games – 2

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 11      

Most receptions, game – 2 on four occasions

Yards – 102

Most yards, game - 27 (on 1 catch) vs. Green Bay 10/28

Average gain – 9.3

TDs – 1

Passing

Attempts – 4

Completions – 1

Yards – 8

Touchdowns – 1

Interceptions – 1

Punt Returns

Returns – 8

Yards – 38

Average per return – 4.8

TDs – 0

Longest return – 15 yards

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 10 [18]

Yards – 129

Average per return – 12.9

TDs – 0

Longest return – 21 yards

All-purpose yards – 918

Scoring

TDs – 9 [6, tied with Frank Gifford]

Points – 54 (14)

Awards & Honors:

NFL Rookie of the Year: UPI

2^nd team All-NFL: NY Daily News

Pro Bowl

Colts went 5-7 to finish fourth in the NFL Western Conference while placing second in the league in rushing (2202 yards).

Aftermath:

While he never carried the ball more than 98 times in any of his first six years, he was highly effective when he did, leading the NFL in yards per carry three more times. He was perhaps even more effective as a pass receiver, often lining up out wide as a flanker, and was a formidable offensive weapon for the Colts, leading the league in yards from scrimmage in 1957 (1175) and twice gaining over 900 receiving yards in a season as he achieved consensus first-team All-Pro honors in four consecutive years (1958-61) and five straight Pro Bowl selections (1958-62). He also had over a thousand yards from scrimmage in five consecutive years (1957-61) with a high of 1536 in Baltimore’s first championship season of 1958. In the meantime Moore, nicknamed “Spats” for the manner in which he taped up his football shoes, was shifted full-time to halfback in 1961. In ’62, injuries limited his effectiveness and in 1963 he played in only seven games and saw limited action. It appeared that his days with the Colts were numbered, but Moore wasn’t traded during the offseason and started 1964 as backup to Tom Matte at halfback. He had a remarkable comeback season, gaining 1056 yards from scrimmage and setting a then-NFL record with 20 touchdowns. Moore gained 878 yards from scrimmage in 1965 (464 rushing, 414 receiving) and played another two years, although he carried the ball just 105 times (for 431 yards) and caught 34 passes as his playing time diminished. Following his retirement after the 1967 season, he had gained 5174 yards rushing on 1069 carries (4.8 avg.) and caught 363 passes for 6039 more yards (16.6 avg.) while accumulating a total of 113 TDs, which ranked second all-time. He totaled 12,449 all-purpose yards. The Colts retired his #24 and Moore was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1975.

[Updated 8/4/13]

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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).