Defensive End,
New York Jets
Age: 24
College: Central
State (Ohio)
Height: 6’2” Weight: 255
Prelude:
Douglas was
twice a Division 1 NAIA All-American during a college career in which he
accumulated 42 sacks in 32 games. He was chosen by the Jets in the first round
(16th overall) of the 1995 NFL draft and, used initially as a
situational player for his pass rushing skill, moved into the starting lineup
in November. While he was on the light side for his position, but compensated
with good speed and agility (he eventually filled out to 280 pounds).
1995 Season Summary
Appeared in 15
of 16 games
[Bracketed
numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]
Sacks – 10
[18, tied with Phil Hansen]
Most sacks,
game – 3 vs. Jacksonville 9/17
Multi-sack
games (2 or more) – 2
Interceptions
– 0
Fumble
recoveries – 2
Forced fumbles
– 0
Tackles – 25
Assists – 8
Awards &
Honors:
NFL Defensive
Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA
Jets went 3-13
to finish fifth in the AFC East while leading the league in fewest passing
yards allowed (2740) – although they ranked 25th against the run (2016
yards).
Aftermath:
Ankle
problems limited Douglas to 10 games in 1996, but he still accounted for 8 sacks
and improved as a defender against the run. However, with the arrival of Bill
Parcells as head coach in ’97 the Jets shifted to a 3-4 defense and Douglas
proved to be a poor fit. He was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 1998 and,
back in a 4-3 alignment, flourished as he registered 12.5 sacks. Knee and
biceps injuries limited him to four games in ’99 but he came back in 2000 to
post a career-high 15 sacks and achieve consensus first-team All-NFL as well as
Pro Bowl honors. Two more Pro Bowl seasons followed in 2001 and ’02 in which he
had 9.5 and 12.5 sacks, respectively. Douglas went to Jacksonville as a free
agent in 2003, had a disappointing season as accumulated wear began to show,
and finished up his career in ’04 back with the Eagles. Overall, he had 80
sacks over the course of ten seasons and 138 games, was chosen to the Pro Bowl
a total of three times, and received first- or second-team All-NFL recognition
on two occasions.
--
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).
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