Cornerback, Oakland
Raiders
Age: 25
4th
season in pro football & with Raiders
College: Texas
A & M
Height: 6’0” Weight: 195
Prelude:
Impressed by
his hard-hitting style in college, although recognizing that he would be
something of a project as a pro defensive back, Hayes was chosen by the Raiders
in the fifth round of the 1977 NFL draft. He moved into the starting lineup in
his second year and in 1979 received second-team All-AFC recognition from UPI after
intercepting seven passes, two of which he returned for touchdowns.
1980 Season Summary
Appeared in all
16 games
[Bracketed
numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]
Interceptions
– 13 [1]
Most
interceptions, game – 2 vs. Seattle 10/26
Int. return
yards – 273 [1]
Most int.
return yards, game – 62 (on 1 int.) vs. Denver 12/1
Int. TDs – 1
Fumble
recoveries – 2
Forced fumbles
– 0
Kickoff
Returns
Returns – 1
Yards – 0
TDs – 0
Scoring
TDs – 1
Points – 6
Postseason: 4 G
Interceptions
– 5
Most
interceptions, game – 2 vs. Houston, AFC Wild Card playoff; at Cleveland, AFC
Divisional playoff
Int. return
yards – 45
Most int.
return yards, game – 26 vs. Houston, AFC Wild Card playoff
TDs – 2
Awards &
Honors:
NFL Defensive
Player of the Year: AP
1st
team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, NEA, Pro Football Weekly, Sporting News
1st
team All-AFC: UPI, Pro Football Weekly
Pro Bowl
Raiders went 11-5
to finish second in the AFC West and qualify for a Wild Card playoff spot while
leading the NFL in interceptions (35). Won AFC Wild Card playoff over Houston
Oilers (27-7), AFC Divisional playoff over Cleveland Browns (14-12), AFC
Championship over San Diego Chargers (34-27), and Super Bowl over Philadelphia
Eagles (27-10).
Aftermath:
Hayes had
been known for covering himself in the substance stickum, which was banned by
the NFL following the ’80 season. The ban seemed to affect his performance as
he followed up with only three interceptions in 1981, although Hayes was still
chosen for the Pro Bowl and received first-team All-NFL recognition from The
Sporting News. Hayes continued to be a fine cover corner and ended up being
named to the Pro Bowl five straight times, through 1984, even though he never
again approached his high interception total of 1980. In a career that lasted
until ’86, all with the Raiders, he had a total of 39 interceptions, which he
returned for 572 yards and four TDs, and the team won two Super Bowls along the
way.
--
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.
One of the greatest shutdown corners to play the game (alongside teammate Mike Haynes, who with him helped strangle the Redskin receivers in Super Bowl XVIII. People say his interceptions dropped because of the stickum ban, but I believe a good bit of it was because teams stopped throwing to his side of the field.
ReplyDeleteThe stickum ban sure drew a lot of comment at the time, especially when Hayes had so many fewer interceptions. Maybe it affected his style of play, but he most definitely remained an outstanding cover corner. And, of course, opposing quarterbacks were less inclined to challenge him, so I agree that was a factor in his interception totals.
ReplyDeletethat logic would would apply if there was proof he dropped 10 ints then i can ride with the stickum argument . other than that qb's just didnt go his way that much out of respect/fear .
ReplyDelete