Linebacker, Denver
Broncos
Age: 22
College: Nebraska
Height: 6’3” Weight: 231
Prelude:
Considered
the top outside linebacker available in the 1991 NFL draft, Croel was taken in
the first round (fourth overall) by the Broncos. With great speed and agility, he
was still a raw talent and moved into the starting lineup early in the season,
although injuries cost him three games.
1991 Season Summary
Appeared in 13
of 16 games
[Bracketed
numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]
Sacks – 10
[15, tied with Sean Jones, Jeff Lageman & Rufus Porter]
Most sacks,
game – 2 vs. Kansas City 10/20
Interceptions
– 0
Fumble
recoveries – 0
Tackles – 84
Postseason: 2 G
Sacks – 0
Interceptions
– 0
TD – 0
Awards &
Honors:
NFL Rookie of
the Year: Sporting News
NFL Defensive
Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA
AFC Rookie of
the Year: UPI
Broncos went 12-4
to finish first in the AFC West and take the second playoff seed in the
conference while leading the AFC in sacks (52), fewest passing yards allowed
(2755), and fewest points allowed (235). Won AFC Divisional playoff over
Houston Oilers (26-24). Lost AFC Championship to Buffalo Bills (10-7).
Aftermath:
Croel was
moved to weakside outside linebacker in 1992, across from Simon Fletcher, and
was effective but had half as many sacks as during his rookie season. He
remained a fixture in Denver’s fine corps of linebackers until 1994, after
which he left as a free agent to rejoin former Broncos Head Coach Dan Reeves
with the New York Giants. Following a mediocre year in 1995, Croel moved on to
the Baltimore Ravens for ’96 and, afflicted by injuries, bounced around
thereafter, playing with the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe and Seattle Seahawks in
1998. Croel had one last shot with the Los Angeles Xtreme of the XFL in 2001
but retired before the season started. Overall, for his NFL career, he appeared
in 102 games spread over six seasons and recorded 24 sacks but did not sustain
the success of his outstanding rookie year.
--
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).
