Rookie of the Year: Terry Glenn, 1996

Wide Receiver, New England Patriots

Age: 22

College: Ohio State

Height: 5’10” Weight: 184

Prelude:

Glenn was a consensus All-American in 1995 after catching 64 passes for 1411 yards and 17 touchdowns for Ohio State. He was chosen by the Patriots in the first round of the 1996 NFL draft (seventh overall) and had an immediate impact, despite suffering a hamstring injury during training camp that kept him out of New England’s opening game, setting a then-NFL record for pass receptions by a rookie.

1996 Season Summary

Appeared in 15 of 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 90 [7, tied with Tim Brown]           

Most receptions, game – 10 (for 112 yds.) vs. Miami 11/3

Yards – 1132 [11]

Most yards, game – 124 (on 8 catches) at NY Giants 12/21

Average gain – 12.6

TDs – 6

100-yard receiving games – 2

Rushing

Attempts – 5

Yards – 42

Average gain – 8.4

TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 6

Points – 36

Postseason: 3 G

Pass receptions – 12

Most pass receptions, game – 5 vs. Jacksonville, AFC Championship

Pass receiving yards - 164

Most pass receiving yards, game – 69 vs. Pittsburgh, AFC Divisional playoff

Average yards per reception – 13.7

Pass Receiving TDs - 0

Awards & Honors:

AFC Rookie of the Year: UPI

1^st team All-AFC: UPI

Patriots went 11-5 to finish first in the AFC East while leading the conference in touchdowns (48) and scoring (418 points). Won AFC Divisional playoff over Pittsburgh Steelers (28-3) and AFC Championship over Jacksonville Jaguars (20-6). Lost Super Bowl to Green Bay Packers (35-21).

Aftermath:

In what would become a chronic problem, Glenn suffered through an injury-riddled 1997 season and caught just 27 passes for 431 yards and two TDs, although he grabbed nine passes in the postseason. He again struggled with injuries in ’98, but his production improved to 50 catches and 792 yards and he was named to the Pro Bowl in 1999 after a 69-catch, 1147-yard season. While an explosive receiver with the ability to make spectacular catches, he also was criticized for inconsistency and there were questions regarding his attitude and toughness. In 2000, he played in every game for the first time as a pro and had a solid 79 receptions for 963 yards, but in 2001 he was suspended for most of the season for disciplinary reasons, missing out on New England’s Super Bowl run. Glenn was dealt to Green Bay for 2002 and moved on to Dallas in ’03, where he was reunited with his first pro head coach, Bill Parcells. A fair first year with the Cowboys was followed by a 2004 season in which a sprained foot limited him to six games. He came back to have two of his most productive years in 2005 and ’06, with 62 catches for 1136 yards and a career-best 18.3 average gain and seven touchdowns in the first year and 70 receptions for 1047 yards and six TDs in the second. However, he missed all but one game in 2007 due to a knee injury and was released, effectively ending his career. Overall, Glenn caught 593 passes for 8823 yards (14.9 avg.) and 44 touchdowns, with 329 receptions, 4669 yards, and 22 TDs coming with the Patriots. He was named to the Pro Bowl once, and there was a lingering sense that, considering his level of talent, he could have achieved much more than he did.

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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).