Highlighted Year: Marcus Coleman, 2003

Cornerback, Houston Texans

Age: 29

8^th season in pro football, 2^nd with Texans

College: Texas Tech

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 210

Prelude:

Coleman was chosen by the New York Jets in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL draft. Fast and athletic, he was also a raw talent but moved into the starting lineup at cornerback late in his rookie year. Moved to free safety in ’97 with disappointing results, he became strictly a backup through 1998 but came back strong in ’99 as he returned to the starting lineup at right cornerback and intercepted six passes, one of which he ran back 98 yards for a TD. He became a fixture in the lineup over the next two years, although his performance dropped off in 2001 and he moved on to the expansion Texans in 2002. Coleman started in Houston across from Pro Bowler Aaron Glenn, who he had played in tandem with in New York.

2003 Season Summary

Appeared in 15 of 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 7 [4, tied with Ed Reed & Patrick Surtain, 1^st in AFC]

Most interceptions, game – 2 at Miami 9/7

Int. return yards – 95 [18, tied with Marlon McCree]

Most int. return yards, game – 41 (on 1 int.) vs. Indianapolis 12/28

Int. TDs – 0

Sacks – 0

Fumble recoveries – 0

Forced fumbles – 1

Tackles – 57

Assists – 12

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 1        

Yards – 6

TDs – 0

Texans went 5-11 to finish fourth in the AFC South.  

Aftermath:

With the arrival of first draft choice CB Dunta Robinson, Coleman was shifted to free safety in 2004, with good results (before suffering a late-season shoulder injury) that included a 102-yard return of an interception. He was supplanted by C.C. Brown in ’05 and finished his career with the Cowboys in 2006, where he was released following a four-game suspension for substance abuse. Overall, over the course of eleven seasons, Coleman intercepted 25 passes, two of which he returned for long touchdowns, recovered five fumbles, and was credited with over 400 tackles.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970