Linebacker, Indianapolis
Colts
Age: 23 (Dec.
1)
College: Southern
California
Height: 6’5” Weight: 232
Prelude:
After playing
tight end, defensive tackle, and inside linebacker in college, Bickett moved to
outside linebacker as a senior and was Defensive Player of the Year in the
Pac-10, amassing 151 tackles and six sacks. He was chosen by the Colts in the
first round of the 1985 NFL draft (fifth overall). Despite a contract holdout
that delayed his reporting to training camp, Bickett moved directly into the
starting lineup at right outside linebacker. He went on to lead the team in
sacks and rank third in tackles.
1985 Season Summary
Appeared and
started in all 16 games
[Bracketed
numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]
Sacks – 6
Most sacks,
game – 1 each on six occasions
Interceptions
– 1
Int. return
yards – 0
Fumble
recoveries – 2
Forced fumbles
– 1
Tackles – 141
Awards &
Honors:
NFL Defensive
Rookie of the Year: AP
Colts went 5-11
to finish fourth in the AFC East
Aftermath:
Bickett
followed up his fine rookie year by being a Pro Bowl alternate in 1986 and made
it to the Pro Bowl in ’87, a year in which he had eight sacks, 113 tackles, and
also was a second-team choice (AP, NEA) and first-team All-AFC selection (UPI,
Pro Football Weekly). Bickett was a second-team All-AFC honoree by UPI in 1988,
and while he never again received Pro Bowl or All-league or conference honors,
he remained a solid player for the Colts for nine years. He accumulated 50
sacks, 9 interceptions, and was credited with 1052 tackles before moving on to
Seattle for two years in 1994 and ’95 and finishing up with Carolina in 1996.
--
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).
