Running Back,
New England Patriots
Age: 22
College: Northwestern
State (LA)
Height: 6’1” Weight: 220
Prelude:
After setting
a school rushing record with 3057 yards at Northwestern State, Stephens was
chosen by the Patriots in the first round (17th overall) of the 1988
NFL draft. He proved to be a key component in turning the team around from a
2-4 start with his solid running between the tackles.
1988 Season Summary
Appeared in all
16 games
[Bracketed
numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]
Rushing
Attempts – 297
[5]
Most
attempts, game – 35 (for 124 yds.) vs. Chicago 10/30
Yards – 1168 [5]
Most yards,
game – 134 yards (on 25 carries) at Buffalo 10/23
Average gain
– 3.9
TDs – 4
100-yard
rushing games – 5
Pass
Receiving
Receptions – 14
Most
receptions, game – 3 (for 15 yds.) vs. Miami 11/6, (for 29 yds.) at Denver
12/17
Yards – 98
Most yards,
game – 29 (on 3 catches) at Denver 12/17
Average gain
– 7.0
TDs – 0
Scoring
TDs – 5
Points – 30
Awards & Honors:
NFL Rookie of
the Year: NEA
NFL Offensive
Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA (co-winner)
AFC Rookie of
the Year: UPI
1st-team
All-AFC: UPI, Pro Football Weekly
Pro Bowl
Patriots went
9-7 to finish third in the AFC East.
Aftermath:
Beginning in
the preseason, Stephens was dogged by injuries in 1989 and his production
slipped to 833 rushing yards with an average of 3.4 yards per carry. It was a
similar situation in ’90, gaining 808 yards on the ground with a 3.8-yard
average gain. While an effective power runner who rarely fumbled, his tendency
to carry the ball with both arms slowed him down. Relegated to a backup role
behind rookie Leonard Russell in 1991, Stephens was shifted to fullback in ’92.
He was traded to Green Bay in 1993 but lasted five games before finishing up
with the Chiefs in what was his last pro season. Overall, he rushed for 3440
yards on 945 carries (3.6 avg.) and gained another 812 yards on 105 pass
receptions, scoring a total of 20 touchdowns.
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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).
