Cornerback, San
Francisco 49ers
Age: 22
College: Boston
Univ.
Height: 6’0” Weight: 180
Prelude:
Taylor led
the nation in punt return average (20.3 on 26 returns) and touchdowns (4) in
1969 and, combined with outstanding play in the defensive backfield, was
selected as the team’s MVP after Boston University went 9-1. He was the first
defensive back taken in the ’70 NFL draft when chosen by the 49ers in the first
round (17th overall) and moved into the starting lineup at
cornerback, across from All-Pro Jimmy Johnson. Taylor improved as the season
progressed and made a notable impression as a punt returner, which had been an
area of weakness for the 49ers in 1969.
1970 Season Summary
Appeared in
all 14 games
[Bracketed
numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]
Interceptions
– 3
Most
interceptions, game – 1 vs. Green Bay 11/1, at New Orleans 12/13, at Oakland
12/20
Int. return
yards – 70
Most int.
return yards, game – 70 (on 1 int.) vs. Green Bay 11/1
Int. TDs – 0
Fumble
recoveries – 2
Forced fumbles
– 0
Kickoff
Returns
Returns – 12
Yards – 190
Most yards,
game – 65 (on 5 ret.) vs. LA Rams 11/29
Average per
return – 15.8
TDs – 0
Longest
return – 25
Punt Returns
Returns – 43
[2]
Yards – 516
[1]
Most yards,
game – 133 (on 6 ret.) at Houston 11/15
Average per
return – 12.0 [2, 1st in NFC]
TDs – 0
Longest
return – 76 yards
Scoring
TDs – 1
Points – 6
Postseason: 2 G
Interceptions
– 1
Int. return
yards – 0
TDs – 0
Punt returns
– 7
Punt return
yds. – 74
Most punt
return yards, game – 69 at Minnesota, NFC Divisional playoff
Punt return
avg. – 10.6
Punt return
TDs – 0
Awards &
Honors:
NFL Defensive
Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA
NFC Rookie of
the Year: UPI, Sporting News
2nd
team All-NFC: UPI
49ers went 10-3-1
to finish first in the NFC West. Won NFC Divisional playoff over Minnesota
Vikings (17-14). Lost NFC Championship to Dallas Cowboys (17-10).
Aftermath:
Taylor was
nagged by a shoulder injury during 1971, but was named to the Pro Bowl as he
intercepted another three passes and continued to improve although his average
dipped to 6.9 on a league-leading 34 punt returns. He remained in the starting
lineup until 1977, a total of eight years, and intercepted a career-high 6
passes in ’73, when he also led the NFL with a 13.8 average on 15 punt returns.
Released during the 1978 preseason, an attempt to catch on with the Oakland
Raiders failed and Taylor retired. Overall, he intercepted 18 passes, recovered
10 fumbles, and averaged 9.3 yards on 142 punt returns, and was selected to the
Pro Bowl once.
--
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).
