1984: Panthers Edge Blitz on Last-Second Field Goal

On February 27, 1984 the Michigan Panthers began the defense of their United States Football League Championship in a Monday night home game against the Chicago Blitz. Head Coach Jim Stanley’s team still had the key performers that fueled the 12-6 title-winning squad of 1983. WR Anthony Carter provided big-play ability as a receiver and kick returner and RB Ken Lacy had been the league’s third-leading rusher. QB Bobby Hebert was back behind center, although he held out and had only ten days of practice coming into the opening game. On defense, LB John Corker was coming off of a year in which he topped the USFL with 28 sacks, nearly twice as many as the runner-up.

The Blitz was a very different club from the one that had also gone 12-6 under Head Coach George Allen in the inaugural season.  The franchise was effectively traded, with Allen and the bulk of his veteran-laden roster heading to Arizona while the 1983 Wranglers were transplanted to the Windy City. Many of the former Arizona players were jettisoned, however. The new coach was Marv Levy and there were several NFL veterans that were acquired, most notably QB Vince Evans of the Bears. The state of the defense was a major concern coming into the opener against the Panthers. 

The Pontiac Silverdome was covered, but a blizzard outside held attendance down to 22,428 and caused many in the crowd to be late in arriving. The Blitz had the first possession and converted a third-and-five situation as Vince Evans threw to TE Mark Keel to advance to the Michigan 44. RB Larry Canada ran effectively and Kevin Seibel kicked a 41-yard field goal to give Chicago the early lead.

The Panthers struck quickly in response. Following two strong carries by Ken Lacy, Bobby Hebert went deep to a streaking WR Derek Holloway, who got beyond the coverage and hauled the pass in for a 49-yard touchdown. Novo Bojovic added the extra point.

Chicago responded with a drive of 80 yards in 10 plays that included key passes to WR Keith MaGee and another good run by Canada. It concluded with Evans leaping into the end zone from a yard out. Seibel kicked the point after and the Blitz was back in front by 10-7.

The Panthers were driving as the opening period ended and, on the first play of the second quarter, Hebert threw to Anthony Carter for a 16-yard touchdown. Bojovic’s extra point put the home team ahead by four.

The teams traded punts, with the Blitz getting the better of the field position and driving 59 yards in eight plays that culminated in a two-yard carry for a TD by Canada. However, an errant snap on the try for extra point kept the score at 16-14 in favor of Chicago.  So it remained until the final seconds of the first half as the Panthers drove into scoring territory and Bojovic kicked a 39-yard field goal. Michigan led the back-and-forth game by 17-16 at halftime.

The Panthers took the second half kickoff and again advanced into Chicago territory, but came up empty when Bojovic was wide to the left on a 33-yard field goal attempt. They got the ball back a short time later thanks to a fumble by the Blitz at their 31 yard line, but a holding penalty wiped out a good gain on a swing pass and Hebert was sacked on third down to take Michigan out of field goal range.

The score remained unchanged as the contest moved into the fourth quarter. A punt by the Panthers that was downed inside the Chicago five yard line was negated by an illegal procedure penalty and the re-kick was blocked by RB Jim Stone. MaGee was unable to grab the bouncing ball as it skittered through the Michigan end zone, but the play still resulted in a safety that put the Blitz back in the lead by an 18-17 score.

Chicago got good field position near midfield on the resulting free kick, but an Evans pass was intercepted by CB Oliver Davis, who returned it 23 yards. The Panthers moved backward rather than forward due to a holding penalty and a sack, forcing another punt.

Two dropped passes caused the Blitz to have to punt with less than three minutes remaining to play and Carter returned Jeff Gossett’s 57-yard kick 13 yards. Hebert threw to Lacy for a 28-yard gain that nearly went the distance and Michigan then pounded straight away on the ground until a throw to RB Cleo Miller put the ball on the Chicago three with the clock down to 18 seconds. After one run into the line, Bojovic came in to kick a 20-yard field goal with no time remaining and the Panthers won by a final score of 20-18.

Michigan led in total yards (397 to 275) and first downs (22 to 17), although time of possession was almost even. Both clubs ran the ball well, with the Blitz gaining 144 yards to 124 for the Panthers, but Michigan was much more successful through the air (273 to 131). Chicago turned the ball over twice, to none suffered by the Panthers, but Michigan was hurt by 12 penalties, at a cost of 79 yards, to seven flags thrown on the visitors.

Bobby Hebert completed 20 of 34 passes for 296 yards and two touchdowns while giving up no interceptions. Ken Lacy rushed for 98 yards on 16 carries and caught four passes for another 58 yards. Anthony Carter had 7 pass receptions for 108 yards.

For the Blitz, Vince Evans was successful on 16 of 32 throws for 134 yards and was picked off once. Larry Canada gained 84 yards on 12 rushing attempts and RB Glenn Ford contributed 41 yards on 8 carries. Mark Keel and WR Marcus Anderson each had five catches, for 61 and 40 yards, respectively.

“Sometimes I didn’t feel right out there, and sometimes I felt 100 percent as good as I did last year,” said Bobby Hebert. “My lack of practice time hurt. My timing wasn’t always right and I threw some bad passes.”

“I thought we were fortunate to win,” summed up Jim Stanley of his team’s rusty performance. “I feel like we dodged a bullet tonight.”

Following the successful, if unsteady, start, the Panthers won their next five games before disaster struck when Anthony Carter was lost for the year with a broken arm, the first of several key injuries. Michigan promptly dropped four straight contests and barely made it into the postseason as a second place Wild Card with a 10-8 record, losing in the first round to the Los Angeles Express in triple overtime. Chicago never got on track, struggling to a 5-13 tally and placing last in the Central Division.

Highlighted Year: Jim Brown, 1959

Fullback, Cleveland Browns

Age: 23

3^rd season in pro football & with Browns

College: Syracuse

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 228

Prelude:

Following an outstanding career at Syracuse, in which he distinguished himself as an all-around athlete (lacrosse, basketball, track & field) as well as in football, Brown was chosen in the first round of the 1957 NFL draft by the Browns. With his blend of speed, power, and agility, he moved quickly into the starting lineup as a rookie, leading the league in rushing with 942 yards that included a single-game record at the time of 237. He received MVP as well as Rookie of the Year honors, was a consensus first-team All-Pro and was selected to the Pro Bowl. Brown followed that up in 1958 by setting a new single-season rushing record with 1527 yards, again receiving MVP, first-team All-NFL, and Pro Bowl honors.

1959 Season Summary

Appeared in all 12 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 290 [1]

Most attempts, game – 37 (for 147 yds.) at Chi. Cardinals 10/4

Yards – 1329 [1]

Most yards, game – 178 yards (on 32 carries) at Baltimore 11/1

Average gain – 4.6 [11]

TDs – 14 [1]

100-yard rushing games – 8

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 24      

Yards – 190

Average gain – 7.9

TDs – 0

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 4

Yards – 88

Average per return – 22.0

TDs – 0

Longest return – 29 yards

All-Purpose yards – 1607 [1]

Scoring

TDs – 14 [1, tied with Raymond Berry]

Points – 84 [3, tied with Raymond Berry & Bobby Joe Conrad]

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL: AP, NEA, UPI, NY Daily News, Sporting News

Pro Bowl

Browns went 7-5 to tie for second place with the Eagles in the NFL Eastern Conference while leading the league in rushing yards (2149).

Aftermath:

Brown’s rushing title in 1959 was the third of eight in nine seasons, which included 1960 and ‘61. Along the way he set numerous records as well as a new standard for running backs to be measured against. Following a relatively down year in 1962, Brown broke his own single-season rushing record in 1963 and, after compiling two more league-topping performances in 1964 and ’65, retired as the NFL’s all-time leader in rushing (12,312 yards) and touchdowns (126). Brown averaged 5.2 yards per carry and 104.3 yards per game over the course of his career. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in all nine seasons, was a first-team All-Pro eight times, and received MVP recognition on four occasions. Brown’s #32 was retired by the Browns and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1971.

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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

1997: Falcons Obtain Chris Chandler from Oilers

On February 24, 1997 the Atlanta Falcons took a step toward resolving their need for a new starting quarterback. QB Chris Chandler was obtained from the Houston (soon to be Tennessee) Oilers for fourth- and sixth-round draft picks in the upcoming 1997 draft.

Chandler had originally entered the NFL as a third round draft choice of the Indianapolis Colts out of Washington in 1988. Mobile and with a strong arm, as well as highly intelligent with a cocky self-confidence, he took over as starting quarterback when Jack Trudeau suffered a season-ending knee injury. Helped by the presence of RB Eric Dickerson in the backfield to attract the attention of opposing defenses, Chandler showed promise and the previously-winless club was 9-4 with him behind center. However, in what would become a recurring theme throughout his career, a knee injury limited him to three games in 1989 and the club traded up to get Illinois QB Jeff George in the first round of the 1990 draft.

Traded to Tampa Bay for a first draft pick, Chandler backed up QB Vinny Testaverde for a year and was waived during the ’91 season, at which point he was picked up by the Cardinals. He had a good year with a mediocre team in 1992, taking over for the injured Timm Rosenbach, but played in only four games in ’93 and moved on to the Rams and, after one season, to the Oilers for 1995, where he was reunited with offensive coordinator Jerry Rhome, who had held the same role with Phoenix. Installed as the starting quarterback while rookie Steve McNair was kept on the bench to learn, Chandler put together two good years but, with McNair judged ready to take over the starting job, the rebuilding Oilers chose to deal him away. Intelligent and capable, Chandler had also gained a reputation for being fragile (thus earning the unfortunate nickname “Crystal Chandelier”) and quick to complain when not starting.

The Falcons were coming off of a dreadful 3-13 record in 1996 under June Jones, which was a hugely disappointing following a 9-7 record that resulted in a playoff spot in ’95. Jones had installed a version of the run-and-shoot offense that QB Jeff George, obtained from the Colts in 1994, was highly productive in operating. However, George had been suspended and later released by the Falcons following a shouting match with Jones on the sideline during a nationally televised game in September. He moved on to the Oakland Raiders and Bobby Hebert, who took over for George, chose to retire (which was expected but not yet confirmed at the time of the trade for Chandler). The Falcons had also talked to San Francisco’s backup QB Elvis Grbac, who went on to sign with the Chiefs.

“We believe he gives us a chance where we can win immediately,” said Dan Reeves, Atlanta’s new head coach. “We feel like he gives us the ability to compete. He’s a guy who can get the job done.”

Those words seemed overly optimistic when the Falcons got off to a 1-7 start, including losses in the first five games, and Chandler missed two starts and was knocked out of four other games with assorted injuries. However, both he and the team rebounded to go 6-2 the rest of the way for a 7-9 overall record. Chandler ranked second in NFL passing with a 95.1 rating as he threw for 2692 yards and 20 touchdowns while giving up just seven interceptions. He was named to the Pro Bowl.

The stage was set for a bigger year in 1998. This time the Falcons started strong (5-2) and finished even stronger (nine straight wins to close out the regular season) on the way to a 14-2 record and the Western Division title. Chandler again missed two games due to injury but had another Pro Bowl year as he threw for 3154 yards and 25 TDs, compiling a 100.9 rating. To be sure, the running game, led by All-Pro RB Jamal Anderson (1846 yards to lead the NFC) was a key component of the offense’s success, but Chandler showed improvement as a team leader and, surrounded by capable performers, he excelled. Atlanta edged the 49ers in the Divisional playoff round and then upset the Minnesota Vikings in overtime to win the NFC Championship before being soundly beaten by Denver in the Super Bowl.

The ’98 season proved to be the pinnacle of Chandler’s career and the Falcons failed to post a winning record during the remaining three years that he was with them. The loss of Jamal Anderson early in the 1999 season severely hindered the offense and Chandler again had trouble with injuries, missing four full games. He also clashed with Coach Reeves as the team sputtered to a 5-11 record and the complaints resurfaced about the quarterback’s fragility and poor attitude when facing adversity.

The record fell to 4-12 in 2000 and Chandler threw more interceptions (12) than TD passes (10) for the first time in nine years. He was benched in favor of backup QB Doug Johnson at one point late in the season and after taking a significant battering due to offensive line deficiencies, but showed maturity in accepting the demotion. The Falcons traded up in the 2001 NFL draft to select Virginia Tech QB Michael Vick and Chandler, at age 36, was placed in the role of mentor to the young quarterback – much as he had done in Houston previously. He finished out his Atlanta stint by starting 14 games and completing 61.1 percent of his passes for 2847 yards and 16 touchdowns, against 14 interceptions, for a 7-9 club.

Following his release by the Falcons after the season, Chandler moved on to the Bears for two years, where he started occasionally, and finished his career as a backup with the St. Louis Rams in 2004. He had his most productive seasons in Atlanta, where he completed 981 of 1672 passes (58.7) for 13,268 yards and 87 touchdowns while giving up 56 interceptions and being sacked 197 times. His overall career completion percentage was 58.1 as he totaled 28,484 passing yards and 170 TDs against 146 interceptions. But he never appeared in all 16 games in any season, a product of his chronic injury problems.

As for the draft choices that the Oilers received in exchange for Chandler in 1997, the fourth round pick was used to take WR Derrick Mason from Michigan State and the choice in the sixth round was in turn traded to New Orleans, where it went for TE Nicky Savoie out of LSU. Mason had a productive career over the course of eight seasons with the relocated Oilers (they moved to Tennessee in ’97 and were renamed the Titans in 1999), catching 453 passes for 6114 yards and 37 touchdowns. He garnered consensus first-team All-NFL honors in 2000 and was twice selected to the Pro Bowl.

Highlighted Year: Ken Anderson, 1974

Quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals

Age: 25

4^th season in pro football & with Bengals

College: Augustana (IL)

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 211

Prelude:

Anderson, who was well-regarded despite coming from a small college, was chosen by the Bengals in the third round of the 1971 NFL draft, and took over as starting quarterback in his second season. Mobile, intelligent, and with a good arm, he also adapted well to QB coach Bill Walsh’s early version of the West Coast passing attack with short timing passes. He broke out in 1973, throwing for 2428 yards and 18 touchdowns with a passer rating of 81.2 while the Bengals went 10-4 and won the AFC Central title.

1974 Season Summary

Appeared and started in 13 of 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 328 [7]

Most attempts, game – 44 vs. Houston 10/27

Completions – 213 [1]

Most completions, game – 30 vs. Houston 10/27

Yards – 2667 [1]

Most yards, game – 352 vs. Houston 10/27

Completion percentage – 64.9 [1]

Yards per attempt – 8.1 [1]

TD passes – 18 [5]

Most TD passes, game – 4 vs. Kansas City 11/24

Interceptions – 10 [20, tied with Dan Pastorini, Mike Livingston & Jerry Tagge]

Most interceptions, game – 2 at San Francisco 9/29, at Oakland 10/20, at Houston 11/17

Passer rating – 95.7 [1]

300-yard passing games – 1

200-yard passing games – 6

Rushing

Attempts – 43

Most attempts, game – 7 (for 70 yds.) vs. Washington 10/6

Yards – 314

Most yards, game – 70 yards (on 7 carries) vs. Washington 10/6

Average gain – 7.3

TDs – 2

Scoring

TDs – 2

Points – 12

Awards & Honors:

2^nd team All-NFL: NEA

2^nd team All-AFC: UPI

Bengals went 7-7 to finish third in the AFC Central while leading the conference in passing yards (2511).

Aftermath:

Anderson again led the NFL in passing (93.9 rating), passing yards (3169), and yards per attempt (8.4) in 1975 and was selected to the Pro Bowl in ‘75 and ’76. The team regularly contended during that period, but through coaching changes and attrition, the Bengals slumped later in the decade and Anderson, who also battled injuries, even briefly lost his starting job during the 1980 season. He came back with a MVP performance in 1981 in which he led the NFL with a career-high 98.4 passer rating and Cincinnati won the AFC Championship. Anderson again led the NFL in passing during the strike-shortened 1982 season (95.3) and completed a then-record 70.6 % of his passes. He led the league once more in completion percentage in ’83 (66.7) but after one last year as the starting quarterback, he backed up Boomer Esiason in 1985 and ’86, his last two seasons, all spent with the Bengals. Overall, he passed for 32,838 yards and 197 TDs, averaging 7.3 yards per attempt. He also rushed for 2220 yards and 20 touchdowns. Anderson was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection once, received second-team honors twice more, and was chosen to the Pro Bowl four times.

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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

Highlighted Year: Rudy Bukich, 1964

Quarterback, Chicago Bears

Age:  32

10^th season in pro football, 5^th with Bears (4^th complete)

College: Southern California

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 205

Prelude:

Bukich, who came off the bench to star in the 1953 Rose Bowl, was chosen by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round of the ’53 NFL draft. While he impressed with his strong passing arm, Bukich saw little action as a rookie and then went into the military for two years. He won a National Service Championship as quarterback for Fort Ord and then returned to the Rams in 1956, going back to the bench. After throwing 55 passes in two seasons in LA, Bukich was traded to Washington in 1957 and continued to be a little-used backup. He moved on to the Bears during the ’58 season and continued to sit before being dealt to Pittsburgh in a “lend-lease” arrangement. He sat behind Bobby Layne but, when the aging veteran was injured during 1961, Bukich saw his first extended action, starting seven straight games. After having thrown a total of 157 passes over six years, he tossed 156 and completed 89 (57.1 %) for 1253 yards and 11 TDs, and despite 16 interceptions, made a favorable impression. The Bears brought him back in 1962 as the “player to be named” in the original deal that sent him to Pittsburgh and he returned to a backup role behind Bill Wade, which continued during the ’63 NFL Championship season. With the team and Wade slumping in 1964, Bukich was inserted into the starting lineup and performed well before being sidelined by a shoulder separation.

1964 Season Summary

Appeared in 9 of 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 160 [15]

Most attempts, game – 37 at LA Rams 11/15

Completions – 99 [15]

Most completions, game – 23 at LA Rams 11/15

Yards – 1099 [16]

Most yards, game – 271 at LA Rams 11/15

Completion percentage – 61.9 [1]

Yards per attempt – 6.9 [10]

TD passes – 12 [11, tied with Ed Brown]

Most TD passes, game – 3 vs. Baltimore 11/8, at LA Rams 11/15, at Detroit 11/26

Interceptions – 7 [13]

Most interceptions, game – 2 at Green Bay 9/13, at Detroit 11/26, vs. Green Bay 12/5

Passer rating – 89.0 [4]

200-yard passing games – 3

Rushing

Attempts – 12

Most attempts, game – 3 (for 12 yds.) vs. Dallas 11/1, (for 9 yds.) at Detroit 11/26

Yards – 28

Most yards, game – 12 yards (on 3 carries) vs. Dallas 11/1

Yards per attempt – 2.3

TDs – 0

Bears went 5-9 to finish sixth in the NFL Western Conference while leading the league in passing yards (2841) – but ranking last in rushing yards (1166).

Aftermath:

Bukich followed up with his finest season in 1965, leading the league in passing as he threw for 2641 yards and 20 touchdowns while giving up just 9 interceptions. The Bears went 9-5 but dropped back to a losing record in ’66. Bukich nearly reversed his TD-to-INT ratio, throwing for 10 touchdowns and being intercepted 21 times. He returned to a backup role for his last two seasons in 1967 and ’68. Overall, Bukich started just 41 games in the course of 14 seasons and passed for 8433 yards and 61 TDs with 74 interceptions. His most productive years came with the Bears, where he accounted for 6254 passing yards and 46 TD passes against 45 interceptions.

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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

Highlighted Year: Steve Beuerlein, 1999

Quarterback, Carolina Panthers

Age: 34

12^th season in pro football (11^th active), 4^th with Panthers

College: Notre Dame

Height: 6’3”   Weight: 220

Prelude:

Beuerlein was chosen by the Raiders in the fourth round of the 1987 NFL draft. A drop-back passer with a good arm and limited mobility, he started 15 games in his first two years with modest results. He held out prior to the 1990 season, which soured the Raiders on him and, after not being activated for any games that year, Beuerlein was traded to Dallas. When starting QB Troy Aikman was injured in ’91, Beuerlein started the season’s last four games, all wins, plus another victory in the postseason (the only one of his career). He backed up Aikman in 1992 and then moved on to the Cardinals, where he started in 1993 and passed for 3164 yards and 18 TDs, with 17 interceptions, but clashed with Head Coach Buddy Ryan in ’94 and had a lesser year. Beuerlein was chosen by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 1995 expansion draft and was that franchise’s first starting quarterback, but lost out to Mark Brunell and was dealt to Carolina, where he initially backed up Kerry Collins in 1996 and ‘97. He took over for Collins in 1998 and completed a career-high 63.0 percent of his passes while throwing for 2613 yards and 17 TDs.

1999 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 571 [2]

Most attempts, game – 47 at Washington 10/3, vs. Detroit 10/24

Completions – 343 [1]

Most completions, game – 29 at Green Bay 12/12

Yards – 4436 [1]

Most yards, game – 373 at Green Bay 12/12

Completion percentage – 60.1 [8]

Yards per attempt – 7.8 [3]

TD passes – 36 [2]

Most TD passes, game – 5 vs. New Orleans 1/2

Interceptions – 15 [8, tied with Peyton Manning & Elvis Grbac]

Most interceptions, game – 3 at San Francisco 10/17, at Atlanta 10/31

Passer rating – 94.6 [2]

300-yard passing games – 5

200-yard passing games – 15

Rushing

Attempts – 27

Most attempts, game – 4 (for 8 yds.) at Green Bay 12/12

Yards – 124

Most yards, game – 20 yards (on 3 carries) at St. Louis 11/14, (on 2 carries) vs. San Francisco 12/18

Yards per attempt – 4.6

TDs – 2

Scoring

TDs – 2

Points – 12

Awards & Honors:

Pro Bowl

Panthers went 8-8 to finish second in the NFC West.

Aftermath:

After his big year in 1999, Beuerlein had a lesser performance with a losing team in 2000, passing for 3730 yards and 19 touchdowns while giving up a career-high 18 interceptions. He was released by the Panthers and moved on to Denver, where he was inactive for all of 2001 due to an elbow injury that required surgery. He spent two more years with the Broncos, coaxed back by Head Coach Mike Shanahan for the last one in 2003, and brought savvy into his role as backup. Overall, Beuerlein lasted a total of 16 seasons, passing for 24,046 yards and 147 touchdowns, with most of his starts (51) coming with the Panthers, where he completed 60.4 percent of his passes for 12,690 yards and 86 TDs while giving up 50 interceptions. Tough and an able passer, his lack of mobility was a key limiting factor.

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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

1999: Jeff Garcia Signs with 49ers

On February 16, 1999 QB Jeff Garcia was signed to a two-year contract by the San Francisco 49ers. Garcia, just short of his 29^th birthday, had spent five years with Calgary of the CFL and had quarterbacked the team to a Grey Cup title in 1998.

Successful in college at San Jose State, the slightly-built (6’1”, 195) Garcia went undrafted by NFL teams in 1994 that were concerned about his lack of arm strength and awkward delivery, and signed with the Stampeders. He backed up Doug Flutie for two years, seeing scant action as a rookie but far more, and with good results, when the veteran quarterback was injured during 1995. After Flutie departed for Toronto in ’96, Garcia took over the starting job. The team won three division titles and a championship and Garcia received all-division honors three times and was the Western Player of the Year in 1997. He passed for 4276 yards and 28 touchdowns in ’98, giving him a total of 16,449 yards and 111 touchdowns, against 52 interceptions, overall in the CFL. Highly mobile, if not a particularly fast runner, he also rushed for 2358 yards and 24 TDs.

Garcia had caught the eye of ex-49ers head coach Bill Walsh in college, and with Walsh returning to the team as general manager, the way was paved for the CFL star to come to the NFL. San Francisco had enjoyed a great deal of success over the past two decades and had not had a season with less than ten wins since the strike-shortened 1982 campaign. That included a 12-4 tally under Steve Mariucci in 1998 with Steve Young at quarterback. The successor to Joe Montana, the legendary quarterback of four Super Bowl-winning squads, Young had continued the record of excellence at the position for the 49ers, topping the NFL in passing a league record-tying six times, garnering selection to seven consecutive Pro Bowls, twice receiving MVP honors, and adding a Super Bowl victory following the 1994 season.

However, Young turned 37 during the ’98 season and took a physical beating that included a career-high 48 sacks. He had not appeared in all 16 games in any of the past four years and it was hoped that Garcia would be able to compete with backups Ty Detmer and Jim Druckenmiller for a spot on the roster (both were gone before the ’99 season commenced). Moreover, the 49ers as a whole were showing signs of impending decline. There was instability at the ownership level and the team was in salary cap trouble.  

The result was a drop to 4-12 in 1999 and Young was finished after three games (it would prove to be permanent) due to a severe concussion. Garcia started ten of the remaining contests, with ex-Bear Steve Stenstrom behind center for three, and played his best in the last few, hitting on eight of his 11 touchdown passes and giving up just three of 11 interceptions in December games. He benefited from the presence of excellent wide receivers in Jerry Rice, the aging but still effective all-time great, and Terrell Owens, a rising star in his fourth season, and the running game was solid with another newcomer, RB Charlie Garner, gaining 1229 rushing yards.

Questions regarding Garcia remained as the 49ers sought to rebuild, and they drafted two quarterbacks for 2000, Giovanni Carmazzi in the third round out of Hofstra and Louisiana Tech’s Tim Rattay in the seventh round. But Garcia allayed any concerns by having an outstanding year. He showed his commitment to conditioning by topping the whole team in an endurance competition during minicamp and also displayed a firm grasp of the West Coast offense that Montana and Young had excelled in. The team improved to 6-10 as Garcia passed for 4278 yards and 31 TDs, giving up only 10 interceptions, and rushed for 414 yards. He was named to the Pro Bowl.

Garcia had another Pro Bowl year in 2001, throwing for 3538 yards and 32 touchdowns, and San Francisco returned to the playoffs as a Wild Card with a 12-4 record. While Rice was gone, Owens was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection with 93 catches for 1412 yards and 16 TDs, although he was also disruptive and in conflict with Coach Mariucci. Garcia, fearless with regard to running out of the pocket, also suffered knee and rib injuries.

The 49ers topped the NFC West, albeit with a lesser 10-6 record, in 2002 and also won a playoff game for the first time with Garcia at quarterback, defeating the Giants in a come-from-behind Wild Card thriller, before losing to Tampa Bay in the Divisional round. Garcia was still a Pro Bowl selection, but with lesser numbers in a more conservative offense.

Coach Mariucci was let go following the playoff defeat and replaced by Dennis Erickson for 2003. Garcia, after not missing a start in the previous three seasons, was out for three games due to an ankle injury. Moreover, even when playing, he was showing signs of physical decline at age 33 and his performance suffered. His completion percentage (57.4) dropped below sixty for the first time, his 80.1 passer rating was his lowest since he first took over the starting job in 1999, and his 13 interceptions were his highest total with the 49ers. The team’s record dropped to 7-9 and Garcia’s standing was not helped, at least with the fans, when Tim Rattay won two of three starts in his absence. Owens also was a strong critic, further poisoning the atmosphere.

The result was that, as part of a general housecleaning of veterans from the roster, Garcia departed the team and joined the Cleveland Browns in 2004 (Owens was also dealt, moving on to the Eagles by way of Baltimore). In five years with the 49ers, Garcia more than justified his being signed away from the CFL as he started 71 games, completed 61.4 percent of his passes for 16,408 yards and 113 touchdowns while giving up 56 interceptions. He also ran for 1571 yards on 318 carries for a healthy 4.9-yard average and 21 TDs. The team reached the playoffs twice with him behind center and he was chosen to three Pro Bowls and, despite the aspersions cast by Owens, generally received good reviews for his leadership qualities.    

The losing season in 2003 marked the beginning of a long period of decline for the 49ers. They were 2-14 with Rattay and Ken Dorsey behind center in ’04 and did not return to the postseason until 2011. Nine different players started at quarterback during that time period.

Jeff Garcia lasted a year apiece in Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia, with the last stop featuring a strong performance in guiding the Eagles to the postseason in 2006 after starting QB Donovan McNabb went down with an injury in the tenth game. Moving on to the Buccaneers in ’07, he enjoyed one last Pro Bowl season as Tampa Bay reached the playoffs. He saw significant action in competition with Brian Griese in 2008, which was the last year that he threw a pass in the NFL. He was picked up again by the Eagles in 2009 and Houston in 2011 as injury insurance and was active for one game during that period, and in between was with the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League.

Highlighted Year: Marv Bateman, 1976

Punter, Buffalo Bills

Age: 26

5^th season in pro football, 3rd with Bills (2nd complete)

College: Utah

Height: 6’4”   Weight: 214

Prelude:

Twice a consensus first-team All-American in college in 1970 and ‘71, Bateman was chosen by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round of the 1972 NFL draft. Veteran Ron Widby was traded away and Bateman averaged 38.2 yards on 51 punts as a rookie and 41.6 yards on 55 punts in ’73. A poor start in 1974 caused the Cowboys to waive him midway through the season and he was picked up by Buffalo. Bateman’s performance improved and he averaged 43.9 yards for the Bills, up from 36.9 in his first seven games for Dallas. He had a good 1975 season, averaging 41.6 yards.

1976 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Punting

Punts – 86 [8]

Most punts, game – 11 at Dallas 11/15

Yards – 3678 [4]

Average – 42.8 [1]

Best average, game – 46.8 (on 5 punts) at New England 11/7

Punts blocked – 1

Longest punt – 78 yards

Awards & Honors:

2^nd team All-AFC: UPI

Bills went 2-12 to finish fifth in the AFC East.

Aftermath:

Bateman averaged 39.9 yards on 81 punts in 1977 but was released during the ’78 preseason. An attempt to come back with the 49ers ended with his choosing to retire during the preseason, but he did try one more abortive comeback with the Cardinals in ’80 before leaving the game for good. Over the course of six years, Bateman punted 401 times and averaged 40.9 yards, with 262 punts for a 41.7-yard average coming with the Bills. He was inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame in 1987.

--

Highlighted Years features players who were 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

2006: NFC Wins Turnover-Filled Pro Bowl

The AFC-NFC Pro Bowl on February 12, 2006 marked the 27^th consecutive game in the series to be played at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. Coaches were John Fox of Carolina for the NFC and Denver’s Mike Shanahan for the AFC.

There were 50,190 fans in attendance and they sat in a steady rain that began to fall as the game commenced and didn’t let up until the second quarter. The tone for a sloppy first half was set in the opening series when the AFC was twice penalized for false starts. Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning threw to WR Marvin Harrison, a teammate with the Colts, for a 33-yard gain but the AFC ultimately had to punt.

Following a punt by the NFC from its end zone, the AFC had good field position for its next possession but Manning, again intending a pass for Harrison, was intercepted by Chicago CB Nathan Vasher, who returned it 30 yards. Five plays later, the NFC returned the favor when QB Matt Hasselbeck of the Seahawks was picked off by Denver FS John Lynch. The AFC then drove 45 yards in seven plays that featured three runs by RB Edgerrin James of the Colts that covered 22 yards and three completions by Manning, the last to Miami WR Chris Chambers for a 16-yard touchdown. The score was not without controversy as Chambers came down with only one foot in bounds, but it was ruled a catch due to the defender, CB DeAngelo Hall of the Falcons (pictured below), pushing the receiver out of bounds even though it appeared on the replay that Chambers was not touched. Cincinnati’s Shayne Graham added the extra point.

As the game entered the second quarter, the teams exchanged punts. The NFC put together a 10-play, 73-yard series as Atlanta QB Michael Vick completed three passes, the longest to WR Larry Fitzgerald of the Cardinals for 32 yards, although Vick fumbled a third down snap to force a field goal attempt. Arizona’s Neil Rackers was successful from 32 yards to narrow the score to 7-3.

The AFC responded with a 62-yard drive in 11 plays and resulted in a 31-yard Graham field goal. Vick tossed an interception and Manning threw two more as the first half wound down. The third Manning interception of the game was by Dallas SS Roy Williams, who returned it 11 yards and then lateraled to Hall who picked up 57 yards to give the NFC the ball at the AFC 20. The NFC used up 18 of the last 20 seconds of the half to run three plays, the last of which was a Vick throw to Atlanta teammate TE Alge Crumpler for a 14-yard TD. Rackers added the point after and the score was tied at 10-10 at halftime.

Following a trade of punts to start the third quarter, Carolina QB Jake Delhomme passed the NFC into AFC territory, but he fumbled when sacked by DT Casey Hampton of the Steelers and DT Marcus Stroud of the Jaguars recovered at the AFC 49. However, three plays later a pass by Kansas City QB Trent Green was intercepted by LB Derrick Brooks of the Buccaneers (pictured at top), and he returned it 59 yards for a touchdown. Rackers added the PAT and the NFC held a 17-10 lead.

The AFC had to punt following its next possession but got the ball right back thanks to a fumble by WR Santana Moss of the Redskins at the end of a 20-yard run that was recovered by Denver CB Champ Bailey. In a series that extended into the fourth quarter, the AFC went 68 yards in 10 plays as Green completed three passes and RB Larry Johnson, also of the Chiefs, had a 20-yard carry. Green ran for the last yard and a TD and, with Graham kicking the point after, the score was again tied at 17-17.

The NFC drove 59 yards in 13 plays before facing a fourth-and-two situation after a Hasselbeck pass to Atlanta RB Warrick Dunn picked up 14 yards to the AFC four on a third-and-16 play. While the crowd booed the decision to settle for a field goal, Rackers connected from 22 yards to put the NFC back in front by 20-17 with 6:29 remaining to play.

The next two AFC possessions ended with QB Steve McNair of the Titans fumbling the ball away, with Philadelphia LB Jeremiah Trotter recovering the second at the AFC 18. A Vick bootleg on a third-and-17 play picked up the necessary yardage for a first down at the eight, and the series ended with Rackers kicking a 20-yard field goal to make it a six-point game with 1:13 remaining on the clock.

McNair came out passing for the AFC and two completions got the ball to the NFC 49. But the next three throws fell incomplete and McNair was sacked on the last play of the game. The NFC won by a final score of 23-17.

There were 10 turnovers in all, with six by the AFC. The AFC’s turnovers came on four interceptions and two fumbles, and while the NFC fumbled six times, only two led to turnovers in addition to two interceptions. The NFC gained the most total yards (279 to 260) while the AFC had the edge in first downs (19 to 18).

Matt Hasselbeck completed 10 of 17 passes for 85 yards and no touchdowns while giving up one interception. Michael Vick was four of 12 for 69 yards and a TD while also being picked off once and ran for 17 yards on two carries. Carolina WR Steve Smith had 8 catches for 46 yards. RB Tiki Barber of the Giants led the NFC with 33 yards on 11 rushing attempts. Derrick Brooks, playing in his ninth consecutive Pro Bowl, was named MVP of the game due to his key interception for a touchdown.

For the AFC, Peyton Manning was successful on 13 of 26 throws for 139 yards and a touchdown, but gave up three interceptions while Trent Green went to the air 11 times and had five complete for 39 yards and one interception. Kansas City TE Tony Gonzalez had 5 pass receptions for 36 yards and Marvin Harrison gained 74 yards on his four catches. Larry Johnson rushed for 33 yards on 8 carries.

 “It all goes to the players because there isn’t a lot of scheming,” said Coach Fox of the NFC. “They went out and made plays.”

The win for the NFC, which had lost four of the previous five contests, tied the series at 18-18 since it had gone to the AFC vs. NFC format following the 1970 season.