Highlighted Year: Brad Baxter, 1991

Fullback, New York Jets

Age: 24

3^rd season in pro football & with Jets

College: Alabama State

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 235

Prelude:

Baxter was chosen by the Minnesota Vikings in the 11^th round of the 1989 NFL draft, was cut in the preseason, and signed to the Jets’ developmental squad. He was activated for one game. Considered a longshot to make the team in ’90, Baxter instead moved into the starting lineup and rushed for 539 yards while also providing solid blocking.

1991 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 184 [19]

Most attempts, game – 20 (for 59 yds.) at Indianapolis 10/20

Yards – 666

Most yards, game – 66 yards (on 11 carries) at Detroit 12/8

Average gain – 3.6

TDs – 11 [3, tied with Gerald Riggs, 1^st in AFC]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 12

Most receptions, game – 3 (for 48 yds.) vs. Houston 10/13

Yards – 124

Most yards, game – 48 (on 3 catches) vs. Houston 10/13

Average gain – 10.3

TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 11 [7, tied with four others]

Points – 66

Postseason: 1 G (AFC Wild Card playoff at Houston)

Rushing attempts – 5

Rushing yards – 14

Average gain rushing – 2.8

Rushing TDs – 0

Jets went 8-8 to finish second in the AFC East and qualify for the postseason as a Wild Card entry. Lost AFC Wild Card playoff to Houston Oilers (17-10).

Aftermath:

Baxter followed up in 1992 by rushing for a career-high 698 yards while averaging 4.6 yards per attempt and contributed 559 yards in ’93, scoring a total of 13 touchdowns over the two seasons. His production dropped considerably in 1994 as he was used more as a short-yardage runner and split time with Richie Anderson, and after another mediocre rushing season in 1995, Baxter was waived during the ’96 preseason. He failed to catch on with the Eagles in 1997, thus ending his career. Overall, he ran for 2928 yards on 779 carries (3.8 avg.) and caught 80 passes for 587 yards (7.3 avg.), scoring 35 touchdowns, all by rushing.

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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