Highlighted Year: Chris Chambers, 2003

Wide Receiver, Miami Dolphins

Age: 25

3^rd season in pro football & with Dolphins

College: Wisconsin

Height: 5’11” Weight: 210

Prelude:

Chambers caught 127 passes for 2004 yards and 16 touchdowns in college and was chosen by the Dolphins in the second round of the 2001 NFL draft. While part of a run-oriented offense, he started seven games and caught 48 passes for 883 yards, averaging 18.4 yards per reception and scoring seven TDs. After impressing as a deep threat in his first season, Chambers had a lesser year in 2002 while opponents concentrated more coverage on him. He had 52 receptions for 734 yards, for a 14.1-yard average and just three touchdowns.

2003 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 64      

Most receptions, game – 9 (for 153 yds.) vs. NY Jets 12/28

Yards – 963 [18]

Most yards, game – 153 (on 9 catches) vs. NY Jets 12/28

Average gain – 15.0 [13]

TDs – 11 [3, 1^st in AFC]

100-yard receiving games – 2

Rushing

Attempts – 4

Yards – 30

Average gain – 7.5

TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 11 [10, tied with four others]

Points – 66

Dolphins went 10-6 to finish second in the AFC East.

Aftermath:

Fast and athletic, but not always consistent, Chambers followed up in 2004 with 69 catches for 898 yards (13.0 avg.) and seven touchdowns. He had his best season in ’05, achieving career-highs with 82 receptions for 1118 yards (13.6 avg.) and 11 TDs and was named to the Pro Bowl. But he dropped back to 59 catches for 677 yards (11.5 avg.) and four scores in 2006 and was dealt to San Diego during the ’07 season, where he paired well with WR Vincent Jackson. Injuries limited his performance in 2008 and he was waived during ’09 and picked up by the Kansas City Chiefs. He spent one last injury-plagued year with the Chiefs in 2010, his last season. Overall, Chambers caught 540 passes for 7648 yards (14.2 avg.) and 58 touchdowns, with 405 of those receptions for 5688 yards (14.0 avg.) and 43 TDs coming with Miami. He was chosen to one Pro Bowl.

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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