Highlighted Year: Chris Gamble, 2004

Cornerback, Carolina Panthers

Age: 21

1^st season in pro football

College: Ohio State

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 181

Prelude:

Gamble played both cornerback and wide receiver in college, and was part of Ohio State’s 2002 national championship team. He was chosen by the Panthers in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft (28^th overall) and, despite being a raw talent, moved directly into the starting lineup.

2004 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 6 [3, tied with four others, 1^st in NFC]

Most interceptions, game – 2 at Atlanta 12/18

Int. return yards – 15

Most int. return yards, game – 13 (on 1 int.) at Kansas City 9/19

Int. TDs – 0

Fumble recoveries – 1

Forced fumbles – 1

Tackles – 68

Assists – 6

Punt Returns

Returns – 9

Yards – 69

Average per return – 7.7

TDs – 0

Longest return – 16 yards

Panthers went 7-9 to finish third in the NFC South while leading the NFL in interceptions (26).

Aftermath:

Gamble followed up in 2005 by intercepting 7 passes that he returned for 157 yards and a TD. Fast and agile, he could also be inconsistent and reckless in taking chances. Gamble’s play improved over time, as a tackler in the defensive backfield as well as a cover corner, and he was typically a solid starter, if not an elite performer. He also encountered problems with injuries but lasted for nine years with Carolina and appeared in a total of 123 games. While Gamble endured a difficult season in 2010 in which he was benched for a time and suffered a hamstring injury, costing him five games, he bounced back in 2011. He was released following an injury-plagued 2012 season and retired at age 29, having intercepted a franchise-record 27 passes, two of which he returned for touchdowns.

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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