Age: 26 (Oct.
8)
4th
season in pro football & with Buccaneers
College: East
Tennessee State
Height: 5’10” Weight: 181
Prelude:
Abraham was
chosen by the Buccaneers in the third round of the 1996 NFL draft and moved
quickly into the starting lineup as a rookie, intercepting five passes and
showing great savvy at the cornerback position. He intercepted another five
passes in ’97 but, after starting 34 straight games, Abraham missed three with
a knee injury in 1998.
1999 Season Summary
Appeared in all
16 games
[Bracketed
numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]
Interceptions
– 7 [1, tied with four others]
Most
interceptions, game – 2 vs. Atlanta 11/21, vs. Minnesota 12/6
Int. return
yards – 115 [11, tied with Tony Blevins]
Most int.
return yards, game – 55 (on 2 int.) vs. Minnesota 12/6
Int. TDs – 2
[1, tied with six others]
Sacks – 2
Most sacks,
game – 1 vs. Kansas City 11/14, vs. Minnesota 12/6
Fumble
recoveries – 0
Tackles – 65
Assists – 14
Scoring
TDs – 2
Points – 12
Postseason: 2 G
Interceptions
– 0
TDs – 0
Buccaneers
went 11-5 to finish first in the NFC Central while leading the NFL in fewest
touchdowns allowed (19) and the conference in fewest total yards allowed
(4280), fewest passing yards allowed (2873), and fewest points allowed (235). Won
NFC Divisional playoff over Washington Redskins (14-13). Lost NFC Championship
game to St. Louis Rams (11-6).
Aftermath:
Abraham
followed up in 2000 with another seven interceptions and gained selection to
the Pro Bowl. An excellent fit in Tampa Bay’s cover-two defensive scheme, he
was capable on pass coverage and made up in technique and skill what he lacked
in speed. Still, he lost his starting job to Brian Kelly in 2001 and was
released after the season for salary cap reasons after having intercepted 31
passes in six years with the Bucs. He moved on to the New York Jets in 2002 and
played well in a similar defense, but missed eight weeks in ’03 due to a
shoulder injury. Following one last season with the Jets in 2004, Abraham
retired. Overall, he intercepted 38 passes, returning them for 468 yards and
three touchdowns, and was named to the Pro Bowl once.
--
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
