Age: 24
3rd
season in pro football & with Jets
College: Alabama
State
Height: 6’1” Weight: 235
Prelude:
Baxter was
chosen by the Minnesota Vikings in the 11th 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, 1st 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.
--
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
