Highlighted Year: Jay Feely, 2001

Placekicker, Atlanta Falcons

Age: 25

3^rd season in pro football, 1^st in NFL & with Falcons

College: Michigan

Height: 5’10” Weight: 206

Prelude:

Feely was Michigan’s regular placekicker as a senior in 1998 and was successful on 16 of 20 field goal attempts and 34 of 35 PATs for a total of 82 points. Undrafted by the NFL out of college, Feely spent two seasons playing arena football, with the Florida Bobcats in 1999 and Tampa Bay Storm in 2000. He joined the Falcons in 2001 and beat out Jake Arians for the placekicking job previously held by Morten Andersen.

2001 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Kicking

Field goals – 29 [4, 1^st in NFC]

Most field goals, game – 4 vs. Buffalo 12/23

Field goal attempts – 37 [2]

Most field goal attempts, game – 4 vs. St. Louis 12/2, vs. Buffalo 12/23

Field goal percentage – 78.4 [18]

PATs – 28 [20, tied with Martin Gramatica]

PAT attempts – 28 [20, tied with Martin Gramatica & Todd Peterson]

Longest field goal – 55 yards at Arizona 9/30

Scoring

Field Goals – 29

PATs – 28

Points – 115 [6, tied with David Akers & Matt Stover]

Falcons went 7-9 to finish fourth in the NFC West.

Aftermath:

Feely followed up with a bigger season in 2002, leading the NFL with 32 field goals out of 40 attempts and scoring a total of 138 points. He spent two more lesser seasons with the Falcons before moving on to the New York Giants in 2005, where he kicked a career-high 35 field goals out of 42 attempts and, a perfect 43-for-43 in extra points, also had his top scoring total with 148 points. Feely was with the Giants for another year in 2006, one with Miami in ‘07, two as a member of the New York Jets, and four in Arizona before finishing up with the Chicago Bears in 2014 at age 38. Consistent if not spectacular, Feely was successful on 332 of 402 field goal attempts (82.6 %) and, adding 449 PATs (with just three misses), scored a total of 1451 points. Of that, 98 field goals, 142 PATs, and 436 points came with Atlanta.

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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 Percentage, 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

Highlighted Year: Bill Daddio, 1942

End/Placekicker, Chicago Cardinals

Age: 26

2^nd season in pro football & with Cardinals

College: Pittsburgh

Height: 5’11” Weight: 204

Prelude:

Daddio was known for his speed at end and placekicking ability in college. He scored a touchdown on a 71-yard interception return in the 1937 Rose Bowl and received some All-American recognition in 1937 and ‘38. Daddio was chosen by the Cardinals in the fifth round of the 1939 NFL draft but spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Pitt before joining the Cards in 1941. He caught five passes for 39 yards as a rookie, intercepted a pass, and kicked four field goals out of eight attempts and 8 of 9 PATs.

1942 Season Summary

Appeared in all 11 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Kicking

Field goals – 5 [1]

Most field goals, game – 2 vs. Green Bay 10/4

Field goal attempts – 10 [3]

Field goal percentage – 50.0 [1]

PATs – 8 [9, tied with Dick Erdlitz]

PAT attempts – 8 [9, tied with four others]

Longest field goal – 38 yards vs. Green Bay 10/4, at Pittsburgh 11/22

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 11

Yards – 108

Yards per catch – 9.8

TDs – 1

Interceptions

Interceptions – 1

Int. return yards – 4

Int. TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 1

Field Goals – 5

PATs – 8

Points – 29 [18]

Cardinals went 3-8 to finish fourth in the NFL Western Division.

Aftermath:

Daddio spent the next three years in the Navy during World War II and, upon his return to pro football, joined the Buffalo Bisons of the AAFC in 1946 as a player/coach and saw action in three games. Daddio went on to be head coach at Allegheny College from 1947 to ’51 and was a long-time assistant coach and scout at both the college and pro levels.

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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

1978: Vikings Tie Packers in NFC Central Showdown

The Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers were in a battle for control in the NFC Central as they faced off on November 26, 1978.

The Vikings, coached by Bud Grant, had been the dominant team in the division and had a string of five consecutive first place finishes on the line. 38-year-old QB Fran Tarkenton (pictured above) was still a formidable competitor, even if he lacked arm strength, and there were capable wide receivers in Ahmad Rashad and Sammy White. FB Chuck Foreman was showing signs of wear while HB Rickey Young was proving to be a productive receiver out of the backfield. The once-formidable defense was slipping as aging became a factor. Following a slow 3-4 start, they had reeled off four straight wins and were at 7-5 coming into Green Bay, a team they had already beaten at home.

Green Bay had gotten off to a fast start under Head Coach Bart Starr, reaching 7-2 before losing three straight contests to also be 7-5. Second-year QB David Whitehurst had taken over for the injured Lynn Dickey with promising results, HB Terdell Middleton was a surprisingly effective ground gainer, and rookie WR James Lofton added a deep threat to the attack. The defense was especially effective at rushing opposing passers.

There were 51,737 fans in attendance at Lambeau Field, where snow surrounded the playing field. The home team immediately ran into trouble on its first play from scrimmage when Terdell Middleton fumbled and Minnesota DE Jim Marshall recovered at the Green Bay 9. The Vikings didn’t reach the end zone, picking up seven yards in three plays, but took the early 3-0 lead on a 19-yard Rick Danmeier field goal.

From the beginning, defensive ends Mike Butler and Ezra Johnson consistently put pressure on Minnesota’s Fran Tarkenton, thus keeping the visitors in check, although Green Bay was also unable to move the ball effectively. Late in the second quarter, and following an interception by LB John Anderson, the Packers finally put together a long drive of 70 yards in 12 plays. David Whitehurst had key completions to FB Barty Smith for 12 yards, Middleton for 16, and James Lofton for 24 yards to the Minnesota three. Middleton (pictured at left) crashed over from a yard out for a touchdown and Marcol added the extra point to give Green Bay a 7-3 halftime lead.

The Vikings got a break in the third quarter when Middleton again fumbled in Green Bay territory, but they failed to capitalize when Danmeier missed a 32-yard field goal attempt. Late in the period, CB Mike McCoy of the Packers recovered a fumble by Rickey Young at the Green Bay 49. Whitehurst passed to TE Rich McGeorge for 20 yards and to Middleton for 11 as the Packers drove 49 yards in 10 plays. But on the first play of the fourth quarter, Middleton lost a yard in a third down situation at the Minnesota one and the Packers settled for a 19-yard Marcol field goal that nevertheless extended the lead to 10-3.

Another Packer fumble, this time by Barty Smith, gave the Vikings the ball at the Green Bay 25 with 5:27 left in regulation, but they were unable to move and Tarkenton’s fourth down pass into the end zone fell incomplete. With two minutes remaining in regulation, the Vikings had one more shot and put together a 57-yard drive in 11 plays, all passes. They converted a fourth-and-three play at the Green Bay 29 when Tarkenton connected with Young along the sideline for six yards and, facing fourth-and-six at the 19, Tarkenton found Sammy White for 14 yards. With ten seconds left on the clock, Tarkenton threw to Ahmad Rashad, who made a leaping catch for a five-yard touchdown and Danmeier’s point after tied the score.

Following the ensuing kickoff, the Packers had one last desperate shot in regulation and came through with the longest pass play of the game as Whitehurst connected with WR Aundra Thompson for 50 yards, but he was brought down at the Minnesota six and time expired.

Both teams had opportunities to win in overtime. At one point, facing third-and-short at midfield, Barty Smith was stopped and the Packers punted. The Vikings advanced from their 21 to the Green Bay four in seven plays, helped along by Tarkenton completions to Rashad for 18 yards, TE Bob Tucker for 14, and Young for 25, but Danmeier failed on a 21-yard field goal. With time running out in the extra period, Green Bay DT Dave Roller recovered a fumble at the Minnesota 43. But with 17 seconds left on the clock, Marcol came on to attempt a 40-yard field goal that missed well to the left. The final verdict was a 10-10 tie.

The Packers led in total yards (318 to 293) and also had the edge in first downs (16 to 15). The sloppy contest featured eight turnovers, with five by the Vikings and three for Green Bay. Missed field goals hurt both clubs, with Rick Danmeier missing two of three and Chester Marcol booting one and failing on another at the end. Green Bay’s David Beverly had a poor punting game, averaging just 30.5 yards on 10 kicks while Greg Coleman of the Vikings was far more effective, averaging 44.0 yards on six punts, and that affected the battle for field position.

Fran Tarkenton, who passed for only 35 yards in the first three quarters, completed 20 of 37 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown, but also gave up four interceptions. Chuck Foreman was held to 52 yards on 24 carries and caught five passes for 35 yards. Rickey Young (pictured at right) contributed a team-leading 6 pass receptions for 63 yards as well as 35 yards on 14 rushing attempts. Ahmad Rashad ended up catching four passes for 38 yards and a TD.

For the Packers, David Whitehurst was successful on 11 of 23 throws for 175 yards with no TDs or interceptions. Terdell Middleton ran the ball 39 times for 110 yards and a touchdown and also had 20 yards on two pass receptions. Barty Smith had three catches for 28 yards along with his 39 yards on 12 carries and Rich McGeorge also caught three passes, for 35 yards. With his long reception at the end of regulation, Aundra Franklin led the team’s receivers with 68 yards on two catches. James Lofton managed just one reception for 24 yards.

“This was a darn fine effort on the part of our football team,” said Coach Starr of the Packers. “I’m proud of them. They played their hearts out and it’s a shame we didn’t win.”

“I thought we should have won,” said Fran Tarkenton. “But the tie doesn’t hurt us a bit.”

The tie left the clubs with identical 7-5-1 records but gave Minnesota the advantage in tiebreakers due to the better head-to-head record (1-0-1). It proved to be decisive as the teams remained even the rest of the way, winning the next week and then losing the final two games. At 8-7-1, the Vikings were Central Division champs while Green Bay was in second and out of the playoff picture. Minnesota lost to the Rams in the Divisional playoff round.

In his last season, Fran Tarkenton achieved career highs in pass attempts (572), completions (345), yards (3468), and on the downside, interceptions (32) which all also topped the NFL.  Rickey Young led the league with 88 pass receptions, for 704 yards and five TDs, while also rushing for 417 yards and another touchdown.

Highlighted Year: Derrick Crawford, 1984

Wide Receiver, Memphis Showboats

Age: 23

1^st season in pro football

College: Memphis State

Height: 5’10” Weight: 185

Prelude:

Crawford caught 63 passes for 1117 yards (17.7 avg.) and five touchdowns and averaged 21.3 yards on 45 kickoff returns in college. The Showboats took him in the 1984 USFL territorial draft and he proved to be productive as both the team’s top pass receiver as well as a kick returner.

1984 Season Summary

Appeared in all 18 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 61 [13]          

Most receptions, game – 6 (for 21 yds.) at Los Angeles 4/14, (for 86 yds.) at Tampa Bay 6/9, (for 52 yds.) vs. Birmingham 6/16

Yards – 703

Most yards, game – 86 (on 6 catches) at Tampa Bay 6/9

Average gain – 11.5

TDs – 12 [4]

Rushing

Attempts – 13

Yards – 27

Average gain – 2.1

TDs – 0

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 47 [1]

Yards – 1237 [1]

Most yards, game – 152 (on 4 ret.) at Oakland 5/19

Average per return – 26.3 [1]

TDs – 1 [1, tied with Clarence Verdin & Greg Taylor]

Longest return – 97 yards

Punt Returns

Returns – 3

Yards – -1

Average per return – -0.3

TDs – 0

Longest return – 1 yard

Scoring

TDs – 13 [9, tied with four others]

Points – 78

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-USFL: League, Sporting News, Pro Football Weekly, College & Pro Football Newsweekly

Showboats went 7-11 to finish fourth in the USFL Southern Division.  

Aftermath:

Crawford followed up in 1985 with 70 catches for 1057 yards (15.1 avg.) and 9 touchdowns. He was used less for returning kickoffs, averaging 23.9 yards on 11 returns, but had a touchdown among his eight punt returns. With the demise of the USFL, Crawford signed with the 49ers, who had selected him in the 1984 NFL supplemental draft, for 1986. He caught just five passes as a backup wide receiver and averaged 18.7 yards on 15 kickoff returns in his one year in San Francisco. Crawford later moved on to the CFL where he spent four seasons with the Calgary Stampeders, catching 174 passes for 3026 yards and 27 TDs. His best seasons came in 1990, when he gained 1096 yards on 57 pass receptions that included 11 touchdowns and he received All-Western Division recognition and 1993, when he again caught 57 passes for 1007 yards and 10 TDs. Crawford’s career ended with a three-game stint with Birmingham in ’95. Overall in the USFL, Crawford had 131 catches for 1760 yards and 21 touchdowns and averaged 25.9 yards on 58 kickoff returns.

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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

1966: Cowboys Defeat Browns in Pivotal Thanksgiving Matchup

It was a Thanksgiving showdown for control of the NFL Eastern Conference as the Dallas Cowboys hosted the Cleveland Browns on November 24, 1966.

The Cowboys, meticulously guided by Head Coach Tom Landry since the franchise’s creation in 1960, had a 7-2-1 record and were on the way to their first winning season, with the possibility of also topping the conference. QB Don Meredith (pictured at right) was often maligned but coming into his own and HB Dan Reeves had proven to be effective in tandem with FB Don Perkins. Split end Bob Hayes provided speed on the outside, adding to the explosiveness of the offense. The defense was tough and aggressive, especially on the line anchored by DT Bob Lilly and at linebacker, with Chuck Howley and Dave Edwards on the outside and Lee Roy Jordan in the middle.

Cleveland, at 7-3 under Head Coach Blanton Collier, had topped the Eastern Conference in each of the previous two seasons and won a NFL title in ’64. While the Browns lost star FB Jim Brown to retirement, HB Leroy Kelly had proven to be a more-than-capable replacement and combined effectively with FB Ernie Green. QB Frank Ryan remained a good field general and had fine receivers in flanker Gary Collins and split end Paul Warfield. The Browns had won the previous meeting between the teams in Cleveland but the defense was injury-depleted.

There was a record crowd of 75,504 fans in attendance at the Cotton Bowl. Dallas got the first scoring opportunity following a 38-yard punt return by FS Mel Renfro to the Cleveland 20. But while the Cowboys advanced inside the ten yard line, they had to settle for an 11-yard Danny Villanueva field goal.

Dallas again had the ball in excellent field position shortly thereafter when Leroy Kelly fumbled and Bob Lilly recovered at the Cleveland 24. Once again the home team had to settle for three points, however, and Villanueva again connected, this time from 31 yards.

As the game headed into the second quarter, Cleveland had a shot at getting on the board, but Lou Groza missed wide on a 28-yard field goal attempt. On their next series, the Browns drove 81 yards, and this time didn’t come up empty. Frank Ryan threw to Gary Collins for 21 yards to the Dallas one and from there Kelly plunged into the end zone for a touchdown. Groza’s extra point put Cleveland ahead by 7-6.

The Cowboys put together an 87-yard advance that featured Don Meredith completing passes of 12 yards to Don Perkins, 17 to Dan Reeves, and 14 yards to TE Frank Clarke. Meredith completed the series by throwing a swing pass to Reeves for a six-yard TD on a third down play and, with Villanueva’s point after, the home team was back in front by 13-7.

Cleveland responded with an eight-play, 76-yard series that was helped along by a pass interference penalty on CB Warren Livingston. Ryan lobbed a pass to Ernie Green (pictured at left), who easily outran LB Chuck Howley for a 16-yard touchdown. Groza converted and, with 1:07 remaining in the first half, the visitors were ahead by 14-13.

In the third quarter, the Cowboys moved into scoring position thanks to a long pass interference penalty on CB Mike Howell at the Cleveland 21. Meredith picked up a first down on a 10-yard carry to the nine, but the Browns held and Dallas again turned to Villanueva, who was successful on a 12-yard field goal that put the Cowboys back in front by 16-14.

The Browns failed to put points on the board when Groza’s woes continued as he was again wide on a field goal attempt, this time from 31 yards. The Cowboys again drove into Cleveland territory and once more had to call on Villanueva, who was good on a 13-yard field goal that made the score 19-14 with seven seconds remaining in the period.

The Dallas lead was a tenuous 19-14 as the game headed into the fourth quarter, and the Browns were once again in scoring position. But in a pivotal turn of events, a 20-yard field goal attempt by Groza was blocked by SS Mike Gaechter and the Cowboys proceeded to drive 72 yards in 13 plays. The home team converted three third downs along the way as Meredith connected with Bob Hayes for 19 yards in a third-and-15 situation, ran for five yards on third-and-three, and passed to Reeves for seven yards when facing third-and-four at the Cleveland 16. The series ended with Don Perkins running 10 yards for a touchdown. Villanueva converted and, for all intents, sealed the 26-14 Dallas win.

The Browns had the edge in total yards (321 to 304) although Dallas had more first downs (25 to 18). Cleveland suffered the game’s only turnover and the Cowboys, who were aggressive in their pass rushing, recorded five sacks, to none by the visitors. A key factor was the kicking game as Danny Villanueva was perfect on four field goal attempts while Lou Groza failed three times (at age 42, there was speculation that Groza was at the end of his Hall of Fame career, but he did come back for one final season in 1967).

Don Meredith completed 16 of 24 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown while giving up no interceptions. Don Perkins (pictured at right) ran for 111 yards on 23 carries that included the game-clinching TD and Dan Reeves contributed 49 yards on 14 attempts as well as four catches for 32 yards and a score. Bob Hayes led the Dallas receivers with 6 catches for 54 yards.

For the Browns, Frank Ryan, who was constantly pressured by the Dallas pass rush, was successful on 12 of 26 throws for 190 yards and a TD and with none intercepted. Leroy Kelly gained 115 yards on 15 rushing attempts that included a touchdown and Ernie Green gained 24 yards on 8 attempts and also scored on his lone pass reception. Gary Collins had 5 pass receptions for 92 yards to top the club.

“Dallas just executed better than we did,” summed up Cleveland’s Coach Collier. “We had field position, we had our chances, but we couldn’t capitalize on them.”

The win gave the Cowboys the upper hand in the Eastern Conference race and they ended up first with a 10-3-1 record, losing a closely-fought NFL Championship game to the Green Bay Packers. Cleveland finished in a tie for second with Philadelphia at 9-5.

As a footnote, the arrival of Dallas as a playoff contender would prove to be lasting as the Cowboys went to the postseason in each of the next seven seasons and 18 of 20 between 1966 and ’85.

Highlighted Year: Billie Hayes, 1975

Cornerback, San Antonio Wings

Age: 28

3^rd season in pro football, 2^nd in WFL & 1^st with Wings

College: San Diego State

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 181

Prelude:

Hayes transferred from Riverside Junior College and received first-team All-Pacific Coast Athletic Association honors as part of the San Diego State team that went 11-0 in 1969. He was chosen by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round of the 1970 NFL draft but failed to make the club. He also failed to catch on with the Rams in ’71 and his only NFL experience came with the New Orleans Saints in 1972, where he was a backup and had no interceptions. Hayes signed with the Florida Blazers of the WFL in 1974 and moved into the starting lineup, intercepting six passes. His contract was purchased by the new San Antonio club, which was the successor franchise to the Blazers.

1975 Season Summary

Appeared in all 13 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 6 [1, tied with Leon Jenkins]

Int. return yards – 115 [4]

Int. TDs – 0

Sacks – 0

Fumble recoveries – 1

Tackles – 33

Assists – 19

Wings went 7-6 and were second in the WFL Western Division when the league folded. They led the league in interceptions (27).

Aftermath:

The demise of the WFL effectively marked the end of Hayes’ career. In his two WFL seasons, which were his most significant as a pro, he intercepted 12 passes that he returned for 220 yards.

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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

Highlighted Year: George Ratterman, 1949

Quarterback, Buffalo Bills

Age:  23 (Nov. 12)

3^rd season in pro football & with Bills

College: Notre Dame

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 190

Prelude:

An outstanding all-around athlete in college who lettered in four sports, Ratterman primarily backup up quarterbacks Frank Dancewicz and Johnny Lujack. He signed with the Bills in 1947 and passed for 1840 yards and 22 touchdowns, although with an AAFC-high 20 interceptions, as a rookie. He followed up in ’48 by throwing for 2577 yards and 16 TDs, again topping the league with 22 interceptions. Not averse to taking risks, Ratterman was an accurate passer with good ball-handling skills and sound leadership qualities.

1949 Season Summary

Appeared in 11 of 12 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 252 [4]

Completions – 146 [3]

Yards – 1777 [4]

Completion percentage – 57.9 [1]

Yards per attempt – 7.1 [4]

TD passes – 14 [3, tied with Y.A. Tittle]

Most TD passes, game – 3 at Baltimore 11/27

Interceptions – 13 [5, tied with Johnny Clement]

Passer rating – 76.8 [3]

Rushing

Attempts – 36

Yards – 85

Yards per attempt – 2.4

TDs – 4 [9, tied with four others]

Scoring

TDs – 4 [19, tied with eight others]           

Points – 24

Postseason: 1 G (AAFC First Round playoff at Cleveland)

Pass attempts – 39

Pass completions – 21

Passing yardage – 293

TD passes – 3

Interceptions – 2

Bills went 5-5-2 to finish fourth in the AAFC. Lost AAFC First Round playoff to Cleveland Browns (31-21).

Aftermath:

With the demise of the AAFC, Ratterman joined the New York Yanks of the NFL in 1950 and led the league in both TD passes (22) and interceptions (24) while throwing for 2251 yards, which ranked second. He jumped to Montreal of the CFL in ’51 but re-joined the Yanks at midseason, although with far less impressive results. Ratterman spent the remaining five years of his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns, where he backed up star QB Otto Graham. Given the opportunity to start in 1956, he lasted four games before suffering a career-ending knee injury. Overall, Ratterman passed for 10,473 yards and 91 touchdowns while giving up 96 interceptions, with 6194 yards and 52 TDs with 55 INTs coming in the AAFC.

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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

Highlighted Year: Benny Friedman, 1927

Tailback/Defensive Back, Cleveland Bulldogs

Age: 22

1^st season in pro football

College: Michigan

Height: 5’10” Weight: 183

Prelude:

Friedman established himself as an outstanding passer in college and was a consensus first-team All-American in 1925 and ’26. Turning pro, he proved to be extremely accurate, if not possessed of an exceptionally strong arm, and was innovative in his willingness to pass on any down despite the less-streamlined ball in use at the time and rules that discouraged reliance on throwing the ball. Friedman was also a capable runner and fair kicker.

1927 Season Summary

Appeared in all 13 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

TD Passes – 11 [1]

Scoring

Rushing TDs – 2 [14, tied with twelve others]

Receiving TDs – 0

Other TDs – 0

Total TDs – 2

Field Goals – 0

Extra Points – 11 [2]

Points – 23 [19]

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL: Chicago Tribune, Green Bay Press-Gazette

Bulldogs went 8-4-1 to finish fourth in the NFL while leading the league in touchdowns (30) and scoring (209 points).

Aftermath:

Friedman moved on to the Detroit Panthers in 1928 and again led the NFL with 9 TD passes as well as rushing touchdowns (6, tied with two others). The franchise was bought out by Tim Mara of the Giants and Friedman went to New York and continued to lead the league in touchdown passes for the next two years, including a remarkable 20 in 1929 (the runner-up threw 6). Friedman received consensus first team All-NFL honors in each of his first four NFL seasons, but a leg injury reduced his effectiveness in 1931 and he moved on to the Brooklyn Dodgers in ’32. He finished up with one game for the Dodgers in 1934, having already moved into assistant coaching at the college level that reduced his playing time. While passing statistics are incomplete for that era, Friedman was certainly far ahead of the rest of the field in passing yards (7650) and TD passes (68), and his single-season record of 20 lasted until 1942. Friedman went on to become a college head coach at City College of New York and Brandeis University, where he also served as athletic director. His brashness might have been off-putting, but he was a keen student of the game and one of its early innovators and notable performers. Friedman was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2005.

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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

1973: Broncos Rally to Upset Battered Steelers

The Denver Broncos were fighting to stay in the AFC West playoff hunt as they faced the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 18, 1973. Coached by John Ralston, the Broncos had overcome a slow start to compile a 4-3-2 record thus far. Veteran QB Charley Johnson effectively directed the offense that included HB Floyd Little (pictured at right) and TE Riley Odoms, who was breaking out in his third season.

The Steelers, under Head Coach Chuck Noll, were at 8-1 and had won four straight games and 13 in a row at home. However, they were also having injury problems and were without QB Terry Bradshaw and HB John “French” Fuqua, while DT “Mean Joe” Greene was suffering from a back injury and would not be in the starting lineup for the first time in his career (he did enter the game in the fourth quarter to spell his replacement, DT Tom Keating).

There were 48,580 fans in attendance at Three Rivers Stadium and they saw the home team run into trouble at the very start. HB Rocky Bleier fumbled while returning the opening kickoff and DB Maurice Tyler recovered to give the Broncos possession at the Pittsburgh 15. They weren’t able to move the ball, but Jim Turner kicked a 32-yard field goal to give Denver the early 3-0 advantage.

The Steelers responded with a series in which QB Terry Hanratty completed passes of nine yards to HB Preston Pearson and 22 yards to WR Ron Shanklin, but after reaching the Denver 16 they came up empty when Roy Gerela was wide on a 23-yard field goal try. Later in the period, Pittsburgh again advanced deep into Denver territory, the key plays being a Hanratty completion to TE John McMakin for 44 yards and a 17-yard run by FB Franco Harris on a sweep. This time Gerala tied the score with a 15-yard field goal.

Turner attempted a long field goal for the Broncos from 52 yards early in the second quarter, but it was short. The Steelers were on the move again when Hanratty threw to WR Frank Lewis for a 40-yard gain. Again having to try for a field goal, Gerela was successful from 18 yards but DE Lyle Alzado was penalized for roughing-the-kicker and Pittsburgh chose to take the points off the board and keep the ball. Shortly thereafter they ended up having to call on Gerela again, and he was again good from 13 yards. Late in the period, the Broncos threatened, reaching the Pittsburgh four with a 69-yard advance before having to settle for a Turner field goal from 11 yards and the teams were tied at 6-6 going into halftime.

Denver HB Otis Armstrong returned the second half kickoff 32 yards and that spurred the Broncos to a 10-play, 67-yard drive, helped along by a 25-yard pass interference penalty on CB Mel Blount. Floyd Little ran the last ten yards for a touchdown and Turner converted to put the visitors up by 13-6.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Steelers finished off an 80-yard advance in just four plays. Hanratty (pictured at left) threw to Lewis for 19 yards, Harris ran for four yards around end, and it was then Hanratty to McMakin for 15 yards and to Shanklin for a 42-yard TD. Gerela added the game-tying point after.

A 41-yard drive in ten plays by the Broncos that featured Little’s running and short completions by Charley Johnson ended when Turner kicked a field goal from 46 yards that hit the cross bar but bounced over, putting them ahead by 16-13.

On the ensuing kickoff, HB Steve Davis fumbled and the Broncos recovered at the Pittsburgh 27. Little was stopped for a three-yard loss on first down, but FB Joe Dawkins ran for 25 and, three plays later, Denver capitalized when Johnson tossed a two-yard touchdown pass to TE Riley Odoms. Turner converted to put the visitors ahead by ten. It was too much for the Steelers to recover from and the Broncos held on to win by a final score of 23-13.

Pittsburgh led in total yards (300 to 257) while the Broncos had more first downs (20 to 12). Denver outrushed the Steelers (184 to 83) while the home team compiled far more net passing yards (217 to 73). Pittsburgh turned the ball over three times, to none by the Broncos.

Charley Johnson (pictured at right) completed 13 of 20 passes for 86 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. Floyd Little rushed for 88 yards on 27 carries that included a TD and also had four catches for 23 yards. Riley Odoms topped the Denver receivers with 6 pass receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown.

For the Steelers, Terry Hanratty was successful on 10 of 19 throws for 217 yards and a TD while also not being picked off. Franco Harris gained 53 yards on 11 rushing attempts. John McMakin caught three passes for 64 yards and Ron Shanklin also accumulated 64 yards on his two receptions that included a touchdown.

“In all fairness to Pittsburgh, I think we were fortunate to be in the right spot on their schedule,” said Denver’s Coach Ralston. “They’d just had three hard wins over Cincinnati, Washington, and Oakland, and games like that take something out of you.”

The Broncos split their last four games and, while they failed to make it to the playoffs, the resulting 7-5-2 record placed second in the AFC West and was the first winning season in franchise history. The hobbled Steelers lost their next two contests but won the last two to end up at 10-4 and second in the AFC Central, although still good enough for a Wild Card playoff berth. Pittsburgh lost to Oakland in the Divisional round.

Highlighted Year: Larry Brown, 1970

Halfback, Washington Redskins

Age: 23 (Sept. 19)

2^nd season in pro football & with Redskins

College: Kansas State

Height: 5’11” Weight: 195

Prelude:

Brown played two seasons at Kansas State after transferring from Dodge City Junior College and had an undistinguished career, rushing for 684 yards and catching 13 passes. An eighth round pick by the Redskins in the 1969 NFL draft, Brown led the team in rushing as a rookie with 888 yards on 202 carries (4.4 avg.) and caught 34 passes for another 302 yards. He was selected to the Pro Bowl.

1970 Season Summary

Appeared in 13 of 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 237 [2]

Most attempts, game – 27 (for 110 yds.) at Philadelphia 10/4

Yards – 1125 [1]

Most yards, game – 139 yards (on 17 carries) vs. NY Giants 11/29

Average gain – 4.7 [3]

TDs – 5 [13, tied with eleven others]

100-yard rushing games – 6

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 37      

Most receptions, game – 9 (for 76 yds.) at Oakland 10/19

Yards – 341

Most yards, game – 76 (on 9 catches) at Oakland 10/19

Average gain – 9.2

TDs – 2

Scoring

TDs – 7 [18, tied with nine others]

Points – 42

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, NEA, Pro Football Weekly

1^st team All-NFC: AP, UPI, Pro Football Weekly, Sporting News

Pro Bowl

Redskins went 6-8 to finish fourth in the NFC East.

Aftermath:

Brown’s production dropped off to 948 yards in 1971 as defenses keyed on him, but he was selected to a third Pro Bowl and received consensus first-team All-NFC recognition. He was the consensus league MVP in ’72 as he led the NFC in rushing with 1216 yards and the Redskins reached the Super Bowl. Brown ran for 860 yards and caught 40 passes in 1973, but the workhorse runner began to show signs of wear in ’74 and totaled just 838 yards over the last three seasons of a career spent entirely with Washington that ended in 1976. Overall, he rushed for 5875 yards on 1530 attempts (3.8 avg.) and caught 238 passes for 2485 yards (10.4 avg.) while scoring a total of 55 touchdowns. Brown was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection twice, received first-team All-NFC honors after one other season, and was selected to four Pro Bowls.

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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

1930: Nagurski’s 2 TDs Lead Bears to Win Against Giants

The Chicago Bears were a team in transition as they faced the New York Giants on November 16, 1930. Coming off of a disappointing 4-9-2 record in 1929, the Bears were in their first season under Head Coach Ralph Jones, with George Halas concentrating on front office duties. Jones revamped the offense and benefited from the arrival of two rookies in the backfield, QB Carl Brumbaugh and power-running FB Bronko Nagurski (pictured at right). Thus far the Bears were at 4-4-1 as they faced the Giants, a powerful club under Head Coach Roy Andrews that had a 10-1 record including five straight wins at home and an offense that featured tailback Benny Friedman, the best passer in pro football.

There were 5000 fans in attendance on a rainy day at the Polo Grounds and the field was muddy. The teams slogged through three scoreless quarters, with Chicago’s ground game dominating. Early in the first quarter, the Bears drove from their 27 to the New York 15, but the visitors came up empty when three runs and a pass came up short and they had to turn the ball over on downs.

In the third quarter, Chicago put together another promising drive fueled by the running of Bronko Nagurski  and halfbacks Red Grange and Joe Lintzenich. But after reaching the New York six, the Bears again failed to reach the end zone and had to turn the ball over on downs.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Bears took possession at their 41 and again moved the ball effectively. Nagurski ran for nine yards, Grange gained enough for a first down and followed up with a pass to end Luke Johnsos for 28 yards to the New York 22. Carries by Grange and Carl Brumbaugh got the ball down to the seven and Nagurski barreled over for a touchdown from there, but Garland Grange failed on the extra point attempt.

The Giants started out deep in their own territory following the kickoff.  Benny Friedman came out passing, but his third toss was intercepted by Lintzenich at the New York 20. He returned the ball to the 10 and, four plays later, Nagurski dove into the end zone from a yard out for a second touchdown. The try for point after was again unsuccessful, but it was of no consequence. Chicago won by a final score of 12-0.

The Bears led in first downs (13 to 5) and otherwise dominated the game. It was a precursor of good things to come as they won their remaining four contests to finish with a 9-4-1 record that placed third in the league standings. New York defeated Green Bay in a key battle the next week but lost two of four to finish second at 13-4.

For Bronko Nagurski, the two touchdowns against the Giants were part of five that he scored on the year. He received second-team All-NFL honors from Collyers Eye and the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

Highlighted Year: Billy Cannon, 1961

Halfback, Houston Oilers

Age: 24

2^nd season in pro football & with Oilers

College: LSU

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 212

Prelude:

Cannon was a star all-purpose halfback in college who rushed for 1867 yards while averaging 5.2 yards-per-carry, caught 31 passes for 522 yards, and scored 21 touchdowns. He was a two-time consensus first-team All-American and winner of the 1959 Heisman Trophy, following a season in which he also returned a punt 89 yards to key a LSU win against Mississippi. Cannon was chosen by the Los Angeles Rams as the first overall pick of the 1960 NFL draft, but signed with both the Rams and Oilers of the new AFL. A judge’s decision awarded him to the Oilers and he had a fair rookie season, rushing for a team-leading 644 yards and scoring a touchdown in the AFL Championship game on an 88-yard pass play. He was a second-team All-AFL selection by the league and UPI.

1961 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 200 [2]

Most attempts, game – 25 (for 216 yds.) at NY Titans 12/10

Yards – 948 [1]

Most yards, game – 216 yards (on 25 carries) at NY Titans 12/10

Average gain – 4.7 [1]

TDs – 6 [4, tied with Jack Kemp]

200-yard rushing games – 1

100-yard rushing games – 3

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 43 [11, tied with Don Maynard]

Most receptions, game – 7 (for 122 yds.) vs. NY Titans 11/19

Yards – 586 [15]

Most yards, game – 122 (on 7 catches) vs. NY Titans 11/19

Average gain – 13.6 [16]

TDs – 9 [3, tied with Jim Colclough]

100-yard receiving games – 2

Passing

Attempts – 5

Completions – 0

Yards – 0

TD passes – 0

Interceptions – 1 [20, tied with seven others]

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 18 [3, tied with Al Frazier]

Yards – 439 [5]

Most yards, game – 84 (on 3 ret.) vs. Boston 11/12

Average per return – 24.4 [6]

TDs – 0

Longest return – 47 yards

Punt Returns

Returns – 9 [6]

Yards – 70 [9]

Most yards, game – 20 (on 1 ret.) vs. Buffalo 10/8

Average per return – 7.8

TDs – 0

Longest return – 20 yards

All-Purpose yards – 2043 [1]

Scoring

TDs – 15 [2]

Points – 90 [4]

Postseason: 1 G (AFL Championship at San Diego)

Rushing attempts – 15

Rushing yards – 48

Average gain rushing – 3.2

Rushing TDs – 0

Pass receptions – 5

Pass receiving yards – 53

Average yards per reception – 10.6

Pass receiving TDs – 1

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-AFL: League, AP, UPI, NY Daily News, Sporting News

AFL All-Star Game

Oilers went 10-3-1 to finish first in the AFL Eastern Division while leading the league in total yards (6288), passing yards (4392), touchdowns (66), and scoring (513 points). Won AFL Championship over San Diego Chargers (10-3).

Aftermath:

Cannon suffered a back injury that limited his effectiveness in 1962, holding him to 474 rushing yards although he still caught 32 passes for 451 yards and scored a total of 13 touchdowns. He saw little action in an injury-plagued 1963 season and was traded to the Oakland Raiders, where he was tried at fullback with some success before being shifted to tight end in 1965. While Cannon caught only 21 passes combined in his first two seasons at the new position, his production increased significantly in 1967, when he had 32 catches for 629 yards and 10 TDs and received first-team All-AFL honors from UPI and the Associated Press. He spent two more years with the Raiders and was an AFL All-Star in 1969. Cannon spent one last year with Kansas City as a backup in 1970. Altogether, he rushed for 2455 yards on 602 carries (4.1 avg.) with 17 TDs and caught 236 passes for 3656 yards (15.5 avg.) and 47 touchdowns. Cannon was a consensus first-team All-AFL selection after one season, received some first- or second-team recognition after three other seasons, and was chosen to two AFL All-Star Games. His son Billy Jr. played linebacker for the Cowboys for one year.

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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 Percentage, 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