Highlighted Year: Brian Kelly, 2002

Cornerback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Age: 26

5^th season in pro football & with Buccaneers

College: Southern California

Height: 5’11” Weight: 193

Prelude:

Kelly was chosen by the Buccaneers in the second round of the 1998 NFL draft. He intercepted one pass as a rookie and became part of a cornerback rotation with Ronde Barber in 1999. The rotation continued in 2000, with Kelly primarily known for his physicality at the position. Kelly moved into the starting job across from Barber in 2001.

2002 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 8 [1, tied with Rod Woodson]

Most interceptions, game – 2 vs. Green Bay 11/24, at Chicago 12/29

Int. return yards – 68

Most int. return yards, game – 31 (on 1 int.) vs. St. Louis 9/23, (on 2 int.) vs. Green Bay 11/24

Int. TDs – 0

Sacks – 1

Fumble recoveries – 0

Forced fumbles – 1

Tackles – 57

Assists – 8

Postseason: 3 G

Interceptions – 0

TDs – 0

Buccaneers went 7-9 to finish third in the NFC South.

Aftermath:

Kelly suffered a chest injury in 2003 and was limited to five games. He came back strong in 2004 and intercepted four passas and continued to distinguish himself with his aggressive play. Following a 2005 season in which he was sidelined for most of the schedule due to turf toe, Kelly came back for one more year with the Bucs before departing to Detroit as a free agent. He appeared in 11 games in what was his last pro season before being released. He intercepted 22 passes, all with Tampa Bay,over the course of a solid career.

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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: Patrick Kerney, 2007

Defensive End, Seattle Seahawks

Age: 31 (Dec. 30)

9^th season in pro football, 1^st with Seahawks

College: Virginia

Height: 6’5”    Weight: 273

Prelude:

Kerney accounted for 24 sacks and 127 tackles in college and was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 1999 NFL draft (30^th overall). He had a quiet rookie season with 2.5 sacks. Kerney moved into the starting lineup in 2000, compiling just another 2.5 sacks in 16 games. He broke out with a team-leading 12 sacks in 2001 and followed up with 10.5 in ’02. Kerney spent five more seasons with Atlanta, achieving Pro Bowl recognition in 2004, before departing to Seattle as a free agent in 2007.

2007 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 14.5 [2, 1^st in NFC]

Most sacks, game – 3 vs. Chicago 11/18, at St. Louis 11/25, vs. Arizona 12/9

Multi-sack games – 3

Interceptions – 1

Int. return yards – 0

Int. TDs – 0

Fumble recoveries – 0

Forced fumbles – 5

Tackles – 49

Assists – 11

Postseason: 2 G

Sacks – 0

Interceptions – 0

TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL: AP

Pro Bowl

Seahawks went 10-6 to finish first in the NFC West. Won NFC Wild Card playoff over Washington Redskins (35-14). Lost NFC Divisional playoff to Green Bay Packers (42-20).

Aftermath:

Kerney was limited to seven games, and five sacks, in 2008 due to shoulder problems that required surgery. He retired following the 2009 season due to further shoulder issues. Over the course of 11 seasons, Kerney registered 82.5 sacks, 24.5 while with the Seahawks. He received first-team All-NFL recognition once from the Associated Press, and second-team honors once, and was a two-time Pro Bowl choice.

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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: Roger Craig, 1985

Fullback, San Francisco 49ers

Age: 25

3^rd season in pro football & with 49ers

College: Nebraska

Height: 6’0”    Weight: 222

Prelude:

Chosen by the 49ers in the second round of the 1983 NFL draft to address the unsettled situation at running back, and better known in college for his blocking ability, Craig teamed at fullback with veteran acquisition RB Wendell Tyler and gained 1152 yards from scrimmage (725 rushing, 427 receiving).

1985 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 214 [19]

Most attempts, game – 22 (for 117 yds.) at Denver 11/11

Yards – 1050 [13]

Most yards, game – 117 yards (on 22 carries) at Denver 11/11

Average gain – 4.9 [6]

TDs – 9 [8, tied with Walter Payton & Larry Kinnebrew]

100-yard rushing games – 2

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 92 [1] 

Most receptions, game – 12 (for 167 yds.) at Atlanta 10/6

Yards – 1016 [11]

Most yards, game – 167 (on 12 catches) at Atlanta 10/6

Average gain – 11.0

TDs – 6 [20, tied with eight others]

100-yard receiving games – 2

Total Yards – 2066 [3, 1^st in NFC]

Scoring

TDs – 15 [2, tied with Louis Lipps]

Points – 90

Postseason: 1 G (NFC Wild Card playoff at NY Giants)

Rushing attempts – 9

Rushing yards – 23

Average gain rushing – 2.6

Rushing TDs – 0

Pass receptions – 2

Pass receiving yards – 18

Average yards per reception – 9.0

Pass Receiving TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

2^nd team All-NFL: AP, NEA

2^nd team All-NFC: UPI

Pro Bowl

49ers went 10-6 to finish second in the NFC West and qualify for the postseason as a wild card entry, while leading the conference in total yards (5920) and touchdowns (53). Lost NFC Wild Card playoff to New York Giants (17-3).

 

Aftermath:

Craig split time with HB Joe Cribbs in 1986 but had a second Pro Bowl year in ‘87 as he gained 1307 total yards in the strike-abbreviated season (815 rushing, 492 receiving). Craig received NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors in 1988 while rushing for 1502 yards and catching 76 passes for 534 yards as the 49ers advanced to a Super Bowl victory. He had a fourth Pro Bowl year in 1989, gaining 1054 yards on the ground and 473 through catching passes as the 49ers won another championship, but, after absorbing seven years of punishment as a versatile all-purpose back, his productivity began to drop off thereafter. After one last year with the 49ers in ’90, he moved on to the Raiders and then two final years in Minnesota, never gaining more than 590 yards rushing in any of his last four seasons or catching more than 25 passes. He retired with totals of 8189 rushing yards and 4911 receiving yards on 566 receptions, a total of 13,100 yards from scrimmage.

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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

Highlighted Year: Gary Garrison, 1970

Wide Receiver, San Diego Chargers

 Age: 26

5^th season in pro football & with Chargers

College: San Diego State

Height: 6’1”    Weight: 193

Prelude:

Garrison gained 1272 pass receiving yards in San Diego State’s air-oriented offense, setting a school record with 26 touchdowns. He twice received Little All-American honors and appeared in the East-West Shrine Game as a senior. Garrison was a future draft pick of the Philadelphia Eagles and Chargers in 1965. Joining the Chargers in 1966, he moved into the starting lineup as split end in place of the injured Don Norton across from star flanker Lance Alworth during his 1966 rookie season, catching 46 passes for 642 yards (14.0 avg.) and four TDs. The speedy Garrison followed up with 44 receptions for 772 yards (17.5 avg.) in 1967 and 52 catches for 1103 yards (21.2 avg.) and 10 TDs in ’68 when he was selected to the AFL All-Star Game. Plagued by injuries in 1969, Garrison’s numbers dropped to a still-impressive 40 catches for 804 yards (20.1 avg.) with 7 TDs.

1970 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 44 [16, tied with four others]         

Most receptions, game – 8 (for 165 yds.) at Chicago 10/18

Yards – 1006 [4]

Most yards, game – 165 (on 8 catches) at Chicago 10/18

Average gain – 22.9 [4]

TDs – 12 [2, tied with Gene Washington, 1^st in AFC]

100-yard receiving games – 4

Rushing

Attempts – 4

Yards – 7

Average gain – 1.8

TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 12 [3, tied with Ron Johnson & Gene Washington, 1^st in AFC]

Points – 72 [20, tied with Ron Johnson & Gene Washington]

Awards & Honors:

2^nd team All-AFC: UPI

Pro Bowl

Chargers went 5-6-3 to finish third in the AFC West.

Aftermath:

Garrison followed up with Pro Bowl seasons in 1971 and ‘72, catching 42 passes for 889 yards (21.2 avg.) and 6 TDs in ’71 and 52 for 744 yards (14.3 avg.) and 7 scores in ’72. He spent a total of 11 seasons with San Diego, until 1976, catching a total of 404 passes for 7533 yards (18.6 avg.) and 58 touchdowns. He appeared in one game with the Houston Oilers in 1977 after being let go by the Chargers and caught one last pass for five yards to close out his career. Garrison received second-team All-AFL or All-AFC honors twice and was chosen to three 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

Highlighted Year: Marc Bulger, 2003

Quarterback, St. Louis Rams

 Age: 26

3^rd season (2^nd active) in pro football & with Rams

College: West Virginia

Height: 6’3”    Weight: 215

Prelude:

Following a fine college career in which Bulger passed for 8153 yards and 59 touchdowns, he was chosen by the New Orleans Saints in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL draft. Cut during training camp he spent time on the Atlanta Falcons practice squad in 2000 before moving on to the Rams where he was not activated during the remainder of the year. Due to an injury to starting QB Kurt Warner in 2002 Bulger moved into the starting lineup with good results including wins in his first six starts although he missed time due to injuries as well. A good fit in the team’s high-powered offense, he passed for 1826 yards and 14 TDs. He remained the starter ahead of Warner in 2003.

2003 Season Summary

Appeared and started in 15 of 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 532 [4]

Most attempts, game – 46 at Chicago 11/16

Completions – 336 [3]

Most completions, game – 29 at Chicago 11/16

Yards – 3845 [3, 1^st in NFC]

Most yards, game – 378 at San Francisco 11/2

Completion percentage – 63.2 [6]

Yards per attempt – 7.2 [6]

TD passes – 22 [11]

Most TD passes, game – 3 vs. Green Bay 10/19

Interceptions – 22 [1, tied with Joey Harrington]

Most interceptions, game – 4 at Arizona 11/23

Passer rating – 81.4 [15]

300-yard passing games – 4

200-yard passing games – 13

Rushing

Attempts – 29

Most attempts, game – 6 (for 9 yds.) at Cleveland 12/8

Yards – 75

Most yards, game – 26 yards (on 4 carries) vs. Green Bay 10/19

Average gain – 2.6

TDs – 4

Scoring

TDs – 4

Points – 24

Postseason: 1 G (NFC Divisional playoff vs. Carolina)

Pass attempts – 46

Pass completions – 27

Passing yardage – 332

TD passes – 0

Interceptions – 3

Rushing attempts – 4

Rushing yards – 11

Average gain rushing – 2.8

Rushing TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

Pro Bowl

Rams went 12-4 to finish first in the NFC West. Lost NFC Divisional playoff to Carolina Panthers (29-23).

Aftermath:

Bulger followed up by passing for 3964 yards and 21 TDs while giving up 14 interceptions in 2004. He had another Pro Bowl season in 2006 when he again led the NFC by throwing for 4301 yards. Purely a pocket passer, Bulger spent eight active yeas with the Rams, and after his promising start with the club, his production decreased (and interceptions and sacks increased) in his remaining seasons. Overall Bulger passed for 22,814 yards and 122 TDs against 93 INTs. He was selected to two 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