Age: 34
(Sept. 28)
13th
season in pro football, 1st with Eagles
College: Nebraska
Height: 6’0” Weight: 200
Prelude:
Fryar caught
67 passes for1196 yards (17.9 avg.) and 11 touchdowns in college, including 40
for 780 yards (19.5 avg.) and 8 TDs as a senior in 1983, when he was a
consensus first-team All-American. He was chosen by the New England Patriots
with the first overall pick in the 1984 NFL draft. In an injury-plagued rookie
season Fryar caught only 11 passes and was used primarily to return punts,
averaging 9.6 yards on 36 returns. In nine years with New England that were
marked by numerous off-field issues through 1992 he accumulated 363 pass
receptions for 5726 yards (15.8 avg.) and 38 TDs and returned 206 punts for a
10.0 average and another three scores. Fryar was a Pro Bowl selection in 1985. Moving
on to the Miami Dolphins in 1993, Fryar was productive, garnering Pro Bowl
honors twice more in 1993 and ’94. Over the course of three seasons he caught
199 passes for 3190 yards (16.0 avg.) and 20 touchdowns. Fryar signed with the
Eagles as a free agent in 1996.
1996 Season Summary
Appeared in all
16 games
[Bracketed
numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]
Pass
Receiving
Receptions – 88
[9]
Most
receptions, game – 9 (for 120 yds.) at Dallas 11/3
Yards – 1195
[7]
Most yards,
game – 143 (on 7 catches) vs. Miami 10/20
Average gain
– 13.6
TDs – 11 [4,
1st in NFC]
100-yard
receiving games – 4
Rushing
Attempts – 1
Yards – -4
TDs – 0
Scoring
TDs – 11 [9,
tied with four others]
Points – 66
Postseason: 1 G (NFC Wild Card playoff at San
Francisco)
Pass
receptions – 5
Pass
receiving yards – 62
Average yards
per reception – 12.4
Pass
Receiving TDs – 0
Awards & Honors:
Pro Bowl
Eagles went 9-7
to finish second in the NFC East and qualify for a Wild Card playoff slot while
leading the NFC in total yards (5627). Lost NFC Wild Card playoff to San
Francisco 49ers (14-0).
Aftermath:
Fryar
followed up in 1997 by catching 86 passes for 1316 yards (15.3 avg.) and 6
touchdowns and again receiving Pro Bowl recognition. With the Eagles dropping
to 3-13 in 1998, his production slipped to 48 pass receptions for 556 yards
(11.6 avg.) and just two TDs and Fryar announced his intention to retire. However,he
reconsidered and joined the Washington Redskins for two last seasons in 1999 and
2000. Overall Fryar finished with 851 catches for 12,785 yards (15.0 avg.) and
84 TDs, with 222 receptions for 3067 yards coming with the Eagles. Fryar
received second-team all-conference honors twice and was selected to five Pro
Bowls.
--
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
