August 12, 2017

Highlighted Year: Marc Bulger, 2003

Quarterback, St. Louis Rams


 Age: 26
3rd season (2nd 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, 1st 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