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: Isaac Curtis, 1973

Wide Receiver, Cincinnati Bengals

Age: 23 (Oct. 20)

1^st season in pro football

College: San Diego State

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 190

Prelude:

Curtis started out in college as a running back at the Univ. of California, where he was also a track star, but controversy that led to NCAA sanctions against the school caused him to transfer to San Diego State as a senior. Curtis had an outstanding year at wide receiver for the 10-1 Aztecs under the guidance of Head Coach Don Coryell, catching 44 passes for 832 yards (18.9 avg.) and seven touchdowns. He received first-team All-Pacific Coast Athletic Association honors and was chosen by the Bengals in the first round of the 1973 NFL draft (15^th overall). Curtis moved directly into the starting lineup and developed into a stellar performer over the course of the season.

1973 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 45 [11, tied with Boobie Clark & Mike Siani]     

Most receptions, game – 8 (for 106 yds.) vs. Kansas City 10/21

Yards – 843 [5, 1^st in AFC]

Most yards, game – 144 (on 2 catches) at Houston 12/16

Average gain – 18.7 [5]

TDs – 9 [4, tied with Harold Carmichael]

100-yard receiving games – 3

Rushing

Attempts – 2

Yards – -11

Average gain – -5.5

TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 9 [10, tied with four others]

Points – 54

Postseason: 1 G (AFC Divisional playoff at Miami)

Pass receptions – 1

Pass receiving yards – 9

Pass Receiving TDs – 0

Rushing attempts – 1

Yards – -1

TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

2^nd team All-AFC: UPI

Pro Bowl

Bengals went 10-4 to finish first in the AFC Central. Lost AFC Divisional playoff to Miami Dolphins (34-16).

Aftermath:

Curtis was selected to the Pro Bowl in each of the next three seasons and was regarded as one of the league’s more potent deep threats at a time when teams were less inclined to go to the air. While his catches dropped to 30 in 1974, 10 were for touchdowns, and he led the NFL by averaging 21.2 yards on 44 receptions in ’75. Curtis lost half of the 1977 season due to knee surgery but bounced back to catch a career-high 47 passes in ’78, although his average dropped to 15.7 and only three were for TDs. He remained with the Bengals until 1984 and, while no longer an elite receiver, was still capable of making big plays. Overall, Curtis caught 416 passes for 7101 yards (17.1 avg.) and 53 touchdowns. He received first- or second-team All-NFL honors three times, first-team All-AFC recognition after five seasons, 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

1973: Falcons Deal Bob Berry to Minnesota for Bob Lee

On May 14, 1973 the Atlanta Falcons traded starting QB Bob Berry along with their 1974 first draft choice to the Minnesota Vikings for QB Bob Lee and LB Lonnie Warwick, two players who had played out their options.  

Berry was surprised at learning of the trade that sent him back to the Vikings, the club he had started out with in 1965. Collegiately, he had starred at Oregon, where he led the Ducks to three straight winning seasons (something they hadn’t done in 30 years) and passed for 4148 yards and 37 touchdowns.  Minnesota obtained his rights from the Philadelphia Eagles, who chose him as a future selection in the eleventh round of the ’64 NFL draft. He saw little action in his first three seasons in Minnesota but became the starting quarterback for the Falcons in 1968, where he was reunited with Norm Van Brocklin, the head coach when he joined the Vikings in ’65 who was now in Atlanta. Lacking ideal size (5’11”, 185) and with a weak arm, Berry compensated with mobility, passing accuracy, and good leadership qualities.

Berry was a Pro Bowl selection in 1969 and led the NFL by averaging 8.9 yards per attempt in 1971, when he also completed a NFC-high 60.2 percent of his passes. Overall in Atlanta, he threw for 8489 yards and 57 TDs, giving up 56 interceptions, with a completion percentage of 56.4. But typically his throws were short, often to his backs and TE Jim Mitchell, and Berry took many sacks. After achieving a 7-6-1 record in ‘71, the first over .500 in franchise history, the Falcons essentially held steady at 7-7 in 1972 and Van Brocklin became disenchanted.  

“His won-lost record was the yardstick,” explained Van Brocklin of the decision to deal Berry. “We need an improvement in our passing game other than in completion percentages. We needed more than a short yardage quarterback.”

The quarterback the Falcons got in return, Bob Lee (pictured above), was a 17^th round draft pick out of the College of the Pacific in 1969 and had been Minnesota’s punter as a rookie. He saw some action at quarterback in 1970 and ‘71, even starting a playoff game, but in 1972 Lee was stuck behind Fran Tarkenton, who was back in Minnesota following five years with the Giants, and threw just six passes.

The Falcons were intending to use QB Pat Sullivan, the Heisman Trophy winner out of Auburn who was drafted the previous year, but it was journeyman backup Dick Shiner starting the season with Lee, who was set back by an injury in training camp, in reserve. However, when Shiner went down with an injury in the fourth week, and with the team at 1-3, Lee took over the starting job and the Falcons responded with seven straight wins on the way to a 9-5 record, barely missing the postseason.

Lee wasn’t required to go to the air often, averaging 12 completions per game as he threw for 1786 yards and 10 touchdowns against 8 interceptions. He was helped by a sound running game led by HB Dave Hampton and a good offensive line, plus a defense that could keep games close. Placekicker Nick Mike-Mayer also had a career year, kicking 26 field goals.

The bubble burst in 1974, however, as Lee completed just 45.3 percent of his passes for 852 yards and three touchdowns while giving up 14 interceptions. Sullivan and Kim McQuilken took over the starting quarterback duties with equally disastrous results as the Falcons dropped to 3-11. Coach Van Brocklin was gone after eight games, replaced by Marion Campbell, and in the 1975 NFL draft Atlanta traded up to get California QB Steve Bartkowski in the first round. Lee, the subject of adulation the previous year, was released.

     

As for Bob Berry (pictured at right), he spent the remaining three years of his career backing up the durable Tarkenton in Minnesota. He threw all of 78 passes, completing 47 for 450 yards and six TDs. Ironically enough, Lee returned to the Vikings in 1975 and ended up replacing Berry as Tarkenton’s backup, spending four seasons with the club in his second stint before moving on to the Rams in 1979 and ’80. He went to two Super Bowls, one with each club, but only as a backup quarterback.  

With regard to other players involved in the 1973 deal, Lonnie Warwick had been with the Vikings for eight years and was the starting middle linebacker for most of them. He was 31 at the time of the trade and had struggled with injuries the previous two seasons. Warwick spent two years with Atlanta as a backup in a strong unit that included MLB Tommy Nobis and OLBs Greg Brezina and Don Hansen.

The first draft choice that the Vikings obtained from the Falcons was used to take LB Fred McNeill from UCLA with the seventeenth overall pick in 1974. McNeill spent twelve seasons with Minnesota, moving into the starting lineup at right outside linebacker in his fourth year and staying there until 1985.   

Highlighted Year: Harold Carmichael, 1973

Wide Receiver, Philadelphia Eagles

Age: 24 (Sept. 22)

3^rd season in pro football & with Eagles

College: Southern

Height: 6’8”   Weight: 225

Prelude:

A quarterback in high school, Carmichael shifted to wide receiver in college. With concerns about his tall but lean frame being able to hold up in pro football, he was chosen by the Eagles in the seventh round of the 1971 NFL draft and spent the first two years of his career being tried at tight end as well as wide receiver and missing time due to injuries. He caught a total of 40 passes in 1971 and ’72 for 564 yards and two touchdowns. With WR Harold Jackson traded to the Rams for QB Roman Gabriel, and new Head Coach Mike McCormack committing to Carmichael at the open wide receiver slot, he broke out in ’73. In combination with 6’3” WR Don Zimmerman and 6’4” TE Charle Young, he became the tallest member of the “Fire High Gang”.

1973 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 67 [1] 

Most receptions, game – 12 (for 187 yds.) at St. Louis 10/14

Yards – 1116 [1]

Most yards, game – 187 (on 12 catches) at St. Louis 10/14

Average gain – 16.7 [14]

TDs – 9 [4, tied with Isaac Curtis]

100-yard receiving games – 5

Rushing

Attempts – 3

Yards – 42

Average gain – 14.0

TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 9 [10, tied with four others]

Points – 54

Awards & Honors:

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

2^nd team All-NFL: AP, NEA

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

Pro Bowl

Eagles went 5-8-1 to finish third in the NFC East while leading the NFL in passing yards (2998).

Aftermath:

Carmichael’s pass reception and yardage totals in 1973 remained his career highs, but he continued to be a key element in Philadelphia’s offense for another ten seasons. Lacking speed, Carmichael used his height and dependable hands to good advantage, and was difficult to bring down in the open field. He caught 56 passes for 649 yards and eight touchdowns in ’74, garnering second-team All-NFC recognition from UPI. After three seasons of less than 50 catches with a club that struggled on offense, Carmichael had 55 receptions for 1072 yards (averaging a career-best 19.5 yards) and 8 TDs in 1978, the first of two consecutive years in which he received first-team All-NFC honors and three straight in which he was chosen to the Pro Bowl. He had a career-high 11 scoring receptions in ’79, the same year in which he broke the record for consecutive games with pass receptions, a streak that eventually reached 127 and served as a testament to his durability as well as reliability. Carmichael departed the Eagles after the 1983 season holding club records with 589 catches, 8978 receiving yards, and 79 touchdowns. He appeared in two games with Dallas in 1984, his last season, and caught one pass for seven yards to top out his career total at 590, which ranked fifth in NFL history at the time. Carmichael received first-team All-NFL recognition once, first- or second-team All-NFC honors after five other seasons, and was chosen 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 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: Bobby Bryant, 1973

Cornerback, Minnesota Vikings

Age: 29

7th season in pro football (6^th active) & with Vikings

College: South Carolina

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 170

Prelude:

Bryant received All-Atlantic Coast Conference recognition in both football and baseball in college. He was chosen by the Vikings in the seventh round of the 1967 NFL draft but, due to the effects of a lingering knee injury suffered during his senior year at South Carolina, appeared in only one preseason game and missed all of the ’67 regular season. He was a reserve in the defensive backfield in 1968, intercepting two passes and returning one for a TD, and also returned kicks. Bryant moved into the starting lineup at right cornerback in ’69 and was outstanding, intercepting 8 passes, until sidelined by a knee injury. He continued to perform well in injury-shortened seasons in 1970 and ’71 and, through 1972, had intercepted 20 passes.

1973 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 7 [3, 1^st in NFC]

Most interceptions, game – 3 at Green Bay 12/8

Int. return yards – 105 [13]

Most int. return yards, game – 86 (on 3 int.) at Green Bay 12/8

Int. TDs – 1 [3, tied with many others]

Fumble recoveries – 0

Punt Returns

Returns – 25 [12, tied with Lemar Parrish & Donnie Walker]

Yards – 140

Most yards, game – 33 (on 5 ret.) vs. Green Bay 9/30

Average per return – 5.6

TDs – 0

Longest return – 16 yards

Postseason: 3 G

Interceptions – 2

Int. return yards – 63

Fumble recoveries – 2

TDs – 1

Punt returns – 3

Punt return yards – 3

Punt return avg. – 1.0

TDs – 0

Longest return – 3 yards

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFC: Pro Football Weekly

2^nd team All-NFC: UPI

Vikings went 12-2 to finish first in the NFC Central while leading the conference in fewest points allowed (168). Won NFC Divisional playoff over Washington Redskins (27-20) and NFC Championship over Dallas Cowboys (27-10). Lost Super Bowl to Miami Dolphins (24-7).  

Aftermath:

Bryant missed virtually all of the 1974 season due to injury but bounced back in ’75 to intercept six passes. Called “Bones” for his slight build, Bryant was a key playmaker in the defensive backfield when healthy despite his lack of size and ideal speed. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in both 1975 and ’76 and had an especially noteworthy performance in the NFC Championship game against the Rams in 1976 when he returned a blocked field goal attempt 90 yards for a touchdown and intercepted two passes. Bryant played a total of 13 seasons, all with the Vikings, appearing in 161 regular season games and 14 more in the postseason. He intercepted 51 passes, three of which he returned for TDs, and had another six interceptions in the playoffs. Bryant was a consensus second-team All-NFL selection once, received second-team honors from UPI after one other season, and was named 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

1973: Vikings Defeat Redskins in NFC Divisional Playoff Game

The NFC Divisional Playoff game on December 22, 1973 featured the Minnesota Vikings, first place finishers in the NFC Central at 12-2, hosting the Washington Redskins, who placed second in the NFC East with a 10-4 record and qualified for the postseason as a Wild Card entry.

The Vikings were in their seventh season under Head Coach Bud Grant and back in the postseason after a one-year hiatus in 1972. Prior to that they had won four straight division titles, but lost their last two Divisional round games. QB Fran Tarkenton (pictured above), an original Viking, returned to the club in ’72 and was making his first postseason appearance in his 13^th year as a pro. Tarkenton was talented and known for his scrambling style, but still had something to prove to critics who questioned his ability to come up a winner in big games. WR John Gilliam was a fine receiver and the addition of rookie FB Chuck Foreman helped both the running and passing attack. The tough defense remained the key to the team’s success, in particular the line with ends Carl Eller and Jim Marshall and tackles Alan Page and Gary Larsen.

The Redskins, coached by George Allen, were the defending NFC Champions and still a very strong, veteran-laden club. Gritty QB Bill Kilmer directed an offense that included the running of HB Larry Brown and a strong receiving corps with wide receivers Charley Taylor and Roy Jefferson and TE Jerry Smith. The defense was strong and adept at pressuring opposing quarterbacks. While Washington was also known for the quality of its special teams play, PK Curt Knight caused concern with his erratic tendencies. In addition, Kilmer had been hospitalized during the previous week due to a stomach disorder.

There were 45,475 fans in attendance at Metropolitan Stadium on a day with temperatures in the twenties and a seven mph wind. The field had been cleared of snow and dyed green to hide the wear. Minnesota came out throwing, but a Fran Tarkenton bomb to an open John Gilliam just grazed the receiver’s finger tips, which was the closest the Vikings came to pulling off a big play in the early going. The Redskins missed a scoring opportunity in the first quarter when they drove from their 14 into Minnesota territory but Curt Knight failed on a 17-yard field goal attempt.

Later in the period, Knight again missed a field goal attempt, coming up short from 49 yards. The Vikings were stymied on offense and didn’t register a first down until two minutes into the second quarter, but they finally came up with a big play when Tarkenton completed a pass to HB Oscar Reed for a gain of 50 yards and that set up a 19-yard field goal by Fred Cox.

With 3:30 remaining in the first half, the Redskins got a break when CB Bobby Bryant fumbled a punt and HB Bob Brunet recovered for Washington at the Minnesota 21. Three plays later, which included a pass from Bill Kilmer to Charley Taylor for 17 yards, Larry Brown (pictured at left) ran for a three-yard touchdown. Knight added the extra point for a 7-3 lead.

The Vikings advanced into field goal position as Tarkenton completed passes to WR Carroll Dale and Chuck Foreman, but an interception inside the ten yard line snuffed out the threat and the score remained unchanged at the half.

During halftime, Minnesota DE Carl Eller delivered an emotional speech to his teammates, who had played without apparent emotion during the first half, saying that they had come “too damn far” and were “embarrassing ourselves”. To accent the point, he proceeded to break apart the team’s blackboard. The tirade made an impression and the Vikings showed more fire in the second half.

Early in the third quarter, Reed, taking advantage of the defense’s keying on Chuck Foreman, broke six tackles on a 46-yard carry that set up a two-yard TD run by FB Bill Brown. Cox added the point after and the home team was ahead by 10-7.

Meanwhile, the Redskins were now without CB Pat Fischer, who suffered cracked ribs in the second quarter and was unable to continue. He was replaced by DB Speedy Duncan, also experienced but typically a kick returner who was more comfortable at safety.

Washington managed to tie the score before the period was over with Curt Knight’s 52-yard field goal that matched the then-league playoff record. Knight kicked another field goal, from 42 yards, on the first play of the fourth quarter, and the visitors held a 13-10 edge.

The Vikings proceeded to advance 71 yards in eight plays concluding with a Tarkenton pass to Gilliam, who beat Duncan for a 28-yard touchdown. Cox converted and Minnesota was back in the lead by 17-13. On Washington’s next offensive play, CB Nate Wright intercepted a Kilmer pass and returned it 26 yards to the Redskins’ eight. Two plays later, it was Tarkenton to Gilliam again for a TD, this time from six yards out and after the nimble quarterback scrambled out of trouble, running to his left and then right before finding the receiver open in the right corner of the end zone. Cox added the point after and, in the space of 1:05, the Vikings had scored twice to take a 24-13 lead.

The Redskins managed to get on the board again following DB Ken Stone’s block of a Mike Eischeid punt. Kilmer passed to WR Roy Jefferson for a 28-yard touchdown with 5:28 left to play and Knight converted to close the margin to four points.

The Vikings were able to use up four minutes on a series that concluded with Cox kicking a 30-yard field goal. Washington fought back in the remaining time as Kilmer completed three passes, but the drive came to an end at the Minnesota 42 on a fourth down incompletion. Minnesota won by a final score of 27-20.

The statistics were fairly even. The Vikings led in total yards (359 to 314) while Washington had the edge in first downs (18 to 17). Each team turned the ball over twice. The game was almost penalty-free, with Minnesota drawing the only two flags at a minimal cost of nine yards.

Fran Tarkenton completed 16 of 28 passes for 222 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, and was at his best as the Vikings took command in the second half, when he hit on eight of ten throws and both TDs. John Gilliam had just two catches for 36 yards, but they accounted for both touchdowns. Oscar Reed (pictured below) rushed for 95 yards on 17 carries and caught 5 passes for 76 more yards. Chuck Foreman contributed 40 yards on 11 attempts and had three pass receptions for 23 yards.

For the Redskins, Bill Kilmer was successful on 13 of 24 throws for 159 yards and a TD along with an interception. Larry Brown, who was playing with injured ribs, gained 115 yards on 29 rushing attempts and scored a touchdown. Roy Jefferson caught 6 passes for 84 yards and a TD and Charley Taylor contributed four receptions for 56 yards.

“Sometimes they’re not concentrating on me,” explained Oscar Reed, who received a game ball for his performance. “Since early in the season they’ve been keying on Chuck Foreman. I’m not the world’s greatest pass catcher or runner, but given a little room, I’ll use what I’ve got.”

The Vikings went on to defeat Dallas for the NFC Championship before losing to Miami in the Super Bowl. Washington came back in 1974 to again go 10-4 and reach the playoffs as a Wild Card. The Redskins lost in the Divisional round, this time to the Rams.

1973: Csonka’s 2 TDs Propel Dolphins to Win Over College All-Stars

The 40^th annual College All-Star Game on July 27, 1973 featured the Miami Dolphins, undefeated NFL Champions of the 1972 season, against a group of All-Stars coached by John McKay of USC.

The Dolphins, under Head Coach Don Shula, featured a ball control offense led by power-running FB Larry Csonka (pictured at right), and QB Bob Griese was capable of throwing passes to good effect when necessary. The “No Name” defense was often overlooked but allowed few points. However, injuries were a problem coming into the All-Star Game. MLB Nick Buoniconti had just undergone surgery on his wrist a week earlier, but was forced to play the whole game because of injuries to linebackers Bob Matheson, Mike Kolen, and Doug Swift.

The All-Stars contained future NFL standouts in QB Bert Jones from LSU; running backs Chuck Foreman of Miami, Terry Metcalf from Long Beach State, and Oklahoma’s Greg Pruitt; TE Charle Young of USC, and Alabama G John Hannah on offense. The defense included ends Wally Chambers of Eastern Kentucky and John Matuszak from Tampa, Miami CB Burgess Owens, and LB Jim Youngblood of Tennessee Tech. Coach McKay took a relaxed approach to preparing for the game with one practice per day, instead of the usual two, and had few rules. The collegians alternated front lines and used many players on both platoons.

There were 54,103 fans in attendance at Chicago’s Soldier Field on a Friday night. Miami took the opening kickoff and drove 60 yards in ten plays. Bob Griese threw just one pass along the way and Larry Csonka ran around right end for a three-yard touchdown to finish the series off. Garo Yepremian added the extra point.

The All-Stars had opportunities to score but failed to capitalize. They had a first down at the Miami 13 but Greg Pruitt fumbled and DT Manny Fernandez recovered for the Dolphins to snuff out the threat. In the second quarter, LB John Skorupan of Penn State intercepted a Griese pass and returned it 30 yards to the Miami 30. However, a 16-yard sack of Bert Jones moved the collegians out of scoring range and Ray Guy from Southern Mississippi was forced to punt.

Near the end of the first half, the All-Stars, starting from their 38 with Jones behind center, reached the Miami one yard line, but the Dolphins kept them out of the end zone and they settled for a 10-yard field goal by Guy. A key play occurred when injured FB Sam Cunningham of USC was sent in to attempt a leap into the end zone, but a five-yard penalty nullified the effort. The Dolphins maintained a 7-3 lead at the end of the half.

A heavy rain doused the stadium at halftime and the artificial surface was slick in the second half. The All-Stars had another break in the third quarter when Florida State DB James Thomas recovered a fumbled snap at the Miami eight. But the collegians again couldn’t punch the ball in and Guy’s 16-yard field goal try was missed.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Jones fired a pass that traveled 60 yards and was intended for WR Barry Smith of Florida State, who had a step on his defender as he sprinted down the left sideline, but the ball went through his hands at the Miami 20. On the next Baltimore series, 39-year-old backup QB Earl Morrall (pictured at left) came into the game and directed a 55-yard scoring drive in seven plays. Morrall connected with TE Jim Mandich for two key completions and Csonka again finished off the possession with a seven-yard TD carry. Yepremian added the point after and, for all intents, the win was clinched for the Dolphins. Despite Miami’s sluggishness, the All-Stars failed to threaten again and the final score was 14-3.

“It wasn’t an emotional game for me or some of the other guys,” said Miami DT Manny Fernandez. “Actually, it was like a scrimmage.”

The Dolphins outgained the All-Stars (251 yards to 133) and had more first downs (16 to 9). Of the total for the All-Stars, only 13 yards and one first down came in the second half. Miami turned the ball over twice, to one suffered by the collegians.

Larry Csonka was the offensive star for the Dolphins, rushing for 76 yards on 17 carries and scoring both touchdowns. Bob Griese completed 6 of 9 passes for 75 yards and had one intercepted while Earl Morrall was three of four for 38 yards. HB Jim Kiick had four catches for 24 yards and Jim Mandich led the club with 35 yards on two receptions.

Bert Jones played most of the game at quarterback for the All-Stars and completed 9 of 17 throws for 79 yards. Purdue HB Otis Armstrong led the runners with 39 yards on 11 attempts. Ray Guy punted nine times for a 44.1-yard average and helped keep the Dolphins from getting good starting field position, in addition to scoring the only points for the collegians.

Miami’s win marked the tenth straight for the pro teams and put them ahead in the series by 29 to 9. The Dolphins repeated as NFL Champions in 1973, but failed to return to the College All-Star Game when it was cancelled due to a players’ strike during the ’74 preseason.

While Ray Guy both placekicked and punted for the All-Stars, he had been chosen by the Oakland Raiders in the first round of the NFL draft strictly for his ability as a punter. He would go on to a 14-year career, all with Oakland, and was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first six seasons (seven overall). In 2014, Guy was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Highlighted Year: John Brockington, 1973

Fullback, Green Bay Packers

Age: 25 (Sept. 7)

3^rd season in pro football & with Packers

College: Ohio State

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 225

Prelude:

Brockington started at halfback as a sophomore in college, backed up FB Jim Otis for a year, and then started at fullback as a senior and rushed for a team-record 1142 yards and scored 17 TDs in 1970. He was chosen by the Packers in the first round (ninth overall) of the ’71 NFL draft and moved directly into the starting lineup in combination with HB Donny Anderson. Brockington led the NFC with 1105 rushing yards and received consensus first-team All-NFL as well as Rookie of the Year honors. In 1972 he had a new backfield mate in HB MacArthur Lane and ran for 1027 yards as the Packers won the NFC Central, achieving All-NFC honors and again being selected to the Pro Bowl.

1973 Season Summary

Appeared and started in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 265 [4]

Most attempts, game – 28 (for 137 yds.) vs. St. Louis 11/11

Yards – 1144 [2, 1^st in NFC]

Most yards, game – 142 yards (on 22 carries) at Chicago 12/16

Average gain – 4.3 [19]

TDs – 3

100-yard rushing games – 5

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 16

Most receptions, game – 3 (for 17 yds.) vs. New Orleans 12/2

Yards – 128

Most yards, game – 45 (on 2 catches) at New England 11/18

Average gain – 8.0

TDs – 0

Passing

Attempts – 1

Completions – 0

TDs – 0

INT – 0

Scoring

TDs – 3

Points – 18

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL: NEA

2^nd team All-NFL: AP, PFWA

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

Pro Bowl

Packers went 5-7-2 to finish third in the NFC Central.

Aftermath:

After having become the first player in NFL history to reach a thousand rushing yards in each of his first three years, Brockington found the going more difficult over time as the team’s lack of a credible passing attack had defenses keying on stopping the ground game. After gaining 883 yards rushing in 1974, in addition to catching a career-high 43 passes, his production dropped sharply as the wear and tear of his punishing, straight-ahead running style began to take its toll and he never again gained as many as 500 yards in a season. Released by the Packers early in the 1977 season, he finished up with the Kansas City Chiefs. Overall, Brockington rushed for 5185 yards on 1347 carries (all but 161 yards and 54 carries coming with Green Bay) and caught 157 passes for 1297 yards (19 for 222 yards with the Chiefs), scoring a total of 34 touchdowns (30 rushing, four receiving). He was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection once, received first- or second-team All-NFL and All-NFC honors after two other seasons, and was a three-time Pro Bowl choice.

--

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: Cards Hire Don Coryell as Head Coach

On January 18, 1973 the St. Louis Cardinals of the NFL dipped into the college ranks to hire Don Coryell as the new head coach. The 48-year-old Coryell of San Diego State replaced Bob Hollway, who was fired directly following a second straight 4-9-1 record in 1972 with one year remaining on his three-year contract. The Cardinals had not reached the postseason since 1948, although they were contenders several times under Wally Lemm and Charley Winner during the 1960s.

Coryell’s record at San Diego State was 104-19-2 over twelve seasons, including 10-1 in 1972. Prior to that, the former college defensive back spent one year as coach at Wenatchee Junior College in Washington in 1955 and then coached a service team at Fort Ord in California that went undefeated in ’56. Moving on to Whittier College, his teams had a 23-5-1 record and won three conference championships.

Prior to his arrival in 1961, the Aztecs had gone through lean years and hit rock bottom with back-to-back 1-6-1 records in the two seasons immediately preceding. Coryell recruited junior college players and his teams were known for their pass-oriented offense. He had success with future pro quarterbacks Don Horn, Dennis Shaw, and Brian Sipe, and notable wide receivers included Gary Garrison, Isaac Curtis, and Haven Moses. John Madden and Joe Gibbs were assistant coaches, and Gibbs rejoined Coryell in St. Louis along with two of his current assistants, Rod Dowhower and Jim Hanifan, who all went on to head coaching jobs in the NFL.

Asked about his decision to move to a pro team, Coryell explained that “I was as far as I could go in the situation I was in.” He had a written a letter to owner Bill Bidwill expressing his interest in the job.

“I’m not a disciplinarian in the way I try to get people to do things,” said the soft-spoken Coryell of his manner of handling players. “They do it or they don’t play.”

“I believe in a wide-open style of play,” said Coryell with regard to his offensive strategy, which ran counter to the prevailing wisdom in the NFL at the time. “I like to throw the ball. I believe in attacking the defense.”

The quarterback Coryell inherited was Jim Hart (pictured at left), a 29-year-old veteran who had been unheralded coming out of Southern Illinois in 1966, showed great promise when forced into the starting job in ’67, but had endured challenges from Pete Beathard, Gary Cuozzo, and Tim Van Galder in recent years.  A classic drop-back passer who was at his best throwing long, Hart prospered in Coryell’s offense.

TE Jackie Smith was a talented veteran receiver and WR Mel Gray was up-and-coming. HB Donny Anderson was still effective at age 30, but was joined by speedy rookie Terry Metcalf out of Long Beach State. There were also good young linemen in OT Dan Dierdorf, G Conrad Dobler, and C Tom Banks, in addition to savvy veteran OT Ernie McMillan. The defense included a good group of linebackers in Larry Stallings, Pete Barnes, and Mark Arneson. CB Roger Wehrli was the best of the defensive backs and DT Dave Butz was a promising rookie. To top things off, Jim Bakken was an accomplished placekicker who had been with the club since 1962.

The Cardinals duplicated their 4-9-1 record in 1973. Hart performed capably but played with injuries during the second half of the season and missed two games altogether (rookie Gary Keithley, also the punter, filled in). Moreover, the team ranked 12^th in the league in offensive production but 26^th in defense.

St. Louis broke out with a 10-4 record in 1974, making it into the postseason for the first time in 26 years. Hart had a Pro Bowl year as he threw for 2411 yards and led the NFC in touchdown passes (20) and completions (200), while giving up just eight interceptions. He was sacked only 16 times, a tribute to the improvement on the offensive line. Metcalf also gained Pro Bowl recognition for his outstanding all-around performance, gaining a total of 2058 yards (718 on 152 rushing attempts, 377 on 50 catches, 623 on 20 kickoff returns and 340 on 26 punt returns). FB Jim Otis provided inside power and Mel Gray also reached the Pro Bowl. The dependable Jackie Smith had a new backup and heir apparent in rookie J.V. Cain.  The defense, under the direction of coordinator Ray Willsey, was significantly better, allowing 147 fewer points and almost a thousand less yards than in ’73. Wehrli was chosen to the Pro Bowl and CB Norm Thompson intercepted six passes, while DT Bob Rowe was outstanding on the line that lost Butz for the year in the season’s opening week. After getting off to a 7-0 start, the Cards had a rougher time during the second half of the season but still topped the NFC East. They lost to Minnesota in the Divisional playoff round.

The Cardinals repeated as division champs in 1975 with an 11-3 record. The offense was even more productive. Hart threw more interceptions (19) but also 19 touchdowns and 2507 yards and again was chosen to the Pro Bowl. Metcalf outdid himself by setting a NFL record with 2462 all-purpose yards, scoring 13 touchdowns with at least one apiece via rushing, pass receiving, returning a punt, and returning a kickoff, and Otis led the NFC in rushing with 1076 yards. Both joined Hart as Pro Bowl choices, and so did Dan Dierdorf and Conrad Dobler on the line that allowed just eight sacks.  Gray was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection as well (48 catches, 926 yards, 11 TDs). On defense, the pass rush was still unexceptional, but Wehrli and Thompson intercepted 13 passes between them, and the former was also a consensus first-team All-Pro. But once more the Cards couldn’t win in the postseason, losing to the Rams.

The record in 1976 was still strong at 10-4, although in the highly-competitive NFC East that was only good for third place (thanks to being swept by the Redskins, who managed the same record) and the Cards missed the playoffs. Hart had a third straight Pro Bowl year, tossing 18 touchdown passes while his yardage increased (2946) and his interceptions dropped (13). Metcalf and Otis had lesser, if still good, seasons. WR Ike Harris emerged with 52 catches for 782 yards across from Gray, still a dangerous deep threat and Pro Bowler. Bakken was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection for the second straight year with perhaps his greatest season in his 15^th year, connecting on 20 of 27 field goal attempts, several of which were pivotal in victories. But the pass rush continued to be disappointing and injuries were a problem at middle linebacker.

The Cards dropped down to 7-7 in 1977. Hart, Metcalf, Gray, Dierdorf, Dobler, Banks, and Wehrli were still Pro Bowl performers, but after breaking out to a 7-3 start, the club lost its last four games. Friction developed with the front office, where Bidwill insisted on cutting costs and salary disputes with several veterans affected team morale. Coryell also chafed at not having a voice in personnel decisions, the team had not drafted well, and he became increasingly outspoken about the situation. 

Coryell resigned as head coach following the season, having compiled a 42-27-1 record that included two division titles. In just five years, he had become the winningest coach in the team’s long history (he was eventually surpassed by Ken Whisenhunt). At a time when zone defenses ruled and teams tended toward ground-oriented offenses, Coryell proved that an aggressive passing offense could still be successful.

Coryell did not remain out of work long, returning to San Diego as head coach of the Chargers during the 1978 season and remaining there until 1986, enjoying even more success (if still never achieving a championship).  With outstanding personnel and rules changes that went into effect in ’78 to benefit the passing game, Coryell was able to further innovate and develop an even more explosive offensive attack.

Bidwill and the Cardinals again went with a successful college coach to replace Coryell, although in this instance it was 62-year-old Bud Wilkinson, who had last manned the sidelines at Oklahoma 15 years earlier before moving to the broadcast booth. With the loss of key personnel, including Metcalf, who jumped to the CFL, and Harris and Dobler, dealt to New Orleans, the result was a drop to 6-10 in ’78. It was the first of four straight losing seasons until the team went 5-4 in the strike-shortened 1982 season under Jim Hanifan, the former Coryell assistant.