Highlighted Year: Cody Carlson, 1992

Quarterback, Houston Oilers

Age: 29 (Nov. 5)

6^th season in pro football (5^th active) & with Oilers

College: Baylor

Height: 6’3”    Weight: 202

Prelude:

Following a fine career at Baylor, Carlson was chosen by the Oilers in the third round of the 1987 NFL draft. He saw no action as a rookie backup to Warren Moon during the strike-interrupted ’87 season. Valued for his size and arm strength, he proved to be a capable backup to Moon, starting five games when Moon suffered a shoulder injury in 1988, when he passed for 775 yards and four touchdowns. Carlson appeared in six games in ’89 and one in 1990 to close out the regular season, which garnered him AFC Offensive Player of the Week recognition. Stepping in for Moon in the postseason, the result was a loss to Cincinnati. A broken arm sidelined Moon during the 1992 season, again necessitating Carlson’s stepping into the starting role.

1992 Season Summary

Appeared in 11 of 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 227

Most attempts, game – 36 vs. Green Bay 12/13

Completions – 149

Most completions, game – 25 vs. Green Bay 12/13

Yards – 1710

Most yards, game – 338 at Detroit 11/26

Completion percentage – 65.6 [3, 1^st in AFC]

Yards per attempt – 7.5 [6]

TD passes – 9

Most TD passes, game – 2 vs. Cleveland 11/8, at Cleveland 12/20

Interceptions – 11 [19, tied with Randall Cunningham, Jay Schroeder & Stan Gelbaugh]

Most interceptions, game – 2 at Miami 11/22, at Detroit 11/26, vs. Green Bay 12/13, at Cleveland 12/20

Passer rating – 81.2 [12]

300-yard passing games – 2

200-yard passing games – 4

Rushing

Attempts – 27

Most attempts, game – 6 (for 26 yds.) at Cleveland 12/20

Yards – 77

Most yards, game – 26 yards (on 6 carries) at Cleveland 12/20

Average gain – 2.9

TDs – 1

Scoring

TDs – 1

Points – 6

Did not appear in postseason game

Oilers went 10-6 to finish second in the AFC Central, while leading the NFL in passing yards (4029) and qualifying for the postseason as a wild card entry. Lost AFC Wild Card playoff to Buffalo Bills (41-38).

Aftermath:

Moon was briefly benched for poor play in 1993 and Carlson was also sidelined with a groin injury. With Moon’s departure in 1994, Carlson was handed the starting job with unsuccessful results. With questions arising as to his fragility, Carlson retired in 1995 after failing his team physical. Over the course of seven active seasons, mostly in a backup role, he passed for 4469 yards and 21 TDs with 28 interceptions. The Oilers went 11-8 in games that he started.

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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: Bob Griese, 1970

Quarterback, Miami Dolphins

Age:  25

4^th season in pro football & with Dolphins

College: Purdue

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 190

Prelude:

A multi-talented player in college who finished second in Heisman Trophy voting in 1966, Griese was taken by the Dolphins in the first round of the 1967 AFL/NFL draft. When starting QB John Stofa was lost to a broken ankle, Griese took over and had a solid rookie season as he threw for 2005 yards and 15 TD passes for a second-year franchise. He earned selection to the AFL All-Star game in 1967 and ’68, but suffered along with a struggling team until Don Shula took over as head coach in 1970. Griese didn’t have the strongest arm, but it was accurate and he proved to be a good fit in Shula’s ball-control offense.

1970 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 245 [19]

Most attempts, game – 27 at Boston 9/20

Completions – 142 [16]

Most completions, game – 15 at Buffalo 10/18, vs. New Orleans 11/15

Yards – 2019 [13]

Most yards, game – 225 vs. New Orleans 11/15

Completion percentage – 58.0 [3, 1^st in AFC]

Yards per attempt – 8.2 [2, 1^st in AFC]

TD passes – 12 [15]

Most TD passes, game – 2 at Houston 9/27, vs. Oakland 10/3, at NY Jets 10/10, vs. Baltimore 11/22

Interceptions – 17 [7, tied with Bill Kilmer & Joe Kapp]

Most interceptions, game – 3 vs. Cleveland 10/25, at Philadelphia 11/8

Passer rating – 72.1 [10]

200-yard passing games – 2

Rushing

Attempts – 26

Most attempts, game – 3 (for 18 yds.) at Boston 9/20, (for 21 yds.) at Houston 9/27, (for 0 yds.) vs. NY Jets 12/13

Yards – 89

Most yards, game – 21 yards (on 3 carries) at Houston 9/27

Yards per attempt – 3.4

TDs – 2

Scoring

TDs – 2         

Points – 12

Postseason: 1 G (AFC Divisional playoff at Oakland)

Pass attempts – 27

Pass completions – 13

Passing yardage – 155

TD passes – 2

Interceptions – 1

Rushing attempts – 1

Rushing yards – 2

Rushing TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

2^nd team All-NFL: NEA

1^st team All-AFC: Sporting News

Pro Bowl

Dolphins went 10-4 to finish second in the AFC East and qualified for the postseason as a Wild Card while leading the conference in rushing yards (2082). Lost AFC Divisional playoff to Oakland Raiders (21-14).

Aftermath:

Griese followed up in 1971 by passing for 2089 yards and 19 touchdowns as the Dolphins won the AFC Championship. He was a consensus first-team All-NFL as well as Pro Bowl selection, and also received MVP and Player of the Year recognition. Griese suffered a broken leg five games into the 1972 season but returned in the playoffs as the team went undefeated and won the Super Bowl. They won again in ’73 and Griese was again selected to the Pro Bowl even though the offense was ground-oriented and he passed sparingly, although to good effect. Injuries factored into a couple of lesser seasons in 1975 and ’76, with personnel factors also an issue, but Griese, now wearing glasses, came back strong in 1977 as he led the NFL in passing (87.8 rating), TD passes (22), and yards per attempt (7.2). He was again a consensus first-team All-Pro as well as Pro Bowl selection and MVP. Griese was selected to a sixth Pro Bowl in ’78 while leading the league in completion percentage (63.0) but injuries began to wear him down and ultimately ended his career in 1980. He ended up passing for 25,092 yards with 192 TD passes and the team went 92-56-3 with him behind center. The Dolphins retired Griese’s #12 and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1990. His son Brian followed him into the NFL, also as a quarterback.

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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: Steve DeBerg, 1989

Quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs

Age: 35

13^th season in pro football (12^th active), 2^nd with Chiefs

College: San Jose State

Height: 6’3”   Weight: 210

Prelude:

Following a senior year in college in which DeBerg passed for 2084 yards and 19 touchdowns, he was chosen by the Dallas Cowboys in the tenth round of the 1977 NFL draft. Failing to make the club, he was picked up by the San Francisco 49ers and spent a year on the taxi squad. DeBerg became the starting quarterback in ’78 and had a rough year with a poor team, completing just 45.4 percent of his passes and giving up 22 interceptions, as opposed to 8 TD passes. With Head Coach Bill Walsh’s arrival in 1979, DeBerg set NFL records in pass attempts (578) and completions (347) and threw for 3652 yards and 17 touchdowns. However, in a pattern that would be oft-repeated, he lost his starting job to Joe Montana in ’80 and was traded to the Denver Broncos in 1981, where he backed up Craig Morton for a year, saw considerable action during the strike-shortened ’82 season, and split time with prize rookie John Elway in 1983. Dealt to Tampa Bay in 1984, he had a strong year, completing 60.5 percent of his passes for 3554 yards and 19 TDs, but followed with a lesser season in ’85 and was supplanted by Steve Young, who joined the club from the USFL. DeBerg saw little action in 1986 and started the first eight games in 1987 until another highly-regarded rookie, Vinny Testaverde, was put into the lineup. He was traded to the Chiefs in 1988 and split time with Bill Kenney, passing for 2935 yards and 16 touchdowns as well as 16 interceptions. A hard worker and capable leader, DeBerg was a classic pocket passer with both a good arm and ball handling skills.  

1989 Season Summary

Appeared in 12 of 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 324

Most attempts, game – 40 at Cleveland 11/19

Completions – 196 [19]

Most completions, game – 24 at Pittsburgh 10/29

Yards – 2529 [20]

Most yards, game – 338 at Pittsburgh 10/29

Completion percentage – 60.5 [4, 1^st in AFC]

Yards per attempt – 7.8 [6]

TD passes – 11

Most TD passes, game – 2 vs. Miami 12/3, at Green Bay 12/10

Interceptions – 16 [11, tied with Mike Tomczak]

Most interceptions, game – 5 at San Diego 9/24

Passer rating – 75.8 [14]

300-yard passing games – 1

200-yard passing games – 8

Rushing

Attempts – 14

Most attempts, game – 3 (for -6 yds.) vs. LA Raiders 9/17

Yards – -8

Most yards, game – 15 yards (on 1 carry) at Cleveland 11/19

Average gain – -0.6

TDs – 0

Chiefs went 8-7-1 to finish second in the AFC West.

Aftermath:

DeBerg followed up with an outstanding season in 1990 in which he passed for 3444 yards and a career-high 23 touchdowns, while giving up only four interceptions, and had a 96.3 passer rating. He had one last year as a full-time starter in ’91 before he moved on to the Buccaneers for a second stint and then the Dolphins, where he was a fill-in for the injured Dan Marino in 1993. Retiring after that season, DeBerg returned as a 44-year-old backup with Atlanta in 1998 when injuries depleted the depth at quarterback, and started one game. Overall over the course of 17 active seasons with six teams, DeBerg passed for 34,241 yards and 196 TDs while giving up 204 interceptions. He enjoyed his greatest success with the Chiefs, where he threw for 11,873 yards and 67 TDs with 50 INTs and appeared in three playoff games.

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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: Charlie O’Rourke, 1946

Quarterback/Defensive Back, Los Angeles Dons

Age: 29

2^nd season in pro football, 1^st in AAFC & with Dons

College: Boston College

Height: 5’11” Weight: 175

Prelude:

“Chuckin’ Charlie” O’Rourke starred at Boston College, where he passed for 1108 yards and 14 touchdowns and led the 1940 team to an undefeated record and victory in the Sugar Bowl. He was chosen by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round of the 1941 NFL draft and joined the club in ’42, backing up QB Sid Luckman and throwing for 951 yards and 11 TDs. O’Rourke then entered the US Navy for the remainder of World War II and signed with the Dons of the new AAFC in 1946.

1946 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 182 [4]

Completions – 105 [2]

Yards – 1250 [5]

Completion percentage – 57.7 [1]

Yards per attempt – 6.9 [4]

TD passes – 12 [5]

Most TD passes, game – 3 vs. Miami 9/20, vs. Buffalo 12/1

Interceptions – 14 [2, tied with four others]

Passer rating – 68.7 [3]

Rushing

Attempts – 47

Yards – 50

Yards per attempt – 1.1

TDs – 1

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 1

Yards – 28

TDs – 0

Punting

Punts – 8 [17, tied with Fred Evans]

Yards – 312 [17]

Average – 39.0

Punts blocked – 0

Scoring

TDs – 1

Points – 6

Dons went 7-5-2 to finish third in the AAFC Western Division.

Aftermath:

O’Rourke found himself in competition with QB Glenn Dobbs, who was obtained from Brooklyn a week into the 1947 season, but proved the better fit in the T-formation offense and passed for a career-high 1449 yards with 13 touchdowns. With the shift to a spread formation geared to Dobbs in 1948, O’Rouke was sold to the Baltimore Colts where he acted as a player/coach backing up QB Y.A. Tittle for the last two seasons of his career, ending with the dissolution of the AAFC in ’49. Overall in the AAFC, O’Rourke passed for 3088 yards and 28 touchdowns. Of that, 2699 passing yards and 25 TDs came with the Dons.

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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: Pat Haden, 1975

Quarterback, Southern California Sun

Age: 22

1^st season in pro football

College: Southern California

Height: 5’11” Weight: 180

Prelude:

Haden was a member of national championship teams at USC in 1972 and ’74 and appeared in three Rose Bowls. He was also an Academic All-American and received a Rhodes Scholarship following his graduation. Haden was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round of the 1975 NFL draft but signed with the Sun of the WFL with the stipulation that he would need to cut his season short in order to begin his studies at Oxford. He took over the starting duties in the second week and played well until departing the club just a few weeks before the league folded.

1975 Season Summary

Appeared in 7of 12 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 163 [9]

Most attempts, game – 40 at San Antonio 8/9

Completions – 98 [6]

Most completions, game – 24 at San Antonio 8/9

Yards – 1404 [6]

Most yards, game – 313 at San Antonio 8/9

Completion percentage – 60.1 [1]

Yards per attempt – 8.6 [1]

TD passes – 11 [4, tied with Don Horn]

Most TD passes, game – 3 at San Antonio 8/9, vs. Philadelphia 8/29

Interceptions – 9 [8, tied with Tom Sherman & Sonny Sixkiller]

Most interceptions, game – 3 at San Antonio 8/9

300-yard passing games – 1

200-yard passing games – 3

Rushing

Attempts – 12

Most attempts, game – 4 (for 26 yds.) vs. Charlotte 9/14

Yards – 44

Most yards, game – 26 yards (on 4 carries) vs. Charlotte 9/14

Average gain – 3.7

TDs – 0

Sun went 7-5 and were first in the WFL Western Division when the league folded. They led the league in touchdowns (45, tied with San Antonio) and were second in rushing yards (2047), passing yards (2431), and scoring (354 points).

Aftermath:

With the WFL having folded, Haden joined the Rams in 1976. There were concerns about his lack of size and arm strength and he made the club as the third-string quarterback behind James Harris and Ron Jaworski but started seven games (amid some controversy when Harris was benched in his favor) and showed promise. Haden overcame the challenge of fading veteran QB Joe Namath in 1977 to pass for 1551 yards and 11 touchdowns and gained selection to the Pro Bowl. He had his biggest statistical season in ’78, starting all 16 games for the only time in his career and throwing for 2995 yards with 13 TDs, although also 19 interceptions. Haden started the first ten games in 1979 until going down with a broken finger and backup QB Vince Ferragamo led the club to the NFC Championship. Regaining the starting job in ’80, he again suffered a broken passing hand and threw only 41 passes and, following another injury-riddled year in 1981, Haden retired to practice law. Overall in the NFL, he threw for 9296 yards and 52 touchdowns. A smart and unselfish quarterback, if physically limited and best suited to a ball control offense, the club went 35-19-1 during Haden’s starts and he was named to one Pro Bowl.

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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: Brian Griese, 2004

Quarterback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Age: 29

7^th season in pro football, 1^st with Buccaneers

College: Michigan

Height: 6’3”   Weight: 214

Prelude:

Griese, the son of Hall of Fame QB Bob Griese, was a successful walk-on in college who passed for 3663 yards and 27 touchdowns and capped his career at Michigan with a Rose Bowl victory. He was chosen by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 1998 NFL draft and spent his rookie year backing up QB John Elway. With Elway retired, Griese took over the starting job in 1999 and, hampered by injuries (a recurring theme), threw for 3032 yards and 14 TDs, with as many interceptions. While again plagued by injuries, he showed improvement in 2000, passing for 2688 yards and 19 touchdowns, with just four interceptions, and led the NFL with a 102.9 passer rating. He was chosen to the Pro Bowl but also needed shoulder surgery for the second straight year. Griese struggled with consistency in 2001 and his interception total rose to 19. A smart and accurate, if not strong-armed, passer at his best, his leadership skills and confidence came under question, particularly in clutch situations, and after another disappointing year in 2002 he was let go and moved on to the Miami Dolphins in ’03, where he started five games and was unimpressive. Griese joined the Buccaneers in 2004 as the third-string quarterback but, when QB Chris Simms went down with an injury, he took over the starting job and performed well.

2004 Season Summary

Appeared in 11 of 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 336

Most attempts, game – 50 at San Diego 12/12

Completions – 233

Most completions, game – 36 at San Diego 12/12

Yards – 2632

Most yards, game – 392 at San Diego 12/12

Completion percentage – 69.3 [1]

Yards per attempt – 7.8 [8]

TD passes – 20 [14, tied with Drew Bledsoe]

Most TD passes, game – 3 at San Diego 12/12, vs. Carolina 12/26

Interceptions – 12 [15, tied with Joey Harrington & Michael Vick]

Most interceptions, game – 3 at San Diego 12/12

Passer rating – 97.5 [6]

300-yard passing games – 3

200-yard passing games – 6

Rushing

Attempts – 30

Most attempts, game – 5 (for -2 yds.) at New Orleans 10/10

Yards – 17

Most yards, game – 9 yards (on 2 carries) at Carolina 11/28

Average gain – 0.6

TDs – 0

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 1

Yards – -4

TDs – 0

Buccaneers went 5-11 to finish fourth in the NFC South.

Aftermath:

Griese started six games in 2005, five of which the Bucs won, but a knee injury cut his season short and he was let go afterward. He moved on to the Bears as a backup in 2006 and saw considerable action in ’07 in place of starting QB Rex Grossman until he again was injured. Griese was traded back to Tampa Bay in 2008 and started five games in what was his last season. Overall, he passed for 19,440 yards and 119 touchdowns, with 4841 yards and 32 TDs coming with the Bucs. Griese was chosen to one Pro Bowl in a career that was marked by injuries and inconsistency.

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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: Virgil Carter, 1971

Quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals

Age: 26 (Nov. 9)

5^th season in pro football (4^th active), 2^nd with Bengals

College: Brigham Young

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 200

Prelude:

Carter set six NCAA, 19 Western Athletic Conference, and 24 school passing records in college. He was chosen by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 1967 AFL/NFL draft and saw no action in his first year with the club. Carter got an opportunity to start in ’68 and led the Bears to four straight wins before suffering a broken ankle. While lacking a strong arm, he was mobile and rushed for 265 yards in addition to throwing for 769 yards and four TDs. However, he saw less action in 1969, voiced his displeasure, and was dealt to Buffalo in ’70, who in turn traded him to the Bengals. With Greg Cook, a sensation in his 1969 rookie season, sidelined, offensive coach Bill Walsh designed a passing offense that took advantage of Carter’s intelligence (he earned a master’s degree while playing for the Bears), accuracy, and mobility and compensated for his lack of size and arm strength. Operating in what would come to be known as the West Coast offense, Carter had a commendable performance as he threw for 1647 yards and 9 TDs and the Bengals, in just their third year of existence, came on strong in the second half of the season to top the new AFC Central Division with an 8-6 record.

1971 Season Summary

Appeared in 10 of 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 222 [19]

Most attempts, game – 38 at Pittsburgh 9/26

Completions – 138 [13]

Most completions, game – 22 vs. Philadelphia 9/19, at Pittsburgh 9/26

Yards – 1624 [19]

Most yards, game – 273 vs. Philadelphia 9/19

Completion percentage – 62.2 [1]

Yards per attempt – 7.3 [8]

TD passes – 10 [17, tied with Bob Davis]

Most TD passes, game – 3 vs. vs. Philadelphia 9/19

Interceptions – 7

Most interceptions, game – 2 vs. Atlanta 11/7, vs. Pittsburgh 12/12

Passer rating – 86.2 [3]

200-yard passing games – 4

Rushing

Attempts – 8

Yards – 42

Yards per attempt – 5.3

TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 0

PATs – 1

Points – 1

Bengals went 4-10 to finish fourth in the AFC Central.

Aftermath:

Carter gave way to the younger and more talented Ken Anderson in 1972 and saw limited action. He missed all of the ’73 season due to a preseason injury and was traded to San Diego in 1974, but joined the Chicago Fire of the WFL instead. Carter performed well, throwing for 2629 yards and 27 TDs, until his season ended after 12 games due to a hand injury that required surgery. He spent 1975 with the Chargers and returned to the Bears in ’76, in both instances as a little-used backup in his final two pro seasons. Overall in the NFL, Carter passed for 5063 yards and 29 touchdowns, giving up 31 interceptions, with 3850 yards and 22 TDs (against 20 INTs) coming with the Bengals.

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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: Bob Berry, 1971

Quarterback, Atlanta Falcons

Age:  29

7^th season in pro football, 4^th with Falcons

College: Oregon

Height: 5’11” Weight: 190

Prelude:

Berry passed for 4148 yards and 37 touchdowns in college and led Oregon to three consecutive winnings seasons and a Sun Bowl victory. He was a future draft pick of the NFL Eagles (11^th round) and AFL Broncos (26^th round) in 1964. The Minnesota Vikings traded for his rights and Berry joined them as a backup in 1965. He saw limited action behind Fran Tarkenton, Ron VanderKelen, and later Joe Kapp, over the course of three seasons. Berry threw a total of 46 passes and started one game in 1966 before being obtained by Atlanta in ‘68, where he was reunited with ex-Vikings Head Coach Norm Van Brocklin and given an opportunity to start in competition with Randy Johnson. Very competitive and a good leader, Berry was also undersized and prone to being sacked. He was an accurate passer at short range, typically rolling out and throwing to his backs and tight ends, and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1969.

1971 Season Summary

Appeared in 11 of 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 226 [17]

Most attempts, game – 27 vs. St. Louis 10/10, at New Orleans 12/19

Completions – 136 [14, tied with Greg Landry]

Most completions, game – 18 at New Orleans 12/19

Yards – 2005 [12]

Most yards, game – 309 at Detroit 10/3

Completion percentage – 60.2 [2, 1^st in NFC]

Yards per attempt – 8.9 [1]

TD passes – 11 [13, tied with Pete Liske, Fran Tarkenton & Dennis Shaw]

Most TD passes, game – 3 at Detroit 10/3

Interceptions – 16 [9, tied with Jim Plunkett & Daryle Lamonica]

Most interceptions, game – 4 vs. St. Louis 10/10

Passer rating – 75.9 [6]

300-yard passing games – 2

200-yard passing games – 4

Rushing

Attempts – 19

Most attempts, game – 5 (for 4 yds.) vs. Green Bay 11/22

Yards – 31

Most yards, game – 19 yards (on 3 carries) vs. St. Louis 10/10

Yards per attempt – 1.6

TDs – 0

Falcons went 7-6-1, the first winning record in franchise history, to finish third in the NFC West.

Aftermath:

Berry passed for a career-high 2158 yards in 1972 but, deemed too limited to continue to start, was dealt back to Minnesota. He spent the last three seasons of his career as a backup to Fran Tarkenton. Overall, Berry completed 56.4 percent of his passes for 9197 yards and 64 touchdowns, with an equal number of interceptions. 8489 yards and 57 TDs came with the Falcons.

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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: John Brodie, 1958

Quarterback, San Francisco 49ers

Age:  23

2^nd season in pro football & with 49ers

College: Stanford

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 195

Prelude:

A consensus first-team All-American who led the nation in passing and total offense in 1956, Brodie was chosen by the 49ers in the first round of the 1957 NFL draft (third overall). He saw little action as a rookie backup to well-established QB Y.A. Tittle, but following a strong preseason in ‘58, Brodie was handed the starting job by Head Coach Frankie Albert.  

1958 Season Summary

Appeared in all 12 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 172 [12]
Most attempts, game - 36 vs. Chi. Bears 10/26

Completions – 103 [8]
Most completions, game - 25 vs. Chi. Bears 10/26

Yards – 1224 [12]
Most yards, game - 276 at Philadelphia 10/19

Completion percentage – 59.9 [1]

Yards per attempt – 7.1 [7]

TD passes – 6 [16]

Most TD passes, game – 2 at Philadelphia 10/19

Interceptions – 13 [5, tied with Lamar McHan & Babe Parilli]

Passer rating – 61.8 [11]
200-yard passing games - 3

Rushing

Attempts – 11

Yards – -12

Yards per attempt – -1.1

TDs – 1

Scoring

TDs – 1

Points – 6

49ers went 6-6 to finish fourth in the NFL Western Conference.

Aftermath:

Brodie relinquished the starting quarterback job back to Y.A. Tittle during the second half of the 1958 season, and remained primarily a backup for the next two years until inheriting the full-time starting job in 1961 (playing out of Head Coach Red Hickey’s shotgun offense for several weeks). With all of the necessary tools but plagued by inconsistency, he was selected for the Pro Bowl in 1965 after leading the NFL in pass attempts (391), completions (242), completion percentage (61.9), yards (3112), and TD passes (30). Brodie also led the league in pass attempts (404), completions (234), completion percentage (57.9), and yards (3020) in ’68, but in between were years of mediocrity, both for him and the team. His finest season came in 1970 when he led the NFL in completions (223), yards (2941), TD passes (24), and overall passing (93.8 rating) and received MVP as well as consensus first-team All-league honors as the 49ers advanced to the NFC Championship game. Brodie had a lesser year in 1971, throwing more interceptions (24) than TD passes (18), but the 49ers again won the NFC West with a 9-5 record and advanced to the NFC title game, losing for a second time to Dallas. Brodie went down with a severely sprained ankle in ‘72 and gave way to Steve Spurrier, but rallied the team into the playoffs for the third straight year, although the 49ers once again fell to the Cowboys (this time in the Divisional round). He retired after the 1973 season, ranking third lifetime in the NFL in both pass attempts (4491) and completions (2469) while having thrown for 31,548 yards with 214 TDs and 224 interceptions. Brodie’s #12 was retired by the 49ers. He went on to participate for almost 15 years in the Senior PGA Golf Tour.

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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

[Updated 2/21/17]