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: Dean Derby, 1959

Defensive Halfback, Pittsburgh Steelers

Age: 24

3^rd season in pro football & with Steelers

College: Washington

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 185

Prelude:

After a college career in which he starred on offense as well as defense, Derby was chosen by the Los Angeles Rams in the fifth round of the 1957 NFL draft with the intention of utilizing his speed in the defensive backfield. After reporting to training camp significantly underweight, he was traded to the Steelers where he made an impact on defense. He picked off four passes in 1958.

1959 Season Summary

Appeared in all 12 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 7 [1, tied with Milt Davis & Don Shinnick]

Int. return yards – 127 [2]

Int. TDs – 0

Fumble recoveries – 0

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 2

Yards – 32

Average per return – 16.0

TDs – 0

Longest return – 22 yards

Punt Returns

Returns – 9

Yards – 16

Average per return – 1.8

TDs – 0

Longest return – 10 yards

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL: UPI, NY Daily News

2^nd team All-NFL: AP

Pro Bowl

Steelers went 6-5-1 to finish fourth in the NFL Eastern Conference.

Aftermath:

Derby followed up with three interceptions in 1960 and was considered to be a sure tackler as well as effective in pass coverage. He struggled in 1961 and was waived and picked up by the expansion Minnesota Vikings. He spent one last NFL season with Minnesota in 1962. Overall, Derby intercepted 21 passes, 14 of them with Pittsburgh. His loutstanding 1959 season remained his best.

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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)

Highlighted Year: Ray Crockett, 1991

Cornerback, Detroit Lions

Age: 24

3^rd season in pro football & with Lions

College: Baylor

Height: 5’9”   Weight: 181

Prelude:

Crockett played at cornerback and free safety in college and was chosen by the Broncos in the fourth round of the 1989 NFL draft. Despite lacking ideal speed he moved into the starting lineup during the 1990 season and improved over the course of the year. An excellent athlete who could be reckless, he had a breakout season for the much-improved Lions in ’91. 

1991 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 6 [2, tied with five others, 1^st in NFC]

Most interceptions, game – 1 on six occasions

Int. return yards – 141 [3]

Most int. return yards, game – 96 (on 1 int.) vs. Dallas 10/27

Int. TDs – 1 [2, tied with many others]

Sacks – 1

Fumble recoveries – 0

Forced fumbles – 1

Tackles – 86

Scoring

TDs – 1

Points – 6

Postseason: 2 G

Interceptions – 0

TDs – 0

Lions went 12-4 to finish first in the NFC Central. Won NFC Divisional playoff over Dallas Cowboys (38-6). Lost NFC Championship to Washington Redskins (41-10).

Aftermath:

Crockett, playing with an injured ankle in 1992 followed up with four interceptions and 52 tackles. He spent one more season with Detroit before departing for Denver as a free agent in 1994. Crockett spent seven years with the Broncos and started at LCB in the 1997 and ’98 seasons when Denver won NFL titles.He finished up with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2001 and ’02. Overall, Crockett intercepted 36 passes, 16 of them as a member of the Lions.He also was credited with 15.5 sacks.

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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: Rod Woodson, 1999

Safety, Baltimore Ravens

Age: 34

13^th season in pro football, 2^nd with Ravens

College: Purdue

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 200

Prelude:

An outstanding athlete coming out of college (he was a champion hurdler as well as football star), Woodson was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 1987 NFL draft (10^th overall). He held out and got a late start in the strike-interrupted ’87 season, and was used as a nickel back and kick returner, but swiftly developed into a star at cornerback and was team co-MVP in 1988. Woodson was a consensus first-team All-Pro as a kick returner and went to the Pro Bowl for the first time in ’89. With his outstanding speed, leaping ability, and body control, he became an annual Pro Bowl participant through 1994 and was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection at cornerback four times between 1990 and ‘94, including a 1993 season in which he was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press. It appeared his career might be over due to a severe knee injury suffered in the first game of the 1995 season but, remarkably, Woodson returned to play in the Super Bowl following that season and was again selected to the Pro Bowl in 1996. He moved on to the 49ers in ’97 and then to the Ravens in 1998, who shifted him to free safety for the ’99 season.

1999 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 7 [1, tied with four others]

Most interceptions, game – 1 on seven occasions

Int. return yards – 195 [2]

Most int. return yards, game – 66 (on 1 int.) at Cleveland 11/7

Int. TDs – 2 [1, tied with six others]

Sacks – 0

Fumble recoveries – 2

Forced fumbles – 0

Tackles – 54

Assists – 12

Punt Returns

Returns – 2

Yards – 0

Average per return – 0.0

TDs – 0

Longest return – 7 yards

Scoring

TDs – 2

Points – 12

Awards & Honors:

Pro Bowl

Ravens went 8-8 to finish third in the AFC Central while leading the conference in fewest rushing yards allowed (1231).

Aftermath:

Woodson was again chosen to the Pro Bowl in each of the next two years with the Ravens, who also won the Super Bowl following the 2000 season largely due to their outstanding defense. With the Raiders in 2002, Woodson was a consensus first-team All-Pro for the sixth and last time, and also was named to the Pro Bowl for the last of 11 times at the age of 37. He finished up with Oakland in 2003, having intercepted 71 passes, the third most in NFL history, 12 of which were returned for touchdowns, a league record. Woodson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2009.

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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: Billie Hayes, 1975

Cornerback, San Antonio Wings

Age: 28

3^rd season in pro football, 2^nd in WFL & 1^st with Wings

College: San Diego State

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 181

Prelude:

Hayes transferred from Riverside Junior College and received first-team All-Pacific Coast Athletic Association honors as part of the San Diego State team that went 11-0 in 1969. He was chosen by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round of the 1970 NFL draft but failed to make the club. He also failed to catch on with the Rams in ’71 and his only NFL experience came with the New Orleans Saints in 1972, where he was a backup and had no interceptions. Hayes signed with the Florida Blazers of the WFL in 1974 and moved into the starting lineup, intercepting six passes. His contract was purchased by the new San Antonio club, which was the successor franchise to the Blazers.

1975 Season Summary

Appeared in all 13 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 6 [1, tied with Leon Jenkins]

Int. return yards – 115 [4]

Int. TDs – 0

Sacks – 0

Fumble recoveries – 1

Tackles – 33

Assists – 19

Wings went 7-6 and were second in the WFL Western Division when the league folded. They led the league in interceptions (27).

Aftermath:

The demise of the WFL effectively marked the end of Hayes’ career. In his two WFL seasons, which were his most significant as a pro, he intercepted 12 passes that he returned for 220 yards.

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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: Lindon Crow, 1956

Defensive Halfback, Chicago Cardinals

Age: 23

2^nd season in pro football & with Cardinals

College: Southern California

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 187

Prelude:

Crow played both baseball and football in college and as a sophomore moved into the starting lineup as a defensive back and wingback on offense. He captained the team in 1954 and was chosen by the Cardinals in the second round of the 1955 NFL draft. A raw talent, Crow intercepted three passes during his rookie season.

1956 Season Summary

Appeared in all 12 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 11 [1]

Int. return yards – 170 [6]

Int. TDs – 0

Punt Returns

Returns – 1

Yards – 21

TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

2^nd team All-NFL: AP

Pro Bowl

Cardinals went 7-5 to finish second in the NFL Eastern Conference while leading the league in interceptions (33).

Aftermath:

Crow was shifted to safety in 1957 and, while his interception total dropped to one, he was again a Pro Bowl selection. He was traded to the New York Giants and moved back to defensive halfback for the next three years, once again receiving Pro Bowl as well as second-team All-NFL honors from the New York Daily News in ’59. He was dealt to the Los Angeles Rams in 1961, where he played safety and eventually became a player/coach, getting by on savvy as his speed diminished. Overall in a ten-year career that ended in 1964, Crow intercepted 38 passes, 15 of which came with the Cards, and two of which he returned for touchdowns. He also recovered nine fumbles, one of which was run back for a 65-yard TD. Crow twice received second-team All-NFL recognition and was selected to three Pro Bowls. His brother Wayne was a halfback and punter in the AFL with Oakland and Buffalo.

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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: Antonio Cromartie, 2007

Cornerback, San Diego Chargers

Age: 23

2^nd season in pro football & with Chargers

College: Florida State

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 203

Prelude:

Cromartie intercepted five passes in college and returned 43 kickoffs for a 23.3-yard average, but in 2005, his last year, he missed the season due to a knee injury suffered during a summer workout. A raw talent with great potential, Cromartie was chosen by the Chargers in the first round of the 2006 NFL draft and split time with CB Drayton Florence as a rookie. He emerged in ’07, showing off outstanding ball-hawking ability in addition to fine speed for coverage.

2007 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 10 [1]

Most interceptions, game – 3 vs. Indianapolis 11/11

Int. return yards – 144 [6]

Most int. return yards, game – 91 (on 2 int.) vs. Houston 10/28

Int. TDs – 1 [7, tied with many others]

Sacks – 0

Fumble recoveries – 2

Forced fumbles – 0

Tackles – 39

Assists – 5

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 3

Yards – 67

Average per return – 22.3

TDs – 0

Longest return – 26 yards

Scoring

TDs – 3

Points – 18

One TD scored on the 109-yard return of a missed field goal vs. Minnesota, a NFL record.

Postseason: 3 G

Interceptions – 2

Int. return yards – 37

TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL: AP

Pro Bowl

Chargers went 11-5 to finish first in the AFC West while leading the NFL in interceptions (30). Won AFC Wild Card playoff over Tennessee Titans (17-6) & AFC Divisional playoff over Indianapolis Colts (28-24). Lost AFC Championship to New England Patriots (21-12).

Aftermath:

Cromartie had a lesser year in 2008, playing with a hip injury, and intercepted just two passes. There were off-field issues in ’09 and he was traded to the New York Jets in 2010. Cromartie had problems with consistency in his first two years with the Jets but stepped up when top CB Darrelle Revis was injured and garnered Pro Bowl recognition in 2012. Following another Pro Bowl year in 2013, Cromartie moved on to the Arizona Cardinals, again achieved Pro Bowl honors, and returned to the Jets as a free agent in 2015. He had a disappointing year, seeming to have lost speed and failing to intercept a pass for the first time since his rookie year, and was released in the offseason. Overall through 2015, Cromartie has intercepted 31 passes, three of which he returned for touchdowns, with 15 pickoffs and two TDs coming with the Chargers. He also has returned two of his five fumble recoveries for touchdowns and ran back 60 kickoffs for a 23.9-yard average. Cromartie received first-team All-NFL honors once and was named to four Pro Bowls.

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Highlighted Years features players who were 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: Jack Butler, 1957

Defensive Halfback, Pittsburgh Steelers

Age: 30 (Nov. 12)

7^th season in pro football & with Steelers

College: St. Bonaventure

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 195

Prelude:

Butler, who originally intended to study for the priesthood, didn’t play football until college where he made the team as an end. Undrafted by the NFL, he signed with the Steelers in 1951 and was shifted to defensive halfback (modern cornerback) where he intercepted 5 passes as a rookie, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Butler followed up with 7 in 1952 and 9 in ’53 but he did not gain his first Pro Bowl selection until 1955 (oddly enough, the only season of his career in which he had no interceptions). He received first-team All-NFL honors from The Sporting News, second-team recognition from the Associated Press and NEA, and was a Pro Bowl selection again in ’56, when he picked off 6 passes to give him a total of 31 through his first six seasons.

1957 Season Summary

Appeared in all 12 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 10 [1, tied with Jack Christiansen & Milt Davis]

Int. return yards – 85 [10]

Int. TDs – 0

Fumble recoveries – 1

Punt Returns

Returns – 1

Yards – 10

TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL: AP, UPI, NEA, NY Daily News, Sporting News

Pro Bowl

Steelers went 6-6 to finish third in the NFL Eastern Conference while leading the league in fewest yards allowed (2791).

Aftermath:

Butler was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection in 1958 and ’59, when his career came to a sudden end late in the season due to a knee injury. An outstanding all-around athlete who played safety as well as defensive halfback throughout his career, he combined excellent instincts with rugged tackling ability. Overall, over the course of 103 games Butler intercepted 52 passes, which ranked second in NFL history at the time, returning them for 877 yards and four touchdowns. He also recovered 10 fumbles, one of which he returned for a TD. Butler was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection three times, received second-team honors after one other season, and was chosen to four straight Pro Bowls. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2012.

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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: Nick Collins, 2008

Safety, Green Bay Packers

Age: 25

4^th season in pro football & with Packers

College: Bethune-Cookman

Height: 5’11” Weight: 200

Prelude:

Collins started at both safety positions in college and was an All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference selection in 2004 when he intercepted 6 passes and was credited with 54 tackles. He was chosen by the Packers in the second round of the 2005 NFL draft and, with the departure of Darren Sharper due to contract issues, Collins moved directly into the starting lineup at free safety. With good speed and work ethic, he grew into the role and was credited with 84 tackles and two forced fumbles along with one interception. Collins picked off three passes in 2006, one of which he returned for a touchdown, and his play continued to improve.

2008 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 7 [2, tied with Michael Griffin, Troy Polamalu & Charles Woodson; 1^st in NFC]

Most interceptions, game – 1 on seven occasions

Int. return yards – 295 [1]

Most int. return yards, game – 62 (on 1 int.) vs. Indianapolis 10/19

Int. TDs – 3 [1]

Sacks – 0

Fumble recoveries – 0

Forced fumbles – 1

Tackles – 60

Assists – 12

Scoring

TDs – 3

Points – 18

Awards & Honors:

2^nd team All-NFL: AP

Pro Bowl

Packers went 6-10 to finish third in the NFC North while tying the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the conference lead in interceptions (22).

Aftermath:

Collins followed up his outstanding 2008 season by gaining second-team All-NFL honors from the Associated Press as well as selection to the Pro Bowl in each of the next two years while intercepting a total of 10 passes. He also scored a TD on an interception return in the Super Bowl XLV win over Pittsburgh following the 2010 season. However, a serious neck injury suffered in the second week of 2011 not only ended his season but cut short his career. Overall, he started 95 games, all with the Packers, and intercepted 21 passes that he returned for 507 yards and four touchdowns. He was a three-time AP second-team All-NFL selection and was chosen for as many Pro Bowls.

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Highlighted Years features players who were 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: Scott Case, 1988

Cornerback, Atlanta Falcons

Age: 26

5^th season in pro football & with Falcons

College: Oklahoma

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 178

Prelude:

Case starred as a free safety at Northeastern Oklahoma A & M, which won a national junior college championship during his freshman year, and transferred to Oklahoma, where he was shifted to cornerback and intercepted eight passes as a senior in 1983. He was chosen by the Falcons in the second round of the ’84 NFL draft and moved into the starting lineup at strong safety in his second year, intercepting four passes and gaining credit for 95 tackles. Case moved to cornerback in 1986 with good results, displaying savvy and toughness if not great speed. After four seasons with the Falcons, he had intercepted nine passes and accumulated over 250 tackles.

1988 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 10 [1]

Most interceptions, game – 2 vs. Green Bay 11/6, vs. Tampa Bay 11/27

Int. return yards – 47

Most int. return yards, game – 13 (on 2 int.) vs. Tampa Bay 11/27

Int. TDs – 0

Sacks – 1

Fumble recoveries – 0

Tackles – 65

Awards & Honors:

2^nd team All-NFL: AP

1^st team All-NFC: UPI

Pro Bowl

Falcons went 5-11 to finish fourth in the NFC West.

Aftermath:

Following a lesser season in 1989 due to nagging injuries, Case moved back to free safety in ’90 and continued to overachieve until diminishing skills, especially speed in pass coverage, cost him his starting job in 1994, his last year with Atlanta when he was used primarily as a nickel back. Case spent one last season with the Dallas Cowboys in ’95, ending his career with a Super Bowl appearance. Overall, he played in 178 games, starting 124 of them, and intercepted 30 passes, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Case also recovered seven fumbles and was credited with 7.5 sacks as well as over 900 tackles. 1988 remained the only season in which he received postseason honors.

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Highlighted Years features players who were 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