Highlighted Year: John Kasay, 1996

Placekicker, Carolina Panthers

Age:  27 (Oct. 27)

6^th season in pro football, 2^nd with Panthers

College: Georgia

Height: 5’10” Weight: 198

Prelude:

The left-footed Kasay, son of a former Georgia player and long-time assistant coach of the same name, kicked 46 field goals out of 65 attempts (70.8 %) and added 79 PATs for a total of 217 points in college. He was chosen by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 1991 NFL draft and spent four seasons with them, hitting on 82 of 105 field goal attempts (78.1 %), including a high of 25 in his rookie year and making 20 of 24 in 1994, his final year with the club. He also booted 95 extra points and scored 341 points. Kasay signed as a free agent with the expansion Panthers in 1995 and was successful on 26 of 33 field goal attempts plus 27 of 28 extra point tries.

1996 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Kicking

Field goals – 37 [1]

Most field goals, game – 5 vs. Atlanta 9/1, at New Orleans 9/8

Field goal attempts – 45 [1]

Most field goal attempts, game – 5 vs. Atlanta 9/1, at New Orleans 9/8, vs. New Orleans 10/20, at San Francisco 12/8

Field goal percentage – 82.2 [14]

PATs – 34 [13, tied with Matt Stover & Pete Stoyanovich]

PAT attempts – 35 [12, tied with Al Del Greco & Matt Stover]

Longest field goal – 53 yards vs. Atlanta 9/1

Punting

Punts – 1

Yards – 30

Scoring

Field Goals – 37

PATs – 34

Points – 145 [1]

Postseason: 2 G

Field goals – 6

Most field goals, game – 4 vs. Dallas, NFC Divisional playoff

Field goal attempts – 6

Most field goal attempts, game – 4 vs. Dallas, NFC Divisional playoff

PATs – 3

Most PATs, game – 2 vs. Dallas, NFC Divisional playoff

PAT attempts – 3

Longest field goal – 40 yards (twice) vs. Dallas, NFC Divisional playoff

Awards & Honors:

2^nd team All-NFL: AP

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

Pro Bowl

Panthers went 12-4 to finish first in the NFC West. Won NFC Divisional playoff over Dallas Cowboys (26-17). Lost NFC Championship to Green Bay Packers (30-13).   

Aftermath:

Kasay went on to spend 15 seasons with the Panthers, through 2010, and was the last remaining player from the club’s inaugural season. Although he missed all but two games due to a leg injury in 2002, he bounced back to connect on 32 of 38 field goal attempts (84.2 %) in the NFC Championship year of ’03 and remained consistent thereafter. Overall, with Carolina he kicked 351 field goals out of 424 attempts (82.8 %) and, adding 429 PATs (with a string of 157 straight that ended in 2008), scored 1482 points, all of which are franchise records. Kasay was signed by New Orleans just prior to the 2011 season due to an injury to Garrett Hartley and booted 28 field goals and 63 extra points on his way to a career-high 147 points in his last year at age 42. For his NFL career, Kasay accumulated 461 field goals, 598 PATs, and scored 1970 points, which ranked eighth in league history at the time of his retirement. His Pro Bowl selection in 1996 was the only one of his 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

1997: Panthers Defeat Cowboys in First Playoff Appearance

The Carolina Panthers reached the playoffs in just their second year of existence in the 1996 season and hosted the Dallas Cowboys, defending NFL Champions, on January 5, 1997. Coached by Dom Capers, the Panthers benefited from an outstanding defense that featured linebackers Kevin Greene, who led the NFL with 14.5 sacks, Lamar Lathon, who contributed another 13.5 sacks, and Sam Mills, still a Pro Bowl-quality performer at age 37. The conservative offense was directed by second-year QB Kerry Collins and received unanticipated production from journeyman RB Anthony Johnson (pictured above). Reliable TE Wesley Walls led the receiving corps. Carolina won its last seven games to top the NFC West at 12-4, edging out the 49ers, who the Panthers swept during the season.

The Cowboys were coached by Barry Switzer for the third season and had won three Super Bowls in the preceding four years, beginning under Switzer’s predecessor Jimmy Johnson. The offense was still led by QB Troy Aikman, RB Emmitt Smith, and WR Michael Irvin, and the defense contained dynamic CB Deion Sanders. But there had been disarray in Dallas, starting with Irvin missing the first five games due to a drug suspension by the league and TE Jay Novacek being lost for the year with a back injury. The Cowboys stumbled out of the gate, losing three of their first four games, before winning four straight on the way to a 10-6 record that placed first in the NFC East for the fifth straight year. They easily defeated Minnesota in the Wild Card round, but DT Leon Lett was missing for the postseason due to a drug suspension and DE Charles Haley due to injury. Furthermore, there had been sexual assault accusations made against Irvin and OT Erik Williams during the week preceding the game against the Panthers that provided an additional distraction (the charges ultimately proved to be unfounded).

There were 72,808 fans in attendance on a 60-degree day at Ericsson Stadium. The Panthers had the ball first but, after reaching midfield, Kerry Collins was intercepted by SS Darren Woodson. Troy Aikman completed passes to Michael Irvin for 22 yards and WR Kevin Williams for 17 while Emmitt Smith plugged away on the ground, and the Cowboys put the first points on the board with a 22-yard Chris Boniol field goal. However, Irvin suffered a broken collar bone when tackled by Lamar Lathon following his reception and was lost for the remainder of the game.

Carolina responded with a 68-yard drive in six plays. Collins (pictured below) threw to WR Willie Green for 22 yards and a seven-yard completion to WR Mark Carrier gave the Panthers first-and-goal at the Dallas one, from where Collins connected with Wesley Walls for a touchdown. John Kasay added the extra point for a 7-3 lead.

A short series by the Cowboys ended with a punt and, in a drive that stretched into the second quarter, the Panthers advanced 42 yards in 11 plays. Collins threw to Green for 13 yards on first down, hit Green again for eight yards on a third-and-nine play, and converted the resulting fourth-and-one situation by carrying himself for the necessary yardage. Another Collins pass, to RB Winslow Oliver, picked up five yards on a third-and-two play and the possession ended with Collins throwing to Green for a 10-yard TD. Kasay’s point after made it a 14-3 score.

Dallas came back with a long series of 14 plays that traveled 73 yards. Aikman completed six passes, the longest to Williams for 15 yards to convert a third down and the last to FB Daryl “Moose” Johnston for a two-yard touchdown. The attempt for a two-point conversion failed but the Carolina lead was narrowed to 14-9 with 4:19 remaining in the first half.

The Panthers went three-and-out on their next possession but gave up two points when the snap from punt formation sailed over Rohn Stark’s head and the punter was obliged to fall on the ball in the end zone for a safety. Deion Sanders returned the resulting free kick 28 yards and Aikman immediately moved the Cowboys into Carolina territory with a pass to Williams for 12 yards, but three plays later he was picked off by SS Chad Cota, who returned it 49 yards to the Dallas 27. Kasay kicked a 24-yard field goal and the Panthers led by 17-11 at halftime.

The Cowboys had the ball first in the third quarter and had to punt, but retained possession when Oliver fumbled the kick and Johnston recovered for Dallas at the Carolina 16. Aikman threw to Williams for 11 yards but, after reaching the three yard line, the Panthers held and the visitors settled for a 21-yard Boniol field goal that made it a three-point game.

With Anthony Johnson leading the way on the ground, the Panthers drove from their 28 to the Dallas 22 and Kasay kicked a 40-yard field goal. The Cowboys punted following their next series and once again Carolina advanced to a field goal by Kasay, again from 40 yards, that made the score 23-14 early in the fourth quarter.

Dallas came back with a long drive that covered 78 yards. Aikman completed four passes, all under ten yards, and Sanders, lined up at wide receiver on offense, gained 16 yards on a reverse while Smith had a 25-yard run. However, Sanders was lost with a head injury and once again the Cowboys couldn’t reach the end zone and settled for another Boniol field goal that covered 21 yards.

A short series by the Panthers following a 51-yard kickoff return by WR Michael Bates resulted in a punt and Dallas, down by six points, was pinned back at its two. The Cowboys reached their 37 before Aikman threw a pass that was intercepted by FS Pat Terrell, who returned it 49 yards to the Dallas 19. Carolina kept the ball on the ground and Kasay made it a nine-point game with a 32-yard field goal as the clock showed 3:44 remaining in to play. On the third play following the ensuing kickoff, Sam Mills intercepted an Aikman pass to clinch the 26-17 win for the Panthers, who were able to run out the clock.

Dallas had the edge in total yards (244 to 227) and first downs (21 to 18). However, the Cowboys failed to take full advantage of scoring opportunities, settling for three field goals rather than touchdowns inside the Carolina five, and turned the ball over three times, to two by the Panthers.

Kerry Collins completed 12 of 22 passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns while being intercepted once. Anthony Johnson rushed for 104 yards on 26 carries and Willie Green led the Carolina receivers with 5 catches for 53 yards and a TD. John Kasay was successful on all four of his field goal attempts.

For the Cowboys, Troy Aikman (pictured at right) was successful on 18 of 36 throws for 165 yards and a TD but also gave up three interceptions. In the absence of Michael Irvin, Kevin Williams caught 6 passes for 89 yards to lead the club. Emmitt Smith gained 80 yards on 22 rushing attempts but was consistently stopped inside the five yard line.

“Same old story we had all year long,” summed up Coach Switzer of the Cowboys. “We get the ball in scoring position and can’t get the touchdown.”

Carolina advanced to the NFC Championship game and lost to Green Bay (similarly, the other 1995 expansion team, the Jacksonville Jaguars, reached the AFC title game). The Panthers were unable to sustain the quick success, dropping to 7-9 in 1997 and not reaching the playoffs, or posting another winning record, until 2003. For the Cowboys, the defeat marked the end of a six-season period in which they were an elite club. They fell to 6-10 in ’97 and, while they returned to the postseason in 1998 and ’99, they were defeated in the Wild Card round both times.

1991: Saints Rally to Beat Seahawks in Fourth Quarter

The New Orleans Saints had a familiar face returning to the quarterback position following a one-year absence as they hosted the Seattle Seahawks in their season-opening game on September 1, 1991. Entering their sixth season under Head Coach Jim Mora, the Saints were coming off a year in ’90 in which their 8-8 record had been enough to qualify them for the playoffs as a Wild Card entry. However, the play of the defense had far more to do with any success the club had than the offense, which dropped from fifth in scoring in 1989 to 25^th in the league. A key factor was the season-long contract holdout by QB Bobby Hebert (pictured above), who had been with the Saints for five years after coming over from the USFL. In addition, the running game was hampered by RB Dalton Hilliard missing 10 games with a knee injury.

Both Hebert and Hilliard were back for 1991. Hebert had beaten out Steve Walsh, the Dallas castoff who had taken over as the starting quarterback in his absence during the ’90 season, in an intense competition during the preseason.

As for the Seahawks, coached by Chuck Knox, they barely missed the postseason in ’90 although they had a 9-7 record. QB Dave Krieg had his limitations but was an outstanding leader and the tough defense stood to benefit from the improvement of second-year DT Cortez Kennedy.

There was a crowd of 68,492 present at the Louisiana Superdome. Following a short Seattle series that ended with a punt, the Saints went 61 yards in four plays for a score. Bobby Hebert threw to RB Gill Fenerty (pictured below) who went all the way for a 50-yard touchdown. That was it for the first quarter scoring as each team turned the ball over once and the Seahawks again had to punt. However, New Orleans was driving as the period ended and early in the second quarter Morten Andersen kicked a 47-yard field goal to make it 10-0.

The home team’s lead became 17-0 in short order when, on Seattle’s first play from scrimmage following the kickoff, Dave Krieg’s pass was intercepted by LB Pat Swilling who proceeded to return it 39 yards for a TD.

Now in a deep hole, Seattle came back with an eight-play, 85-yard drive. Krieg hit on all six of his passes, including a completion to RB John L. Williams that gained 35 yards into New Orleans territory and to WR Brian Blades for a 10-yard touchdown. Rookie John Kasay’s successful extra point made it a 17-7 game.

The Saints came right back as Hebert threw a screen pass to Dalton Hilliard that gained 13 yards and followed up with a 21-yard completion to TE John Tice to get the ball to the Seattle 29. They advanced as far as the six yard line before Hebert was sacked by DE Jacob Green for a seven-yard loss on a third-and-four play and New Orleans settled for a 31-yard field goal by Andersen.

Krieg passed the Seahawks down the field on the ensuing series but, after getting to the New Orleans 14, Blades fumbled when hit after making a catch and the Saints recovered to end the threat. The score stood at 20-7 at the half.

The third quarter belonged to Seattle. The Saints had the initial possession of the second half and moved backward from their 21 all the way back to their one yard line. Penalties were the primary reason, including an illegal procedure call that wiped out what would have been a 22-yard gain on a pass play. Backed into a third-and-20 situation, Hebert was sacked for a 10-yard loss by Cortez Kennedy that forced the Saints to punt from their own end zone.

Tommy Barnhardt’s 41-yard kick was returned 17 yards by RB Chris Warren to give the Seahawks outstanding field position at the New Orleans 25. Three plays later – and after LB Sam Mills almost intercepted a pass – Krieg threw to Blades, who caught the ball over his shoulder at the goal line for a 25-yard touchdown. Kasay’s extra point made it a six-point game.

Three plays after the ensuing kickoff, a long Hebert pass was picked off by CB Dwayne Harper and was returned to the New Orleans 42. Once again starting off with good field position, Seattle advanced to the 19 yard line in five plays that ended with Kasay kicking a 37-yard field goal.

With their lead whittled down to 20-17 the Saints made it to midfield on their next series before punting. With the breaks continuing to go Seattle’s way, the punt that was downed at the Seahawks’ 11 had to be kicked over again due to an ineligible man downfield penalty on New Orleans. This time Warren returned the punt 16 yards and, with the help of a facemask penalty, the Seahawks started off at their 30.

Krieg threw to Blades for 18 yards and Seattle advanced into New Orleans territory until RB Derrick Fenner fumbled when hit after catching a pass and FS Gene Atkins recovered for the Saints at his own 35. Once again the home team found itself losing ground due to penalties and, on a third-and-19 play, Hebert’s pass was tipped and intercepted by CB Brian Davis, who returned it 40 yards for a TD. The Seahawks took a 24-20 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Saints were forced to punt early in the final period but it was Seattle’s turn to run into trouble with penalties. Furthermore, Krieg suffered a broken right thumb while scrambling and, after completing a pass, was replaced by backup QB Jeff Kemp.

The Seahawks punted and New Orleans followed up with a long, 14-play scoring drive that covered 68 yards. Along the way, Hebert converted a third-and-11 situation with a completion to WR Eric Martin for 17 yards to the Seattle 34. The Cajun quarterback also ran for nine yards and, on a third-and-one play, gained two yards on a quarterback sneak and another first down. Finally, facing fourth-and-goal at the 10 yard line, Hebert threw to WR Floyd Turner in the middle of the end zone for a touchdown. It was his fifth completion in eight pass attempts during the series that used up some six minutes. Andersen’s extra point made it a three-point lead for the Saints with the remaining time down to 1:11.

The Seahawks weren’t done, however, and Kemp threw to Blades for a 31-yard gain to the New Orleans 42 with 39 seconds left on the clock. A pass interference call gained another 34 yards for Seattle down to the eight. While a false start moved the ball back five yards, following an incompletion Kemp connected with Blades for nine yards to the four. However, a pass initially caught by WR Tommy Kane in the end zone was ruled out of bounds and the Seahawks were then penalized 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct when Krieg strayed too far down the sideline while vehemently protesting the call. Facing a fourth down with 18 seconds remaining, overtime still appeared likely, but Kasay’s 37-yard field goal attempt sailed wide to the left. New Orleans came away with a 27-24 win. 

Seattle significantly outgained the Saints (348 yards to 244) and had more first downs (19 to 13). Neither team was able to run effectively, with the Seahawks compiling 46 yards on 15 carries and New Orleans gaining 43 yards on 20 attempts. Seattle also sacked Hebert four times, with Jacob Green accounting for two of them. The Seahawks turned the ball over four times, to three suffered by New Orleans, and both teams hurt themselves with penalties, with 10 called on the Saints at a cost of 85 yards and 9 on Seattle for 66 yards.

Bobby Hebert completed 18 of 29 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns as well as two interceptions, and was at his best in the game-winning drive in the fourth quarter. Eric Martin and Floyd Turner each caught four passes, for 49 and 37 yards, respectively, although Gill Fenerty, who ran the ball five times for 14 yards had the most receiving yards for the Saints with 66 on his three catches that included a TD. Dalton Hilliard was the team’s top rusher with just 18 yards on 9 attempts.

For the Seahawks, Dave Krieg was successful on 26 of 35 throws for 274 yards and two TDs while also tossing two interceptions before he had to leave. Jeff Kemp completed four of six passes for 53 yards in relief. Brian Blades (pictured at right) had a noteworthy performance as he accumulated 12 catches for 160 yards and two touchdowns. John L. Williams was the leading rusher with 22 yards on 6 carries but also caught 8 passes for 80 yards.

The Saints went on to win their first seven games on the way to topping the NFC West with an 11-5 record (the franchise’s first division title). They again failed to win in the postseason. Bobby Hebert’s return to the team paid off, but when he was lost for six weeks with a shoulder injury the Saints slumped. He ended up completing 60.1 percent of his passes for 1676 yards and 9 touchdowns. The running game remained a chronic problem as Dalton Hilliard again struggled with injuries.

Seattle lost three of its first four games and ended up fourth in the AFC West with a disappointing 7-9 record. Dave Krieg missed six weeks due to the injury sustained in the opening contest. Brian Blades went on to catch 70 passes for 1003 yards and John L. Williams had a Pro Bowl year as he rushed for 741 yards and caught 61 passes for 499 more yards. John Kasay recovered from his game-ending missed field goal attempt against the Saints to connect on 80.6 percent of his three-point tries (25 of 31) in his first of four seasons with the Seahawks and 20 in the NFL. 

1995: Panthers Sign First Two Veteran Free Agents

On February 20, 1995, three days into the official free agency signing period, the expansion Carolina Panthers signed their first two unrestricted veteran free agents. PK John Kasay (pictured at right) and DE Mike Fox were both given five-year contracts and, each in their way signified the priorities of the new club as it built toward both the ’95 NFL season and beyond. The organization was taking immediate steps to set the tone for the defense as well as build effective special teams.

“We proved we’re going to aggressively pursue talent, and we’re headed in the right direction by signing Mike and John,” said GM Bill Polian.

The contract given to Fox raised some eyebrows ($9 million for the five years) since, while starting every game for the Giants in 1994, he had just 40 tackles (29 solo, 11 assists) and one sack. However, the Panthers were impressed with his toughness, intensity, durability, and 6’6” height. He had also been moved inside to tackle after playing four seasons as a defensive end, and the Panthers moved him back to the outside in their 3-4 alignment.

John Kasay had a strong leg and a 78.1 percent success rate on his field goals over the course of four years with Seattle. The concern there was that he had been playing his home games in a domed stadium and would not have that luxury in Carolina (Clemson University’s Memorial Stadium in ’95 and Ericsson Stadium, which later became Bank of America Stadium, thereafter). His five-year deal was for $4.3 million.

The Fox signing proved to be in line with other veteran defensive acquisitions that the new team made, including linebackers Sam Mills, Darion Conner, and Lamar Lathon; CB Tim McKyer; and SS Bubba McDowell. Likewise, Kasay was joined by veteran punter Tommy Barnhardt and kick returner Randy Baldwin. In all, Carolina signed 17 veteran free agents, taking advantage of plenty of salary cap space, which was more than any other NFL club.

Having failed to lure Joe Gibbs out of retirement, the Panthers made Dom Capers, who had been the defensive coordinator for the Steelers the previous three seasons, the club’s first head coach (and were penalized for violating the NFL’s anti-tampering rules as a result). “We looked to build a defense, then a kicking game, then an offense,” explained Capers regarding the new club’s signing strategy. 

The Panthers got off to the slow start typical of first-year teams, losing their first five games, but then reeled off four consecutive wins that included a stunning upset of the reigning NFL Champion 49ers. The ultimate record of 7-9 was the best for a modern NFL expansion team and set the stage for a division title and postseason run in 1996.

While overshadowed on the defense by the outstanding performance of the 36-year-old Sam Mills, Fox played well. In addition to 4.5 sacks, he was credited with a club-best 28 quarterback hurries and 10 batted passes along with 57 tackles. Kasay alleviated concerns about his ability to kick consistently outdoors by ranking fourth in the NFC in field goals - he was good on 26 of 33 attempts, a solid 78.8 percent.

Fox (pictured below) and Kasay were important cogs in Carolina’s 12-4 campaign in ’96 that resulted in a Division playoff win over Dallas and finally ended against the Packers in the NFC Championship game.  Utilizing the “zone blitz” scheme that Capers had developed at Pittsburgh, the linebacking corps of Mills, Lathon, and Kevin Greene justifiably received accolades as the backbone of the defense, while Fox’s ability to occupy blockers up front helped to present opportunities for the outside linebackers to rush the passer (Greene had 14.5 sacks and Lathon was right behind with 13.5). The fine defensive play took pressure off of the conservative offense, guided by second-year QB Kerry Collins, to good effect. Meanwhile, Kasay had a Pro Bowl year, connecting on a then-record 37 of his 45 field goal attempts (82.2 %) and scoring 145 points.

The high-flying Panthers, who had dramatically exceeded expectations in their first two seasons, fell to earth in 1997. Fox was a part of the problem as the defense that had fueled the ascent now led the slide to a 7-9 tally. The loss of Greene due to a contract dispute was the biggest issue, to be sure, and Lathon’s performance dropped off significantly as a result. Fox suffered injuries to both shoulders and appeared in just 11 games. Likewise, problems on the offensive side of the ball caused Kasay to have far fewer field goal opportunities. While hitting on a healthy 84.6 percent of his three-point tries, he attempted only 26 (and was successful on 22) in comparison to the 45 of the year before.

Fox was a reserve in 1998, with the team having added free agent DE Sean Gilbert plus rookie DE Jason Peter. It was a difficult year for the club in general, with the record falling to 4-12 amid turmoil and ending up with the departure of Capers.  It was the last season for Fox also, who had been such an important part of the defense in the first two overachieving seasons.

Kasay lasted with the Panthers far longer. He remained with the club until 2010 and was part of the NFC Championship squad of 2003. One of the first players signed, he ended up being the last of the original Panthers to play for the team. While he missed time due to a couple of significant leg injuries along the way (most notably in 2002, when he was limited to just two games), over the course of 15 years in Carolina he kicked 351 field goals out of 424 attempts (82.8 %) and 429 extra points (missing a total of nine). Along with his 1482 points, he set significant career standards in those categories for the young franchise.