Highlighted Year: Mike Garrett, 1967

Halfback, Kansas City Chiefs

Age: 23

2^nd season in pro football & with Chiefs

College: Southern California

Height: 5’9”   Weight: 200

Prelude:

A star halfback in college, Garrett rushed for 3221 yards including 1440 as a senior in 1965 when he was awarded the Heisman Trophy. He was chosen by the Chiefs in the 20^th round of the 1966 AFL draft (the Los Angeles Rams selected him in the second round of the corresponding NFL draft).A collegiate baseball standout as well, Garrett also received a big offer from the Pittsburgh Pirates.The Chiefs won the bidding war. While there were doubts as to if Garrett had the size to succeed professionally, as a rookie he alternated with HB Bert Coan and with his speed and aggressiveness rushed for 801 yards as Kansas City went on to win the AFL title. He added 56 yards in the postseason, including the first Super Bowl.

1967 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 236 [2, tied with Hoyle Granger]

Most attempts, game – 26 (for 83 yds.) vs. San Diego 11/19

Yards – 1087 [3]

Most yards, game – 192 yards (on 23 carries) vs. NY Jets 11/5

Average gain – 4.6 [3]

TDs – 9 [2]

100-yard rushing games – 4

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 46 [8, tied with Eric Crabtree & Al Denson]

Most receptions, game – 6 (for 42 yds.) at Houston 9/9

Yards – 261

Most yards, game – 42 (on 6 catches) at Houston 9/9

Average gain – 5.7

TDs – 1

Passing

Attempts – 4

Completions – 1

Yards – 17

TD passes – 1 [13, tied with four others]

Interceptions – 0

Punt Returns

Returns – 4 [20, tied with Goldie Sellers & Jack Harper]

Yards – 22

Average per return – 5.5

TDs – 0

Longest return – 14 yards

All-Purpose yards – 1370 [6]

Scoring

TDs – 10 [4, tied with Don Maynard, Billy Cannon & Willie Frazier]

Points – 60 [12, tied with Billy Cannon & Willie Frazier]

Awards & Honors:

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

1^st team All-Western Division: Sporting News

AFL All-Star Game

Chiefs went 9-5 to finish second in the AFL Western Division.

Aftermath:

Slowed by injuries in 1968, Garrett’s rushing total dropped to 564 yards, although he also caught 33 passes for 359 yards (10.9 avg.). and totaled 6 TDs. He led the club with 732 rushing yards in 1969 and KC won the last AFL Championship and the Super Bowl. Garrett flirted with a switch to baseball and was dealt to the San Diego Chargers during the 1970 season. He remained with the Chargers through 1973 and ran for 1031 yards in 1972. Garrett compiled a total of 5481 yards on 1308 rushing attempts (4.2 avg.) with 3246 yards on 736 carries occurring while with the Chiefs. He also caught 238 passes for 2010 yards (8.4 avg.), 141 for 1231 yards while with KC. He scored a total of 49 TDs. Garrett received consensus first-team All-AFL recognition once, some second-team recognition after two other seasons, and was selected to two AFL All-Star games. He went on to earn a law degree and eventually served as athletic director at USC and California State-Fullerton.

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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

1967: Defense & Special Teams Propel Oilers to Upset of Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs were the reigning AFL Champions and off to a 3-2 start as they hosted the Houston Oilers on October 22, 1967. Coached by Hank Stram, the Chiefs were a well-balanced club with precision-passing QB Len Dawson operating behind an outstanding line, and with a productive running game as well, while rookie PK Jan Stenerud added an extra scoring dimension. The defense was a good one and had gained size up front with the recent addition of mammoth DT Ernie Ladd. Kansas City had lost a high-scoring game to San Diego the previous week but was expected to return to winning form against the Oilers, a club they had beaten in their first game.

Houston was at 2-2-1 and had not posted a winning record in five years, including a 3-11 tally in 1966. Head Coach Wally Lemm, with the help of GM Don Klosterman, had transformed the defense, in particular adding rookie LB George Webster (pictured above) and young veteran CB Miller Farr, who was acquired from the Chargers. The offense remained a problem, however, and QB Pete Beathard was obtained from Kansas City two weeks earlier in the deal that sent Ladd to the Chiefs.

There were 46,365 fans in attendance at Kansas City’s Municipal Stadium. They saw the Chiefs start off the scoring with a 40-yard Jan Stenerud field goal, but the early lead was quickly erased when DB Zeke Moore returned the ensuing kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown. John Wittenborn’s extra point put the Oilers in front by 7-3.

Shortly thereafter, another big play on special teams helped the Oilers as DB Larry Carwell returned a punt 33 yards. The resulting possession ended with Wittenborn kicking a 45-yard field goal for a 10-3 score, which remained the tally heading into the second quarter.

Carwell’s next punt return covered 26 yards to the KC 49, again putting Houston into good field position. Five plays later, Pete Beathard threw a touchdown pass to HB Sid Blanks that covered 39 yards and Wittenborn again added the point after. It got worse for the Chiefs on their next possession when HB Mike Garrett ran into an official while running a pass pattern and FS Jim Norton intercepted a Dawson throw and returned it 23 yards for a TD. Wittenborn’s conversion had the Oilers up by 24-3.

The reeling Chiefs finally put together an 80-yard drive in 12 plays, the key one being a Dawson pass to split end Chris Burford that picked up 44 yards. Garrett ran for a five-yard touchdown and Stenerud added the PAT. Kansas City got a break when Moore fumbled the resulting kickoff and end Frank Pitts recovered, setting up a 13-yard field goal by Stenerud. The score was narrowed to 24-13 at halftime.

Late in the third quarter, the Chiefs put together a 12-play, 85-yard drive to narrow the margin further. Dawson had a 24-yard scramble to reach the Houston two, and from there Garrett (pictured at left) ran for another TD. KC then faked the kick on the extra point attempt in an effort to pick up two points, but Dawson’s pass intended for TE Fred Arbanas was broken up by George Webster.

There was no further comeback for the Chiefs, however, as the Houston defense kept them in check. In the fourth quarter, the Oilers were also able to keep an offensive series going thanks to a roughing-the-kicker penalty on a punt, and when they finally did kick the ball away a few plays later, the Chiefs had to start from their five. Kansas City had one last chance when Dawson connected with Burford for a 22-yard gain to reach Houston territory, but a fumble at the 31 with 2:50 left on the clock ended it and the Oilers held on to win by a final score of 24-19.

The Chiefs dominated statistically, with big leads in total yards (323 to 127) and first downs (19 to 7). But they also turned the ball over three times, one of which led directly to a Houston touchdown, while the Oilers suffered one turnover. Kick returns also played a key role for the Oilers, with the one TD on a kickoff and the two long punt returns that led to points.

Pete Beathard completed only three of 14 passes for 63 yards, but one was for a touchdown and none were intercepted. Flanker Monte Ledbetter had two catches for 24 yards and Sid Blanks gained 39 yards and scored a TD on his lone reception. FB Hoyle Granger led the Houston runners with 51 yards on 13 carries. Zeke Moore had the 92-yard kickoff return and Larry Carwell averaged 20.0 yards on his four punt returns. Jim Norton (pictured at right) helped with his punting, averaging 47.0 yards on 7 kicks, as well as contributing two key interceptions, one that was returned for a score and the other in the end zone to thwart a Kansas City scoring opportunity. Also on defense, George Webster had nine tackles and three pass deflections, MLB Garland Boyette was credited with 17 tackles, and CB W.K. Hicks had 13 tackles and broke up two passes.

For the Chiefs, Len Dawson was successful on 17 of 31 throws for 175 yards but had no TDs and gave up three interceptions. Mike Garrett gained 69 yards on 19 rushing attempts that included two touchdowns and FB Curtis McClinton contributed 48 yards on 10 carries. Flanker Otis Taylor had 6 catches for 40 yards while Chris Burford gained 97 yards on five receptions.

“I’d rather be lucky than good,” said Houston’s Coach Lemm. “We just got the early breaks and that did it for us.”

The luck was generally good for the Oilers during the rest of the regular season as they went 6-2 the rest of the way to win the Eastern Division with a 9-4-1 record. Houston’s defense led the AFL in both fewest rushing (7) and passing (10) touchdowns allowed, and gave up the least points overall (199). However, it couldn’t stop the Raiders in the AFL Championship game, which was a 40-7 rout. Kansas City bounced back to win three straight, but they were unable to keep up with Oakland in the Western Division and placed second at 9-5.

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: Len Dawson, 1963

Quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs

Age:  28

7^th season in pro football, 2^nd in AFL & with Texans/Chiefs

College: Purdue

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 190

Prelude:

Highly regarded coming out of college, Dawson was taken in the first round of the 1957 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. After sitting on the bench and throwing just 17 passes in three years, he was dealt to Cleveland, where he backed up Milt Plum for two seasons. He requested his release from the Browns in 1962 and joined his former backfield coach at Purdue, Hank Stram, who had gone on to become the head coach of the AFL’s Dallas Texans. Stram worked intensively with Dawson, rusty from his years as a reserve, and he took over as the team’s starting quarterback with outstanding results. Dawson was the AFL’s top passer (as well as Player of the Year) in ’62, leading the league in touchdown passes (29), completion percentage (61.0), and yards per attempt (8.9), and the Texans won the AFL Championship. The franchise moved to Kansas City and was rechristened the Chiefs in 1963, and suffered through a lesser year.

1963 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 352 [3, tied with Dick Wood]

Most attempts, game – 46 vs. Buffalo 10/13

Completions – 190 [3]

Most completions, game – 25 at Buffalo 9/22

Yards – 2389 [4]

Most yards, game – 278 at Denver 9/7

Completion percentage – 54.0 [2]

Yards per attempt – 6.8 [7]

TD passes – 26 [1]

Most TD passes, game – 4 at Denver 9/7, vs. Houston 10/6, vs. NY Jets 12/22

Interceptions – 19 [4, tied with Dick Wood]

Most interceptions, game – 4 at Houston 10/27

Passer rating – 77.5 [3]

200-yard passing games – 7

Rushing

Attempts – 37

Most attempts, game – 7 (for 69 yds.) at Houston 10/27

Yards – 272 [12]

Most yards, game – 69 yards (on 7 carries) at Houston 10/27

Yards per attempt – 7.4

TDs – 2 [19, tied with five others]

Points

TDs – 2

Points – 12

Chiefs went 5-7-2 to finish third in the AFL Western Division.

Aftermath:

Fortunes improved for Dawson and the Chiefs in the ensuing seasons. By the rating system then in use, he led the league in passing three times over the next five years (by the modern system, he led it in all five). Dawson also led in completion percentage five straight times, TD passes twice (although not when he had his career high of 30 in 1964), yards per attempt twice, and, further testimony to his efficiency as a passer, four times in percentage of TD passes. The team won AFL championships in 1966 and ’69, losing in the inaugural Super Bowl following the former and winning Super Bowl IV (the last prior to the merger of the two leagues) after the latter. Dawson missed time to injury in that 1969 season but was behind center in the postseason and was named Super Bowl MVP. He remained with the Chiefs through 1975, at age 40, and retired with 28,711 passing yards, 239 TD passes, and an 82.6 passer rating. Dawson was a consensus first-team All-AFL selection twice, received second-team honors after two other seasons, and was selected to six AFL All-Star Games and, following the AFL/NFL merger, one Pro Bowl. The Chiefs retired his #16 and Dawson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1987.

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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: Deron Cherry, 1984

Safety, Kansas City Chiefs

Age: 25 (Sept. 12)

4^th season in pro football & with Chiefs

College: Rutgers

Height: 5’11” Weight: 190

Prelude:

Cherry intercepted nine passes in college and also handled the punting, averaging 39.6 yards on 104 punts. Undrafted by the NFL, he signed with the Chiefs as a punter in 1981 but, after briefly being let go, spent his first two seasons as a backup in the defensive backfield before the departure of FS Gary Barbaro to the USFL opened a spot for him in 1983. He had an outstanding season, intercepting seven passes and receiving first-team All-AFC honors from UPI and Pro Football Weekly as well as earning selection to the Pro Bowl.

1984 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 7 [4, tied with six others]

Most interceptions, game – 2 vs. LA Raiders 9/16

Int. return yards – 140 [7]

Most int. return yards, game – 67 (on 1 int.) vs. Cleveland 9/30

Int. TDs – 0

Sacks – 0

Fumble recoveries – 0

Tackles – 78

Assists – 50

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 1

Yards – 0

TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL: AP, UPI

1^st team All-AFC: UPI

Pro Bowl

Chiefs went 8-8 to finish fourth in the AFC West.

Aftermath:

An outstanding playmaker with intelligence and sound instincts to make up for lack of ideal speed, Cherry continued to excel for the Chiefs, gaining selection to the next four Pro Bowls and receiving first-team All-NFL recognition again in 1986 and ’88. After intercepting a career-high 9 passes in 1986, he missed time due to injury in ’87 but bounced back to play in every game and picked off another 7 passes in 1988, when he also was credited with a career-high 151 tackles. A knee injury that required surgery cost him time in 1990 and his career came to an end in ’91. Overall, in 11 pro seasons, all with the Chiefs, Cherry intercepted 50 passes, one of which he returned for a TD. He received first-team All-NFL honors three times and first- or second-team All-AFC honors after four other seasons, and was selected to a total of six 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

2009: Patriots Trade Matt Cassel to Chiefs

On February 28, 2009 the New England Patriots traded QB Matt Cassel and LB Mike Vrabel to the Kansas City Chiefs for a second-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft. Cassel, an unknown backup prior to 2008, had distinguished himself when he filled in for star QB Tom Brady, who was lost for the year with a knee injury in the season-opening contest. The trade reflected the interest that Cassel had drawn as a result but also New England Head Coach Bill Belichick’s confidence that Brady, whose injury had been further complicated by an infection following surgery, would be fully recovered and ready to resume his starting role.

Prior to 2008, Cassel had not started a game since his senior year in high school in 1999, serving as a reserve during college at USC behind Heisman Trophy winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart before being chosen by the Patriots in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL draft. He threw a total of just 39 passes in three seasons, for 253 yards and two touchdowns. With a strong arm, intelligence, and good leadership qualities (refined by quality coaching), Cassel steadily improved over the course of the 2008 season as he threw for 3693 yards and 21 touchdowns while giving up just 11 interceptions. The Patriots, a year removed from a 16-0 regular season that fell short of ultimate perfection in the Super Bowl, barely missed the playoffs with an 11-5 tally. They initially used the franchise tag on Cassel before dealing him. Upon being traded to Kansas City, who had a new general manager in Scott Pioli, formerly in charge of player personnel with the Patriots, and a new head coach, Todd Haley, Cassel was immediately named the starter over QB Tyler Thigpen.

“It’s very easy to root for guys like Matt Cassel, who everything the right way and flourish as a result,” said Belichick. “As much as we would have loved to continue working with Matt, we wish him nothing but the best as he takes this next step forward in his career.”

The Chiefs were coming off of two straight losing seasons under the previous head coach, Herman Edwards, including a miserable 2-14 record in 2008. The offense had been adjusted from one that was run-oriented to a spread that allowed Thigpen to operate exclusively out of the shotgun. While he showed talent, he also had limitations and the team won only one of the games he started.

Kansas City marginally improved to 4-12 with Cassel behind center in ’09. He took a pounding behind a mediocre line (he was sacked 42 times) and threw for 2924 yards with 16 TDs and 16 interceptions, resulting in a 69.9 passer rating. RB Jamaal Charles came on in the second half of the year to upgrade the ground game but it took the acquisition of WR Chris Chambers, who had been waived by the Chargers and appeared in the last nine games, to give Cassel a reliable target.

Things got much better for both Cassel and the Chiefs in 2010, albeit helped along by a weak schedule. Cassel showed better judgment and took fewer sacks while passing for 3116 yards and 27 touchdowns against just 7 interceptions, for a passer rating of 93.0. He was named to the Pro Bowl, as were Jamaal Charles, who rushed for 1467 yards and caught 45 passes for 468 more yards, and WR Dwayne Bowe, with 72 receptions for 1162 yards and 15 TDs. Kansas City topped the AFC West with a 10-6 record and lost decisively to the Ravens in the Wild Card playoff round.

The Chiefs started off the 2011 season by being blown out in their first two games by a combined score of 89-10 and, while they finished with three wins in the last five games, they ended up back under .500 with a 7-9 record. The team had problems with injuries and Coach Haley was gone before season’s end. Cassel was on injured reserve after suffering a broken hand in the ninth game and he ended up passing for 1713 yards and 10 touchdowns with nine interceptions. Charles had gone down with an ACL injury in the second week and, while Bowe was still a capable receiver, his touchdowns dropped from 15 to five with the underperforming, patchwork offense.

Cassel’s hand injury required surgery but he was back in 2012. However, he was inconsistent and turnover-prone, provoking negative fan reaction, and, following a head injury, was consigned to the bench in favor of Brady Quinn. Playing in a total of nine games, Cassel threw for 1796 yards and six touchdowns while giving up 12 interceptions. The team dropped to 2-14 and, with wholesale changes occurring afterward, Cassel was released in the offseason.

Overall, in four seasons with the Chiefs, Cassel completed 854 of 1489 passes (57.4 %) for 9549 yards and 59 TDs with 44 interceptions for an overall rating of 77.5. He was sacked 109 times and the club went 19-28 in his starts, with one winning season out of the four. An effective game manager at his best, Cassel also displayed both class and toughness with an organization that was experiencing turmoil while he was there (for instance, there was a different offensive coordinator in each of Cassel’s four seasons). He moved on to the Minnesota Vikings, where he returned to a primarily backup role.

As to the other players involved in the trade with New England, Mike Vrabel, who turned 34 prior to the 2009 season, was expected to improve the pass rush from the outside linebacker position. While he was on the downside of his career and had lost a step, he also was a savvy player with excellent instincts. He provided the leadership that was expected, although he also continued to show signs of decline and his career ended after two seasons. The second-round draft pick that the Patriots received from the Chiefs was used to take safety Patrick Chung out of Oregon, who spent four years with the club, went to Philadelphia for a year in 2013, and returned to New England in ’14.

Highlighted Year: Carlos Carson, 1983

Wide Receiver, Kansas City Chiefs

Age: 25 (Dec. 28)

4^th season in pro football & with Chiefs

College: LSU

Height: 5’11” Weight: 174

Prelude:

Carson caught 89 passes for 1728 yards (19.4 avg.) and 14 touchdowns in college and was chosen by the Chiefs in the fifth round of the 1980 NFL draft. He was used primarily to return kickoffs in his first two seasons, catching just 12 passes. Carson saw more action at wide receiver during the strike-interrupted 1982 season, coming on strong in the last three games and catching 27 passes for 494 yards (18.3 avg.) and two touchdowns.

1983 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 80 [5] 

Most receptions, game – 8 (for 88 yds.) at Houston 10/23

Yards – 1351 [2, 1^st in AFC]

Most yards, game – 165 (on 7 catches) at San Diego 12/11

Average gain – 16.9 [12]

TDs – 7 [13, tied with five others]

100-yard receiving games – 6

Rushing

Attempts – 2

Yards – 20

Average gain – 10.0

TDs – 0

Passing

Attempts – 1

Completions – 1

Yards – 48

TD – 1

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 1  

Yards – 12

TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 7

Points – 42

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-AFC: UPI

Pro Bowl

Chiefs went 6-10 to finish fifth in the AFC West while ranking second in the conference in passing yards (4341).

Aftermath:

Carson followed up his breakout season with 57 catches for 1078 yards (18.9 avg.) and four TDs in 1984, becoming the first receiver in franchise history to put together consecutive thousand-yard totals. He had 47 receptions for 843 yards (17.9 avg.) and four touchdowns in an injury-plagued ’85 season and leg injuries in 1986 resulted in six missed games, although he still averaged 23.7 yards on his 21 catches. Carson bounced back with 55 receptions for 1044 yards (19.0 avg.) and 7 TDs in 1987 and was selected to the Pro Bowl. While he had 46 catches in ’88, his yards-per-catch were just 15.5 yards, his lowest as a starter, as he compiled 711 yards. He split 1989 between the Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, catching eight passes in his last season. Overall, he caught 353 passes for 6372 yards (18.1 avg.) and 33 touchdowns, with all but one reception for 12 yards coming with the Chiefs. Carson was a first-team All-AFC choice once and was chosen 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

2004: Chargers Rally to Defeat Chiefs in Back-and-Forth Game

The fortunes of the San Diego Chargers had changed dramatically since the 4-12 finish of 2003 as they met the Kansas City Chiefs on November 28, 2004. Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer’s team had won four straight games and was at 7-3 and even with Denver atop the AFC West. QB Drew Brees (pictured at right), considered a disappointment following his first three seasons, was breaking out in a big way, as was second-year TE Antonio Gates, while RB LaDainian Tomlinson continued to be a top rusher and receiver out of the backfield. The coaching of first-year defensive coordinator Wade Phillips brought about a significant improvement with the defense.  

The Chiefs were on an opposite trajectory. Having been a 13-3 playoff team in 2003, Kansas City had lost its last three games and was struggling with a 3-7 record. Under Head Coach Dick Vermeil, the offense was still productive, led by QB Trent Green and TE Tony Gonzalez, although star RB Priest Holmes was out with a knee injury. The defense was at the root of the club’s problems and ranked among the league’s least effective units.

There were 77,447 fans in attendance at Arrowhead Stadium on a 35-degree day. The Chargers had the first possession and put together a promising drive as WR Eric Parker gained 20 yards on a first-play end-around and Drew Brees completed three passes and had a 14-yard run. However, the drive stalled at the Kansas City 11 and Nate Kaeding’s 29-yard field goal attempt was unsuccessful.

The Chiefs punted following a short series and San Diego struck quickly. Brees threw to Parker for a 55-yard gain to the KC two and, two plays later, LaDainian Tomlinson scored a touchdown from a yard out. Kaeding added the extra point and the visitors were in front by 7-0.

The ensuing kickoff went out of bounds, giving the Chiefs starting field position at their 40, and they went 60 yards in six plays. Trent Green had passes to Tony Gonzalez (pictured below) for 12 and 27 yards and RB Derrick Blaylock, the stand-in for Priest Holmes, ran for a five-yard TD. Lawrence Tynes converted to tie the score at 7-7.

The Chargers punted following their next possession and a penalty on the return had the Chiefs starting from their own six yard line. As the game moved into the second quarter, consecutive carries by RB Larry Johnson picked up 18 yards and, with Green passing effectively and Johnson runs mixed in, Kansas City advanced methodically down the field. Green completed five of his passes, two of them to Gonzalez for 22 yards and the longest covering 16 yards to TE Jason Dunn. The 13-play, 94-yard drive culminated in Johnson’s six-yard touchdown run up the middle. Tynes added the point after and the home team had a 14-7 lead.

The Chargers responded with a long drive of their own that covered 70 yards in 12 plays. They converted three first downs, all on passes by Brees, including a 17-yard toss to Parker on third-and-seven that set up Tomlinson’s three-yard carry for a TD. Kaeding’s kick tied the score at 14-14.

Green passed Kansas City down the field on the next series and Tynes kicked a 28-yard field goal that put the Chiefs back in front by three. With time running out in the first half, Brees threw to WR Kassim Osgood for a 27-yard gain to the KC 43 and two short completions to Tomlinson picked up another nine yards, but Kaeding missed on a 52-yard field goal attempt and the home team took a 17-14 lead into halftime.

Kansas City WR Dante Hall started the third quarter off with a 77-yard kickoff return, but he fumbled at the end without being hit and the Chargers gained possession at their five yard line. They managed to reach their 45 before having to punt and the Chiefs punted it back following a three-and-out series. On San Diego’s first play from midfield, Parker took off for a 38-yard run to the KC 12 and, while the Chargers couldn’t reach the end zone, Kaeding tied the score with a 25-yard field goal.

The teams exchanged punts before the Chiefs began to move effectively in the closing minutes of the period. Green completed three straight passes, the first to WR Johnnie Morton for 18 yards, and a throw to Gonzalez in a third-and-nine situation gained 23 yards to the San Diego 31. On the second play of the fourth quarter, Blaylock broke away for a 22-yard touchdown. Tynes missed the extra point, but Kansas City was back in front at 23-17.

Brees passed the Chargers back down the field, completing six throws along the way. The longest was to WR Keenan McCardell for 23 yards and the last to Antonio Gates for an 18-yard TD. Kaeding added the extra point and San Diego was in the lead by a point at 24-23. It didn’t last long, however, as Hall returned the ensuing kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown, this time maintaining his grip on the football for the full distance. Green threw to WR Eddie Kennison for a two-point conversion and KC was back on top by 31-24.

The Chargers ran into problems with penalties on their next series, one of which wiped out a 51-yard pass play to Gates. However, backed up to their 19 and facing second-and-22, Brees threw to Osgood for a 65-yard pickup to the KC 16 and, three plays later, he connected with Gates for an 11-yard TD. Kaeding added the PAT and, with less than seven minutes remaining in regulation, the score was again tied at 31-31.

San Diego got the ball back when a third-and-11 pass by Green was intercepted by LB Donnie Edwards, who returned it 13 yards to the Kansas City 32. The Chargers reached the 17 before Brees was sacked by CB William Bartee and LB Scott Fujita for a loss of seven yards on third down, but Kaeding kicked a 43-yard field goal and the visitors had a three-point lead.

The Chiefs regained possession with 2:15 left on the clock, but after Green threw to Blaylock for six yards on first down, the next three passes fell incomplete. San Diego held on for a 34-31 win.

“Everybody got their money’s worth today,” summed up San Diego’s Coach Schottenheimer. “It was quite an exciting game.”

The Chargers, in ending a seven-game losing streak at Kansas City, led in total yards (498 to 310), first downs (25 to 20), and time of possession (36:46 to 23:14). The Chiefs turned the ball over twice, to none suffered by San Diego, and while the Chargers were penalized more times (9 to 5), Kansas City’s infractions came at more inopportune times.

Drew Brees completed 28 of 37 passes for 378 yards and two touchdowns while giving up no interceptions. With his two long carries, Eric Parker led the Chargers with 58 rushing yards and also caught three passes for another 78 yards. LaDainian Tomlinson (pictured at left) gained just 46 yards on 21 attempts that included two TDs but also had 10 pass receptions for 57 yards. Antonio Gates gained 92 yards on his 7 catches that included two for scores and, thanks to the one long gain, Kassim Osgood matched the yardage total on his two receptions.

For the Chiefs, Trent Green was successful on 21 of 34 throws for 208 yards with no TDs and one interception. Tony Gonzalez caught 8 passes for 105 yards. Derrick Blaylock rushed for 75 yards on 8 carries that included two touchdowns and Larry Johnson ran the ball 10 times for 43 yards and a TD. Dante Hall averaged 38.8 yards on six kickoff returns, one of which resulted in a touchdown and another that came close.

The Chargers went on to win their next three games, and four of their last five, to finish first in the AFC West with a 12-4 record. They lost their Wild Card playoff contest to the New York Jets in overtime. Kansas City reeled off four wins following the loss to the Chargers but lost the season finale in the rematch at San Diego to place third in the division at 7-9.

Drew Brees ranked second in the AFC with a 104.8 passer rating, gaining 3159 yards with 27 TD passes against just seven interceptions. He was selected to the Pro Bowl, as were both LaDainian Tomlinson, who ran for 1335 yards and a league-leading 17 rushing touchdowns, and Antonio Gates, who caught 81 passes for 964 yards (11.9 avg.) and 13 TDs, and both of them also were consensus first-team All-NFL selections.

Tony Gonzalez topped the NFL with 102 pass receptions, which accounted for 1258 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was chosen to the Pro Bowl. Trent Green topped the league in pass attempts (556) and the conference in completions (369) and passing yards (4591). His 27 TD passes were a career high.

Highlighted Year: Chris Burford, 1962

Split End, Dallas Texans

Age: 24

3^rd season in pro football & with Texans

College: Stanford

Height: 6’3”   Weight: 215

Prelude:

Burford caught a NCAA-leading 61 passes for 757 yards in 1959 and received first-team All-America honors from the American Football Coaches Association and Time magazine. He was chosen by the Cleveland Browns in the ninth round of the 1960 NFL draft but signed with the Texans of the new AFL and had 46 catches for 789 yards (17.2 avg.) and five touchdowns as a rookie. Burford followed up with 51 receptions for 850 yards (16.7 avg.) and another five TDs in ’61, when he was also named to the AFL All-Star Game. What he lacked in speed he made up for in moves, technique, and reliability.

1962 Season Summary

Appeared in 11 of 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 45 [8]

Most receptions, game – 10 (for 171 yds.) at Boston 10/12

Yards – 645 [9]

Most yards, game – 171 (on 10 catches) at Boston 10/12

Average gain – 14.3 [18]

TDs – 12 [1]

100-yard receiving games – 1

Rushing

Attempts – 1

Yards – 13

TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 12 [4]

Points – 72 [9]

Missed postseason game due to injury

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-AFL: League, AP, UPI

Texans went 11-3 to finish first in the AFL Western Division while leading the league in touchdowns (50, tied with Houston Oilers). Won AFL Championship over Houston Oilers (20-17).

Aftermath:

The team moved to Kansas City in 1963 and Burford, recovered from the knee injury that cost him the last few games of the ’62 season, caught a career-high 68 passes, for 824 yards (12.1 avg.) and nine touchdowns. He went on to play with the Chiefs until 1967, and started for the ’66 AFL Championship squad that appeared in the first Super Bowl. Overall, Burford caught 391 passes for 5505 yards (14.1 avg.) and scored 55 TDs. He received All-AFL honors once and was named to one AFL All-Star Game.

--

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

1992: Late Elway TD Passes Propel Broncos Past Chiefs

Two AFC Western Division rivals, the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs, had 3-1 records as they met in Denver on October 4, 1992. The Broncos had won nine consecutive home games against Kansas City and hoped to keep the string going.

Denver was coached by Dan Reeves for the 12^th year and had reached the AFC Championship game in ’91. As he had been for the past decade, QB John Elway (pictured above) was the key to the offense and he had a good group of receivers. The defense was strong at linebacker, led by the aging but effective ILB Karl Mecklenburg, and at safety with FS Steve Atwater and SS Dennis Smith. The Chiefs, under Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer, featured a conservative, ball-control offense operated by QB Dave Krieg and a solid defense with noteworthy performers in DE Neil Smith and OLB Derrick Thomas.

There were 75,629 fans in attendance at Mile High Stadium on a sunny afternoon. The teams exchanged punts through a scoreless first quarter. The Chiefs were deep in their own territory at the end of the period but put together a 94-yard drive in eight plays that concluded with Dave Krieg throwing to WR Willie Davis for a 50-yard touchdown. Nick Lowery added the extra point and the visitors held a 7-0 lead.

The Broncos responded with a long scoring drive of 60 yards that took 12 plays. Starting from their 17, RB Gaston Green ran for 11 yards and John Elway threw to WR Mark Jackson (pictured below) for another 12. Three plays later, facing a third-and-five situation, Elway connected with TE Shannon Sharpe for eight yards to keep the series going and another pass to Sharpe gained an additional 14 yards to the Kansas City 33. After a loss, Elway lateraled to RB Reggie Rivers for a pickup of 17 yards. The drive finally stalled at the KC 23 and David Treadwell kicked a 41-yard field goal.

The teams again traded punts. The Chiefs, regaining possession at their 22 with 1:25 left in the first half, moved methodically down the field and were significantly helped along by a 34-yard pass interference penalty. Lowery booted a 44-yard field goal on the final play before halftime to extend Kansas City’s lead to 10-3.

The Chiefs had the first possession of the third quarter and advanced 62 yards in seven plays. Krieg passed to RB Barry Word for a gain of 23 yards and twice to WR J.J. Birden for 19 and 17 yards. Lowery again finished the drive off with a field goal, this time from 36 yards for a 13-3 tally.

Denver went 75 yards in eight plays on its next possession, with Elway completing throws to WR Arthur Marshall for 21 yards and TE Reggie Johnson for 48 yards to the KC 11. The Broncos still couldn’t penetrate the end zone but came away with a 22-yard Treadwell field goal to narrow Kansas City’s lead to 13-6.

The Chiefs again drove into Denver territory as Krieg completed four passes, the longest to Birden covering 19 yards. Facing third-and-ten at the Broncos’ 26, Krieg was sacked by Karl Mecklenburg, thus setting up a long field goal attempt of 49 yards by Lowery that sailed wide to the right.

Getting the ball back with 1:15 remaining in the period, the Broncos immediately moved into scoring territory when Elway passed to Sharpe for a gain of 48 yards to the Kansas City 21. Elway was sacked on the next play by Neil Smith for a loss of nine yards but the Broncos were down to the 19 to start the fourth quarter. Treadwell attempted a 37-yard field goal that was unsuccessful, but the Chiefs were penalized for running into the kicker and it meant another try from five yards closer. This time the kick was blocked by DT Dan Saleaumua.

Kansas City proceeded to put together a 13-play, 60-yard drive that not only led to more points but used up 8:23 off the clock. The Chiefs converted a fourth down and a third down along the way and Lowery kicked a 26-yard field goal to put them ahead by ten points at 16-6 with 6:16 left in regulation.

It got worse for the Broncos on their first play from scrimmage following the kickoff when Elway fumbled while being sacked by Smith, and the defensive end recovered at the Denver 16. Lowery booted a 33-yard field goal, his fourth of the game, shortly thereafter and the visitors were now ahead by 19-6 with the clock down to five minutes remaining. Many of the home fans began to head for the exits.

Elway filled the air with passes on the next series that started from the Denver 20. Eight of them were complete as the drive covered 80 yards in 14 plays, with three of them caught by Jackson. That included the last one that he grabbed in the corner of the end zone and covered 25 yards for a touchdown. Treadwell added the point after and the Broncos were now down by six points at 19-13 with the clock showing less than two minutes to play.

With Denver using two timeouts, the Chiefs ran the ball three times from their five yard line following a short kickoff return and punted. Arthur Marshall came through with a big return of 28 yards to give the Broncos excellent field position at the KC 27. Elway threw to Marshall twice, for 11 and four yards, and then connected with WR Vance Johnson for a 12-yard TD. Treadwell added the all-important extra point and Denver had its first lead of the day with 38 seconds to go. The Chiefs had one last chance but, after reaching midfield, a fourth down pass that came up short effectively ended the game and the Broncos won in dramatic fashion by a final score of 20-19.    

The Chiefs had the edge in total yards (369 to 347) and time of possession (32:24 to 27:36), but were hurt by their inability to score more than one touchdown and thus settling for four field goals. Each team accumulated 20 first downs. Kansas City also accounted for five sacks, to three by the Broncos, and Denver suffered the game’s only turnover.

John Elway completed 23 of 38 passes for 311 yards and two touchdowns while giving up no interceptions. Shannon Sharpe had 9 catches for 118 yards while Mark Jackson contributed five receptions for 59 yards and a TD. Reggie Rivers was Denver’s leading rusher with 34 yards on six carries and Gaston Green gained 23 yards on his nine attempts.

For the Chiefs, Dave Krieg was successful on 22 of 31 throws for 301 yards and a TD while also not giving up any interceptions. Willie Davis (pictured below) caught 5 passes for 127 yards and the club’s only touchdown. Barry Word ran for 84 yards on 21 carries.

“There’s more to that football team than John Elway, like that defense that kept us without a first down before their final possession,” said Kansas City’s Coach Schottenheimer of the Broncos.

Denver lost badly the next week but then won three of four and had a 7-3 record before losing Elway for four games, all of which were losses. The Broncos finished at 8-8 and third in the AFC West. The Chiefs were ahead of them in second with a 10-6 tally, ending the regular season by pummeling Denver at home. Kansas City qualified for the playoffs as a Wild Card and lost to San Diego in the first round.