MVP Profile: Drew Brees, 2011

Quarterback, New Orleans Saints

Age:  32

11^th season in pro football, 6^th with Saints

College: Purdue

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 209

Prelude:

Chosen by the San Diego Chargers in the 2^nd round of the 2001 draft, Brees spent a year as backup to veteran Doug Flutie before taking over as starting quarterback in ’02. A good first year as starter was followed by a season in which he had difficulties, and the Chargers swung the deal that brought rookie Philip Rivers to San Diego in 2004. Brees bounced back that year with a Pro Bowl season in which his passer rating was 104.8. He badly injured his shoulder in the last game of the ’05 season, the final year of his contract, and with the team committing to Rivers, Brees signed with the New Orleans Saints and was a consensus first-team All-Pro who was selected to the Pro Bowl in ’06, leading the NFL with 4418 passing yards and guiding the Saints, with a high-powered offense, to the NFC Championship game. In 2007, Brees started poorly and the team didn’t do as well, but he recovered to lead the league in pass attempts (652) and completions (440) while throwing for another 4423 yards. He had another Pro Bowl year in ’08 in which he led the NFL in passing yards (5069), TD passes (34), pass attempts (635) and completions (413) and the Saints reached the top in 2009, with the quarterback leading the league in TD passes (34), completion percentage (70.6), and passing overall (109.6) while the club won the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. Brees threw for 4620 yards and 33 touchdowns in 2010 and led the NFL in completion percentage (68.1). However, he also threw a career-high 22 interceptions and, while the team qualified for the postseason as a Wild Card with an 11-5 record, the Saints were upset in the first round of the playoffs by Seattle.

2011 Season Summary

Appeared and started in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 657 [2]

Most attempts, game – 49 at Green Bay 9/8

Completions – 468 [1]

Most completions, game – 36 at Tennessee 12/11

Yards – 5476 [1]

Most yards, game – 419 at Green Bay 9/8

Completion percentage – 71.2 [1]

Yards per attempt – 8.3 [6]

TD passes – 46 [1]

Most TD passes, game – 5 vs. Indianapolis 10/23, at Minnesota 12/18, vs. Carolina 1/1

Interceptions – 14 [10, tied with four others]

Most interceptions, game – 3 at Tampa Bay 10/16

Passer rating – 110.6 [2]

400-yard passing games – 2

300-yard passing games – 13

200-yard passing games – 16

Rushing

Attempts – 21

Most attempts, game - 4 (for -1 yds.) vs. Houston 9/25

Yards – 86

Most yards, game – 21 yards (on 3 carries) at Tampa Bay 10/16

Yards per attempt – 4.1

TDs – 1

Scoring

TDs – 1

2-pt PAT – 3 [1]

Points – 12

Postseason: 2 G

Pass attempts – 106

Most attempts, game - 63 at San Francisco, NFC Divisional playoff

Pass completions – 73

Most completions, game - 40 at San Francisco, NFC Divisional playoff

Passing yardage – 928

Most yards, game – 466 vs. Detroit, NFC Wild Card playoff

TD passes – 7

Most TD passes, game - 4 at San Francisco, NFC Divisional playoff

Interceptions – 2

Most interceptions, game – 2 at San Francisco, NFC Divisional playoff

Rushing attempts – 5

Most rushing attempts, game – 4 vs. Detroit, NFC Wild Card playoff

Rushing yards – 4

Most rushing yards, game - 5 at San Francisco, NFC Divisional playoff

Average gain rushing – 0.8

Rushing TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Offensive Player of the Year: AP

2^nd team All-NFL: AP, Pro Football Focus

Pro Bowl

Saints went 13-3 to finish first in the NFC South while leading the NFL in total yards (7474) and passing yards (5347). Won NFC Wild Card playoff over Detroit Lions (45-28). Lost NFC Divisional playoff to San Francisco 49ers (36-32).

Aftermath:

After setting a new single-season record in 2011, Brees had another 5000-yard passing season (5177) in 2012 and again topped the NFL in TD passes (43). He also broke the record long held by Johnny Unitas for consecutive games with a touchdown pass, a streak which finally ended at 54. However, he also led in interceptions (19) over the course of a difficult year for the club both on and off the field. New Orleans rebounded in 2013 and Brees led the NFC with 5162 yards and 39 TD passes. Through 2013, he had completed 65.9 percent of his career passes for 51,081 yards and 363 TDs and had been selected to the Pro Bowl eight times, including a current string of six straight.

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MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league itself). 

MVP Profile: Mike Singletary, 1988

Linebacker, Chicago Bears

Age:  30 (Oct. 9)

8^th season in pro football & with Bears

College: Baylor

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 228

Prelude:

Singletary was taken by the Bears in the second round of the 1981 NFL draft and moved into the starting middle linebacker position during his rookie year. While there initially was concern about his lack of ideal size, by his third season in 1983 he was named to the Pro Bowl for the first of 10 straight years and was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection in 1984. Initially taken out of games in passing situations, he became adept at pass coverage as well as defense against the run. Singletary’s ability to dominate the middle of the field was a key component in defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan’s stifling 46 defense and he was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1985, a season in which the Bears achieved victory in the Super Bowl. Singletary continued to star in the middle of Chicago’s defense, which ranked at the top of the league for the third straight year in 1986.

1988 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 1

Interceptions – 1

Int. yards – 13

Int. TDs – 0

Fumble recoveries – 1

Fumble recovery TDs – 0

Tackles – 170

Postseason: 2 G

Sacks – 0

Interceptions – 0

TD – 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Player of the Year: AP

1^st team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, NEA, Pro Football Weekly, Sporting News

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

Pro Bowl

Bears went 12-4 to finish first in the NFC Central while leading the NFL in fewest rushing yards (1326) and fewest points allowed (215). Won NFC Divisional playoff over Philadelphia Eagles (20-12). Lost NFC Championship to San Francisco 49ers (28-3).

Aftermath:

Singletary played for another four seasons and went to the Pro Bowl after each while also continuing to be a consensus first-team All-NFL selection in two of the next three years (a total of seven times overall, in addition to the 10 Pro Bowl selections), a tribute to his toughness and work ethic. He appeared in 172 regular season games and 12 more in the postseason on his way to induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1998.

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MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league itself). Also includes Associated Press NFL Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year.

MVP Profile: Ray Lewis, 2003

Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens

Age: 28

8^th season in pro football & with Ravens

College: Miami (FL)

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 245

Prelude:

Lewis was chosen by the Ravens in the first round of the 1996 NFL draft, was inserted into the starting lineup at middle linebacker as a rookie, and had an immediate impact. He was chosen to the Pro Bowl for the first time in ’97 and was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection in 1999. With outstanding instincts, intensity, and speed that allowed him to cover a large area and make plays, Lewis was well-established as one of the premier linebackers in the NFL. The only concerns about him pertained to off-field issues following the ’99 season surrounding an altercation outside an Atlanta nightclub that ended in two stabbing deaths, but after a plea bargain that included his testimony against two associates (Lewis was also heavily fined by the NFL), he was back in action in 2000 and received NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors from the Associated Press as the Ravens went all the way to a Super Bowl victory. Lewis was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection for the third straight year in 2001 as well as Pro Bowl choice for the fifth consecutive season. He adjusted well to a shift to inside linebacker as the Ravens switched to a 3-4 defense in ’02 but he was limited to five games due to a shoulder injury.

2003 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 1.5

Interceptions – 6 [7, tied with nine others]

Most interceptions, game – 1 on six occasions

Int. yards – 99 [15]

Most int. return yards, game – 37 (on 1 int.) vs. Denver 10/26

Int. TDs – 1 [7, tied with many]

Fumble recoveries – 2

Forced fumbles – 2

Tackles – 121

Assists – 42

Postseason: 1 G (AFC Wild Card playoff vs. Tennessee)

Sacks – 0

Interceptions – 0

TD – 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Player of the Year: AP

1^st team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, Sporting News

1^st team All-AFC: Pro Football Weekly

Pro Bowl

Ravens went 10-6 to finish first in the AFC North while leading the NFL in sacks (47) and fewest rushing touchdowns (6, tied with Tampa Bay). Lost AFC Wild Card playoff to Tennessee Titans (20-17).

Aftermath:

Other than 2005, when a hamstring injury cost him significant playing time, Lewis remained a regular Pro Bowl choice through 2011, his next-to-last season at age 36. Overall, Lewis played for 17 years, all with Baltimore, and recorded 41.5 sacks, intercepted 31 passes, and was credited with over 1500 tackles. He was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection seven times, received at least some second-team recognition after four other seasons, and was chosen to the Pro Bowl on 13 occasions. Lewis capped his career in 2012 by playing in another Super Bowl, also won by the Ravens.

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MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league itself). Also includes Associated Press NFL Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year.

MVP Profile: Bruce Smith, 1996

Defensive End, Buffalo Bills

Age:  33

12^th season in pro football & with Bills

College: Virginia Tech

Height: 6’4”   Weight: 273

Prelude:

The first overall pick by the Bills in the 1985 NFL draft, Smith started off slowly as a rookie with a poor team but broke out with 15 sacks in 1986 and earned both consensus first-team All-NFL and Pro Bowl honors for the first time in ’87. Strong against both the run and pass, he benefited from the arrival of LB Cornelius Bennett and other defensive stars. Smith was again a first-team All-NFL choice in 1988 and ’90 as well as a Pro Bowl selection in each year from 1987 to ’90, and was the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1990 as well. A knee injury limited Smith to just five games in 1991, but he bounced back in ’92 to record 14 sacks and return to the Pro Bowl for the first of seven consecutive seasons. He was also a consensus first-team All-NFL selection in 1993 to ’95.

1996 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 13.5 [2, tied with Michael McCrary & Lamar Lathon, 1st in AFC]

Most sacks, game – 3 vs. New England 9/8

Multi-sack games – 3

Interceptions – 0

Fumble recoveries – 1

Forced fumbles – 5

Tackles – 69

Assists – 21

Postseason: 1 G (AFC Wild Card playoff vs. Jacksonville)

Sacks – 0

Interceptions – 0

TD – 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Player of the Year: AP

1^st team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, Sporting News

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

Pro Bowl

Bills went 10-6 to finish second in the AFC East and qualify for the postseason as a Wild Card entry. Lost AFC Wild Card playoff to Jacksonville Jaguars (30-27).

Aftermath:

Smith was a consensus first-team All-NFL and Pro Bowl selection again in 1997, a year in which he registered 14 sacks, and he was named to one more Pro Bowl with the Bills in ’98. After 15 years with Buffalo, Smith moved on to the Washington Redskins in 2000 and had his last double-digit sack season, with 10. He hung on until 2003, finishing up as the NFL’s all-time leader in sacks with 200. A great all-around defensive end with tremendous savvy as well as speed and strength, Smith played in a total of 279 games, was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection eight times and a Pro Bowl choice on 11 occasions. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2009.

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MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league itself). Also includes Associated Press NFL Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year.

MVP Profile: Joe Greene, 1974

Defensive Tackle, Pittsburgh Steelers

Age: 28 (Sept. 24)

6^th season in pro football & with Steelers

College: North Texas State

Height: 6’4”   Weight: 275

Prelude:

An All-American and considered the best college defensive line prospect available, even if comparatively unknown to most fans, “Mean Joe” was taken by the Steelers in the first round of the 1969 NFL draft (fourth overall). With his speed as well as strength, he quickly established himself as an outstanding pass rusher from the interior of the line and was the Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year. Greene followed up with Pro Bowl years in each of the next four years from 1970 to ’73, including a selection as NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press in 1972. Fast, strong, and agile, he had the ability to dominate games and provided outstanding emotional leadership.

1974 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – N/A

Interceptions – 1

Int. return yards – 26

Int. TDs – 0

Fumble recoveries – 4

Postseason: 3 G

Sacks – 1 (unofficial)

Interceptions – 1

Int. return yards – 10

Fumble recoveries – 1

TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Player of the Year: AP

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

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

Pro Bowl

Steelers went 10-3-1 to finish first in the AFC Central while leading the NFL in fewest total yards allowed (3074), fewest passing yards allowed (1466), and most sacks (52) and the AFC in fewest points allowed (189). Won AFC Divisional playoff over Buffalo Bills (32-14), AFC Championship over Oakland Raiders (24-13), and Super Bowl over Minnesota Vikings (16-6).

Aftermath:

Greene became the cornerstone of an outstanding defense that was one of the highest-ranked in the NFL over the remainder of the decade and the Steelers won four NFL titles. While injuries became more of a factor after his 91-game playing streak came to an end in 1975, his string of Pro Bowl selections reached eight straight. “Mean Joe” played a total of 13 years, all with Pittsburgh, and was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection five times, received at least some All-NFL or All-AFC recognition in four other seasons, and was named to the Pro Bowl on a total of 10 occasions. Greene was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1987.

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MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league itself). Also includes Associated Press NFL Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year.

MVP Profile: Lawrence Taylor, 1982

Linebacker, New York Giants

Age: 23

2^nd season in pro football & with Giants

College: North Carolina

Height: 6’3”   Weight: 237

Prelude:

Following a college career in which he was a consensus first-team All-American and Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year for 1980, Taylor was chosen in the first round by the Giants in 1981 (second overall). It was expected that he would start right away, and he did with an immediate impact. Not only was he the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, and a consensus first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection, but he was selected as NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the AP.

1982 Season Summary

Appeared and started in all 9 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 7.5 [6, tied with Curtis Greer & Jesse Baker]

Most sacks, game – 3 vs. Philadelphia 12/11

Multi-sack games – 1

Interceptions – 1

Int. return yards – 97 [4]

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

Scoring

TDs – 1

Points – 6

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Player of the Year: AP

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

1^st team All-NFC: UPI

Pro Bowl

Giants went 4-5 to finish tenth in the NFC, divisions having been eliminated due to the strike-shortened nature of the season.

Aftermath:

With his attacking style of play, Taylor almost immediately set new standards for outside linebackers and continued to excel with his excellent speed and ability to disrupt running as well as passing plays. He was a consensus first-team All-Pro in each of the next four seasons and a Pro Bowl selection over the next eight. Taylor continued to be the leader of the Giants defense, including 1986 when the team won the Super Bowl and Taylor received consensus MVP as well as Defensive Player of the Year honors from the AP for a third time. He achieved consensus first-team All Pro honors a total of eight times in addition to the 10 Pro Bowl selections in a career that spanned 13 years and 184 games. Taylor retired following the 1993 season, with 132.5 career sacks, and his #56 was retired by the Giants. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1999.

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MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league itself). 

MVP Profile: Reggie White, 1998

Defensive End, Green Bay Packers

Age: 37 (Dec. 19)

16^th season in pro football, 14^th in NFL & 6^th with Packers

College: Tennessee

Height: 6’5”   Weight: 304

Prelude:

A consensus All-American and SEC Player of the Year as a senior in college (where he gained his nickname “The Minister of Defense”), White started his pro career in the USFL with the Memphis Showboats in 1984. In two seasons, he garnered 23.5 sacks and then left the ill-fated spring league for the Eagles, who had taken him in the first round of the ’84 NFL Supplemental draft. He joined Philadelphia early in the 1985 season and had 13 sacks in 13 games (between the spring USFL season and the fall NFL campaign, he played in a total of 31 contests in ‘85). Quickly establishing himself as a dominant player at his position, White had 18 sacks in 1986 and was a consensus first-team All-Pro and was chosen for the Pro Bowl. In ’87, he achieved NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors as he recorded 21 sacks, just missing the existing league record, and despite being limited to 12 games due to the players’ strike. White again led the NFL in sacks with 18 in 1988. He remained with the Eagles through 1992 and was a consensus first-team All-Pro selection for six straight years and was named to seven consecutive Pro Bowls. The leader of an outstanding defensive unit, White also became a vocal critic of the team’s front office and left to sign with the Green Bay Packers as a free agent in 1993. He went to five more Pro Bowls through 1997and was a consensus All-Pro choice in ’95 while receiving first- or second-team consideration on three other occasions. The Packers also won two NFC titles and the Super Bowl following the ’96 season.

1998 Season Summary

Appeared and started in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 16 [2, 1^st in NFC]

Most sacks, game – 3 vs. Tampa Bay 9/13, vs. San Francisco 11/1

Multi-sack games – 5

Interceptions – 0

Fumble recoveries – 0

Forced fumbles – 4

Tackles – 33

Assists – 13

Postseason: 1 G (NFC Wild Card playoff at San Francisco)

Sacks – 0

Interceptions – 0

TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Player of the Year: AP

1^st team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, Sporting News

1^st team All-NFC: Pro Football Weekly

Pro Bowl

Packers went 11-5 to finish second in the NFC Central and qualify for the playoffs as a Wild Card. Lost NFC Wild Card playoff to San Francisco 49ers (30-27).

Aftermath:

White retired for a year in 1999 but returned for one more season with the Carolina Panthers in 2000. He finished his career as the NFL’s all-time leader in sacks at the time with 198 and reached double figures in 12 seasons. He was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection eight times (twice with the Packers) and was chosen to the Pro Bowl after 13 straight years (the last six with Green Bay). White’s #92 was retired by both the Eagles and Packers and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2006.

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MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league itself). Also includes Associated Press NFL Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year.

MVP Profile: Chuck Foreman, 1974

Fullback, Minnesota Vikings

Age: 24 (Oct. 26)

2^nd season in pro football & with Vikings

College: Miami (FL)

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 207

Prelude:

Seeking an upgrade at running back, the Vikings took Foreman in the first round of the 1973 NFL draft (12^th overall). In college, he had played in the defensive backfield and at wide receiver as well as running back and excelled, setting school records for total yards, scoring, touchdowns, and kickoff return yards. As a rookie in ’73, he rushed for 801 yards on 182 carries, caught 37 passes for 362 more yards, and received Rookie of the Year as well as Pro Bowl honors.

1974 Season Summary

Appeared in 13 of 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 199 [10]

Most attempts, game – 23 (for 72 yds.) at Dallas 10/6

Yards – 777 [11]

Most yards, game – 83 yards (on 13 carries) at Detroit 9/22

Average gain – 3.9

TDs – 9 [3, tied with Sam Cunningham, Larry Csonka & Otis Armstrong]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 53 [8] 

Most receptions, game – 9 (for 88 yds.) at LA Rams 11/24

Yards – 586 [18]

Most yards, game – 131 (on 5 catches) at Dallas 10/6

Average gain – 11.1

TDs – 6 [6, tied with five others]

100-yard receiving games – 1

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 1

Yards – 30

Average – 30.0

TDs – 0

All-Purpose yards – 1393 [9]

Scoring

TDs – 15 [1]

Points – 90 [4, tied with John Smith]

Postseason: 3 G

Rushing attempts – 57

Most rushing attempts, game - 23 vs. St. Louis, NFC Divisional playoff

Rushing yards – 212

Most rushing yards, game - 114 vs. St. Louis, NFC Divisional playoff

Average gain rushing – 3.7

Rushing TDs – 1

Pass receptions – 10

Most pass receptions, game - 5 vs. St. Louis, NFC Divisional playoff; vs. Pittsburgh, Super Bowl

Pass receiving yards - 104

Most pass receiving yards, game – 54 vs. St. Louis, NFC Divisional playoff

Average yards per reception – 10.4

Pass Receiving TDs - 0

Awards & Honors:

NFC Player of the Year: Sporting News

2^nd team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, NEA

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

Pro Bowl

Vikings went 10-4 to finish first in the NFC Central. Won NFC Divisional playoff over St. Louis Cardinals (30-14) and NFC Championship over Los Angeles Rams (14-10). Lost Super Bowl to Pittsburgh Steelers (16-6).

Aftermath:

Foreman was selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first five seasons and received first- or second-team All-NFL honors every year from 1974 to ’77. Outstanding as a receiver out of the backfield as well as a ball carrier, Foreman totaled over a thousand yards from scrimmage in each of his first six years and had over a thousand yards in rushing alone for three straight seasons (1975-77). He led the NFL in pass receptions (73) and NFC in touchdowns (22) in 1975, and was league leader in TDs again in ‘76. His productivity dropped significantly after 1977 and he finished his career with the New England Patriots in 1980. Overall, Foreman rushed for 5950 yards on 1556 carries (3.8 avg.), caught 350 passes for 3156 more yards, and scored a total of 76 TDs. 

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MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league itself). Also includes Associated Press NFL Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year.

MVP Profile: Jared Allen, 2011

Defensive End, Minnesota Vikings

Age:  29

8^th season in pro football, 4^th with Vikings

College: Idaho State

Height: 6’6”   Weight: 270

Prelude:

Chosen by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft, Allen was initially viewed as strictly a situational player who would add depth on the defensive line, but surprised by leading the team in sacks as a rookie with 9. Intense, tenacious, and with good instincts, he followed up with 11 sacks in ’05 and improved his play against the run. Allen led the league in fumble recoveries in 2006 with 6, although his sacks fell to 7.5, and there was friction with the front office as well as a suspension from the league for a second DUI offense heading into 2007. Still, he led the NFL with 15.5 sacks in ’07 and was a consensus first-team All-NFL and Pro Bowl choice for the first time. The Chiefs traded him to Minnesota in the offseason where he continued to excel while a member of a stronger overall defensive line. He received All-NFL and Pro Bowl honors in 2008 and ’09 while recording 14.5 sacks each year. 2010 was a down year for the franchise as a whole, and Allen had a comparative off-year, although he still led the team with 11 sacks, his fourth consecutive season in double figures.

2011 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 22 [1]

Most sacks, game – 3.5 vs. Chicago 1/1

Multi-sack games – 6

Interceptions – 1

Int. return yards – 14

Int. TDs – 0

Fumble recoveries – 4

Forced fumbles – 4

Tackles – 46

Assists – 17

Scoring

TDs – 0

Safeties – 1

Points – 2

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Player of the Year: Sporting News

1^st team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, Sporting News, Pro Football Focus

Pro Bowl

Vikings went 3-13 to finish fourth in the NFC North although tying for the NFL lead in sacks (50, along with the Philadelphia Eagles).

Aftermath:

Allen followed up with 12 sacks in 2012 and was selected to the Pro Bowl for the fifth time. He registered 11.5 sacks in 2013 and signed with the Chicago Bears as a free agent for 2014. Through ten seasons and 157 games, Allen has been credited with 128.5 sacks, as well as five interceptions and 17 fumble recoveries. He has been a consensus first-team All-NFL honoree four times in addition to the five Pro Bowl selections.

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MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league itself). Also includes Associated Press NFL Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year.

MVP Profile: Earl Morrall, 1972

Quarterback, Miami Dolphins

Age:  38

17^th season in pro football, 1^st with Dolphins

College: Michigan State

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 206

Prelude:

After leading Michigan State to a win in the Rose Bowl, Morrall was taken in the first round of the 1956 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers. Following a mediocre rookie season in which he backed up Y.A. Tittle, he was dealt to Pittsburgh where he became the starter and had a fair year in ’57. Two games into 1958, he was traded to Detroit in the deal that brought Bobby Layne to the Steelers and for the next seven years he shared the job with, first, Jim Ninowski and then Milt Plum. His best season with the Lions was in 1963, when he passed for 2621 yards and 24 TDs. But when new Head Coach Harry Gilmer committed to Plum for ’65, Morrall was dealt to the New York Giants. He started in 1965 and had a good year for a 7-7 team, but missed half of ’66 due to injury and was on the bench behind Fran Tarkenton in 1967. Frustrated at once again being a backup, he was traded to the Colts during the 1968 preseason to provide insurance as number two to Johnny Unitas. When Unitas suffered a major arm injury, Morrall took over as the starting quarterback and had a MVP season, most notably leading the NFL in passing, TD passes (26), and yards per attempt (9.2). The Colts went 13-1 and won the league title, although the dream year came to a sour end in an upset loss to the AFL Champion Jets in the Super Bowl. Morrall returned to a backup role with Unitas reclaiming the starting job in 1969 and helped rally the Colts in relief in the Super Bowl win over the Cowboys following the ’70 season. He saw considerable action in place of the increasingly-brittle Unitas in 1971, but with the team undergoing a youth movement in ’72 he was traded once more, this time to the Miami Dolphins where he was reunited with his first coach in Baltimore, Don Shula. A broken ankle suffered by starting QB Bob Griese in Week 5 put Morrall in the starting lineup.

1972 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 150

Most attempts, game – 19 vs. St. Louis 11/27

Completions – 83

Most completions, game – 12 vs. St. Louis 11/27

Yards – 1360

Most yards, game – 210 vs. St. Louis 11/27

Completion percentage – 55.3 [8]

Yards per attempt – 9.1 [1]

TD passes – 11 [18, tied with Marty Domres]

Most TD passes, game – 2 vs. San Diego 10/15, vs. St. Louis 11/27, at New England 12/3

Interceptions – 7

Most interceptions, game – 1 on seven occasions

Passer rating – 91.0 [1]

200-yard passing games – 2

Rushing

Attempts – 17

Most attempts, game – 4 (for 7 yds.) vs. Buffalo 10/22

Yards – 67

Most yards, game – 29 yards (on 3 carries) vs. NY Jets 11/19

Yards per attempt – 3.9

TDs – 1

Scoring

TDs – 1

Points - 6

Postseason: 2 G

Pass attempts – 24

Most attempts, game - 13 vs. Cleveland, AFC Divisional playoff

Pass completions – 13

Most completions, game - 7 at Pittsburgh, AFC Championship

Passing yardage – 139

Most yards, game - 88 vs. Cleveland, AFC Divisional playoff

TD passes – 1

Interceptions – 1

Rushing attempts – 4

Most rushing attempts, game - 4 vs. Cleveland, AFC Divisional playoff

Rushing yards – 3

Most rushing yards, game - 3 vs. Cleveland, AFC Divisional playoff

Average gain rushing – 0.8

Rushing TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

AFC Player of the Year: Sporting News

NFL Comeback Player of the Year: AP

1^st team All-NFL: AP

2^nd team All-NFL: NEA

1^st team All-AFC: AP

Dolphins went 14-0 to finish first in the AFC East as they led the NFL in total yards (5036), rushing yards (2960), scoring (385 points), and touchdowns (45, tied with the Oakland Raiders). Won AFC Divisional playoff over Cleveland Browns (20-14), AFC Championship over Pittsburgh Steelers (21-17), and Super Bowl over Washington Redskins (14-7).

Aftermath:

Morrall gave way to Griese in the playoffs in 1972 and stayed on another four years as a backup, finally retiring following the 1976 season at age 42 and after 21 seasons in the NFL. Often regarded as the greatest backup quarterback in league history, he twice was selected to the Pro Bowl and ended up passing for 20,809 yards and 161 TDs.

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MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league itself). 

MVP Profile: Harvey Martin, 1977

Defensive End, Dallas Cowboys

Age:  27 (Nov. 16)

5^th season in pro football & with Cowboys

College: East Texas State

Height: 6’5”   Weight: 252

Prelude:

Martin, a Dallas native, was chosen by the Cowboys in the third round of the 1973 NFL draft and, while there were early concerns regarding a lack of aggressiveness, he quickly established himself as an outstanding pass rusher with outstanding speed and technique. By 1976, he was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time and also received second-team All-NFL honors from the Associated Press and second-team All-NFC recognition from UPI.

1977 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 23 (unofficial)

Interceptions – 0

Fumble recoveries – 2

Fumble recovery TDs – 0

Tackles – 85

Postseason: 3 G

Sacks – 2 (unofficial)

Interceptions – 0

Fumble recoveries – 2

TD – 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Player of the Year: AP

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

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

Pro Bowl

Cowboys went 12-2 to finish first in the NFC East with the conference’s best record while leading the NFL in fewest yards allowed (3213) and the NFC in sacks (53) and fewest rushing yards allowed (1651). Won NFC Divisional playoff over Chicago Bears (37-7), NFC Championship over Minnesota Vikings (23-6), and Super Bowl over Denver Broncos (27-10; Martin and DT Randy White were co-MVPs).

Aftermath:

Martin followed up with two more Pro Bowl seasons in 1978 and ’79, despite playing through injuries. He was especially effective in combination with DT Randy White, as both required double-teaming, and was unofficially credited with 16 sacks in ’78, tying for the team lead with White. Martin ended up playing 11 years for the Cowboys, abruptly retiring after the 1983 season. A popular figure in Dallas, where he had a radio show and business ventures, he was dogged at the end by off-field problems. Overall, he left as the team’s career leader in sacks (which didn’t become an official statistic until his last two seasons) with an unofficial total of 113 over the course of 158 games (officially, he had ten in 1982 and ’83) and also appeared in 22 postseason games. Martin received consensus All-NFL honors once, second-team recognition after three other seasons, and was chosen for the Pro Bowl four times.

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MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league itself). Also includes Associated Press NFL Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year.