Highlighted Year: Johnny Hector, 1987

Running Back, New York Jets

Age: 27 (Nov. 26)

5^th season in pro football & with Jets

College: Texas A & M

Height: 5’11” Weight: 200

Prelude:

At Texas A & M Hector rushed for 2587 yards and 20 touchdowns and gained another 516 yards on 67 pass receptions. He was selected by the Jets in the second round of the 1983 NFL draft. Hector primarily returned kickoffs during an injury-marred rookie season and saw more action in the backfield in tandem with RB Freeman McNeil in ’84, rushing for 531 yards and catching 20 passes for 182 more yards. He gained another 572 yards on the ground in 1985. In 1986, he ran for 605 yards and showed off his ability near the goal line by scoring 8 TDs.

1987 Season Summary

Appeared in 11 of 15 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 111

Most attempts, game – 22 (for 104 yds.) at New England 12/13

Yards – 435

Most yards, game – 104 yards (on 22 carries) at New England 12/13

Average gain – 3.9

TDs – 11 [1, tied with Charles White]

100-yard rushing games – 1

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 32

Most receptions, game – 6 (for 34 yds.) at NY Giants 12/27

Yards – 249

Most yards, game – 51 (on 4 catches) at Buffalo 9/13

Average gain – 7.8

TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 11 [2, tied with Mike Quick & Charles White, 1^st in AFC]

Points – 66

Jets went 6-9 in the strike-shortened season (three games were played with replacement players) to finish fifth in the AFC East.

Aftermath:

Hector spent another five seasons with the Jets performing as a capable backup and occasional starter. He rushed for 561 yards and 10 touchdowns in 1987 and gained a career-high 702 rushing yards in 1989.His overall rushing total was 4280 yards on 1051 attempts (4.1 avg.) with 41 TDs.He also caught 188 passes for 1661 additional yards and another three touchdowns.

--

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: Broncos Score 26 Points in Second Quarter to Upset Jets

The New York Jets were hoping to maintain their position atop the American Football League’s Eastern Division as they hosted the Denver Broncos on December 3, 1967. Steadily built up over five seasons under the direction of Head Coach Weeb Ewbank, the Jets had a potent passing game led by QB Joe Namath throwing to an outstanding group of receivers, although the running game was hindered by an injury to HB Emerson Boozer. The pass defense was suspect, but the Jets had a 7-2-1 record and looked poised to win their first division title.

Denver was once again in rebuilding mode, this time under Head Coach Lou Saban, who had previously achieved success in Buffalo. There were 18 rookies on the roster, including HB Floyd Little (pictured above), the prize first round draft choice out of Syracuse. Al Denson, shifted from tight end to flanker, was having a fine season but QB Steve Tensi, who came to the club from the Chargers with great expectations, had not been impressive and now his status was uncertain due to a back injury. The Broncos had a 2-10 record and hardly seemed a threat to New York.

It was a rainy day at Shea Stadium with 32,903 fans in attendance. The field was muddy and the teams slogged through a scoreless opening period, but the game broke open in the second quarter. First, FS Jack Lentz of the Broncos intercepted a Joe Namath pass, returning it 25 yards. The result was a 43-yard Bob Humphreys field goal. Two plays after the ensuing kickoff, Lentz again picked off a throw by Namath and returned it 47 yards to the New York three. From there, FB Bo Hickey ran for a touchdown. Humphreys was wide on the extra point attempt but, in rapid fashion, the visitors were ahead by 9-0.

It got worse for the Jets shortly thereafter when, forced to punt, Floyd Little returned the kick 72 yards, charging straight down the middle of the field for another Denver TD. With Humphreys successfully converting this time, the Denver lead was extended to 16-0.

Once again Namath went to the air with a long pass and once more he was intercepted, this time by CB Goldie Sellers, who ran it back 47 yards to the New York 30. Steve Tensi threw to split end Neal Sweeney for 15 yards and flanker Al Denson for a 10-yard touchdown. Humphreys once again added the point after.

On the next series, it was LB John Huard picking off another Namath pass, and Denver again took advantage when Humphreys booted a 47-yard field goal. With QB Mike Taliaferro in for Namath, the Jets were finally on the move with time running down in the first half. But on the last play, his pass was intercepted by LB Frank Richter at the goal line. It was the fifth Denver interception of the period, and the teams headed into the locker room with the visitors holding an astonishing 26-0 lead.

Namath was back behind center in the third quarter, and following a poor punt by the Broncos, the Jets finally got on the board when Jim Turner connected for a 39-yard field goal. However, the Broncos got a break on another miscue by the home team when DB Bill Baird fumbled a punt that was recovered by Denver center Larry Kaminski at the New York 12. Two plays later, HB Wendell Hayes ran five yards for a TD and Humphreys booted the extra point to make it a 33-3 game.

New York furiously fought back, and a drive was kept going following a roughing-the-kicker penalty. Namath completed passes to TE Pete Lammons for 11 yards, split end George Sauer for 27, and Lammons once again for an 18-yard touchdown. Turner tacked on the extra point and the score stood at 33-10 after three quarters.

The Jets continued to try and mount a comeback in the fourth quarter, scoring on two touchdown passes by Namath. He first connected with FB Mark Smolinski for an 18-yard TD, although a pass for a two-point conversion was unsuccessful. The second came when Namath fired a pass to HB Bill Mathis in the end zone and this time the Jets were able to add two points as Mathis took a pitchout and ran across the goal line. But it was all a case of too-little, too-late for the Jets. Denver held on to pull off the upset by a final score of 33-24.

New York dominated in total yards (345 to 142) and first downs (23 to 9). But the six turnovers proved devastating for the Jets, and while the Broncos didn’t generate much offense, they also didn’t turn the ball over. Denver was also penalized 9 times at a cost of 121 yards, to four flags thrown on the Jets.     

Steve Tensi completed just 7 of 16 passes for 59 yards and a touchdown, although with none intercepted. Bo Hickey topped the Denver runners with 48 yards on 16 carries that included a TD while Wendell Hayes picked up 43 yards on 18 attempts, also with a score. Floyd Little, whose sensational punt return was a significant part of the second quarter surge, suffered a broken collarbone and thus ran the ball only four times for 15 yards. Al Denson topped the receivers with two catches for 42 yards and a touchdown.

For the Jets, Joe Namath was successful on 24 of 60 throws for 292 yards and three TDs, but also gave up four interceptions. Pete Lammons (pictured at left) caught 9 passes for 106 yards and a touchdown and George Sauer added 5 pass receptions for 83 yards. Bill Mathis was the club’s top rusher with only 21 yards on five attempts although he contributed three catches for 54 yards and a score.

“You just can’t give away the ball six times and still win,” summed up New York’s Weeb Ewbank.

The loss dropped the Jets into a tie for first in the Eastern Division with Houston at 7-3-1 and they lost their next two games before winning the season finale, which caused them to end up a disappointing second with an 8-5-1 record. Denver finished at the bottom of the Western Division with a 3-11 tally.

Floyd Little had the distinction of scoring the only touchdown on a punt return in the AFL in 1967. While his rushing numbers were modest, with 381 yards on 130 carries (2.9 avg.), he led the league with a 16.9 average on 16 punt returns and also averaged 26.9 yards on 35 kickoff returns on the way to topping the circuit with 1626 all-purpose yards.

Highlighted Year: Bruce Harper, 1977

Halfback, New York Jets

Age: 22

1^st season in pro football

College: Kutztown State

Height: 5’8”   Weight: 174

Prelude:

Playing at a small school, Harper rushed for 2169 yards in three varsity seasons and was an honorable mention Little All-American in 1976. He went undrafted by the NFL but signed with the Jets as a free agent in ’77. What Harper lacked in size, he made up for with speed and versatility and made the club as a backup halfback who primarily returned kicks.

1977 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 44

Most attempts, game – 8 (for 33 yds.) vs. New England 10/2

Yards – 198

Most yards, game – 33 yards (on 4 carries) at Houston 9/18, (on 8 carries) vs. New England 10/2

Average gain – 4.5

TDs – 0

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 21      

Most receptions, game – 4 (for 32 yds.) vs. Baltimore 9/25

Yards – 209

Most yards, game – 55 (on 1 catch) at Buffalo 10/9

Average gain – 10.0

TDs – 1

Passing

Attempts – 1

Completions – 0

Interceptions – 0

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 42 [1]

Yards – 1035 [1]

Most yards, game – 122 (on 3 ret.) at New Orleans 12/4

Average per return – 24.6 [8]

TDs – 0

Longest return – 60 yards

Punt Returns

Returns – 34 [10, tied with Howard Stevens]

Yards – 425 [5]

Most yards, game – 66 (on 5 ret.) vs. Buffalo 12/11

Average per return – 12.5 [6]

TDs – 0

Longest return – 49 yards

All-Purpose yards – 1867 [3, 1^st in AFC]

Scoring

TDs – 1

Points – 6

Jets went 3-11 to finish fourth in the AFC East.

Aftermath:

Continuing to perform well as a utility player, Harper led the AFC in all-purpose yards in each of the next three seasons and the entire NFL in 1978 (2157) and ’80 (2072). He also topped the league in kickoff return yards in 1978 and ’79 and had his best year as a punt returner in 1978, averaging 12.6 yards on 30 returns that included a touchdown. Effective in a limited role out of the backfield, Harper’s top rushing season was 1981, when he carried 81 times for 393 yards (4.9 avg.) and four TDs. Used more as a pass receiver, he gained 634 yards on 50 catches in 1980 and topped out at 52 receptions for 459 yards in ’81. Harper spent his entire career with the Jets until suffering a career-ending ACL tear in 1984. Overall, he compiled 11,429 all-purpose yards, with 1829 on 374 rushing attempts (4.9 avg.), 2409 on 220 pass receptions (11.0 avg.), 1784 on 183 punt returns (9.7 avg.), and 5407 on 243 kickoff returns (22.3 avg.). He scored a total of 21 touchdowns.

--

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

2002: Morton’s Kickoff Returns Propel Jets to Overtime Win Over Bills

The overhauled New York Jets faced rivals from the AFC East, the Buffalo Bills, in a Week 1 contest on September 8, 2002. The Jets had gone 10-6 and reached the playoffs in their first year under Head Coach Herman Edwards, but had made significant roster moves, especially on defense. The offense still had 38-year-old QB Vinny Testaverde behind center to start the season, even if not best suited for a West Coast-style offense, and RB Curtis Martin was a highly productive ball carrier.

The Bills were coming off of a miserable 3-13 record under Head Coach Gregg Williams but had also done some retooling, most notably in acquiring a new veteran quarterback.  Drew Bledsoe was obtained from the Patriots, where he had been displaced by the previously-unknown Tom Brady. In addition, RB Travis Henry was healthy following a promising rookie year that ended with a knee injury.

There were 72,751 fans in attendance at Ralph Wilson Stadium on an 86-degree afternoon. The Bills started the game off with a drive that was kept alive by a roughing-the-kicker penalty on a punt. Drew Bledsoe completed four passes, two of them to Travis Henry, and Mike Hollis finished it off with a 52-yard field goal.

The Jets punted twice, with an interception of a Bledsoe pass by CB Aaron Beasley at the New York 20 in between, before Buffalo went 80 yards in seven plays that stretched into the second quarter and included three penalties on the New York defense. Following consecutive pass completions by Bledsoe to get the ball down to the Jets’ five, Henry ran up the middle from there for a touchdown. Hollis added the extra point for a 10-0 lead.

The ten-point margin didn’t last for long when diminutive RB Chad Morton (pictured above) returned the ensuing kickoff 98 yards for a TD. John Hall converted to make it a 10-7 contest. On Buffalo’s third play of the next series, a poorly thrown Bledsoe pass was picked off by CB Donnie Abraham, who returned it 13 yards to the Buffalo 19. While two penalties pushed the Jets back ten yards, Vinny Testaverde passed to TE Anthony Becht for a 21-yard gain and, helped further by a pass interference call, it was Testaverde to Becht once again for a one-yard touchdown. Hall booted the point after and, in short order, the visitors were in front by a score of 14-10.

The Bills responded with a drive of 74 yards in 11 plays. Bledsoe connected on four passes, with two of them to WR Peerless Price that included a 19-yard gain on a third-and-seven play to the New York 29, and Henry finished the series off with four straight runs, the last for three yards and a TD. Hollis added the PAT and Buffalo was up by 17-14 with 2:41 remaining in the first half.

Testaverde passed the Jets down the field, hitting Curtis Martin five times out of the backfield, including a 12-yard gain that converted third-and-nine and a 16-yard play that set up Hall’s 34-yard field goal. The teams went into halftime with the score tied at 17-17.

New York had the ball first to start the third quarter and was without Martin, who had suffered a sprained ankle at the end of the first half. Testaverde completed a pass to WR Santana Moss and RB LaMont Jordan, Martin’s replacement, ran for 14 yards to reach the Buffalo 32. After advancing to the 27, a third down pass to Morton that was first credited as a catch to the one was overturned upon review, but the Jets regained the lead on a 45-yard Hall field goal.

The Jets took possession soon after at their own 46 following a fumble by Henry, but lost ground and had to punt, and the Bills punted in return. On the second play of the next New York series, Jordan fumbled when hit by DT Pat Williams, LB Keith Newman recovered, and Buffalo took over at the Jets’ 29. Three runs by Henry picked up 20 yards and, after a short completion to WR Eric Moulds, it was Henry again to complete the six-play possession with a two-yard touchdown carry. Hollis converted to make it 24-20 in favor of the Bills entering the fourth quarter.

The Jets had the ball heading into the final period but Hall’s 48-yard field goal attempt was wide to the right. However, a short series by the Bills resulted in a punt that was blocked by LB Jason Glenn. Gaining possession at the Buffalo 24, Testaverde completed a pass to Becht for eight yards and Hall was successful on a 33-yard field goal try that narrowed the home team’s lead to 24-23.

The Bills came through with a big play on their next series as Bledsoe passed to Moulds for a gain of 52 yards to the New York 28, but a sack by DE John Abraham pushed Buffalo back and Hollis missed the resulting long field goal attempt from 50 yards.

Testaverde came out throwing in response, connecting with WR Laveranues Coles for eight yards, Jordan for seven, and FB Richie Anderson for nine yards. An interception was wiped out by a pass interference penalty and Testaverde made the most of the reprieve as he threw to WR Wayne Chrebet for an 18-yard TD and then passed to Becht for a two-point conversion that gave the Jets a 31-24 lead with 4:47 left in regulation.

The Bills appeared to be stymied at their own 33 after Bledsoe was sacked by NT Jason Ferguson for a seven-yard loss on a third-and-ten play, but the resulting punt drew a roughing-the-kicker penalty and Buffalo remained alive at its 48. Four plays later, Bledsoe converted fourth-and-two with a completion to Price for 14 yards and the drive finally ended with a dramatic fourth-and-nine pass from Bledsoe to Moulds for a 29-yard touchdown. Hollis added the all-important extra point and the game was tied at 31-31 with 34 seconds remaining on the clock.

The contest went into overtime, and the Jets won the toss. Hollis kicked toward the sideline, but Morton fielded it, made a cutback against the grain and, 96 yards and 14 seconds later, crossed the goal line to win the game for the Jets in stunning fashion by a final score of 37-31.  

The Bills led in total yards (384 to 266), first downs (26 to 18), and time of possession (39:08 to 21:06). However, Buffalo also turned the ball over three times, to one by the Jets, and the special teams gave up the two touchdowns on kickoff returns plus a blocked punt that set up another New York score. There were many penalties, with each team being flagged ten times apiece.

Chad Morton was the headliner for the Jets as he averaged 46.3 yards on six kickoff returns that included the two touchdowns, making him the fifth player in NFL history to do so in a single game. Vinny Testaverde completed 24 of 30 passes for 210 yards and two TDs while giving up no interceptions. Wayne Chrebet had five catches for 58 yards and a score and Curtis Martin also caught five, for 35 yards, although he was held to only six yards on four carries before being forced to leave the game. LaMont Jordan led the team with 32 rushing yards on 7 attempts.

For the Bills, Drew Bledsoe (pictured at left) was successful on 26 of 39 throws for 271 yards and a touchdown, but he also was intercepted twice. Travis Henry rushed for 149 yards on 31 carries that included three TDs and caught 6 passes for 29 yards. Eric Moulds topped the receivers with 8 catches for 112 yards and the game-tying touchdown that sent the game into overtime while Peerless Price contributed 7 receptions for 80 yards.

“This was a game that was obviously, for a spectator, fun to watch,” summed up Coach Edwards of the Jets. “For a coach it was a nightmare on our part of it.”

The nightmare followed for the Jets, who lost their next four games but, with QB Chad Pennington taking over for Testaverde, finished strong to end up at 9-7 and first in the NFC East. They thrashed the Colts in the Wild Card playoff round before losing to Oakland at the Divisional level. Buffalo won two of its next three games, both in overtime, but after reaching 5-3 a midseason slump that included another, more decisive, loss to New York sent them to an 8-8 record and fourth in the division.

Chad Morton averaged 26.0 yards, which ranked second in the AFC, on his 58 kickoff returns that included his two first-week touchdowns. For his seven-season career with four teams, he averaged 23.6 yards returning 229 kickoffs, scoring a total of three TDs, and 9.2 yards on 155 punt returns with one score.

Both Drew Bledsoe and Travis Henry went on to have Pro Bowl seasons for the Bills. Bledsoe started every game and passed for 4359 yards and 24 touchdowns. Henry rushed for 1438 yards and 13 TDs in his finest season.  

1998: Hearst’s 96-Yard Run in OT Propels 49ers Over Jets

The season-opening NFL game in San Francisco on September 6, 1998 featured the 49ers, a perennial contender, hosting the New York Jets, a team that was on the rise.

The 49ers were a savvy veteran club that was used to winning, having been to the postseason in each of the previous six seasons and 16 of the past 18 years. Steve Mariucci had taken over as head coach in 1997 and the result was a conference-best 13-3 record and an appearance in the NFC Championship game. 36-year-old QB Steve Young routinely won passing titles, and while there were concerns that he could no longer deliver the long ball, the return of star WR Jerry Rice, who was lost for the year in the first week of ‘97, was expected to help, even coming off of two knee surgeries.

New York was just two years removed from a dreadful 1-15 campaign in 1996 but had perked up considerably to 9-7 in the first year under Head Coach Bill Parcells. QB Glenn Foley, taking over for the departed Neil O’Donnell, brought a gunslinger attitude to the offense but was also inexperienced, and underachieving veteran QB Vinny Testaverde was signed during the offseason. RB Curtis Martin was obtained from New England, where he had previously played with distinction under Parcells, and there was a young pass receiving corps led by brash WR Keyshawn Johnson. The team was in rebuilding mode but appeared poised to move up.

There were 64,419 fans in attendance on an unseasonably warm day at 3Com Park. The 49ers had the game’s first possession but turned the ball over when a pass by Steve Young was intercepted by FS Kevin Williams, who returned it 34 yards to the San Francisco 27. Glenn Foley (pictured at right) completed two passes to Keyshawn Johnson and John Hall kicked a 24-yard field goal to give the Jets the early lead.

The teams exchanged punts before San Francisco put together an 84-yard drive in eight plays. Young completed four passes along the way, with the longest to WR Terrell Owens for 23 yards, and RB Garrison Hearst (pictured at top) capped the series with a five-yard touchdown run up the middle. Wade Richey kicked the extra point and the home team was ahead by 7-3.

The Jets had the ball for the remainder of the opening period, but on the first play of the second quarter CB Antonio Langham picked off a Foley pass to give the 49ers possession at the New York 48. Hearst burst up the middle for 19 yards on first down, but three consecutive incomplete passes forced a long field goal try by Richey, and his 47-yard attempt missed the mark. Seven plays later, Foley connected with Johnson for a 41-yard TD and, with Hall’s point after, the visitors were back on top by 10-7.

The teams again traded punts before the 49ers put together a seven-play, 63-yard scoring drive. Young threw to WR J.J. Stokes for 25 yards and followed up with a completion to FB Marc Edwards for 16 yards to reach the New York 17. The drive bogged down but a defensive holding penalty on a third-and-six play gave the Niners a first down at the eight and, two plays later, it was Young to Stokes for a six-yard touchdown. Richey’s conversion had San Francisco ahead by 14-10.

There were still two minutes remaining in the first half following RB Leon Johnson’s 33-yard kickoff return, and Foley fired passes to WR Dedric Ward for 19 yards and Keyshawn Johnson for nine to reach the San Francisco 32. The Jets got a break when an interception was nullified by a penalty on the 49ers and, three plays later, Foley tossed a pass to WR Wayne Chrebet for a six-yard TD with 37 seconds left on the clock. Hall booted the extra point and, in see-saw fashion, the Jets took a 17-14 lead into halftime.

Following a possession by the Jets that concluded with a punt to start the third quarter, the 49ers tied the score with a 38-yard drive in seven plays that ended with a Richey field goal from 22 yards. However, New York came right back when, on the first play of the next series, Foley threw to Chrebet for a 48-yard gain to the San Francisco 30. Three plays later, with a roughing-the-passer penalty mixed in to move the Jets closer, Foley connected with Keyshawn Johnson for a 21-yard touchdown and, with Hall providing the extra point, the visitors were up by 24-17.

The 49ers responded with a 68-yard series in seven plays that featured Young completing consecutive passes to Owens for 19 yards and WR Jerry Rice for 21. Facing fourth-and-one at the New York 14, it was Young to Rice for a TD but the extra point attempt was blocked by DT Jason Ferguson and New York remained in the lead by a point.

The Jets had the ball in a possession that extended into the fourth quarter. Foley threw to Curtis Martin for 18 yards and to Chrebet twice, once for eight yards in a third-and-seven situation and then for 22 to get the ball to the San Francisco 29. But New York came up empty when the drive stalled and Hall missed a 45-yard field goal attempt.

The teams exchanged punts before the Jets advanced to another score. Foley completed passes to Martin for 22 yards, Keyshawn Johnson for 14, and Chrebet for 22 and, after Martin ran twice to get to the San Francisco 14, Hall booted a 32-yard field goal to make the score 27-23.

After the ensuing kickoff, the 49ers took possession with 3:38 remaining in regulation. On first down, Young passed to Hearst for a 35-yard gain to the New York 41. Four plays later, it was Young to Stokes (pictured at left), who out-jumped Kevin Williams and dove into the end zone for a 31-yard touchdown and, with Richey making the extra point, the Niners were in the lead by three points at 30-27 with the clock down to 1:32.

There was still time for the Jets, and they drove 60 yards in 12 plays. Foley converted a third-and-ten play with a throw to Chrebet for 19 yards and a fourth-and-ten situation with a toss to Ward for 22 to the San Francisco 32. Another pass to Ward on third down picked up 19 yards and, as time expired, Hall booted a 31-yard field goal to make it 30-30 and send the contest into overtime.

The Jets had the ball first in the extra period but went three-and-out. CB R.W. McQuarters returned Nick Gallery’s punt 16 yards to give San Francisco good field position at the New York 43, but the 49ers were unable to move and punted in return.

The visitors, helped by a face mask penalty, drove to their 47 before having to punt again, and Gallery’s 49-yard kick had the 49ers taking possession at their four yard line. But on the next play, Hearst broke away off right tackle, stiff-armed Williams at the 20, and was off to the races for a 96-yard touchdown run, reaching the end zone just ahead of LB Mo Lewis’ desperation tackle. In stunning fashion, San Francisco came away the winner by a final score of 36-30.

The teams combined for 1003 yards, with the 49ers having the edge (557 to 465) as well as in first downs (26 to 25). New York, whose yardage total was its most in eight years, led in time of possession (34:43 to 29:25). Each club turned the ball over once.

Steve Young completed 26 of 46 passes for 363 yards and three touchdowns while giving up one interception. Boosted by the game-winning run that was the longest in franchise history, Garrison Hearst accumulated 187 yards on 20 carries that included two TDs. J.J. Stokes had 7 catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns and Jerry Rice pulled in 6 passes for 86 yards and a score.

For the Jets, Glenn Foley had a career day as he succeeded on 30 of 58 throws for 415 yards and three TDs with one interception. There were two receivers with over a hundred yards led by Keyshawn Johnson, who caught 9 passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns, along with Wayne Chrebet (pictured at right) with 6 receptions for 125 yards and a TD. Dedric Ward was four yards short of the century mark as he gained 96 yards on five catches. Curtis Martin had a fairly quiet rushing day, gaining 58 yards on 22 attempts, but also had four pass receptions for 41 yards. 

“It’s disappointing to fight that hard and lose,” said a drained Coach Parcells. “You just put players in a position to make plays and you’ve got to make them. Hearst was right there. We missed some tackles there.”

San Francisco went on to a 12-4 record that placed second in the NFC West and qualified for a Wild Card playoff spot. The 49ers defeated Green Bay in the first round before falling to Atlanta at the Divisional level. The Jets were a bigger surprise in also going 12-4 and topping the AFC East. They reached the AFC Championship game before finally succumbing to the Denver Broncos.

Steve Young had another stellar year, passing for a career-high 4170 yards and a league-leading 36 touchdowns. He was chosen to a seventh straight Pro Bowl, his last. Garrison Hearst went on to gain 1570 yards on 310 carries with seven TDs and was also a Pro Bowl selection for the first time. J.J. Stokes achieved career bests with 63 pass receptions for 770 yards and eight touchdowns and Jerry Rice returned to Pro Bowl form as he caught 82 passes for 1157 yards and nine TDs.

For Glenn Foley, the big opening performance against the 49ers proved to be the highlight of his season. Two lackluster starts while also being sidelined with a rib injury in between caused him to be relegated to the bench in favor of Vinny Testaverde, who put together a Pro Bowl year in quarterbacking the Jets to the postseason.

Highlighted Year: Mark Gastineau, 1982

Defensive End, New York Jets

Age: 26 (Nov. 20)

4^th season in pro football & with Jets

College: East Central Oklahoma State

Height: 6’5”   Weight: 269

Prelude:

Gastineau transferred from Arizona State to East Central Oklahoma State and was credited with 27 sacks and 200 tackles in two seasons, garnering NAIA All-American honors in 1978. He was chosen by the Jets in the second round of the ’79 NFL draft and, a raw talent, was primarily a reserve member of a young defensive line as a rookie. Gastineau moved into the starting lineup in 1980 and was unofficially credited with 11.5 sacks. The unofficial sack total rose to 20 in ’81. His teammate, DE Joe Klecko, had 20.5 and overall the Jets recorded 66 sacks in easily leading the NFL. The defensive line, which also included tackles Marty Lyons and Abdul Salaam, was christened “the New York Sack Exchange” and Gastineau was selected to the Pro Bowl as well as receiving first-team All-AFC honors. Individual sacks became an official statistic in 1982.

1982 Season Summary

Appeared in all 9 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 6 [16, tied with five others]

Most sacks, game – 2.5 at Miami 12/18

Multi-sack games – 1

Interceptions – 0

Fumble recoveries – 0

Postseason: 3 G

Sacks – 4

Most sacks, game – 2 at Miami, AFC Championship

Interceptions – 0

TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

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

1^st team All-AFC: UPI

Pro Bowl

Jets went 6-3 in the strike-shortened season and were sixth seed in the AFC playoff tournament that replaced the usual postseason format. Won First Round playoff over Cincinnati Bengals (44-17) & Second Round playoff over Los Angeles Raiders (17-14). Lost AFC Championship to Miami Dolphins (14-0).

Aftermath:

Known for his flamboyant sack celebrations, Gastineau followed up by leading the NFL in each of the next two seasons, with 19 sacks in 1983 and 22 in ’84, a record that stood until 2001. He again received first-team All-NFL and Pro Bowl recognition in each of those seasons. Hobbled by injuries in 1985, Gastineau still accumulated 13.5 sacks and was chosen to a fifth straight Pro Bowl. He missed six games due to injuries in 1986, accumulated only 4.5 sacks in ’87, and after getting off to a strong start in 1988, abruptly retired halfway through the year. An abortive comeback with the British Columbia Lions of the CFL ended after four games of the 1990 season. Overall in the NFL, Gastineau officially accumulated 74 sacks. He was a consensus first-team All-NFL choice twice, received at least some first- or second-team honors after three other seasons, and was selected to five Pro Bowls.

--

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: Al Dorow, 1960

Quarterback, New York Titans

Age: 31 (Nov. 15)

7^th season in pro football, 1^st in AFL & with Titans

College: Michigan State

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 195

Prelude:

Originally a halfback in college, Dorow shifted to quarterback as a sophomore and guided Michigan State to a 9-0 record as a senior in 1951. He was chosen by the Washington Redskins in the third round of the ’52 NFL draft but first had to fulfill a military commitment before joining the Redskins in 1954. Starting QB Eddie LeBaron having departed for the CFL, Dorow saw considerable action and threw for 997 yards and 8 touchdowns, although giving up 17 interceptions. With the return of LeBaron in ’55, Dorow saw scant action as a reserve but when LeBaron suffered a knee injury in 1956 he started seven games and played well enough to earn Pro Bowl recognition. However, an offseason contract dispute caused Dorow to be traded to Philadelphia where he was little used in ’57 and he moved on to Canada with Saskatchewan and British Columbia in 1958 and Toronto in ‘59. Overall in the CFL, Dorow passed for 2363 yards and 17 TDs, with 35 INTs, and, highly mobile, rushed for 214 yards. With the formation of the AFL in 1960, Dorow joined the New York Titans and proved to be a good fit in Head Coach Sammy Baugh’s pass-oriented offense, where he had outstanding receivers in flanker Don Maynard and split end Art Powell. While not having great arm strength, he was a daring play caller and possessed excellent leadership qualities. 

1960 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 396 [3]

Most attempts, game – 48 at Oakland 12/11

Completions – 201 [3]

Most completions, game – 29 at Oakland 12/11

Yards – 2748 [3]

Most yards, game – 375 at Oakland 12/11

Completion percentage – 50.8 [4]

Yards per attempt – 6.9 [3]

TD passes – 26 [1]

Most TD passes, game – 4 at Dallas 10/2

Interceptions – 26 [2]

Most interceptions, game – 4 vs. Houston 10/23

Passer rating – 67.8 [3]

300-yard passing games – 2

200-yard passing games – 7

Rushing

Attempts – 90 [17]

Most attempts, game – 18 (for 72 yds.) at Buffalo 10/16

Yards – 453 [11]

Most yards, game – 72 yards (on 18 carries) at Buffalo 10/16

Average gain – 5.0 [4]

TDs – 7 [4, tied with Wray Carlton]

Punting

Punts – 6 [12, tied with Ken Hall]

Yards – 264 [12]

Average – 44.0

Punts blocked – 0

Longest punt – 56 yards

Scoring

TDs – 7 [13, tied with Billy Cannon, Al Carmichael & Dave Smith]

Points – 42

Awards & Honors:

2^nd team All-AFL: League

Titans went 7-7 to finish second in the AFL Eastern Division while leading the league in touchdowns (51) and scoring (380 points).

Aftermath:

Dorow followed up in 1961 by leading the AFL in pass attempts (438) and completions (197), as well as rushing yards by a quarterback (317) for the second straight year, but also interceptions thrown (30) as the Titans again went 7-7. He was selected for the first AFL All-Star Game. Suffering from a sore shoulder, Dorow was traded to Buffalo and started four games before further damage to his arm ended his career. Overall in the AFL, Dorow passed for 5732 yards and 47 TDs while giving up 63 interceptions and rushed for 827 yards and 11 touchdowns. In four NFL seasons, he threw for 1976 yards and 17 TDs with 39 INTs and  ran for 323 yards and 5 scores. Dorow was selected to one Pro Bowl and one AFL All-Star Game. He went into coaching and was head coach of the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1971.

--

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: Dick Christy, 1961

Halfback, New York Titans

Age: 26 (Nov. 24)

3^rd season in pro football, 2^nd in AFL & 1^st with Titans

College: North Carolina State

Height: 5’10” Weight: 195

Prelude:

Christy excelled on both offense and defense as well as returning kicks in college, and his dramatic 46-yard field goal against South Carolina gave NC State the 1957 Atlantic Coast Conference title. Named ACC player of the year while also receiving All-America honors from the Associated Press, Christy was chosen in the third round of the 1958 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers but was dealt to Pittsburgh prior to the season. He primarily returned kicks as a rookie, averaging 9.0 yards on 17 punt returns and 24.0 returning 16 kickoffs and was released by the Steelers prior to the ’59 season. Christy joined the Boston Patriots of the new AFL in 1960 and gained 1321 all-purpose yards that included 363 rushing and 268 on 26 pass receptions. He was traded to Oakland in the deal that brought QB Babe Parilli to the Patriots, and was then dealt to the Titans during the preseason.

1961 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 81 [13]

Most attempts, game – 13 (for 21 yds.) at Oakland 10/29

Yards – 180

Most yards, game – 32 yards (on 7 carries) at Buffalo 9/17

Average gain – 2.2 [14]

TDs – 2

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 29      

Most receptions, game – 7 (for 103 yds.) at Houston 11/19

Yards – 521 [17]

Most yards, game – 145 (on 6 catches) vs. Dallas 12/3

Average gain – 18.0 [5]

TDs – 1

100-yard receiving games – 2

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 15 [9, tied with Ron Burton]

Yards – 360 [8]

Most yards, game – 131 (on 6 ret.) at Houston 11/19

Average per return – 24.0 [7]

TDs – 0

Longest return – 60 yards

Punt Returns

Returns – 18 [3, tied with Al Frazier]

Yards – 383 [1]

Most yards, game – 137 (on 3 ret.) vs. Denver 9/24

Average per return – 21.3 [1]

TDs – 2 [1]

Longest return – 70 yards

All-Purpose yards – 1444 [5]

Passing

Pass attempts – 1

Pass completions – 0

Interceptions – 0

Scoring

TDs – 5 [19, tied with eight others]

Points – 30

Titans went 7-7 to finish third in the AFL Eastern Division.

Aftermath:

Christy followed up with his best season in 1962, leading the AFL with 2147 all-purpose yards that broke down into 535 on 114 rushing attempts, 538 on 62 pass receptions, a league-leading 824 on 38 kickoff returns for a 21.7-yard average, and he again topped the AFL with a 16.7 average on 15 punt returns for 250 yards. However, he had a lesser season with the re-named Jets in ’63 and was cut during the 1964 preseason. Christy played in the minor league Atlantic Coast Football League and North American Football League in 1964 and ’65, leading the ACFL in kickoff returning (30.4 avg.) in ‘64. He died in a car crash in 1966 at age 30. Overall in the AFL, he rushed for 1166 yards, caught 125 passes for 1400 more yards (11.2 avg.), returned 50 punts for a 15.0-yard average and four TDs and averaged 23.6 yards on 101 kickoff returns, scoring a total of 19 touchdowns. Christy was chosen to one AFL All-Star Game. North Carolina State created the Dick Christy Award, which is given to the most valuable player of the annual game against South Carolina.

--

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

1987: Browns Rally to Defeat Jets in OT of AFC Divisional Playoff Game

The AFC Divisional playoff game on January 3, 1987 featured the Cleveland Browns, winners of the AFC Central Division, hosting the New York Jets, the second place finisher in the AFC East that qualified for the postseason as a Wild Card.

The Browns were coached by Marty Schottenheimer and won the last five games of the 1986 regular season to finish with a 12-4 record. Second-year QB Bernie Kosar (pictured above) had the league’s lowest interception percentage (1.9), being picked off just 10 times while tossing 17 TD passes. The receiving corps was a good one although the running back tandem of Kevin Mack and Earnest Byner, who was out against the Jets, had been disrupted by injuries.  A knee injury had cost the team the services of PK Matt Bahr and 38-year-old Mark Moseley, long-time kicker for the Redskins who was released earlier in the season and also was the league’s last remaining straight-ahead placekicker, was signed to take his place.

New York, under Head Coach Joe Walton for the fourth year, had gotten off to an impressive 10-1 start before losing five straight games to end up at 10-6. Injuries were a problem, especially on the offensive and defensive lines, and QB Ken O’Brien’s performance dropped off significantly. He was benched in favor of backup QB Pat Ryan, who led the Jets to a win over Kansas City in the Wild Card playoff round.  WR Al Toon was an All-Pro and RB Freeman McNeil, when healthy, was very productive. But the injuries on defense played havoc with the ability of the Jets to defend against the pass.

There were 78,106 fans in attendance at Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium. The Jets had first possession and punted. The short kick by Dave Jennings had the Browns starting at their 44 and a personal foul on the defense two plays later moved the ball into New York territory. However, after reaching the 29, Cleveland came up empty when Mark Moseley was short on a 46-yard field goal attempt.

The teams exchanged punts before the Jets advanced 82 yards in four plays. Pat Ryan threw to Al Toon for 28 yards and WR Wesley Walker for seven before firing to Walker once more on a flea-flicker for a 42-yard touchdown. Pat Leahy added the extra point and the visitors held the early 7-0 advantage.

The Browns started at their two following the ensuing kickoff but responded with a 98-yard drive in six plays. Bernie Kosar passed twice to TE Ozzie Newsome for 21 and 23 yards and to TE Harry Holt for nine yards to the New York 42. After an offside penalty on the Jets, Kosar went to the air once again, this time to RB Harry Fontenot for a 37-yard TD. Moseley’s point after tied the score.

The Jets punted after a short possession and the Browns were on the move as the opening period came to a close with Kosar connecting with WR Webster Slaughter for 15 yards and Newsome for 14. But the drive stalled at the New York 40 and, now in the second quarter, Cleveland was forced to punt.

The teams returned to trading punts until the Browns, regaining possession at midfield, advanced 29 yards in seven plays. Kosar completed three passes, the biggest to Newsome for 13 yards and Kevin Mack (pictured at right) for 25 down to the New York nine. However, a holding penalty moved the ball back and the offense could get no further. Moseley booted a 38-yard field goal to put Cleveland in the lead by 10-7.

Following another exchange of punts, the Jets took possession at their 31 with 1:29 remaining in the first half. QB Ken O’Brien, now behind center because of a groin injury to Ryan, twice scrambled for gains of nine and 16 yards and completed two passes. With the clock down to seven seconds, Leahy came on to kick a 46-yard field goal and the teams went into halftime with the score tied at 10-10.

The Browns had the ball first in the third quarter, punted, and New York started off with good field position at the Cleveland 41. Freeman McNeil ran three straight times for 23 yards but was then tackled for a loss and two O’Brien passes fell incomplete. Still, the Jets took the lead when Leahy kicked a 37-yard field goal that made the tally 13-10.

Cleveland responded by driving into New York territory, the big play being a Kosar throw to Holt for 33 yards. But after RB Curtis Dickey ran for three yards, two passes intended for Fontenot were incomplete, the second after being tipped by DT Tom Baldwin, and the Browns came up empty when Moseley was wide to the left on a 44-yard try for a field goal.

The teams returned to trading punts for the remainder of the period, with the Browns coming out ahead on the battle for field position. Starting at midfield early in the fourth quarter, Kosar threw to Newsome for a 34-yard gain and a pass interference call on a third-and-six play gave Cleveland a first down at the New York 10. But after Mack carried twice for eight yards, Kosar’s third down pass into the end zone was intercepted by CB Russell Carter. It ended a streak of 133 consecutive passes without an interception for Kosar.

O’Brien completed passes to Toon for 11 yards and FB Tony Paige for 10, and McNeil ran effectively as the Jets reached the Cleveland 43 before having to punt. However, they got the ball right back when Kosar was again picked off, this time by CB Jerry Holmes at the Cleveland 25. On the next play, McNeil carried the ball on a sweep to the right and went the distance for a touchdown. Leahy converted and New York was ahead by 20-10 with only a little over four minutes remaining in regulation.

It looked dire for the Browns on the next series as they faced third-and-24 at their 18, but a roughing-the-passer penalty on DE Mark Gastineau earned them 15 yards and a first down and, after two passes were incomplete to set up third-and-10, Kosar connected on five straight throws. WR Reggie Langhorne caught the first two, for 10 and 13 yards, and WR Brian Brennan followed up with receptions for 22 and 19 yards to get the ball to the New York three. Two plays later, Mack scored a TD from a yard out and, with Moseley’s extra point, the visitors’ lead was cut to 20-17.

The try for an onside kick was recovered by the Jets and they were able to run the clock down to 1:03 before punting. Starting from their 33, the Browns were helped along by a pass interference penalty that moved the ball to the New York 42. Kosar threw to Slaughter for 37 yards and, after the next pass was incomplete, Moseley kicked a 22-yard field goal with 11 seconds left to tie the score at 20-20 and send the game into overtime.

The Jets went three-and-out on the first possession of OT. It looked good for the Browns, starting from their 26, as Kosar completed five passes, the last to Langhorne for 35 yards down to the New York five. But Moseley then missed to the right on a 23-yard field goal attempt and the game continued.

Neither team could move on the next few possessions, resulting in punts. Cleveland had the ball at the New York 35 as time expired in the first overtime period and three runs by Mack picked up 26 yards to the nine before Moseley, given another opportunity, came through with a game-winning 27-yard field goal at the 2:02 mark of the second overtime period. The Browns advanced by a final score of 23-20.

Cleveland had by far the most total yards (558 to 287) and first downs (33 to 14). The Browns also recorded nine sacks, three of them by DE Carl Hairston, to four by New York. Cleveland turned the ball over twice, to none by the Jets, but the visitors were flagged 10 times at a cost of 94 yards, to four penalties for 40 yards on the Browns.

Bernie Kosar completed 33 of 64 passes for 489 yards, the attempts and yards setting new NFL postseason records, with one touchdown and two interceptions. Kevin Mack rushed for 63 yards on 20 carries that included a TD and also had 5 catches for 51 yards. Ozzie Newsome (pictured at left) had 6 pass receptions for 114 yards and Webster Slaughter also caught 6 passes, for 86 yards. Mark Moseley was successful on three of six field goal attempts.

For the Jets, Pat Ryan was 6 of 11 for 103 yards and a TD and, in relief, Ken O’Brien completed 11 of 19 throws for 134 yards. Al Toon caught 5 passes for 93 yards and Freeman McNeil rushed for 71 yards on 25 attempts that included a score along with four pass receptions for 35 yards. Dave Jennings punted 14 times for a 37.9-yard average.

“It has to be one of the finest games in the history of the game,” said Cleveland’s Coach Schottenheimer. “It equals any comeback I’ve ever seen and it is certainly the best I’ve ever been a part of.”

“I think the Browns just got revved up and played very well,” said Coach Walton of the Jets. “The big thing was our inability to move the ball.”

Cleveland advanced to the AFC Championship game and lost a close contest to the Denver Broncos, the first of two consecutive conference title game meetings between the clubs that were both won by the Broncos. The Jets dropped to 6-9 in 1987 and didn’t return to the postseason until 1991.