Highlighted Year: Alfred Jenkins, 1974

Wide Receiver, Birmingham Americans

Age: 22

1^st season in pro football

College: Morris Brown

Height: 5’10” Weight: 161

Prelude:

A star with a small college, Jenkins was ignored in the NFL draft. After failing in a tryout with the Houston Oilers he signed with the Americans of the new WFL for 1974.

1974 Season Summary

Appeared in all 20 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 60 [5, tied with Ed Marshall]         

Yards – 1326 [1]

Most yards, game – 200 (on 5 catches) vs. Memphis 7/24

Average gain – 22.1 [1]  

TDs – 12 [2]

Rushing

Attempts – 3

Yards – 8

Yards per attempt – 2.7

TDs – 0

Punt Returns

Returns – 30 [8]

Yards – 262 [6]

Average per return – 8.7 [7]

TDs – 0

Longest return – 42 yards

Scoring

TDs – 12 [8, tied with John Land]

Action points – 5 
Points – 89 [10]

Postseason: 2 G

Pass receptions – 3

Most pass receptions, game – 2 vs. Hawaiians, WFL Second Round playoff

Pass receiving yards – 64

Most pass receiving yards, game – 46 vs. Hawaiians, WFL Second Round playoff

Yards per reception – 21.3

Pass Receiving TDs – 1

Punt returns – 2

Punt return yds. – 31

Punt return avg. – 15.5

Punt return TDs – 0

Longest return – 27 yards vs. Hawaiians, WFL Second Round

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-WFL: League, Sporting News

Americans went 15-5 to finish second in the WFL Central Division and qualified for the postseason. Won Second Round playoff over The Hawaiians (22-19) & WFL Championship, aka World Bowl, over Florida Blazers (22-21).

Aftermath:

Jenkins jumped to the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL in 1975 and continued to be productive. He caught 38 passes for 767 yards (20.2 avg.) and 6 TDs in ’75. It was the first of nine NFL seasons, all with the Falcons, until 1983, when he left the team to enter drug treatment. He excelled in Atlanta’s fine passing game with his speed and leaping ability, garnering Pro Bowl honors in 1980 and ’81 and consensus first-team All-NFL recognition in 1981. With the Falcons, Jenkins had 360 pass receptions for 6267 yards (17.4 avg.) and 40 touchdowns.

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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: Isaac Bruce, 1996

Wide Receiver, St. Louis Rams

Age: 24 (Nov. 10)

3^rd season in pro football & with Rams

College: Memphis

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 178

Prelude:

In two seasons at Memphis after transferring from Santa Monica College, Bruce caught 113 passes for 1586 yards (14.0 avg.) and 15 touchdowns, including 74 for 1054 yards and 10 TDs in 1993. He was chosen by the Rams in the second round of the ’94 NFL draft and had a quiet rookie season, with 21 catches for 272 yards and three touchdowns, before missing the last four games with a knee injury. Bruce broke out in 1995 by catching 119 passes for 1781 yards and 13 TDs, showing off his deceptive speed.

1996 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 84 [12, tied with Wayne Chrebet]

Most receptions, game – 11 (for 136 yds.) vs. Washington 9/22, (for 229 yds.) at Baltimore 10/27

Yards – 1338 [1]

Most yards, game – 229 (on 11 catches) at Baltimore 10/27

Average gain – 15.9 [13]

TDs – 7 [19, tied with seven others]

200-yard receiving games – 1

100-yard receiving games – 5

Rushing

Attempts – 1

Yards – 4

TDs – 0

Passing

Attempts – 2

Completions – 1

Yards – 15

TD passes – 0

Interceptions – 1

Scoring

TDs – 7

Points – 42

Awards & Honors:

2^nd team All-NFC: UPI

Pro Bowl

Rams went 6-10 to finish third in the NFC West.

Aftermath:

Bruce was slowed by injuries in 1997 and ’98, appearing in a combined 17 games with diminished production. Healthy again in 1999, and with an improved supporting cast that included QB Kurt Warner and WR Torry Holt, he had the first of three straight Pro Bowl seasons, scoring 12 touchdowns among his 77 receptions for 1165 yards in ’99, pulling in 87 passes for 1471 yards and 9 TDs in 2000, and averaging a career-high 17.3 yards on 64 catches for 1106 yards in 2001. Bruce stayed with the Rams until 2007, compiling a total of eight thousand-yard seasons and leaving the club as the career leader in pass receptions (942), receiving yards (14,109), and TD receptions (84). He finished up with San Francisco in 2008 and ’09, giving him overall totals of 1024 catches for 15,208 yards, which ranked second all-time in NFL history, as well as 91 TDs. Bruce added another 44 receptions for 759 yards and four touchdowns in the postseason, all with the Rams. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and the Rams retired his #80.

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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: Roger Carr, 1976

Wide Receiver, Baltimore Colts

Age: 24

3^rd season in pro football & with Colts

College: Louisiana Tech

Height: 6’3”   Weight: 196

Prelude:

A walk-on punter in college, Carr instead developed into an outstanding wide receiver and was All-Southland Conference in 1972 and ’73. Overall, he caught 114 passes for 2717 yards and 19 touchdowns and was chosen by the Colts in the first round of the 1974 NFL draft (24^th overall). With tremendous speed, Carr showed flashes of big-play ability, averaging 19.3 yards on 21 catches as a rookie and following up with 23 receptions for 517 yards and a 22.5-yard average in 1975. His two touchdown catches covered 86 and 90 yards.

1976 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 43      

Most receptions, game – 6 (for 198 yds.) vs. Cincinnati 9/19

Yards – 1112 [1]

Most yards, game – 210 (on 5 catches) at NY Jets 10/24

Average gain – 25.9 [1]

TDs – 11 [2]

200-yard receiving games – 1

100-yard receiving games – 3

Scoring

TDs – 11 [6, tied with Don McCauley & Lawrence McCutcheon]

Points – 66

Postseason: 1 G (AFC Divisional playoff at Pittsburgh)

Pass receptions – 2

Pass receiving yards – 35

Average yards per reception – 17.5

Pass Receiving TDs – 1

Awards & Honors:

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

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

2^nd team All-AFC: UPI

Pro Bowl

Colts went 11-3 to finish first in the AFC East while leading the NFL in passing yards (2933), total yards (5236), touchdowns (51), and scoring (417 points). Lost AFC Divisional playoff to Pittsburgh Steelers (40-14).

Aftermath:

The big breakout season in 1976 was followed by an injury-plagued year in ’77 in which Carr appeared in only seven games and caught 11 passes for 199 yards and a TD. He bounced back in 1978 with 30 receptions for 629 yards (21.0 avg.) and six touchdowns but injuries set in again in ‘79. With both he and star QB Bert Jones healthy in 1980, Carr pulled in a career-high 61 catches for 924 yards and five TDs, but his production again dropped off in 1981 and, following a dispute with Head Coach Frank Kush, he was traded to Seattle just prior to the ’82 season. Carr caught 15 passes for the Seahawks and two with the Chargers in 1983, his last year. Overall, Carr caught 271 passes for 5071 yards (18.7 avg.) and 31 touchdowns, with 254 of the receptions for 4770 yards and 29 TDs coming with the Colts. The 1976 season remained his best and the only one in which he received selection to All-Pro teams as well as Pro Bowl recognition.

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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: Isaac Curtis, 1973

Wide Receiver, Cincinnati Bengals

Age: 23 (Oct. 20)

1^st season in pro football

College: San Diego State

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 190

Prelude:

Curtis started out in college as a running back at the Univ. of California, where he was also a track star, but controversy that led to NCAA sanctions against the school caused him to transfer to San Diego State as a senior. Curtis had an outstanding year at wide receiver for the 10-1 Aztecs under the guidance of Head Coach Don Coryell, catching 44 passes for 832 yards (18.9 avg.) and seven touchdowns. He received first-team All-Pacific Coast Athletic Association honors and was chosen by the Bengals in the first round of the 1973 NFL draft (15^th overall). Curtis moved directly into the starting lineup and developed into a stellar performer over the course of the season.

1973 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 45 [11, tied with Boobie Clark & Mike Siani]     

Most receptions, game – 8 (for 106 yds.) vs. Kansas City 10/21

Yards – 843 [5, 1^st in AFC]

Most yards, game – 144 (on 2 catches) at Houston 12/16

Average gain – 18.7 [5]

TDs – 9 [4, tied with Harold Carmichael]

100-yard receiving games – 3

Rushing

Attempts – 2

Yards – -11

Average gain – -5.5

TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 9 [10, tied with four others]

Points – 54

Postseason: 1 G (AFC Divisional playoff at Miami)

Pass receptions – 1

Pass receiving yards – 9

Pass Receiving TDs – 0

Rushing attempts – 1

Yards – -1

TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

2^nd team All-AFC: UPI

Pro Bowl

Bengals went 10-4 to finish first in the AFC Central. Lost AFC Divisional playoff to Miami Dolphins (34-16).

Aftermath:

Curtis was selected to the Pro Bowl in each of the next three seasons and was regarded as one of the league’s more potent deep threats at a time when teams were less inclined to go to the air. While his catches dropped to 30 in 1974, 10 were for touchdowns, and he led the NFL by averaging 21.2 yards on 44 receptions in ’75. Curtis lost half of the 1977 season due to knee surgery but bounced back to catch a career-high 47 passes in ’78, although his average dropped to 15.7 and only three were for TDs. He remained with the Bengals until 1984 and, while no longer an elite receiver, was still capable of making big plays. Overall, Curtis caught 416 passes for 7101 yards (17.1 avg.) and 53 touchdowns. He received first- or second-team All-NFL honors three times, first-team All-AFC recognition after five seasons, and was selected to four 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

Highlighted Year: Jimmy Smith, 1996

Wide Receiver, Jacksonville Jaguars

Age: 27

4^th season in pro football (3^rd active), 2^nd with Jaguars

College: Jackson State

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 207

Prelude:

Smith caught a total of 85 passes for 1695 yards and 12 touchdowns in his last two college seasons and was chosen by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 1992 NFL draft. He broke his leg in training camp but saw action on special teams during his rookie season, catching no passes, and complications from appendicitis caused him to be de-activated for ’93. Smith was waived in 1994, signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, but was cut during the preseason. He joined the expansion Jaguars in 1995 and returned kickoffs, averaging 22.5 yards and scoring a touchdown, while backing up at wide receiver, where he impressed with his speed and caught 22 passes for 288 yards (13.1 avg.) and scored three TDs. Smith became more of a factor in ‘96 and moved into the starting lineup across from WR Keenan McCardell, creating an effective tandem.

1996 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 83 [14]          

Most receptions, game – 8 (for 131 yds.) at Baltimore 11/24, (for 124 yds.) vs. Seattle 12/15

Yards – 1244 [5, 1^st in AFC]

Most yards, game – 162 (on 7 catches) vs. Cincinnati 12/1

Average gain – 15.0 [20]

TDs – 7 [19, tied with seven others]

100-yard receiving games – 4

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 2

Yards – 49

Average per return – 24.5

TDs – 0

Longest return – 29 yards

Scoring

TDs – 7

Points – 42

Postseason: 3 G

Pass receptions – 11

Most pass receptions, game – 5 at Buffalo, AFC Wild Card playoff

Pass receiving yards – 174

Most pass receiving yards, game – 71 at Denver, AFC Divisional playoff

Average yards per reception – 15.8

Pass Receiving TDs – 2

Jaguars went 9-7 to finish second in the AFC Central and qualified for the postseason as a Wild Card entry while leading the NFL in passing yards (4110). Won AFC Wild Card playoff over Buffalo Bills (30-27) and AFC Divisional playoff over Denver Broncos (30-27). Lost AFC Championship to New England Patriots (20-6).

Aftermath:

The breakout 1996 season was the first of seven consecutive in which Smith reached the thousand-yard pass receiving threshold (and nine overall) and six of seven in which his receptions totaled 80 or more. He had 82 catches for 1324 yards (16.1 avg.) in 1997, his first of five consecutive Pro Bowl seasons, and led the NFL with 116 receptions in 1999. McCardell departed after 2001 and a drug suspension decreased his production in 2003 but he bounced back in ’04 with 74 catches for 1172 yards (15.8 avg.) and six TDs while being heavily double-teamed. He retired following a 70-catch, 1023-yard year in 2005. Overall, he caught 862 passes for 12,287 yards (14.3 avg.) and 67 touchdowns, all with Jacksonville, making him the franchise leader in all three categories. In addition to being named to five Pro Bowls, he was a first-team All-AFC selection once and received second-team All-NFL recognition after two seasons.

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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: Ken Burrough, 1975

Wide Receiver, Houston Oilers

Age: 27

6^th season in pro football, 5^th with Oilers

College: Texas Southern

Height: 6’4”   Weight: 210

Prelude:

A high school quarterback, Burrough shifted to wide receiver in college and received some All-American consideration as a senior in 1969. He was chosen by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 1970 NFL draft (tenth overall) but after a quiet rookie season was traded to the Oilers in ’71. Talented and with great speed, Burrough also was inconsistent on a poor club. In his first four years with Houston, he caught 130 passes for 1960 yards (15.1 avg.) and nine touchdowns.

1975 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 53 [7, tied with Charley Taylor]    

Most receptions, game – 7 (for 177 yds.) at Kansas City 11/2, (for 85 yds.) at San Francisco 12/7

Yards – 1063 [1]

Most yards, game – 177 (on 7 catches) at Kansas City 11/2

Average gain – 20.1 [4]

TDs – 8 [6, tied with Frank Grant & Drew Pearson]

100-yard receiving games – 4

Scoring

TDs – 8 [18, tied with four others]

Points – 48

Awards & Honors:

Pro Bowl

Oilers went 10-4 to finish third in the AFC Central.

Aftermath:

The lanky, long-striding Burrough followed up with 51 catches for 932 yards (18.3 avg.) and seven touchdowns in 1976. He returned to the Pro Bowl in ’77, pulling in 43 passes for an AFC-leading 816 yards (19.0 avg.) and 8 TDs and remained a productive receiver until knee and wrist injuries in 1980 that limited him to two games and four catches. He came back to catch 40 passes for 668 yards (16.7 avg.) and seven TDs in 1981, but missed all of ’82 due to injury and never returned. Overall, Burrough caught 421 passes for 7102 yards (16.9 avg.) and 49 touchdowns. Of that, 408 pass receptions for 6906 yards and 47 TDs came with the Oilers. He received second-team All-NFL honors 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 Percentage, 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: Wes Chandler, 1982

Wide Receiver, San Diego Chargers

Age: 26

5^th season in pro football, 2^nd with Chargers (1^st complete)

College: Florida

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 183

Prelude:

Playing wide receiver in a wishbone offense in college, Chandler caught 93 passes for 1994 yards (21.4 avg.) and 22 touchdowns, adding 353 rushing yards and six TDs in his senior season of 1977. He received some All-American recognition after both the 1976 and ’77 seasons and was chosen by the New Orleans Saints in the first round (third overall) of the 1978 NFL draft. Chandler caught 35 passes for 472 yards (13.5 avg.) as a rookie and broke out in 1979 with 65 receptions for 1069 yards (16.4 avg.) and six TDs, gaining selection to the Pro Bowl as well as second-team All-NFL honors from NEA. He followed up with another solid year in ’80, catching 65 passes for 975 yards (15.0 avg.) and six touchdowns. The Chargers obtained him during the 1981 season after having dealt disgruntled WR John Jefferson to Green Bay, and Chandler proved to fit perfectly in the high-powered “Air Coryell” (for Head Coach Don Coryell) passing offense. Of his 69 catches for 1142 yards and six TDs, 52 for 857 yards (16.5 avg.) and five scores came with San Diego.

1982 Season Summary

Appeared in 8 of 9 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 49 [4, tied with Cris Collinsworth & Ozzie Newsome]  

Most receptions, game – 10 (for 260 yds.) vs. Cincinnati 12/20

Yards – 1032 [1]

Most yards, game – 260 (on 10 catches) vs. Cincinnati 12/20

Average gain – 21.1 [2]

TDs – 9 [1]

200-yard receiving games – 1

100-yard receiving games – 6

Rushing

Attempts – 5

Yards – 32

Average gain – 6.4

TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 9 [4, tied with Wilbert Montgomery & Chuck Muncie]

Points – 54 [15, tied with Wilbert Montgomery, Chuck Muncie & Joe Danelo]

Postseason: 2 G

Pass receptions – 11

Most pass receptions, game – 9 at Pittsburgh, AFC First Round playoff

Pass receiving yards – 162

Most pass receiving yards, game – 124 at Pittsburgh, AFC First Round playoff

Average yards per reception – 14.7

Pass Receiving TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

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

1^st team All-AFC: UPI

Pro Bowl

Chargers went 6-3 in the strike-shortened season and were fifth seed in the AFC playoff tournament that replaced the usual postseason format while leading the NFL in total yards (4048), passing yards (2927), touchdowns (34), and scoring (288 points). Won First Round playoff over Pittsburgh Steelers (31-28). Lost Second Round playoff to Miami Dolphins (34-13).

Aftermath:

Although hampered by a sprained foot, Chandler caught 58 passes for 845 yards (14.6 avg.) and five touchdowns in 1983 and was again selected for the Pro Bowl. He slipped further in ’84 but bounced back with 67 catches for a career-high 1199 yards (17.9 avg.) and 10 TDs in 1985, earning another Pro Bowl trip. Following lesser seasons in 1986 and ’87, and with the team in decline, Chandler was traded to San Francisco in 1988 where he caught four passes in four games in his last year. Overall, Chandler caught 559 passes for 8966 yards (16.0 avg.) and 56 touchdowns, with 373 of those receptions for 6132 yards (16.4 avg.) and 41 TDs coming with the Chargers. He was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection once, received second-team honors after one other season, and was chosen to four 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

Highlighted Year: Bob Boyd, 1954

Offensive End, Los Angeles Rams

Age: 26

4^th season in pro football & with Rams

College: Loyola Marymount

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 200

Prelude:

Boyd was a versatile athlete in college (track & field and boxing as well as football) and was the NCAA champion in the 100-yard dash as a senior. Undrafted by the NFL, he signed with the Rams in 1950 and was a backup among a talented group of receivers during his first two seasons, catching a total of 18 passes for 348 yards (19.3 avg.) and five touchdowns. After missing the ’52 season due to military service, Boyd broke out in 1953 with 24 pass receptions for 548 yards and a league-leading 22.8 yards per catch.

1954 Season Summary

Appeared in all 12 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 53 [3] 

Most receptions, game – 8 (for 128 yds.) at Detroit 10/10, (for 131 yds.) vs. Chi. Bears 10/24

Yards – 1212 [1]

Most yards, game – 157 (on 5 catches) vs. San Francisco 10/3

Average gain – 22.9 [2]

TDs – 6 [11, tied with Dorne Dibble & Ray Mathews]

Scoring

TDs – 6 [20, tied with five others]

Points – 36

Awards & Honors:

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

2^nd team All-NFL: UPI

Pro Bowl

Rams went 6-5-1 to finish fourth in the NFL Western Conference while leading the league in total yards (5187).

Aftermath:

Boyd’s production dropped in 1955 as he missed five games with a knee injury, ending up with just 22 catches for 383 yards (17.4 avg.) and three touchdowns. He played two more seasons, grabbing 30 passes for 586 yards (19.5 avg.) and 7 TDs in ’56 and 29 for 534 yards (18.4 avg.) in 1957. Overall, Boyd caught 176 passes for 3611 yards (20.5 avg.) and 28 touchdowns over the course of seven seasons and 79 games, all with the Rams. Noteworthy for the speed he brought to LA’s passing attack, the 1954 season was the only one in which Boyd received All-NFL and Pro Bowl honors.

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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 Percentage, 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: Harold Carmichael, 1973

Wide Receiver, Philadelphia Eagles

Age: 24 (Sept. 22)

3^rd season in pro football & with Eagles

College: Southern

Height: 6’8”   Weight: 225

Prelude:

A quarterback in high school, Carmichael shifted to wide receiver in college. With concerns about his tall but lean frame being able to hold up in pro football, he was chosen by the Eagles in the seventh round of the 1971 NFL draft and spent the first two years of his career being tried at tight end as well as wide receiver and missing time due to injuries. He caught a total of 40 passes in 1971 and ’72 for 564 yards and two touchdowns. With WR Harold Jackson traded to the Rams for QB Roman Gabriel, and new Head Coach Mike McCormack committing to Carmichael at the open wide receiver slot, he broke out in ’73. In combination with 6’3” WR Don Zimmerman and 6’4” TE Charle Young, he became the tallest member of the “Fire High Gang”.

1973 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 67 [1] 

Most receptions, game – 12 (for 187 yds.) at St. Louis 10/14

Yards – 1116 [1]

Most yards, game – 187 (on 12 catches) at St. Louis 10/14

Average gain – 16.7 [14]

TDs – 9 [4, tied with Isaac Curtis]

100-yard receiving games – 5

Rushing

Attempts – 3

Yards – 42

Average gain – 14.0

TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 9 [10, tied with four others]

Points – 54

Awards & Honors:

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

2^nd team All-NFL: AP, NEA

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

Pro Bowl

Eagles went 5-8-1 to finish third in the NFC East while leading the NFL in passing yards (2998).

Aftermath:

Carmichael’s pass reception and yardage totals in 1973 remained his career highs, but he continued to be a key element in Philadelphia’s offense for another ten seasons. Lacking speed, Carmichael used his height and dependable hands to good advantage, and was difficult to bring down in the open field. He caught 56 passes for 649 yards and eight touchdowns in ’74, garnering second-team All-NFC recognition from UPI. After three seasons of less than 50 catches with a club that struggled on offense, Carmichael had 55 receptions for 1072 yards (averaging a career-best 19.5 yards) and 8 TDs in 1978, the first of two consecutive years in which he received first-team All-NFC honors and three straight in which he was chosen to the Pro Bowl. He had a career-high 11 scoring receptions in ’79, the same year in which he broke the record for consecutive games with pass receptions, a streak that eventually reached 127 and served as a testament to his durability as well as reliability. Carmichael departed the Eagles after the 1983 season holding club records with 589 catches, 8978 receiving yards, and 79 touchdowns. He appeared in two games with Dallas in 1984, his last season, and caught one pass for seven yards to top out his career total at 590, which ranked fifth in NFL history at the time. Carmichael received first-team All-NFL recognition once, first- or second-team All-NFC honors after five other seasons, and was chosen to four 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 Percentage, 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: Jim Benton, 1945

End, Cleveland Rams

Age: 29 (Sept. 25)

7^th season in pro football, 6^th with Rams

College: Arkansas

Height: 6’3”   Weight: 195

Prelude:

A star receiver at Arkansas, where he caught 48 passes for 814 yards as a senior in 1937, Benton was chosen by the Rams in the second round of the 1938 NFL draft. His 19.9-yard average on 21 catches as a rookie led the league and he topped the NFL with seven TDs among his 27 receptions in ’39, when he was a second-team All-NFL choice and selected to the Pro All-Star Game (predecessor to the Pro Bowl). Benton took a year off in 1941 to coach high school football in his native Arkansas, but he rejoined the team in ’42. Due to the Rams suspending play for a year in 1943, Benton played for the Chicago Bears and, while his numbers dropped off, he was a key receiver in clutch situations for the NFL title-winning club. He rejoined the Rams in ’44 and achieved new personal highs with 39 catches for 505 yards.

1945 Season Summary

Appeared in 9 of 10 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 45 [2] 

Most receptions, game – 10 (for 303 yds.) at Detroit 11/22

Yards – 1067 [1]

Most yards, game – 303 (on 10 catches) at Detroit 11/22

Average gain – 23.7 [3]

TDs – 8 [3]

300-yard receiving games – 1

100-yard receiving games – 5

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 3

Yards – 16

Average per return – 5.3

TDs – 0

Longest return – 10 yards

Scoring

TDs – 8 [5, tied with Ted Fritsch & Fred Gehrke]

Points – 48 [7, tied with Fred Gehrke]

Postseason: 1 G (NFL Championship vs. Washington)

Pass receptions – 9

Pass receiving yards – 125

Average yards per reception – 13.9

Pass receiving TDs – 1

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL: AP, Chicago Herald-American, Pro Football Illustrated, NY Daily News

2^nd team All-NFL: INS, UPI

Rams went 9-1 to finish first in the NFL Western Division while leading the league in rushing yards (1714). Won NFL Championship over Washington Redskins (15-14).

Aftermath:

With the franchise moving from Cleveland to Los Angeles, Benton followed up his outstanding 1945 season by leading the NFL in both pass receptions (63) as well as receiving yards (981) in ’46. He was again a consensus first-team All-NFL selection. Benton played one more season for the Rams in 1947, catching 35 passes for 511 yards (14.6 avg.) and six TDs. Overall, over nine seasons he caught 288 passes for 4801 yards (16.7 avg.) and 45 touchdowns, with all but 13 receptions, 235 yards, and three TDs occurring while with the Rams. Benton was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection twice and received at least some second-team honors following two other seasons. He was chosen to the NFL All-1940s team selected by the Pro Football Hall of Fame as well as the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. Benton’s NFL single-game record of 303 pass receiving yards lasted until 1985.

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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