Rookie of the Year: Warrick Dunn, 1997

Running Back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Age: 22

College: Florida State

Height: 5’9”    Weight: 176

Prelude:

A three-time thousand-yard rusher in college who could also catch the ball out of the backfield, Dunn was chosen by the Bucs in the first round of the 1997 NFL draft (12^th overall). With great speed and elusiveness, but considered too small to be an every-down back, he proved to be the ideal complement to second-year RB Mike Alstott, a classic fullback.

1997 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 224 [20]

Most attempts, game - 24 (for 130 yds.) at Detroit 9/7, (for 120 yds.) at NY Giants 11/30

Yards – 978 [17]

Most yards, game – 130 yards (on 24 carries) at Detroit 9/7

Average gain – 4.4 [10]

TDs – 4

100-yard rushing games – 5

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 39       

Most receptions, game – 6 (for 106 yds.) vs. Miami 9/21

Yards – 462

Most yards, game - 106 (on 6 catches) vs. Miami 9/21

Average gain – 11.8

TDs – 3

100-yard receiving games – 1

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 6   

Yards – 129

Average per return – 21.5

TDs – 0

Longest return – 30 yards

Punt Returns

Returns – 5   

Yards – 48

Average per return – 9.6

TDs – 0

Longest return – 25 yards

Scoring

TDs – 7

Points – 42

Postseason: 2 G

Rushing attempts – 36

Most rushing attempts, game - 18 vs. Detroit, NFC Wild Card playoff, at Green Bay, NFC Divisional playoff

Rushing yards – 136

Most rushing yards, game - 72 vs. Detroit, NFC Wild Card playoff

Average gain rushing – 3.8

Rushing TDs – 0

Pass receptions – 5

Most pass receptions, game - 3 vs. Detroit, NFC Wild Card playoff

Pass receiving yards - 34

Most pass receiving yards, game - 34 vs. at Green Bay, NFC Divisional playoff

Average yards per reception – 6.8

Pass Receiving TDs - 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Rookie of the Year: Sporting News

NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA

Pro Bowl

Buccaneers went 10-6 to finish second in the NFC Central and qualify for the postseason as a wild card. Won NFC Wild Card playoff over Detroit Lions (20-10). Lost NFC Divisional playoff to Green Bay Packers (21-7).

Aftermath:

Dunn followed up his outstanding rookie season with his first of an eventual five thousand-yard rushing totals in 1998 (1026). The ground total dropped to 616 yards in 1999, but he led the team with 64 pass receptions, for 589 yards. He was selected to a second Pro Bowl in 2000, rushing for 1133 yards and gaining 1555 yards from scrimmage, and caught 68 passes in ’01 (although he averaged only 2.8 yards per carry rushing), after which he moved on to the Atlanta Falcons as a free agent. After gaining 1304 yards from scrimmage in 2002, he was limited to 11 games by injury in ’03 but bounced back to have three straight thousand-yard rushing seasons, including a career-high 1416 at age 30 in 2005. He also achieved a career-best 1636 yards from scrimmage and was chosen to a third Pro Bowl. Dunn played for Atlanta thru 2007 and finished up with one last year back in Tampa Bay in ’08, running for 786 yards and catching 47 passes. Overall, he rushed for a career total of 10,967 yards on 2669 carries (4.1 avg.) and caught 510 passes for 4339 yards, giving him 15,306 yards from scrimmage - which ranked 14^th in NFL history up to that point - and 64 touchdowns.

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Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie of the Year in the NFL, AFL (1960-69), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press – Offense or Defense, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, or the league itself – Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year). 

[Updated 2/8/14]

MVP Profile: Michael Vick, 2010

Quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles

Age:  30

8^th season in pro football, 2^nd with Eagles

College: Virginia Tech

Height: 6’0”    Weight: 215

Prelude:

Vick came out of college early and the Atlanta Falcons traded for the first overall draft choice in 2001 to get him. Brought along slowly as a rookie, he displayed an outstanding throwing arm and quick release, as well as tremendous running ability, but also plenty of rough edges. Taking over the starting job in 2002, Vick passed for 2936 yards and 16 TDs, rushed for 777 yards with a league-leading 6.9 yards per attempt, and was selected to the Pro Bowl while the Falcons, coming off of three straight losing seasons, went 9-6-1 and qualified for the playoffs as a Wild Card. A broken leg limited him to five games in ’03, but Vick rebounded with two straight Pro Bowl seasons and the Falcons advanced to the NFC Championship game in 2004. While he became the first quarterback to rush for a thousand yards in 2006 (1039), his attitude and willingness to learn the fine points of his position came into question, and it all came crashing down when his involvement in a dog-fighting ring led to his suspension and eventual imprisonment – he was cut loose by the Falcons and missed two full seasons as a result. Signed by the Eagles to back up veteran QB Donovan McNabb in his return to pro football in 2009, Vick looked rusty and was typically used on Wildcat plays. With McNabb traded after the season, it was anticipated that Vick would back up Kevin Kolb in 2010, but when Kolb was knocked out of the opening game, Vick played well and was named the starter by Head Coach Andy Reid.

2010 Season Summary

Appeared in 12 of 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 372

Most attempts, game – 44 at Chicago 11/28

Completions – 233

Most completions, game – 29 at Chicago 11/28

Yards – 3018 [20]

Most yards, game – 333 at Washington 11/15, at Chicago 11/28

Completion percentage – 62.6 [11]

Yards per attempt – 8.1 [4]

TD passes – 21 [16]

Most TD passes, game – 4 at Washington 11/15

Interceptions – 6

Most interceptions, game – 2 at Dallas 12/12

Passer rating – 100.2 [4]

300-yard passing games – 3

200-yard passing games – 10

Rushing

Attempts – 100

Most attempts, game - 11 (for 103 yds.) vs. Green Bay 9/12, (for 34 yds.) vs. NY Giants 11/21

Yards – 676

Most yards, game – 130 yards (on 10 carries) at NY Giants 12/19

Yards per attempt – 6.8 [1]

TDs – 9 [9, tied with Brandon Jacobs]

100-yard rushing games – 2

Scoring

TDs – 9

2-pt PAT – 1

Points – 56

Postseason: 1 G (NFC Wild Card playoff vs. Green Bay)

Pass attempts – 36

Pass completions – 20

Passing yardage – 292

TD passes – 1

Interceptions – 1

Rushing attempts – 8

Rushing yards – 32

Average gain rushing – 4.0

Rushing TDs – 1

Awards & Honors:

NFL Player of the Year: Bert Bell Award
NFL Comeback Player of the Year: AP

Pro Bowl

Eagles went 10-6 to finish first in the NFC East while leading the conference in scoring (439 points) and touchdowns (49). Lost NFC Wild Card playoff to Green Bay Packers (21-16).

Aftermath:

The Eagles underachieved in 2011 and Vick suffered through an injury-plagued season, although he ended up passing for 3303 yards and 18 touchdowns and rushed for 589 yards, becoming the all-time rushing leader among NFL quarterbacks (5219 yards to date).

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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). 

[Updated 2/8/14]

1960: Cowboys Obtain Eddie LeBaron from Redskins

On June 23, 1960 the expansion Dallas Cowboys obtained veteran QB Eddie LeBaron from the Washington Redskins for 1961 first and sixth round draft choices.

LeBaron had announced his retirement following the 1959 season in order to pursue his legal career, but indicated that he would be willing to play again provided that he was traded to Dallas, where he was setting up practice. He had gone to law school at George Washington University and received his degree in 1958.

Also involved in the deal were C Frank Kuchta, formerly of Notre Dame, who was sent by the Redskins to Dallas for ex-Maryland star tackle Ray Krouse, a nine-year veteran who had played the last two years for the Colts. Neither played beyond 1960, and Kuchta was with the new American Football League’s Denver Broncos rather than the Cowboys.

LeBaron had been surprisingly successful in the NFL, despite being only 5’7” and weighing 168 pounds. After starring at the College of the Pacific, which he had entered at age 16, he was taken by the Redskins in the 10^th round of the 1950 draft. With a strong arm and outstanding ball-handling ability, he had proven himself in the college ranks and helped engineer an upset of the NFL Champion Eagles in the College All-Star Game. But pro football would have to wait due to a military commitment in the US Marines. He came back a decorated veteran of the Korean War and joined the Redskins in 1952 – the legendary Sammy Baugh’s final year.

The diminutive quarterback took over for the all-time great as a rookie, also handling the team’s punting. LeBaron displayed great daring for a mediocre team that went 4-8. He completed 96 of 194 passes (49.5 %) for 1420 yards with 14 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Following the ’53 season, and unhappy under Head Coach Curly Lambeau, he jumped to Calgary of the CFL where he played for his college coach, Larry Siemering. Returning to the Redskins in 1955 (Lambeau had been replaced by Joe Kuharich), he was selected to the Pro Bowl following a year in which the club went 8-4 and finished second in the Eastern Conference.

While Washington’s best record since 1945 proved to be an aberration, LeBaron continued to play well for a losing team. Known as “The Little General”, he was selected to the Pro Bowl following the 1957 and ’58 seasons, averaging 9.0 and 9.4 yards per attempt, respectively, and leading the NFL in passing in the latter season (under the passer rating system then in use). In seven years with the Redskins, LeBaron threw for 8068 yards with 59 touchdowns and 88 interceptions. He also drew praise for his motivational ability and leadership – traits certainly attractive to an expansion team.

The 1960 Cowboys, under defensive-minded Head Coach Tom Landry, were the usual first-year assortment of up-and-coming young players and veterans either past their prime or of little interest to other teams. A promising rookie quarterback had been obtained in the person of Don Meredith, a local product out of Southern Methodist, but he was strictly a work in progress and spent the first year seeing scant action and learning from LeBaron.

The fledgling Cowboys had a veteran corps of receivers that included Pro Bowl TE Jim Doran, flanker Billy Howton, and split end Fred Dugan. However, the running game was mediocre, in addition to the offensive line. LeBaron passed for a respectable 1736 yards with 12 touchdowns, although he also gave up 25 interceptions. Dallas finished up at 0-11-1.

The Cowboys were an improved team in 1961, going 4-9-1. The addition of rookie HB Don Perkins out of New Mexico, who rushed for 815 yards and earned selection to the Pro Bowl, helped the offense. While Meredith saw increased action at quarterback, LeBaron was still the primary starter and threw for 1741 yards with more TDs (14) than in ’60 and far fewer interceptions (16). The 31-year-old Howton, who was closing in on Don Hutson’s career pass receiving record, had 56 catches for 785 yards and four touchdowns, although flanker Frank Clarke created a greater stir with his 22.4-yard average gain and 9 TDs on 41 receptions for 919 yards.

In 1962, Meredith threw more passes for the Cowboys (212 to 166) and in some instances alternated with LeBaron. But in his next-to-last season, the savvy veteran performed well, with a 57.2 completion percentage and 8.7 yards per attempt while compiling 1436 yards with 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He was selected to the Pro Bowl for the fourth time. He spent the ’63 season as Meredith’s backup before finally leaving the NFL for a full-time legal career. LeBaron would eventually return to pro football as general manager of the Atlanta Falcons for ten years (1977-87). Adding in his four-year stint with Dallas, his passing totals were 898 of 1796 throws (50.0 percent) for 13,399 yards with 104 TDs against 141 interceptions.

Despite his small stature and not playing for contending teams, LeBaron was a well-regarded quarterback who showed great skill as a leader and play-caller. Although he typically couldn’t see over the linemen in front of him once the play started (and his receivers couldn’t see him either), he was adept at rolling out and was an effective passer. He also was generally regarded as the best ball-handler of his era. In Dallas, he made it possible for Don Meredith to be brought along slowly.

As a postscript, the Redskins used the 1961 draft choices they obtained for LeBaron to choose QB Norm Snead out of Wake Forest in the first round and Illinois DB Joe Krakoski in the sixth. While Snead initially showed great promise and played a total of 16 seasons in the NFL, he failed to achieve his potential in three years with Washington and was dealt to Philadelphia in a celebrated trade for Sonny Jurgensen. Krakoski was with the Redskins for one year and intercepted four passes, but was waived prior to the ’62 season and went on to play for Oakland in the AFL.

Rookie of the Year: Tony Dorsett, 1977

Running Back, Dallas Cowboys

Age: 23

College: Pittsburgh

Height: 5’11”  Weight: 192

Prelude:

Dorsett had a brilliant college career, receiving All-American recognition in all four years and culminating in Pitt winning a national championship and the star running back winning the 1976 Heisman Trophy. The Cowboys traded for Seattle’s second overall pick in the first round of the ’77 NFL draft to get Dorsett. He spent most of his rookie season backing up HB Preston Pearson until being inserted into the starting lineup for the last four games.

1977 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 208 [12]

Most attempts, game - 23 (for 206 yds.) vs. Philadelphia 12/4

Yards – 1007 [9]

Most yards, game – 206 yards (on 23 carries) vs. Philadelphia 12/4

Average gain – 4.8 [3]

TDs – 12 [2]

200-yard rushing games – 1

100-yard rushing games – 2

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 29       

Most receptions, game – 5 (for 48 yds.) vs. Detroit 10/30

Yards – 273

Most yards, game - 48 (on 5 catches) vs. Detroit 10/30

Average gain – 9.4

TDs – 1

Passing

Pass attempts – 1

Pass completions – 1

Passing yards – 34

TD passes – 0

Interceptions – 0

Scoring

TDs – 13 [2]

Points – 78 [9, tied with Nat Moore & John Smith]

Postseason: 3 G

Rushing attempts – 51

Most rushing attempts, game - 19 vs. Minnesota, NFC Championship

Rushing yards – 222

Most rushing yards, game - 85 vs. Chicago, NFC Divisional playoff

Average gain rushing – 4.4

Rushing TDs – 4

Pass receptions – 4

Most pass receptions, game - 2 vs. Chicago, NFC Divisional playoff, vs. Denver, Super Bowl

Pass receiving yards - 48

Most pass receiving yards, game - 37 vs. Chicago, NFC Divisional playoff

Average yards per reception – 12.0

Pass Receiving TDs - 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Rookie of the Year: UPI, NEA

NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA

NFC Rookie of the Year: Sporting News

Cowboys went 12-2 to finish first in the NFC East with the conference’s best record while leading the NFL in total yards (4812) and touchdowns (42, tied with Oakland). Won NFC Divisional playoff over Chicago Bears (37-7), NFC Championship over Minnesota Vikings (23-6), and Super Bowl over Denver Broncos (27-10).

Aftermath:

The 1000-yard rushing season as a rookie proved to be the first of eight in his initial nine years with the Cowboys (missing out only during the strike-shortened 1982 campaign). He had a career-high of 1646 rushing yards in 1981, when he was a consensus All-NFL selection, and he received at least some All-NFL or All-NFC recognition five times and was selected to the Pro Bowl on four occasions. His career highs for pass receiving were 51 catches for 459 yards in 1984.  Dorsett was with the Cowboys for 11 seasons, eventually splitting time with Herschel Walker, and finished his career in 1988 with the Denver Broncos. At the time of his retirement, Dorsett’s 12,739 rushing yards ranked second all-time. He also caught 398 passes for another 3554 yards and scored a total of 91 TDs. In 17 postseason games, he rushed for 1383 yards. Dorsett was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1994.

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Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie of the Year in the NFL, AFL (1960-69), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press – Offense or Defense, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, or the league itself – Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year). 

[Updated 2/8/14]

MVP Profile: Jim Kelly, 1984

Quarterback, Houston Gamblers

Age: 24

1^st season in pro football

College: Miami (FL)

Height: 6’3”    Weight: 215

Prelude:

A star in college, Kelly missed most of his senior year due to a shoulder separation but was still taken in the first round of the 1983 NFL draft by the Buffalo Bills. He was also chosen by the Chicago Blitz of the new USFL, who traded his draft rights to the Houston Gamblers. Kelly signed with the new team in the second-year league and also benefited from the extra time to recuperate while awaiting the spring ’84 season. He immediately became the starting quarterback as a rookie, directing Houston’s run-and-shoot offense.

1984 Season Summary

Appeared in all 18 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 587 [1]

Most attempts, game – 50 vs. Los Angeles 4/30

Completions – 370 [1]

Most completions, game – 37 vs. Los Angeles 4/30

Yards – 5219 [1]

Most yards, game – 380 vs. Los Angeles 4/30

Completion percentage – 63.0 [2]

Yards per attempt – 8.9 [1]

TD passes – 44 [1]

Most TD passes, game – 5 at Pittsburgh 5/12

Interceptions – 26 [1]

Most interceptions, game – 4 at Oakland 4/16, vs. San Antonio 6/18

Passer rating – 98.2 [3]

300-yard passing games – 9

200-yard passing games – 17

Rushing

Attempts – 85

Most attempts, game - 9 (for 65 yds.) vs. San Antonio 6/18

Yards – 493

Most yards, game – 65 yards (on 6 carries) vs. New Jersey 3/18, (on 9 carries) vs. San Antonio 6/18

Yards per attempt – 5.8 [3]

TDs – 5

Scoring

TDs – 5

2-pt conversions – 1

Points - 32

Postseason: 1 G (First Round playoff vs. Arizona)

Pass attempts – 34

Pass completions – 23

Passing yardage – 301

TD passes – 0

Interceptions – 2

Rushing attempts – 8

Rushing yards – 59

Average gain rushing – 7.4

Rushing TDs – 1

Awards & Honors:

USFL MVP: League

USFL Rookie of the Year: Sporting News

1^st team All-USFL: League

Gamblers went 13-5 to finish first in the Central Division while leading the USFL in passing yards (5311), scoring (618 points), and TDs (79). Lost USFL First Round playoff to Arizona Wranglers (17-16).

Aftermath:

While Kelly missed several games due to injury in 1985, he still led the USFL in pass attempts (567), completions (360), yards (4623), TD passes (39), completion percentage (63.5), and overall passing (97.9) and the team again reached the postseason. With the end of the league, Kelly joined the Bills for the 1986 season and threw for 3593 yards and 22 TDs. He went to the Pro Bowl for the first of five times in ’87 and Buffalo made it to the postseason in 1988. In 1990 he led the NFL in passing (101.2) and the team won the AFC title, barely losing the Super Bowl. It was the first of four straight conference championships, marred by the failure to win any of the resulting Super Bowls. Kelly proved to be a tough competitor and savvy field general. He retired following the 1996 season having passed for 35,467 yards and 237 touchdowns with an 84.4 rating in the NFL along with 9842 yards and 83 TDs in the USFL. The Bills retired Kelly’s #12 and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2002.

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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). 

[Updated 2/8/14]

1984: Big Plays Propel the Express Past the Invaders

The Los Angeles Express were atop the United States Football League’s Pacific Division with a 9-7 record coming into their June 15, 1984 contest against the Oakland Invaders. Head Coach John Hadl’s team had started off slowly but benefited from the arrival of heralded rookie QB Steve Young (pictured above). The mobile lefthander out of Brigham Young brought a jolt to an offense that averaged just 10.7 points per game in the first five outings. He was further helped by the offensive line play of G Gary Zimmerman and C Mike Ruether. While not well supported by the LA fans and with unstable ownership, the Express was playing well and had won four straight games coming into Week 17.

Oakland, however, had a seven-game winning streak on the line, which was all the more remarkable because the Invaders had started off the season with nine straight losses. Head Coach John Ralston was let go after three weeks and Chuck Hutchison lasted five before owner Tad Taube hired Charlie Sumner to take over. The offense scored just 82 points during those first nine losing games, but the emergence of RB Eric Jordan, combined with a defense that didn’t give up a lot of points, turned things around. Injury-plagued QB Fred Besana benefited from the improved running attack. The Invaders were 7-9 but just two games behind Los Angeles with two to play.

Attendance was typically sparse at 14,794 for the Friday night showdown at the Memorial Coliseum. Oakland started off impressively, going 71 yards in 16 plays in its opening possession. Besana completed five of six passes and the result was a 26-yard field goal by Kevin Shea, who was coming off a poor performance the previous week against Michigan in which he missed all three of his field goal attempts.

It was still 3-0 at the end of the opening period, but on the first play of the second quarter, Young tossed a short pass to RB Mel Gray, who ran 76 yards untouched down the left sideline for a touchdown that gave LA the lead.

The Invaders responded by going from their 23 to the LA 14 in six plays. However, a holding penalty followed by a sack of Besana by DT Lee Williams that cost an additional 12 yards forced them to settle for a field goal, with Shea connecting from 47 yards to make it a one-point game.

While Oakland was leading in time of possession, the Express again struck quickly on their next series. On the fourth play, Young kept the ball and dashed 47 yards up the middle for a TD that resulted in a 14-6 score. That remained the tally at the half.

Oakland scored in the third quarter thanks to a 15-yard, 70-play drive that ended with Jordan running in for a TD on a one-yard sweep. However, the Express retained the lead when the Invaders went for a two-point conversion and Besana’s pass was broken up by DB Darrell Pattillo.

LA failed in an opportunity to increase its margin on an ensuing series when RB Kevin Mack was stopped for no gain on a fourth-and-one play. But the Express got the ball back and came through with yet another big play, this time when Young passed to WR Malcolm Moore for a 44-yard gain to the Oakland 32. A few plays later, Young was stopped three yards short of a first down at the Oakland 14 but LB Gary Plummer was penalized for unnecessary roughness. With the ball moved to the 7, Gray ran in for a touchdown on the next play and the score was 21-12 with 9:37 remaining in the game.

The Invaders were far from done and came back with a five-play, 74-yard drive that resulted in a 30-yard TD pass from Besana to TE Brian Williams. They were again just two points down, but the Express put together a drive that was extended twice by fourth down conversions on runs by Mack. With less than two minutes to play, Tony Zendejas kicked a 37-yard field goal for the Express that extended the lead to what would prove to be a vital five points.

Now down to 1:35 in the contest, Oakland regained possession and nearly pulled the game out. The Invaders, starting from their own ten yard line, reached the LA nine with the clock down to seven seconds, but two passes by Besana were batted down to preserve the 24-19 win for the Express.

Oakland outgained the Express (370 yards to 334), had more first downs (25 to 14), ran off 18 more plays, and dominated time of possession (33:18 to 26:42), but LA won with big plays in a game in which there were no turnovers.

Steve Young was highly efficient throwing the ball, completing 14 of 16 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown - he also ran the ball 8 times for 82 yards and the long TD. Mel Gray rushed for 44 yards on five carries and led the receivers with 82 yards on four catches, scoring a total of two TDs. Malcolm Moore also caught four passes, for 70 yards.

For Oakland, Fred Besana was successful on 23 of 35 throws for 256 yards and a touchdown. Eric Jordan (pictured at left) gained 88 yards on 13 carries and scored once. Brian Williams had 8 pass receptions for 91 yards and a TD.

Los Angeles clinched a playoff spot with the win and, with Young sitting out the finale, lost to Arizona but finished atop the Pacific Division with a 10-8 record. In their first playoff game, the Express defeated Michigan in an epic contest that lasted into the third overtime period, but they fell to the Wranglers in the Western Conference Championship game. For Oakland, the loss ended the improbable winning streak and, losing again in the last game, the Invaders ended up at 7-11 and at the bottom of the division.

Appearing in 12 games, Steve Young completed a healthy 57.7 percent of his passes for 2361 yards with 10 touchdowns against 9 interceptions. He also ran the ball 79 times for 515 yards (6.5 avg.) and seven TDs.

Eric Jordan, who was such a key performer during Oakland’s winning streak, ended up rushing for 744 yards on 135 carries (5.5 avg.) and scored six touchdowns. He also caught 19 passes for 140 yards. 

Rookie of the Year: Domanick Davis, 2003

Running Back, Houston Texans

(Later known as Domanick Williams)

Age: 23 (Oct. 1)

College: LSU

Height: 5’9”    Weight: 216

Prelude:

Chosen by the Texans in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL draft, it was not anticipated that he would be an every-down back as a pro. He started off his rookie year backing up veteran RB Stacey Mack but moved into the lineup and demonstrated surprising power to go along with his speed and receiving ability.

2003 Season Summary

Appeared and started in 14 of 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 238 [19]

Most attempts, game - 27 (for 129 yds.) vs. NY Jets 10/19

Yards – 1031 [15, tied with Eddie George]

Most yards, game – 129 yards (on 27 carries) vs. NY Jets 10/19

Average gain – 4.3 [20]

TDs – 8 [13, tied with Deuce McAllister, Stephen Davis & Correll Buckhalter]

100-yard rushing games - 4

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 47       

Most receptions, game – 9 (for 70 yds.) vs. NY Jets 10/19

Yards – 351

Most yards, game - 70 (on 7 catches) at Tennessee 10/12, (on 9 catches) vs. NY Jets 10/19

Average gain – 7.5

TDs – 0

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 3

Yards – 61

Avg. – 20.3

TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 8

Points – 48

Awards & Honors:

NFL Rookie of the Year: League/Pepsi

Texans went 5-11 to finish fourth in the AFC South.

Aftermath:

Concerns about his durability in a full-time role ultimately proved justified, although Davis improved on his numbers in 2004, rushing for 1188 yards and 13 TDs and catching 68 passes for 588 yards and another score for a total of 1776 yards from scrimmage. However, a knee injury shut down his 2005 season with 976 yards on the ground and 337 through the air on 33 pass receptions in 11 games. He wouldn’t be back – injuries cost him all of ’06 and he was released by the Texans in March 2007 (by which time he had changed his last name from Davis to Williams). In his short but productive career, Davis rushed for 3195 yards on 770 carries (4.1 avg.) and 23 TDs and caught 154 passes for 1276 yards (8.3 avg.) and five more touchdowns.

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Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie of the Year in the NFL, AFL (1960-69), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press – Offense or Defense, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, or the league itself – Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year). 

[Updated 2/8/14]