MVP Profile: Barry Sanders, 1997

Running Back, Detroit Lions

Age: 29

9^th season in pro football & with Lions

College: Oklahoma State

Height: 5’8”   Weight: 203

Prelude:

Following a Heisman-winning season as a junior, Sanders chose to forego his last year of eligibility and turn pro. Taken by the Lions in the first round of the 1989 NFL draft (third overall), he had an immediate impact, rushing for 1470 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was not just Rookie of the Year but went to the Pro Bowl and was a consensus first team All-Pro. Sanders followed up with a league-leading 1304 yards in 1990, his first of four NFL rushing titles, and through 1996 had received MVP recognition once, consensus All-NFL honors five times, and was chosen to the Pro Bowl in all eight years. Sanders never failed to gain a thousand yards – his lowest total was 1115 in 1993, when he missed five games due to injury, his only extended loss of playing time. He made up for lack of size with outstanding elusiveness and running instincts.

1997 Season Summary

Appeared and started in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 335 [4]

Most attempts, game - 30 (for 137 yds.) at Miami 12/7

Yards – 2053 [1]

Most yards, game – 216 yards (on 24 carries) vs. Indianapolis 11/23

Average gain – 6.1 [2]

TDs – 11 [3, tied with Kordell Stewart & Marcus Allen, 1st in NFC]

200-yard rushing games – 2

100-yard rushing games – 14

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 33      

Most receptions, game – 8 (for 102 yds.) vs. Tampa Bay 9/7

Yards – 305

Most yards, game - 102 (on 8 catches) vs. Tampa Bay 9/7

Average gain – 9.2

TDs – 3

100-yard receiving games – 1

All-purpose yards – 2358 [1]

Scoring

TDs – 14 [3, 1st in NFC]

Points – 84

Postseason: 1 G (NFC Wild Card playoff at Tampa Bay)

Rushing attempts – 18

Rushing yards – 65

Average gain rushing – 3.6

Rushing TDs – 0

Pass receptions – 5

Pass receiving yards - 43

Average yards per reception – 8.6

Pass Receiving TDs - 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL MVP: AP, PFWA, NEA, Bert Bell Award, Sporting News

NFL Offensive Player of the Year: AP

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

1^st team All-NFC: Pro Football Weekly

Pro Bowl

Lions went 9-7 to finish third in the NFC Central and qualify for the postseason as a Wild Card while leading the conference in rushing yards (2464). Lost NFC Wild Card playoff to Tampa Bay Buccaneers (20-10).

Aftermath:

Sanders rushed for 1491 yards in 1998, his last season before abruptly retiring. He was selected for the Pro Bowl following all ten seasons, was a consensus first-team All-Pro six times, and with his exciting, often-improvisational running style was a highlight film regular. Sanders retired with 15,269 rushing yards and scored a total of 109 touchdowns. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2004.

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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 2/4/14]
[Updated 11/29/14]

Rookie of the Year: Mike Haynes, 1976

Cornerback, New England Patriots

Age: 23

College: Arizona State

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 189

Prelude:

Highly regarded following a college career in which he was a two-time All-American and three-time All-Western Athletic Conference selection, Haynes was chosen by the Patriots in the first round (fifth overall) of the 1976 NFL draft. He quickly made an impact, both as a defensive back and a punt returner.

1976 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 8 [3, tied with Joe Lavender & Rod Perry]

Most interceptions, game – 3 at NY Jets 11/21

Int. return yards – 90 [17]

Most int. return yards, game – 42 (on 2 int.) at Baltimore 11/14

Int. TDs – 0

Fumble recoveries – 3

Forced fumbles – 0

Punt Returns

Returns – 45 [3, tied with Butch Johnson]

Yards – 608 [2]

Most yards, game – 156 (on 4 ret.) vs. Buffalo 11/7

Average per return – 13.5 [2, tied with Eddie Brown]

TDs – 2 [2]

Longest return – 89 yards

Scoring

TDs – 2

Points – 12

Postseason: 1 G (AFC Divisional playoff at Oakland)

Interceptions – 0

Fumble recoveries – 0

Punt returns – 1

Punt return yds. – 13

Punt return TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA

AFC Rookie of the Year: UPI, NEA, Sporting News

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

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

Pro Bowl

Patriots went 11-3 to finish second in the AFC East and qualify for a Wild Card berth. Lost AFC Divisional playoff to Oakland Raiders (24-21).

Aftermath:

Haynes quickly developed into one of the NFL’s premier cornerbacks and was chosen to the Pro Bowl in each of his first five seasons. He intercepted 23 passes during that time and averaged 10.9 yards on 105 punt returns, most of which came during his first two years. Fast and with excellent reactions, as well as being a thorough student of his craft, he was outstanding at pass coverage. Following an injury-shortened 1981 season, he came back with one last Pro Bowl year for the Patriots before moving on to the Los Angeles Raiders. Haynes led the NFL with 220 yards on six interception returns in 1984, his first of two consecutive seasons in which he received consensus first-team All-Pro recognition. His career lasted 14 years, until 1989, and he ended up with a total of 46 interceptions and nine Pro Bowl selections. Haynes was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1997.

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Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie of the Year in the NFL (including NFC/AFC), 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 2/4/14]

1983: Corker Has 6 Sacks as Panthers Defeat Generals

The Michigan Panthers were struggling in the early going of the United States Football League’s first season as they took on the New Jersey Generals at the Meadowlands on April 10, 1983. Coached by Jim Stanley, they had lost four straight games following an opening-week win. The Panthers had unheralded rookie QB Bobby Hebert behind center and were waiting for their better known first-year player, WR Anthony Carter, to break out. LB John Corker had become the star of the defense and, while he missed the previous week’s game, had accounted for nine sacks in the two contests before and was back for the game against New Jersey.

The Generals, under Head Coach Chuck Fairbanks, were also 1-4 and had just broken into the win column in the previous contest. Star rookie RB Herschel Walker was the center of attention and had exploded for 177 yards in the winning effort. But QB Bobby Scott, a veteran backup from the New Orleans Saints, was mediocre and the rest of the team was lacking as well.

There were just 17,648 fans in attendance at Giants Stadium with a steady rain falling. Defense dominated as neither team was able to score during the first half. It stayed that way until, with 5:19 remaining in the third quarter, a punt by Dave Jacobs of the Generals was blocked by CB Clarence Chapman following a high snap. NT Ira Albright fell on the blocked kick in the end zone to finally break the scoreless battle and put the visitors in front.

The Generals came right back and scored less than two minutes later on a one-yard run by FB Dwight Sullivan. However the holder, WR Mike Friede, bobbled the snap for the extra point and it was missed. Michigan, having successfully added its PAT, thus maintained a one-point lead. With a minute remaining in the period, the Panthers extended their margin. Bobby Hebert passed to WR Derek Holloway for a 25-yard touchdown and, with another successful extra point the score was 14-6.

That was it until, with just under a minute to play in the fourth quarter, RB Ken Lacy ran for a nine-yard TD. Michigan ended up with a 21-6 win.

The Generals outgained Michigan (347 yards to 232) and had more first downs (20 to 12). However, the Panthers recorded nine sacks, six of them by Corker, while New Jersey had none.

Bobby Hebert completed 12 of 26 passes for 122 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Ken Lacy rushed for 77 yards on 14 carries that included a TD and also had 4 catches for 39 yards. Derek Holloway gained 40 yards and had a touchdown among his three receptions, while Anthony Carter was held to just two catches for 22 yards.

For the Generals, Herschel Walker, who ran the ball sparingly in the second half as the offense tried to rally through the air, still had a very productive day with 133 yards on 26 carries and another 51 yards on 6 pass receptions. Bobby Scott was successful on 16 of 31 throws for 220 yards and gave up an interception. FB Maurice Carthon, who added another 23 yards on six runs, also pulled in four throws for 52 yards and WR Tom McConnaughey gained 80 yards on his three catches.

The win marked a turnaround for the Panthers, who won five straight games on their way to topping the Central Division with a 12-6 record and ultimately defeating the Philadelphia Stars for the league’s first championship. The offense, helped by the addition of some veteran linemen, came together as Bobby Hebert led the league in passing, Anthony Carter caught 60 passes for 1181 yards and nine touchdowns, and Ken Lacy rushed for 1180 yards.

John Corker’s six sacks gave him 15 in three games on the way to a league-leading total of 28. He received All-League honors from both the league and Sporting News and gaining Defensive Player of the Year recognition.

Meanwhile, New Jersey’s frustrations continued and the Generals finished third in the Atlantic Division at 6-12. Herschel Walker led the new league in rushing with 1812 yards, but the passing attack ranked 9^th among the 12 USFL clubs and only one team, the Arizona Wranglers, gave up more than New Jersey’s 437 points.

MVP Profile: Pat Swilling, 1991

Linebacker, New Orleans Saints

Age:  27 (Oct. 25)

6^th season in pro football & with Saints

College: Georgia Tech

Height: 6’3”   Weight: 242

Prelude:

A defensive end in college, Swilling was taken by the Saints in the third round of the 1986 NFL draft. He emerged in his second season as a pass rushing outside linebacker, recording a team-high 10.5 sacks and, in the 3-4 scheme that the Saints employed, was part of an outstanding linebacking corps that included Sam Mills and Vaughan Johnson on the inside and Rickey Jackson on the other side. Swilling was chosen to the Pro Bowl for the first time following a 1989 season in which he garnered 16.5 sacks and was selected again in 1990.

1991 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 17 [1]

Most sacks, game – 3 at LA Rams 11/3

Multi-sack games (2 or more) – 4

Interceptions – 1

Int. yards – 39

Int. TDs – 1

Fumble recoveries – 1

Forced fumbles – 6

Tackles – 60

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

Sacks – 0

Interceptions – 0

TD – 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Player of the Year: AP

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

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

Pro Bowl

Saints went 11-5 to finish first in the NFC West while leading the NFL in fewest points allowed (211) and ranking second in fewest total yards allowed (3933) and passing yards allowed (2720). Lost NFC Wild Card playoff to Atlanta Falcons (27-20).

Aftermath:

Swilling received a big pay raise in the offseason to keep him from going elsewhere and was again a consensus first-team All-NFL and Pro Bowl selection, although his sack total dropped to 10.5. He was traded to the Detroit Lions in 1993 and, while hampered by an ankle injury, made it to the Pro Bowl for the fifth (and last) time. After a lesser year in ’94 he moved on to the Raiders and, converted back to a defensive end, experienced a resurgence with 13 sacks. He played two more seasons, through 1998, for a total of 12. An outstanding pass rusher, Swilling was weaker against the run and in pass coverage throughout his career. He ended up with a total of 107.5 sacks, making it into double figures six times, and added six interceptions.

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

[Updated 2/4/14]

Rookie of the Year: Joe Greene, 1969

Defensive Tackle, Pittsburgh Steelers

Age: 23 (Sept. 24)

College: North Texas State

Height: 6’4”   Weight: 270

Prelude:

An All-American and considered the best college defensive line prospect available, even if comparatively unknown to most fans, “Mean Joe” was taken by the Steelers in the first round of the 1969 NFL draft (fourth overall). With his speed as well as strength, he quickly established himself as an outstanding pass rusher from the interior of the line.

1969 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – N/A

Interceptions – 0

Fumble recoveries – 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA

1^st team All-NFL: AP

2^nd team All-NFL: Sporting News

Pro Bowl

Steelers went 1-13 to finish fourth in the NFL Century Division.

Aftermath:

Greene’s outstanding rookie season was the first of eight straight, and ten overall, in which he was selected to the Pro Bowl and also the first of an eventual five in which he was a consensus first-team All-NFL choice while receiving at least some All-NFL or All-AFC recognition in four others. He was also chosen as NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press on two occasions, following the 1972 and ’74 seasons. Greene became the cornerstone of an outstanding defense that was one of the highest-ranked in the NFL over the course of most of the next decade and the Steelers won four NFL titles. Fast, strong, and agile, he had the ability to dominate games and provided outstanding emotional leadership. He played a total of 13 years, all with Pittsburgh, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1987.

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Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie of the Year in the NFL (including NFC/AFC), 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 2/4/14]

1970: Don McCafferty Becomes Head Coach of Colts

On April 6, 1970 owner Carroll Rosenbloom of the Baltimore Colts announced that Don McCafferty would succeed Don Shula, who had departed to become head coach and general manager of the Miami Dolphins, as the team’s head coach. The 49-year-old McCafferty was an offensive backfield coach who was elevated to succeed Shula after the team rejected 28 applications in all – a process that had taken six weeks. Reportedly, George Allen of the Rams had inquired and the Colts had reached out to successful college coaches Ara Parseghian of Notre Dame and Penn State’s Joe Paterno. McCafferty received a one-year contract, adding further to the sense that he was on shaky ground in succeeding Shula.

McCafferty played one season of pro football with the Giants in 1946 before going into coaching, starting at Kent State for ten years. He joined the Colts in 1959 under Weeb Ewbank as an offensive ends coach and scout. Tall and low-key, McCafferty was also considered to have a good mind for offense.

The team that McCafferty was inheriting was fundamentally sound, and was just two years removed from a NFL Championship – although it was marred by the upset loss to the AFL Champion New York Jets in the Super Bowl. Nevertheless, Shula revived a squad that had begun to slide after winning back-to-back titles under Ewbank in 1958 and ’59, and the record from 1963 to ’69 was 71-23-4 for a healthy .755 winning percentage and included two Western Conference titles and a tie for one other.

Still, there were causes of concern going into the 1970 season, the first with the AFL merged into the NFL and the Colts now part of a different conference and division. The team’s record had dropped from 13-1 in 1968 to 8-5-1 in ’69. QB Johnny Unitas was an all-time great but was also 37 years old and increasingly brittle. His backup, Earl Morrall, wasn’t much younger. WR Jimmy Orr was 35 and TE John Mackey was coming off knee surgery. While HB Tom Matte was capable, injuries had depleted the running backs in 1969, in particular FB Jerry Hill, and FB Norm Bulaich was taken in the first round of the draft.  The defense had also slipped, and there were concerns about the pass rush and the revamped linebacker corps that included Mike Curtis, moved from outside to middle linebacker, and Ted Hendricks, a converted defensive end.

Despite the doubts, the Colts topped the AFC East with an 11-2-1 record. Unitas stayed healthy and the wide receiving corps picked up veteran Roy Jefferson from the Steelers, whose presence helped young Eddie Hinton to find his stride – Hinton led the team with 47 catches for 733 yards (15.6 avg.) and five touchdowns and Jefferson contributed 44 receptions for 749 yards (17.0 avg.) and seven TDs. Mackey split the tight end duties with Tom Mitchell, also with good results – they combined for 48 catches. The running game was the offense’s weakness, not helped when Matte was lost for the year in the opening week, but Bulaich came along as the season progressed and led the club with 426 yards.

DE Bubba Smith finally achieved his potential and provided a strong pass rush. The linebacking corps came together impressively as Curtis excelled in the middle, Hendricks was outstanding, and Ray May played well at the other outside position. Safeties Rick Volk and Jerry Logan also were star performers in the defensive backfield. The special teams did their part as kickoff returner Jim Duncan led the league (35.4 avg.) and punt returner Ron Gardin was second in the conference (11.8). Punter David Lee had a typically solid year and rookie placekicker Jim O’Brien replaced the fading Lou Michaels and ended up making the winning field goal in the Super Bowl.

While there was muted praise for the Colts – they had not been a particularly dominating team throughout the season and won a Super Bowl notorious for sloppy play – still they had achieved a championship.

The defense of the NFL title appeared tenuous well before the 1971 season began when Unitas suffered a torn Achilles tendon during the offseason that was considered to be career-threatening. He did return, however, and eventually took over the starting job from Morrall as the Colts went 10-4 and finished second in the division, qualifying for the playoffs as a Wild Card entry and making it to the AFC Championship game, where they were dethroned by Shula’s up-and-coming Dolphins. The running game benefited from the return of Matte and continued improvement of Bulaich as well as the addition of rookies Don Nottingham and Don McCauley. But, paradoxically, the receiving corps declined badly. Thanks to a salary dispute, Jefferson was traded to Washington and Hinton’s performance dropped off significantly. Tom Mitchell ended up leading the team with 33 catches. The defense was still solid, however, and led the AFC in interceptions (28).

Big changes were about to come to the organization, starting with the owner Rosenbloom in effect trading franchises with Robert Irsay, who had just purchased the Rams. Irsay hired a new general manager, Joe Thomas, who began systematically dumping veterans from the roster. The team got off to a 1-4 start and McCafferty, who was unwilling to bench Unitas, was fired and replaced by assistant coach John Sandusky, who followed orders and installed the nondescript Marty Domres as the starting quarterback. Just two years removed from a championship season, McCafferty was gone and the Colts fell to 5-9.

The quiet McCafferty, who was referred to as “Easy Rider” by his players, ended up with a 22-10-1 regular season record with the Colts and was 4-1 in the playoffs. Easily overlooked with his unaffecting demeanor, he nevertheless had the respect of his players.

“He didn’t blow his own horn,” said Unitas years later. “He’d have all kinds of offensive stuff that he was very good with, but he never made any big deal out of it. He never went out and said he was an offensive genius or anything like that. He was just a quiet guy.”

McCafferty returned to NFL coaching with the Detroit Lions in 1973. They went 6-7-1 in that season but sadly, the following July, he died of a heart attack at the age of 53. 

1962: Bears Trade Ed Brown to Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers had gone through a disappointing 6-8 season in 1961. One of the problems had been the health of QB Bobby Layne, an all-time great and an outstanding leader but increasingly brittle. Head Coach Buddy Parker had expressed the desire to pick up another top quarterback and, on April 4, 1962, he did so.

Ed Brown was obtained from the Bears for a 1963 first-round pick and an unspecified player to be named. In a separate deal with Chicago, punter Bobby Joe Green was dealt to the Bears. The draft choice was used to take Dave Behrman, a center from Michigan State, who signed with Buffalo of the AFL.

Brown, at 33, had played seven seasons in the NFL and was 6’2” and 210 pounds. A proven quarterback, he was also a punter. Taken by the Bears in the sixth round of the 1952 NFL draft out of the University of San Francisco, where he had been part of the legendary undefeated team of 1951, he spent two years in the military before joining the club in 1954 and took over the starting job in ’55. He went to the Pro Bowl that year and again in 1956, when he also led the league in passing and the Bears topped the Western Conference. While his passing efficiency failed to remain at a high level (his completion percentage was under fifty percent in four of the next five seasons after his league-leading 57.1 in ’56), he had a strong arm and was considered among the best long passers in the NFL. Often splitting time with other quarterbacks (first George Blanda and then Zeke Bratkowski), Brown had lost his starting job to Bill Wade in 1961, a veteran obtained from the Rams.

“We got one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Brown,” said Buddy Parker. “Ed has a great arm and he has proven himself all during his career with the Bears. Parker added, perhaps as a spur to Layne, “Another thing about Brown is that he always stays in top condition and you know he’ll be ready when the season gets under way.”

It was Layne behind center for the most part during the ’62 season and the Steelers, after starting slowly, went 9-5 to finish second in the Eastern Conference. Brown started three games and threw a total of 84 passes, completing 43 for 726 yards and five touchdowns with six interceptions. He handled the punting, averaging an even 40 yards on his 60 kicks.

Layne retired following the season and Brown took over as the starting quarterback in 1963. For the most part, he had a fine season for a Steelers team that contended until the final week. He achieved career highs in pass attempts (362), completions (168), yards (2982), and touchdowns (21) while also tossing 20 interceptions. His 17.8 yards per completion led the league. Along the way, he had a 377-yard, four-TD performance against the Cowboys and made the most of having a capable deep threat in Pro Bowl split end Buddy Dial (60 catches, 1295 yards, 21.6 yards per catch, 9 TDs). However, while three ties allowed Pittsburgh to mathematically remain in contention (ties did not factor into the winning percentage as they do today), in the final-game showdown against the Giants in New York, Brown had a dreadful day. He was off target all day and was successful on just 13 of 33 throws for 217 yards with two touchdowns but also three interceptions. The 33-17 loss dropped the Steelers all the way to fourth place at 7-4-3.

In the offseason, Dial was traded to Dallas, a much-criticized move that was made all the worse when DT Scott Appleton, the highly-touted rookie from Texas whose rights they had obtained for Dial, instead signed with the Houston Oilers of the AFL. While third-year flanker Gary Ballman rose to the occasion, the rest of the receiving corps did not, and Brown’s numbers suffered accordingly. He completed just 44.5 percent of his passes for 1990 yards and threw far more interceptions (19) than TD passes (12). The Steelers finished next-to-last in the Eastern Conference with a 5-9 record.

Coach Parker abruptly quit during the 1965 preseason, to be succeeded by Mike Nixon, and the club dropped all the way to the bottom at 2-12. Brown was shunted aside in favor of young quarterbacks Bill Nelsen, who was up-and-coming, and Tommy Wade, who was not. He threw just 18 passes – five of them interceptions – and finished out the season (and his career) with the quarterback-depleted Baltimore Colts.

In his four years in Pittsburgh, Brown completed 339 of 736 passes (46.1 %) for 5821 yards and 38 touchdowns along with 50 interceptions. He also punted 148 times for a 40.6-yard average.  Having filled in capably for Layne in 1962 and nearly led the club to the Eastern Conference title in ’63, he came up short in his most significant game with the Steelers and his performance dropped off quickly thereafter.