MVP Profile: Jerry Rice, 1990

Wide Receiver, San Francisco 49ers

Age: 28 (Oct. 13)

6^th season in pro football & with 49ers

College: Mississippi Valley State

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 200

Prelude:

Drafted by the 49ers in the first round in 1985, Rice moved into the starting lineup as a rookie and showed flashes of future greatness as he caught 49 passes for 927 yards and diverted coverage from veteran WR Dwight Clark. In ’86, Rice broke out with 86 receptions and led the NFL in receiving yards (1570) and TD catches (15). He was a consensus first-team All-Pro selection and was chosen for the Pro Bowl. It was the first of four straight seasons prior to ’90 in which he received those honors, and in the strike-interrupted 1987 season Rice had a record 22 touchdown receptions in just 12 games and received MVP recognition as well. In 1989, he led the NFL in pass receiving yards (1483) and TD catches (17).

1990 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 100 [1]           

Most receptions, game – 13 (for 225 yds.) at Atlanta 10/14

Yards – 1502 [1]

Most yards, game - 225 (on 13 catches) at Atlanta 10/14

Average gain – 15.0

TDs – 13 [1]

200-yard receiving games – 1

100-yard receiving games – 7

Rushing

Attempts – 2

Yards – 0

Average gain – 0.0

TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 13 [4, tied with Marcus Allen, Neal Anderson & Thurman Thomas]

Points – 78

Postseason: 2 G

Pass receptions – 11

Most pass receptions, game – 6 vs. Washington, NFC Divisional playoff

Pass receiving yards – 122

Most pass receiving yards, game – 68 vs. Washington, NFC Divisional playoff

Average yards per reception – 11.1

Pass Receiving TDs – 1

Awards & Honors:

NFL MVP: Sporting News

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

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

Pro Bowl

49ers went 14-2 to finish first in the NFC West with the best record in the conference while leading the NFC in total offense (5895 yards) and passing yards (4177). Won NFC Divisional playoff over Washington Redskins (28-10). Lost NFC Championship to New York Giants (15-13).

Aftermath:

Rice went on to play 20 seasons in the NFL and re-wrote the record book by the time he was done. The 1986 and ’87 seasons were the first of 11 straight thousand-yard receiving seasons and 14 overall. He led the league in that category five more times, including a record 1848 in 1995. Rice also had four 100-catch seasons and was the NFL leader twice. A prolific scorer, he had a total of nine years in which he reached double figures in receiving TDs and paced the league six times. After 16 years with San Francisco, Rice moved on to the Raiders for three full seasons plus part of his last year, in 2004, in which he finished up with Seattle. Overall, he retired as career leader in pass receptions (1549), receiving yards (22,895), receiving touchdowns (197), and total TDs (208). He gained the most total yards (23,546) of any player in NFL history. The 49ers retired Rice’s #80 and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2010.

[Updated 8/4/13]

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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). 

1983: Norwood Kicks 5 Field Goals as Stallions Defeat Generals

The Monday night United States Football League matchup on May 9, 1983 featured the New Jersey Generals, with prize rookie RB Herschel Walker, against the visiting Birmingham Stallions. After a slow start, Walker came into the tenth week leading the new league with over a thousand yards on the ground. However, while they had won the previous week, the Generals were only 3-6 thus far under Head Coach Chuck Fairbanks. Other than Walker, the offense was ordinary and the defense mediocre.

The Stallions, under Head Coach Rollie Dotsch, were 4-5 and suffered with inexperienced Bob Lane and Reggie Collier at quarterback, but utilized an effective running back-by-committee approach. The young defense tended to keep opposing teams out of the end zone and had given up a total of just 21 points over the previous three contests.

There was a crowd of 38,734 in attendance at Giants Stadium in the New Jersey Meadowlands. After the Stallions were forced to punt on their initial possession, the Generals took the early lead thanks to a 37-yard scoring pass from QB Bobby Scott to WR Tom McConnaughey on their second play from scrimmage at 2:22 into the first quarter. Unfortunately for the home team, that would prove to be the high point of the evening.

Birmingham came back with an 84-yard drive that culminated in a one-yard touchdown run by RB Bill White. Two more time-consuming drives led to field goals by Scott Norwood in the second quarter. The second came with 18 seconds remaining and made it 13-7 in favor of the Stallions at the half. But while the score was close, Birmingham had dominated time of possession by holding onto the ball for just over 22 minutes. As a result, Herschel Walker had just five carries for 19 yards.

Norwood kicked a 31-yard field goal with just under five minutes to play in the third quarter to extend Birmingham’s lead to 16-7 and then recovered a fumbled kickoff return by RB Thomas Lott. That set up his fourth field goal, from 37 yards.

Norwood booted a league-record fifth field goal in the fourth quarter from 25 yard but just missed a sixth from 41 yards. It was more than enough for the Stallions, who won comfortably by a score of 22-7.

Birmingham dominated in total yards (414 to 154), with 242 of that total coming on the ground, as opposed to just 38 yards for the Generals. The Stallions also were dominant in first downs (24 to 8) and time of possession (43:28 to 16:32). The visitors didn’t turn the ball over, while New Jersey did so once.

Four Birmingham runners outrushed Walker – Ken Talton (64 yards on 20 carries), Earl Gant (12 attempts for 56 yards), Bill White (15 carries for 53 yards), and Cornelius Quarles (11 for 47). Bob Lane was successful on 13 of 19 passes for 182 yards. WR Jim Smith topped the receivers with 5 catches for 78 yards. Scott Norwood, the rookie placekicker out of James Madison who had failed to catch on with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, was the scoring star with his five field goals in six attempts.

For the Generals, Herschel Walker gained just 28 yards on 11 carries. Bobby Scott completed 7 of 16 throws for 121 yards and a TD with none intercepted while backup Gene Bradley was successful on just 2 of 6 for 11 yards. TE Sam Bowers caught 4 passes for 62 yards.

“They kept the ball the whole game and I just stood back and watched,” said Herschel Walker. “I reckon I should have brought my rabbit’s foot – we didn’t have any luck.”

The Stallions went on to finish fourth in the tough Central Division with a 9-9 record. New Jersey ended up third in the Atlantic Division at 6-12.

Scott Norwood’s five field goals remained the USFL record, although it was tied twice – by David Trout of the Stars in 1984 and Brian Franco of Jacksonville in ’85. For the 1983 season, Norwood was successful on 25 of 34 field goal attempts and added 34 extra points to total 109 points, which ranked fourth in the league.

Herschel Walker bounced back with 87 yards the next week on his way to topping the circuit with 1812 yards on 412 carries (4.4 avg.) and 17 touchdowns. He also led the Generals in pass receiving with 53 catches for 489 yards and another TD.

Rookie of the Year: Erik McMillan, 1988

Safety, New York Jets

Age: 23

College: Missouri

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 200

Prelude:

Son of Ernie McMillan, a former NFL offensive tackle, McMillan was an All-Big 8 selection in his last collegiate season and was taken by the Jets in the third round of the 1988 NFL draft. In an effort to bring greater speed to the defensive backfield, the club used three of its first four picks on defensive backs (the other two were Terry Williams and James Hasty). He became the starting free safety and proved to be one of the fastest in the league at that position.

1988 Season Summary

Appeared in 13 of 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 0

Interceptions – 8 [2, tied with Terry Hoage, Vestee Jackson & Carl Lee, 1st in AFC]

Most interceptions, game – 3 at Miami 10/23

Int. return yards – 168 [2]

Most int. return yards, game – 57 (on 3 int.) at Miami 10/23

Int. TDs – 2 [1, tied with Carl Lee]

Fumble recoveries – 0

Tackles – 80

Scoring

TDs – 2

Points – 12

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA

2^nd team All-AFC: UPI

Pro Bowl

Jets went 8-7-1 to finish fourth in the AFC East while leading the conference in interceptions (24).  

Aftermath:

Daring and aggressive, McMillan was again selected to the Pro Bowl in 1989 after intercepting six passes, one of which he returned 92 yards. However, a change in defensive schemes affected his performance adversely in 1990. His play became marked by inconsistency and, following the ’92 season, he was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent. McMillan failed to last the year with the Eagles and made appearances with the Chiefs and Browns in what was his final season. Overall, over the course of six years he intercepted 22 passes, five of which he returned for touchdowns, but he failed to live up to the promise of his first two seasons in the NFL.

[Updated 8/4/13]
[Updated 11/29/14]

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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). 

MVP Profile: Dana Stubblefield, 1997

Defensive Tackle, San Francisco 49ers

Age:  27 (Nov. 14)

5^th season in pro football & with 49ers

College: Kansas

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 290

Prelude:

Having lost their two best pass rushers (DE Pierce Holt and DE Tim Harris) to free agency, the 49ers chose Stubblefield in the first round of the 1993 NFL draft (26^th overall). With his speed, he proved to be a good fit in the interior of the line and received NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Stubblefield followed up his outstanding first year with Pro Bowl seasons in 1994 and ’95, seasons in which he recorded 8.5 and 4.5 sacks, respectively, but was coming off a subpar year in 1996.

1997 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 15 [2]

Most sacks, game – 4 at Philadelphia 11/10

Multi-sack games (2 or more) – 4

Interceptions – 0

Fumble recoveries – 0

Forced fumbles – 3

Tackles – 48

Assists – 13

Postseason: 2 G

Sacks – 0

Interceptions – 0

TD – 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Player of the Year: AP

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

1^st team All-NFC: Pro Football Weekly

49ers went 13-3 to finish first in the NFC West with the best record in the conference while leading the NFC in rushing defense (1366 yards). Won NFC Divisional playoff over Minnesota Vikings (38-22). Lost NFC Championship to Green Bay Packers (23-10).

Aftermath:

Stubblefield moved to the Washington Redskins as a free agent in 1998 and was a disappointment in his three years with the club (7 total sacks) before returning to the 49ers in 2001. In two years back in San Francisco, he revived his career, although Stubblefield was now better against the run than as a pass rusher between the gaps. He finished up with the Oakland Raiders in 2003. In eleven years, Stubblefield recorded 53.5 sacks and was named to the Pro Bowl a total of three times.

[Updated 8/4/13]

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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.

Rookie of the Year: Chester Marcol, 1972

Placekicker, Green Bay Packers

Age:  23 (Oct. 24)

College: Hillsdale

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 190

Prelude:

Having suffered through several years of mediocre placekicking, the Packers used a second round draft pick to take the Polish-born Marcol. While he had been a NAIA All-American, there was some concern with his coming from a small-college program. Nevertheless, he became Green Bay’s first soccer-style placekicker.

1972 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Kicking

Field goals – 33 [1]

Most field goals, game - 4 at Cleveland 9/17, vs. Detroit 12/3

Field goal attempts – 48 [1]

Most field goal attempts, game – 6 at Cleveland 9/17, vs. Dallas 10/1, vs. Detroit 12/3

Field goal percentage – 68.8 [5]

PATs – 29 [16, tied with John Leypoldt]

PAT attempts – 29 [17, tied with Don Cockroft]

Longest field goal – 51 yards at Chicago 11/12, at Washington 11/26

Scoring

Field Goals – 33

PATs – 29

Points – 128 [1]

Postseason: 1 G (at Washington, NFC Divisional playoff)

Field goals – 1

Field goal attempts – 2

PATs – 0

PAT attempts – 0

Longest field goal – 17 yards

Awards & Honors:

NFC Rookie of the Year: UPI, Sporting News

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

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

Pro Bowl

Packers went 10-4 to finish first in the NFC Central while leading the league in field goals (33). Lost NFC Divisional playoff to Washington Redskins (16-3).

Aftermath:

Marcol booted 21 field goals in 1973 and was again a consensus All-NFL and Pro Bowl selection in ’74 as he led the league in field goals (25), field goal attempts (39), and scoring (94 points). However, an injury in the opening game of the 1975 season cost him the rest of the year. He came back and lasted another four full seasons for the Packers, although with lesser numbers, until he was let go during the 1980 season. Marcol had a brief stint with the Oilers in what was his final year. Overall, he kicked 121 field goals in 196 attempts (61.7 %) as well as 156 extra points. Combined with a touchdown scored in 1980 when he recovered a blocked field goal attempt, Marcol scored a total of 525 points.

[Updated 8/4/13]

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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). 

MVP Profile: Rich Gannon, 2002

Quarterback, Oakland Raiders

Age: 37 (Dec. 20)

15^th season in pro football, 4^th with Raiders

College: Delaware

Height: 6’3”   Weight: 210

Prelude:

It was a long road to stardom for Gannon. Quarterback in a wing-T offense in college, Gannon was taken in the 4th round of the 1987 NFL draft by the New England Patriots, who wanted to convert him into a running back. Unwilling to make the change, he was traded to Minnesota and sat on the bench for three years, throwing a total of 21 passes. Finally getting an opportunity to start in 1990, Gannon had limited success and was allowed to depart as a free agent following the ’92 season. He was a backup with the Redskins in 1993, missed all of ’94 due to a rotator cuff injury, and moved on to Kansas City, where he was a backup for four years and saw his most significant action in his last year with the club in 1998. Signed as a free agent by Oakland in ’99, Gannon finally blossomed as he ran Head Coach Jon Gruden’s version of the West Coast offense, passing for 3840 yards and 24 TDs and gaining selection to the Pro Bowl. He had an even better year in 2000, gaining consensus first-team All-NFL as well as Pro Bowl recognition and winning the Bert Bell Award as NFL Player of the Year. Gannon had a third straight Pro Bowl season in 2001, throwing for 3828 yards and 27 TDs against just 9 interceptions, and thus leading the NFL with a 1.6 INT percentage.

2002 Season Summary

Appeared and started in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 618 [1]

Most attempts, game – 64 at Pittsburgh 9/15

Completions – 418 [1]

Most completions, game – 43 at Pittsburgh 9/15

Yards – 4689 [1]

Most yards, game – 403 at Pittsburgh 9/15

Completion percentage – 67.6 [2]

Yards per attempt – 7.6 [3]

TD passes – 26 [5, tied with Trent Green]

Most TD passes, game – 4 vs. Tennessee 9/29

Interceptions – 10

Most interceptions, game – 2 at Pittsburgh 9/15, at St. Louis 10/13

Passer rating – 97.3 [2]

400-yard passing games – 1

300-yard passing games – 10

200-yard passing games – 14

Rushing

Attempts – 50

Most attempts, game - 11 (for 29 yds.) at Buffalo 10/6

Yards – 156

Most yards, game – 29 yards (on 11 carries) at Buffalo 10/6

Yards per attempt – 3.1

TDs – 3

Scoring

TDs – 3

Points - 18

Postseason: 3 G

Pass attempts – 115

Most attempts, game - 44 vs. Tampa Bay, Super Bowl

Pass completions – 73

Most completions, game - 29 vs. Tennessee, AFC Championship

Passing yardage – 841

Most yards, game - 286 vs. Tennessee, AFC Championship

TD passes – 7

Most TD passes, game - 3 vs. Tennessee, AFC Championship

Interceptions – 6

Most interceptions, game - 5 vs. Tampa Bay, Super Bowl

Rushing attempts – 13

Most rushing attempts, game - 8 vs. Tennessee, AFC Championship

Rushing yards – 41

Most rushing yards, game - 41 vs. Tennessee, AFC Championship

Average gain rushing – 3.2

Rushing TDs – 1

Awards & Honors:

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

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

1^st team All-AFC: Pro Football Weekly

Pro Bowl

Raiders went 11-5 to finish first in the AFC West and gain the top playoff seed in the conference while leading the NFL in total offense (6237 yards) and passing offense (4475 yards). Won AFC Divisional playoff over New York Jets (30-10) and AFC Championship over Tennessee Titans (41-24). Lost Super Bowl to Tampa Bay Buccaneers (48-21).

Aftermath:

Injuries curtailed Gannon’s 2003 season and he appeared in a total of just 10 games in ’03 and ’04, after which he retired. A fiery leader and precision passer, he ended up throwing for 28,743 yards and 180 TDs with 104 interceptions, and ranked in the Top 20 all-time at the end of his career with a passer rating of 84.7.

[Updated 8/4/13]

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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). 

1984: Zendejas Field Goals Give Express Win Over Gamblers in OT

On April 30, 1984 two of the United States Football League’s top rookie quarterbacks went head-to-head as the Houston Gamblers hosted the Los Angeles Express in a Monday night game at the Astrodome. The Gamblers, coached by Jack Pardee in their first season in the USFL, were off to a 6-3 start and had a chance to take sole possession of first place in the Central Division since both the Michigan Panthers and Oklahoma Outlaws had lost the previous day. QB Jim Kelly was performing very well operating in a run-and-shoot offense and had fine targets to throw to in wide receivers Richard Johnson and Ricky Sanders.

The Express, meanwhile, had gotten off to a miserable 2-5 start but improved to 4-6 for the most part thanks to the addition of QB Steve Young (pictured above). Head Coach John Hadl’s team had averaged just 10.7 points per game prior to the mobile lefthander taking over at quarterback, and his presence was making a difference in the team’s offensive production.

There was a crowd of 30,727 fans on hand for the nationally-televised contest. The Gamblers took the opening kickoff and drove 57 yards in eight plays, reaching the end zone on a seven-yard touchdown pass from Kelly to Richard Johnson.  On their initial possession, the Express came right back with an 86-yard series that ended with a four-yard scoring pass from Young to RB Tony Boddie.

Late in the second quarter, DT Eddie Weaver returned a fumble 22 yards for a TD to put LA in front. Houston responded by driving 90 yards in eight plays. Kelly threw to Ricky Sanders for a 14-yard touchdown with 34 seconds left on the clock and, with all extra point attempts successful, the score remained 14-14 at the half.

In the third quarter, the Express drove to the Houston one but, on fourth down, Coach Hadl decided against a chip-shot field goal attempt and called for a quarterback sneak. While unsuccessful, an offside call on the Gamblers gave the Express another shot and RB Mel Gray carried and appeared to score, but officials ruled that he was short.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Houston took the lead on a four-yard touchdown carry by RB Todd Fowler.  It finished off a 67-yard drive that was helped along by a pass interference penalty. The home team was up by 21-14.

Three minutes later, LA got on the board when Young passed to WR JoJo Townsell for a 17-yard touchdown.  That capped a seven-play, 73-yard series. However, following a punt by the Express, the Gamblers went 87 yards. 39-year-old Toni Fritsch, the league’s oldest placekicker, booted a 26-yard field goal to again pull the Gamblers in front at 24-21.

With time running down, the Express put together a drive in which Young completed key passes to Boddie, the second for 19 yards, and scrambled for 15 yards for a first down at the Houston 28. Now down to four seconds left in regulation, Tony Zendejas kicked a 41-yard field goal to tie the score and send the game into overtime.

In the overtime period, a decisive turnover occurred when safety Troy West of the Express intercepted a Kelly pass and returned it 16 yards to the Houston 44. It seemed as though the Gamblers still might dodge the bullet, but an incomplete pass by Young on third down was negated when DE Pete Catan was flagged for roughing the quarterback. That kept the drive alive at the Houston 27. Turning conservative, three plays gained three yards and Zendejas then came on to boot the game-winning 42-yard field goal at 4:41 into the extra period. Los Angeles came away with a big 27-24 win.

The Gamblers outgained Los Angeles (412 yards to 373) and had more first downs (26 to 23). However, while the Express suffered no turnovers, Houston turned the ball over four times. LA’s defense also sacked Kelly seven times, to three sacks of Young.

Steve Young completed 17 of 28 passes for 211 yards with two touchdowns and and also rushed for 56 yards on 6 carries. RB Kevin Nelson gained 89 yards on 18 rushing attempts. JoJo Townsell caught 5 passes for 75 yards and a TD. Tony Zendejas missed two field goal attempts but redeemed himself with the two clutch kicks.

For the Gamblers, Jim Kelly was successful on 37 of 50 throws for 380 yards and two TDs but also had two interceptions. Richard Johnson (pictured below) set a league record with 15 pass receptions for 142 yards and a touchdown and Ricky Sanders added another 10 catches for 98 yards and a score. Todd Fowler was the leading ground gainer with 32 yards on 11 attempts.

“I don’t like to miss, and I got a chance to redeem myself,” said Tony Zendejas. “I have a lot of pride, and I feel like every time I go out there I should make it.”

“The win is going to create some momentum,” said John Hadl. “We beat a division-leading team on the road. And we beat a great team with a great quarterback in Jim Kelly.”

Coach Hadl’s words proved to be correct – the Express went on to win six of the next eight games to top the Pacific Division with a 10-8 record. They upended the defending-champion Michigan Panthers in triple overtime of their epic First Round playoff game but lost the Western Conference title game to the Arizona Wranglers. Meanwhile, the defeat kept the Gamblers from taking sole possession of first place in the Central Division, but they eventually did prevail with a 13-5 tally. They were upset in the First Round by Arizona.

Steve Young, in the course of 12 games, passed for 2361 yards and also ranked second among USFL quarterbacks with 515 rushing yards on 79 carries. He passed for 10 touchdowns and ran for 7.

Tony Zendejas, a rookie out of Nevada-Las Vegas, was successful on 21 of 30 field goal attempts and all 33 of his extra point tries.

Jim Kelly had a phenomenal rookie season, leading the league in pass attempts (587), completions (370), yards (5219), and touchdown passes (44), although also interceptions (26). He received MVP and All-League honors from the USFL.

Richard Johnson also received All-League honors as he led the USFL in pass receptions (115) and scoring receptions (15) and was second in yards (1455). His record for catches in a game was broken by Gill Stegall of Denver, who had 16 in a game, also against the Express, in 1985.