Rookie of the Year: Julius Peppers, 2002

Defensive End, Carolina Panthers

Age: 22

College: North Carolina

Height: 6’6”   Weight: 283

Prelude:

A college star in both football and basketball, Peppers accounted for 9.5 sacks and 63 tackles as a junior in 2001 and was a consensus All-American who also received the Rotary Lombardi Award as the nation’s best lineman and Chuck Bednarik Award as the leading overall defensive player. He chose to enter the NFL draft and was taken by the Panthers in the first round (second overall). He immediately moved into the starting lineup at left end and showed off outstanding speed and pass-rushing skill, although he was weaker against the run and was lost for the final four games due to a league suspension for using prohibited dietary supplements.

2002 Season Summary

Appeared in 12 of 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 12 [6, tied with Leonard Little & Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila]

Most sacks, game – 3 vs. Detroit 9/15, at Dallas 10/13

Multi-sack games – 3

Interceptions – 1

Int. return yards – 21

Int. TDs – 0

Fumble recoveries – 0

Forced fumbles – 5

Tackles – 29

Assists – 7

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA

Panthers went 7-9 to finish fourth in the NFC South.

Aftermath:

Heavily double-teamed in 2003, Peppers’ sack total dropped to 7 but the line as a whole, which included DE Mike Rucker and DTs Brentson Buckner and Kris Jenkins, excelled as the Panthers won the NFC Championship. Peppers improved in ’04, even as the line play overall dropped off, and received consensus first-team All-NFL and Pro Bowl recognition for the first time. Excellent at pursuit and improving against the run, he was named to the Pro Bowl again in 2005 and ’06 and again received consensus first-team All-NFL honors after the latter year. After reaching double figures in sacks for three straight seasons, Peppers dropped to 2.5 in an off-year in 2007, but came back with 14.5 sacks in 2008, the first of five consecutive Pro Bowl seasons. He signed with the Chicago Bears as a free agent in 2010 and, while his sack total dropped to 8, his presence on the line was beneficial overall and he was again a first-team All-NFL selection as well as Pro Bowler. After four years, he was released by the Bears following the 2013 season and signed by Green Bay for 2014. An outstanding overall talent, Peppers has been criticized for lack of consistent effort at times, but through 12 years he has been a consensus first-team All-NFL choice on three occasions, received at least second-team honors after two other years, and achieved selection to the Pro Bowl eight times. He has accumulated 119 sacks and 9 interceptions through 2013, two of which he returned for touchdowns, and has also had two scores on fumble recoveries.

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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). 

1985: Kelley & White Spur Showboats to Upset of Stallions

The Memphis Showboats of the United States Football League had their work cut out for them as they faced the Birmingham Stallions on May 3, 1985. Coached by the colorful Pepper Rodgers, the Showboats were 6-4 in their second USFL season, but had stumbled after getting off to a 4-0 start. The defense, which featured DE Reggie White, was benefiting from the addition of rookies Leonard Coleman at cornerback and safety Mossy Cade. The offense was slipping, however, and Mike Kelley (pictured above) had replaced Walter Lewis at quarterback the previous week.

Birmingham was a formidable adversary, tied for first place atop the USFL’s Eastern Conference with New Jersey and Tampa Bay at 7-3. The Stallions, under Head Coach Rollie Dotsch, were a well-balanced team with a productive offense guided by QB Cliff Stoudt and featuring RB Joe Cribbs and WR Jim Smith, while the tough defense was one of the league’s best. Moreover, Memphis had lost to them in each of the three previous meetings between the clubs.

There were 29,025 fans in attendance for the Friday night game at the Liberty Bowl. On their first play from scrimmage, the Showboats lined up in a spread formation with both quarterbacks, Mike Kelley and Walter Lewis, in the backfield. Lewis, after faking to Kelley, ran around end for 22 yards to the Memphis 43 and spurred a six-play, 79-yard drive that concluded with Kelley throwing to TE Mark Raugh for a touchdown from five yards out. Alan Duncan added the extra point.

Late in the first quarter, the Memphis defense stopped the Stallions near the goal line and Birmingham settled for a 31-yard field goal by Danny Miller. However, the Showboats fumbled away the ensuing kickoff and less than a minute later the Stallions scored again, this time on a pass from Cliff Stoudt to WR Ken Toler that covered 34 yards. The extra point attempt failed, but Birmingham was in front by 9-7.

In the second quarter, Kelley tossed another scoring pass for the Showboats, this time covering nine yards to WR Derrick Crawford to finish off a 55-yard possession. Alan Duncan again added the PAT and his 20-yard field goal later in the period improved the Memphis lead to 17-9.

The Stallions fought back as Stoudt threw to Jim Smith for a 15-yard TD with 30 seconds remaining in the half and was followed by a Stoudt toss to Toler for two points, tying the contest at 17-17 going into halftime.

Four minutes into the third quarter, the Showboats took advantage of a Birmingham fumble to regain the lead as RB Harry Sydney ran 18 yards for a touchdown. Early in the fourth quarter, Sydney scored again, this time gaining the final yard to cap a 62-yard series.

It got worse for the Stallions on their next possession. Stoudt, under a heavy rush, fumbled and Reggie White (pictured at left) recovered and returned it 20 yards for another Memphis TD. All of Duncan’s extra point attempts were successfully added, thus giving the home team a sizable lead of 38-17.

The Stallions finally put a scoring drive together later in the final period, going 72 yards in 11 plays that ended with Stoudt throwing to Toler for an 18-yard touchdown, but by then the outcome was a foregone conclusion. The Showboats came away with a convincing 38-24 upset win.

The Showboats had the edge in total yards (320 to 315) while both teams accumulated 19 first downs. The Memphis defense did a fine job against the normally-proficient running game of the Stallions, holding them to 88 yards on the ground. Each club also turned the ball over two times and time of possession was nearly even with Memphis holding a 30:51 to 29:09 edge. The Showboats accounted for the only two sacks of the game.

Mike Kelley completed 21 of 28 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns while giving up one interception. WR Greg Moser had 5 catches for 72 yards. Harry Sydney topped the Memphis rushers with 37 yards on 8 carries that included two TDs.

For the Stallions, Cliff Stoudt was successful on 24 of 33 throws for 240 yards and three TDs with none picked off.  Jim Smith had 7 pass receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown. Joe Cribbs rushed for 69 yards on 12 attempts and caught two passes for 29 more.

“We made things happen on both sides of the ball,” said an effusive Coach Pepper Rodgers, who called the win the most impressive in the team’s short history.

The Showboats won their next two games and five of their last seven to end up at 11-7 and third in the Eastern Conference. They thrashed Denver in the Quarterfinal playoff round before losing to the Oakland Invaders in the Semifinal game. Birmingham recovered to top the conference with a 13-5 record, edging Houston in the Quarterfinal contest before also falling in the Semifinal round, to the eventual-champion Baltimore Stars.

MVP Profile: Jared Allen, 2011

Defensive End, Minnesota Vikings

Age:  29

8^th season in pro football, 4^th with Vikings

College: Idaho State

Height: 6’6”   Weight: 270

Prelude:

Chosen by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft, Allen was initially viewed as strictly a situational player who would add depth on the defensive line, but surprised by leading the team in sacks as a rookie with 9. Intense, tenacious, and with good instincts, he followed up with 11 sacks in ’05 and improved his play against the run. Allen led the league in fumble recoveries in 2006 with 6, although his sacks fell to 7.5, and there was friction with the front office as well as a suspension from the league for a second DUI offense heading into 2007. Still, he led the NFL with 15.5 sacks in ’07 and was a consensus first-team All-NFL and Pro Bowl choice for the first time. The Chiefs traded him to Minnesota in the offseason where he continued to excel while a member of a stronger overall defensive line. He received All-NFL and Pro Bowl honors in 2008 and ’09 while recording 14.5 sacks each year. 2010 was a down year for the franchise as a whole, and Allen had a comparative off-year, although he still led the team with 11 sacks, his fourth consecutive season in double figures.

2011 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 22 [1]

Most sacks, game – 3.5 vs. Chicago 1/1

Multi-sack games – 6

Interceptions – 1

Int. return yards – 14

Int. TDs – 0

Fumble recoveries – 4

Forced fumbles – 4

Tackles – 46

Assists – 17

Scoring

TDs – 0

Safeties – 1

Points – 2

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Player of the Year: Sporting News

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

Pro Bowl

Vikings went 3-13 to finish fourth in the NFC North although tying for the NFL lead in sacks (50, along with the Philadelphia Eagles).

Aftermath:

Allen followed up with 12 sacks in 2012 and was selected to the Pro Bowl for the fifth time. He registered 11.5 sacks in 2013 and signed with the Chicago Bears as a free agent for 2014. Through ten seasons and 157 games, Allen has been credited with 128.5 sacks, as well as five interceptions and 17 fumble recoveries. He has been a consensus first-team All-NFL honoree four times in addition to the five Pro Bowl selections.

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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: Joe Namath, 1965

Quarterback, New York Jets

Age: 22

College: Alabama

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 194

Prelude:

Despite appearing in just three full games as a senior due to torn ligaments in his right knee that required surgery, Namath was a highly-sought player coming out of college. He passed for 2713 yards and 24 touchdowns under Head Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant at Alabama and was chosen by both the NFL Cardinals and AFL Jets in the first round of their respective 1965 drafts. Namath signed a then-huge $427,000 contract with New York. Head Coach Weeb Ewbank announced that lightly-experienced veteran Mike Taliaferro would start the season at quarterback, but Namath saw his first action in Week 2 and, for the most part, moved into the lineup thereafter.

1965 Season Summary

Appeared in 13 of 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 340 [5]

Most attempts, game – 44 vs. Buffalo 12/19

Completions – 164 [5]

Most completions, game – 19 at Buffalo 9/26, at Oakland 12/12

Yards – 2220 [6]

Most yards, game – 287 at Buffalo 9/26

Completion percentage – 48.2 [4]

Yards per attempt – 6.5 [3]

TD passes – 18 [4, tied with Babe Parilli]

Most TD passes, game – 4 vs. Houston 11/21

Interceptions – 15 [5]

Most interceptions, game – 3 at San Diego 12/4, at Oakland 12/12

Passer rating – 68.7 [3]

200-yard passing games – 5

Rushing

Attempts – 8

Most attempts, game – 3 (for -3 yds.) at Boston 11/14

Yards – 19

Most yards, game – 15 yards (on 2 carries) vs. Oakland 10/16

Yards per attempt – 2.4

TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

AFL Rookie of the Year: UPI

AFL All-Star Game

Jets went 5-8-1 to finish second in the AFL Eastern Division.

Aftermath:

Knee and mobility issues would be significant throughout Namath’s career, but he had a quick release and strong arm. He was also charismatic (he quickly became a celebrity off the field) and a good leader. Namath led the league in pass attempts and completions, yards, and TD passes in 1966 and ’67 – in the latter season, he became the first 4000-yard passer in NFL/AFL history (4007). Prone to trying to force passes into coverage, however, he also led the AFL in passes intercepted in both years. In 1968, Namath had lesser numbers but more success and received Player of the Year honors as the Jets won not only the AFL Championship but defeated the NFL Champion Colts in a huge Super Bowl upset. He passed for 2734 yards and 19 TDs as the Jets again topped the Eastern Division in 1969, but a broken wrist that sidelined him five games into the ’70 season became the first of a series of injuries that dogged the remainder of his career. After appearing in just nine games in 1970 and ’71, he came back in 1972 to lead the NFL in passing yards (2816), TD passes (19), and yards per attempt (8.7) and was named to the Pro Bowl. However, a separated shoulder limited him to six games in 1973 and, with the team deteriorating around him, he had only sporadic success while leading the league in interceptions in 1974 and ’75. Namath finished his career with the Rams in 1977 and ended up throwing for 27,663 yards with 173 TDs and 220 interceptions. His #12 was retired by the Jets and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1985.

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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). 

1986: Cowboys Trade Hogeboom to Colts

On April 28, 1986, with the NFL draft looming, the Dallas Cowboys traded disaffected backup QB Gary Hogeboom and their second-round draft pick to the Indianapolis Colts for that club’s second-round draft choice (and a conditional future draft choice that was never exercised). Moving up from the 18^th to fourth pick in the second round, the Cowboys took Arizona State RB Darryl Clack, who was primarily utilized as a kick returner over the course of the next four years.

The 27-year-old Hogeboom had originally been a fifth-round draft choice of the Cowboys out of Central Michigan in 1980. He saw scant action as backup to starting QB Danny White during his first four seasons, but when White went down with a concussion during the NFC Championship game following the ’82 season against Washington, Hogeboom played well in defeat. With some players unhappy with White’s level of support during the player strike during the regular season, it set the stage for a quarterback controversy.

Hogeboom still didn’t see much action in 1983, but Head Coach Tom Landry promoted him over White for the beginning of the ’84 season. While he was tall at 6’4” and had an outstanding arm, and performed ably in a season-opening win, he was deficient at reading defenses and forced too many ill-advised passes. White regained the starting job during the second half of the year as the Cowboys finished at 9-7 and out of the playoffs for the first time in ten years. Hogeboom started ten games and completed 53.1 percent of his passes for 2366 yards with twice as many interceptions (14) as touchdowns (7).

Returning to being a backup in 1985, Hogeboom passed for 978 yards and five TDs with seven interceptions and found himself competing with Steve Pelleur, another promising backup.  Demoted to third-string quarterback, he demanded a trade and worked out for Indianapolis Head Coach Rod Dowhower the week prior to being dealt.

The Colts, coming off a 5-11 record, had the fewest net passing yards in the AFC in 1985 and originally targeted Purdue QB Jim Everett with the fourth choice in the first round, but the Houston Oilers indicated that they would draft Everett with the third pick (as it turned out, they were unable to sign Everett and traded him to the Rams). With the jury still very much out regarding Hogeboom, the Colts also drafted a quarterback in the second round (using the pick obtained from Dallas), Jack Trudeau from Illinois. The starter in ’85, Mike Pagel, was later traded to the Browns.

Things did not start out well for Hogeboom with his new team as he went down with a separated shoulder in the second game of the season. The Colts were 0-13 when Dowhower was fired and replaced by Ron Meyer, who made the decision to reactivate Hogeboom and get him back behind center. The result was a 3-0 finish with Hogeboom completing 59 percent of his throws for 1154 yards and six touchdowns along with six interceptions. He played well and showed toughness while rising to the occasion in what was already a lost year.

The Colts improved to 9-6 and topped the AFC East in the strike-interrupted 1987 season, but Hogeboom was not a key to the club’s success. He appeared in six games, remained inconsistent, and then suffered a dislocated passing shoulder. In addition, he appeared in the games utilizing replacement players, making him unpopular with his teammates, even if he retained the confidence of Coach Meyer. More significant to the team’s success was the arrival of RB Eric Dickerson in a blockbuster trade during the season.

Hogeboom started the 1988 season-opening game, a loss to the Oilers, and then took a seat on the bench as Jack Trudeau, who saw considerable action when Hogeboom was unavailable the previous two years, took over. Trudeau went down with a knee injury that finished him for the year a couple of contests later, but it was rookie Chris Chandler stepping in as the starter, not Hogeboom. The team went 9-7, again with Dickerson’s running the key to success, but with Chandler showing potential. Hogeboom was left unprotected afterward and went to the Cardinals as a free agent in ’89. Overall, over the course of three seasons with the Colts, he started 12 games and passed for 3295 yards with 22 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. 

Hogeboom signed a three-year contract with the Cards, but lasted just one. While he achieved career highs in attempts (364), completions (204), yards (2591), and TD passes (14) – as well as interceptions (19) – his velocity decreased due to arthritis in his elbow and he was effectively finished after 1989. Waived by Phoenix, he was signed by the Redskins in 1990 but saw no action as a third-string backup in his final pro season. While a courageous competitor, Hogeboom couldn’t overcome chronic injuries and failed to develop sufficiently after exhibiting early potential in Dallas. 

MVP Profile: Earl Morrall, 1972

Quarterback, Miami Dolphins

Age:  38

17^th season in pro football, 1^st with Dolphins

College: Michigan State

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 206

Prelude:

After leading Michigan State to a win in the Rose Bowl, Morrall was taken in the first round of the 1956 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers. Following a mediocre rookie season in which he backed up Y.A. Tittle, he was dealt to Pittsburgh where he became the starter and had a fair year in ’57. Two games into 1958, he was traded to Detroit in the deal that brought Bobby Layne to the Steelers and for the next seven years he shared the job with, first, Jim Ninowski and then Milt Plum. His best season with the Lions was in 1963, when he passed for 2621 yards and 24 TDs. But when new Head Coach Harry Gilmer committed to Plum for ’65, Morrall was dealt to the New York Giants. He started in 1965 and had a good year for a 7-7 team, but missed half of ’66 due to injury and was on the bench behind Fran Tarkenton in 1967. Frustrated at once again being a backup, he was traded to the Colts during the 1968 preseason to provide insurance as number two to Johnny Unitas. When Unitas suffered a major arm injury, Morrall took over as the starting quarterback and had a MVP season, most notably leading the NFL in passing, TD passes (26), and yards per attempt (9.2). The Colts went 13-1 and won the league title, although the dream year came to a sour end in an upset loss to the AFL Champion Jets in the Super Bowl. Morrall returned to a backup role with Unitas reclaiming the starting job in 1969 and helped rally the Colts in relief in the Super Bowl win over the Cowboys following the ’70 season. He saw considerable action in place of the increasingly-brittle Unitas in 1971, but with the team undergoing a youth movement in ’72 he was traded once more, this time to the Miami Dolphins where he was reunited with his first coach in Baltimore, Don Shula. A broken ankle suffered by starting QB Bob Griese in Week 5 put Morrall in the starting lineup.

1972 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 150

Most attempts, game – 19 vs. St. Louis 11/27

Completions – 83

Most completions, game – 12 vs. St. Louis 11/27

Yards – 1360

Most yards, game – 210 vs. St. Louis 11/27

Completion percentage – 55.3 [8]

Yards per attempt – 9.1 [1]

TD passes – 11 [18, tied with Marty Domres]

Most TD passes, game – 2 vs. San Diego 10/15, vs. St. Louis 11/27, at New England 12/3

Interceptions – 7

Most interceptions, game – 1 on seven occasions

Passer rating – 91.0 [1]

200-yard passing games – 2

Rushing

Attempts – 17

Most attempts, game – 4 (for 7 yds.) vs. Buffalo 10/22

Yards – 67

Most yards, game – 29 yards (on 3 carries) vs. NY Jets 11/19

Yards per attempt – 3.9

TDs – 1

Scoring

TDs – 1

Points - 6

Postseason: 2 G

Pass attempts – 24

Most attempts, game - 13 vs. Cleveland, AFC Divisional playoff

Pass completions – 13

Most completions, game - 7 at Pittsburgh, AFC Championship

Passing yardage – 139

Most yards, game - 88 vs. Cleveland, AFC Divisional playoff

TD passes – 1

Interceptions – 1

Rushing attempts – 4

Most rushing attempts, game - 4 vs. Cleveland, AFC Divisional playoff

Rushing yards – 3

Most rushing yards, game - 3 vs. Cleveland, AFC Divisional playoff

Average gain rushing – 0.8

Rushing TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

AFC Player of the Year: Sporting News

NFL Comeback Player of the Year: AP

1^st team All-NFL: AP

2^nd team All-NFL: NEA

1^st team All-AFC: AP

Dolphins went 14-0 to finish first in the AFC East as they led the NFL in total yards (5036), rushing yards (2960), scoring (385 points), and touchdowns (45, tied with the Oakland Raiders). Won AFC Divisional playoff over Cleveland Browns (20-14), AFC Championship over Pittsburgh Steelers (21-17), and Super Bowl over Washington Redskins (14-7).

Aftermath:

Morrall gave way to Griese in the playoffs in 1972 and stayed on another four years as a backup, finally retiring following the 1976 season at age 42 and after 21 seasons in the NFL. Often regarded as the greatest backup quarterback in league history, he twice was selected to the Pro Bowl and ended up passing for 20,809 yards and 161 TDs.

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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). 

Rookie of the Year: Earl McCullouch, 1968

Split End, Detroit Lions

Age: 22

College: Southern California

Height: 5’11” Weight: 172

Prelude:

Transferring to USC from Long Beach City College, McCullouch was a member of the 1967 national championship team, catching 30 passes for 540 yards and five TDs and receiving all-conference recognition. He was also a track star and held the world record for the 100-meter high hurdles from 1967 to ‘69. McCullouch was one of five USC players taken in the first round of the 1968 NFL draft when chosen by the Lions with the 24^th overall pick.

1968 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 40 [19, tied with Charlie Sanders]           

Most receptions, game – 5 (for 132 yds.) at Dallas 9/15, (for 75 yds.) at Green Bay 9/29

Yards – 680 [16]

Most yards, game – 132 (on 5 catches) at Dallas 9/15

Average gain – 17.0 [16]

TDs – 5 [18, tied with six others]

100-yard receiving games - 1

Rushing

Attempts – 3

Yards – 13

Average gain – 4.3

TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 5

Points – 30

Awards & Honors:

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

Lions went 4-8-2 to finish fourth in the NFL Central Division.

Aftermath:

McCullouch’s rookie season ended up being his best. He caught 33 passes for 539 yards and five touchdowns in 1969, but injuries limited him to ten games and 15 catches in ’70, although five were good for TDs and he averaged 18.5 yards per reception. Inconsistency became more of a concern as McCullouch averaged 26.3 yards per catch in 1971, but on just 21 receptions for 552 yards. He lost his starting job to Ron Jessie and caught a total of 14 passes in ’72 and ’73. The Lions waived McCullouch just prior to the 1974 season and he appeared in three games for New Orleans, catching just one pass for five yards. He played with the Portland Thunder of the WFL in 1975, catching 12 passes for 219 yards (18.3 avg.) and three TDs in what was his final pro season. Overall, in seven NFL seasons, with virtually all of the action coming with Detroit, McCullouch caught 124 passes for 2319 yards (18.7 avg.) and 19 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).