Highlighted Year: Gary Anderson, 1986

Running Back, San Diego Chargers

Age: 25

5^th season in pro football, 2^nd in NFL & with Chargers

College: Arkansas

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 190

Prelude:

An outstanding all-purpose back in college, Anderson received All-Southwestern Conference honors in 1982 and was chosen in the first round (20^th overall) of the 1983 NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers and in the USFL draft by the New Jersey Generals (fifth overall). The Chargers intended to convert him into a wide receiver, but Anderson expressed an interest in playing for Tampa Bay of the new spring league, and his draft rights were accordingly dealt to the Bandits. He didn’t join the team until halfway through the ’83 season but had an impact when he did, rushing for 516 yards on 97 carries (5.3 avg.) and catching 29 passes for 347 yards in eight games. In 1984, Anderson led the league in rushing touchdowns (19) and touchdowns overall (21, tied with Herschel Walker) while gaining 1008 yards on 268 carries and catching 66 passes for 682 more yards. He had another outstanding season in ‘85, rushing for 1207 yards, catching 72 passes for 678 yards, and scoring a total of 20 touchdowns. He was named to the official USFL All-League team and was also an All-USFL selection by The Sporting News. With the demise of the USFL, Anderson joined the Chargers during the ’85 NFL season and accumulated 1153 all-purpose yards in 12 games.

1986 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 127

Most attempts, game – 25 (for 100 yds.) vs. Kansas City 11/2

Yards – 442

Most yards, game – 100 yards (on 25 carries) vs. Kansas City 11/2

Average gain – 3.5

TDs – 1

100-yard rushing games – 1

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 80 [6, tied with J.T. Smith] 

Most receptions, game – 11 (for 92 yds.) at Kansas City 10/19

Yards – 871

Most yards, game – 113 (on 7 catches) vs. LA Raiders 11/20

Average gain – 10.9

TDs – 8 [10, tied with four others]

100-yard receiving games – 1

Passing

Attempts – 1

Completions – 1

Yards – 4

TDs – 1

Interceptions – 0

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 24

Yards – 482

Most yards, game – 89 (on 4 ret.) vs. Kansas City 11/2

Average per return – 20.1

TDs – 0

Longest return – 35 yards

Punt Returns

Returns – 25 [20]

Yards – 227 [18, tied with Eric Martin]

Most yards, game – 54 (on 4 ret.) vs. Kansas City 11/2

Average per return – 9.1 [12]

TDs – 0

Longest return – 30 yards

All-Purpose yards – 2022 [2, 1^st in AFC]

Scoring

TDs – 9 [17, tied with seven others]

Points – 54

Awards & Honors:

Pro Bowl

Chargers went 4-12 to finish fifth in the AFC West.

Aftermath:

Anderson had a lesser year in the strike-interrupted 1987 season while splitting time with Curtis Adams at halfback, but rushed for 1119 yards in ’88. A contract dispute led to his sitting out in 1989 and he was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in ’90. While Anderson gained 1110 yards from scrimmage that year despite dealing with nagging injuries, his production dropped off significantly thereafter as he was used more as a specialty receiver out of the backfield. He finished up with Detroit, who obtained him during the ’93 season. Anderson came out of retirement in 1995 to play for the Memphis Mad Dogs of the CFL, rushing for 250 yards and catching 28 passes in his final pro season. Overall in the USFL, Anderson rushed for 2731 yards on 641 attempts (4.3 avg.), had another 1707 yards on 167 catches, and scored 45 touchdowns. In the NFL, he gained 3409 yards on the ground, 2999 on 302 pass receptions, and adding in kick returns accumulated 9572 all-purpose yards while scoring 32 TDs.

--

Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders (NFC/AFC since 1970) in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970

1983: Walker & Generals Hold Off Late Rally to Defeat Gilliam & Federals

The New Jersey Generals had made the biggest player signing heading into the inaugural United States Football League season, but were struggling at 1-6 as they hosted the Washington Federals on April 17, 1983. RB Herschel Walker (pictured above), who left Georgia after a Heisman-winning junior year in ’82 to sign with the new Spring league, overcame a slow start to rank among the top rushers, but Head Coach Chuck Fairbanks’ team as a whole was lacking. QB Bobby Scott, longtime NFL backup to Archie Manning in New Orleans, was mediocre and the defense was no better.

The Federals also came into the game with a 1-6 record. Coached by Ray Jauch, the club had some talent but suffered many injuries and was prone to losing close contests. Two rookies on offense, QB Mike Hohensee and RB Craig James, showed promise when healthy. The defense was woeful and the effort to find a reliable placekicker was not going well.

There were 35,381 fans in attendance at Giants Stadium in the New Jersey Meadowlands. The only score of the first quarter came as a result of a safety on New Jersey’s opening possession when punter Dave Jacobs ran out of his end zone. Washington was ahead by a 2-0 margin.

The Generals took control in the second quarter. A 40-yard pass play from Bobby Scott to TE Victor Hicks was good for a touchdown although an attempted two-point conversion was unsuccessful. Midway through the period, a 46-yard New Jersey possession was capped by a two-yard Herschel Walker touchdown carry. This time Scott threw to FB Maurice Carthon to add two points and make the score 14-2.

With the Federals down by twelve points, Joe Gilliam entered the game at quarterback. The 32-year-old Gilliam had experience as a starting quarterback with the NFL Steelers, but had fallen on hard times in the intervening years due to off-field problems. He had started in place of Hohensee the previous week and now guided the visitors to their first offensive score, tossing an 18-yard TD pass to WR Mike Holmes. The the extra point attempt was missed, however, and New Jersey later added a 32-yard Jacobs field goal to take a 17-8 lead into halftime.

The third quarter was scoreless, but on the first play of the fourth quarter, Walker breezed into the end zone from eight yards out for a touchdown. The try for extra point failed, but the home team’s 23-8 lead appeared to be secure.

At this point, Washington began to mount a comeback. On a drive highlighted by two pass interference calls on Generals SS Dana Noel, Gilliam connected with WR Joey Walters for a nine-yard touchdown. Gilliam again threw to Walters for two points and New Jersey’s lead was narrowed to 23-16.

The Federals scored once more on a spectacular play when Gilliam passed to Craig James, who caught it at the New Jersey 35, was spun around at the 28, regained his balance, and sped the rest of the way for a 52-yard touchdown. However, down by a point and trying to take the lead, Washington attempted a two-point conversion that failed when Gilliam’s pass was knocked down by FS Keith Moody.

Still, there were eight minutes remaining. In the final minute, Gilliam drove the Federals down the field, starting at their own 13 and reaching the New Jersey 16 with a 26-yard completion to WR Vince Kinney highlighting the series. The Federals lined up for a field goal attempt with eight seconds left, but Ken Olson missed from 33 yards and New Jersey came away with a 23-22 win.

The Generals had the edge in total yards (389 to 312) and first downs (24 to 18). However, New Jersey also turned the ball over three times, to one by the Federals, and Washington accumulated three sacks, to two by the Generals. The Federals punted seven times, to two by New Jersey, while also drawing eight penalties to six flags thrown on the Generals.

Herschel Walker rushed for 143 yards on 28 carries that included two touchdowns, and his longest gain was for 38 yards. Maurice Carthon contributed 57 yards on 18 rushing attempts. Bobby Scott completed 13 of 25 passes for 206 yards with one TD but also three interceptions. Victor Hicks had four catches for 72 yards and a score.

For the Federals, Joe Gilliam was successful on 10 of 22 throws for 199 yards and three touchdowns, giving up one interception, in relief of Mike Hohensee, who was three-of-seven for 21 yards. RB Billy Taylor gained 85 yards on 17 carries and added four pass receptions for 26 yards while Craig James rushed for 28 yards on 10 attempts and gained 77 yards on his three catches that included a TD.

New Jersey lost a close game in overtime the next week on the way to a 6-12 finish, which placed a distant third in the Atlantic Division. Washington ended up in the cellar at 4-14.

Herschel Walker was in a virtual dead heat with another rookie, RB Kelvin Bryant of the Philadelphia Stars, in the USFL rushing standings following the win over the Federals and ultimately came out on top with 1812 yards. He also topped the new league with 17 rushing touchdowns and 18 overall. He received consensus All-League recognition.

Joe Gilliam continued to split time with Mike Hohensee and ended up completing 40 of 102 passes (39.2 %) for 673 yards and five TDs while giving up 12 interceptions.  

The missed field goal try at the end was Ken Olson’s first official attempt for the Federals. He had not had any attempts in his debut the previous week and an earlier miss from 37 yards against the Generals was nullified by a roughing-the-kicker penalty. Olson was gone by the next week.

Highlighted Year: Danny Amendola, 2009

Wide Receiver, St. Louis Rams

Age: 24 (Nov. 2)

2^nd season in pro football, 1^st active & with Rams

College: Texas Tech

Height: 5’11” Weight: 186

Prelude:

Amendola caught 204 passes in college, including 109 for 1245 yards and six touchdowns as a senior (and adding in 6 for 68 yards and a TD in the Gator Bowl). Undrafted in 2008, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys and spent the entire regular season on the practice squad after being waived. The Eagles signed him to their practice squad for the postseason. He went to training camp with Philadelphia and started the ’09 season on the practice squad until the Rams signed him from there in September.

2009 Season Summary

Appeared in 14 of 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 43      

Most receptions, game – 7 (for 55 yds.) vs. Seattle 11/29

Yards – 326

Most yards, game – 61 (on 4 catches) vs. Arizona 11/22

Average gain – 7.6

TDs – 1

Rushing

Attempts – 3

Yards – -2

Average gain – -0.7

TDs – 0

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 66 [1]

Yards – 1618 [1]

Most yards, game – 217 (on 9 ret.) at Tennessee 12/13

Average per return – 24.5 [17]

TDs – 0

Longest return – 58 yards

Punt Returns

Returns – 31 [8, tied with Captain Munnerlyn]

Yards – 360 [6]

Most yards, game – 79 (on 3 ret.) at Arizona 12/27

Average per return – 11.6 [7]

TDs – 0

Longest return – 56 yards

All-purpose yards – 2302 [6, 1^st in NFC]

Scoring

TDs – 1

Points – 6

Rams went 1-15 to finish fourth in the NFC West.

Aftermath:

Amendola had a bigger year in 2010, seeing more action on offense as an effective slot receiver with 85 catches for 689 yards, still returning kicks, and leading the league in all-purpose yards with 2364. However, an elbow injury suffered in the 2011 season-opening game had him spending the rest of the year on injured reserve and he missed another five games due to injury in 2012. Amendola departed for New England as a free agent in 2013, where it was anticipated that he would help fill in for departed WR Wes Welker, and he had 54 catches for 633 yards while appearing in 12 games. His production declined in 2014 but he became a significant factor in the postseason, which was capped by a touchdown reception in the Super Bowl victory over Seattle. Through 2014, he has caught 277 passes for 2559 yards (9.2 avg.) and 10 touchdowns, averaged 23.6 yards on 138 kickoff returns and 10.2 yards on 106 punt returns. Of those totals, 196 receptions for 1726 yards (8.8 avg.) and seven TDs came with the Rams, where he also averaged 23.5 yards on 118 of the kickoff returns and 10.5 yards on 89 punt returns.

--

Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970

Highlighted Year: Jerome Bettis, 1996

Running Back, Pittsburgh Steelers

Age:  24

4^th season in pro football, 1^st with Steelers

College: Notre Dame

Height: 5’11” Weight: 243

Prelude:

After gaining over a thousand all-purpose yards in his last college season, Bettis was taken by the Rams in the first round (10^th overall) of the 1993 NFL draft. Head Coach Chuck Knox anticipated that the classic fullback would be the key to the team’s running game with his hard-running style and demonstrated ability to hold onto the football. Bettis had an immediate impact, rushing for 1429 yards and receiving first-team All-NFL and Pro Bowl recognition in addition to numerous Rookie of the Year honors. In 1994, Bettis tailed off badly during the second half of the season and, while he still gained 1025 rushing yards and was selected to the Pro Bowl (and also caught a career-high 31 passes), averaged just 3.2 yards per carry. After running for only 637 yards behind a poor line following the shift of the Rams to St. Louis in ’95, Bettis was traded to the Steelers. “The Bus” rejuvenated his career in Pittsburgh, where his power-running style was a perfect fit.

1996 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 320 [6]

Most attempts, game – 29 (for 115 yds.) vs. Houston 9/29

Yards – 1431 [3]

Most yards, game – 133 yards (on 20 carries) vs. Buffalo 9/16

Average gain – 4.5 [7]

TDs – 11 [6, tied with Barry Sanders & Karim Abdul-Jabbar]

100-yard rushing games – 10

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 22      

Most receptions, game – 5 (for 40 yds.) at Kansas City 10/7

Yards – 122

Most yards, game – 40 (on 5 catches) at Kansas City 10/7

Average gain – 5.5

TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 11 [9, tied with four others]

Points – 66

Postseason: 2 G

Rushing attempts – 38

Most rushing attempts, game – 25 vs. Indianapolis, AFC Wild Card playoff

Rushing yards – 145

Most rushing yards, game – 102 vs. Indianapolis, AFC Wild Card playoff

Average gain rushing – 3.8

Rushing TDs – 2

Pass receptions – 3

Most pass receptions, game – 2 at New England, AFC Divisional playoff

Pass receiving yards – 3

Most pass receiving yards, game – 4 vs. Indianapolis, AFC Wild Card playoff

Average yards per reception – 1.0

Pass Receiving TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

1^st-team All-NFL: AP

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

Pro Bowl

Steelers went 10-6 to finish first in the AFC Central while ranking second in the NFL in rushing (2299 yards). Won AFC Wild Card playoff over Indianapolis Colts (42-14). Lost AFC Divisional playoff to New England Patriots (28-3).

Aftermath:

The 1996 season was the first of six straight 1000-yard performances for Bettis. He reached his career high in rushing with 1665 yards in 1997, again being selected to the Pro Bowl and garnering first-team All-AFC honors from Pro Football Weekly. Bettis received Pro Bowl honors for the last time at age 32 in 2004, when he rushed for a career-high 13 touchdowns, and capped his career in ’05 in a backup role on a team that won the Super Bowl. Overall, he played a total of 13 years, the last 10 with the Steelers, and rushed for 13,662 yards, which ranked fifth all-time, and scored a total of 94 touchdowns (91 rushing, 3 receiving). “The Bus” was selected to the Pro Bowl six times and gained election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2015.

--

Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970

Highlighted Year: Eric Allen, 1989

Cornerback, Philadelphia Eagles

Age: 24 (Nov. 22)

2^nd season in pro football & with Eagles

College: Arizona State

Height: 5’10” Weight: 188

Prelude:

An outstanding cover cornerback in college, Allen intercepted a total of 15 passes and was an All-Pac 10 selection in 1987. Having caught the eye of Philadelphia’s Head Coach Buddy Ryan, the Eagles traded up nine spots in the second round to draft him in ’88 and he moved directly into the starting lineup as a rookie. Allen intercepted five passes for a team that ranked second in the NFL with 32.

1989 Season Summary

Appeared in 15 of 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 8 [2, tied with David Fulcher, 1^st in NFC]

Most interceptions, game – 1 on eight occasions

Int. return yards – 38

Most int. return yards, game – 18 (on 1 int.) at San Diego 11/5

Int. TDs – 0

Sacks – 0

Fumble recoveries – 0

Forced fumbles – 0

Tackles – 48

Missed playoff game due to injury

Awards & Honors:

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

2^nd team All-NFL: NEA

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

Pro Bowl

Eagles went 11-5 to finish second in the NFC East and qualify for the playoffs as a Wild Card entry while leading the NFL in interceptions (30) and placing second in sacks (62). Lost NFC Wild Card playoff to Los Angeles Rams (21-7).

Aftermath:

Allen spent another five seasons with the Eagles, and was selected to the Pro Bowl after four of them. He was part of a defensive unit in 1991 that was best overall and against the run and the pass individually. In ’93 he intercepted six passes and returned them for a league-leading 201 yards and four touchdowns, which highlighted his ability to make big plays as well as provide excellent coverage. He followed the exodus of defensive stars out of Philadelphia, signing with New Orleans as a free agent in 1995 and achieving one last Pro Bowl selection. With his skills declining, he got by on savvy and played two more years with the Saints before moving on to the Oakland Raiders in 1998. Allen missed time with a knee injury but also had six interceptions in 2000, returning three of them for touchdowns. He retired following the 2001 season, having intercepted 54 passes that he returned for 826 yards and 8 TDs. 34 of those pickoffs, for 482 yards and 5 scores, came with the Eagles, making him one of the franchise’s career co-leaders in interceptions. Allen received consensus first-team All-NFL honors once and was an All-NFC choice on two other occasions, achieving selection to the Pro Bowl six times.

--

Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970

1964: Eagles Obtain Peters and Matson From Lions

Under new ownership and with a new head coach and general manager in Joe Kuharich, the Philadelphia Eagles were very active in trade activity following the 1963 NFL season. They had already swung controversial deals involving two key performers on offense, flanker Tommy McDonald and QB Sonny Jurgensen, and on April 10, 1964 they traded OT J.D. Smith to the Detroit Lions for DT Floyd Peters and HB Ollie Matson.

Having won the 1960 NFL Championship and contending in ’61, Philadelphia was most recently coming off of back-to-back last place finishes in the Eastern Conference. Injuries were a major problem, with the team winning just five of 28 games, along with three ties, over the course of the 1962 and ’63 seasons. Beyond the injuries, the pass-oriented offense didn’t run the ball particularly well, with the exception of star all-purpose HB Timmy Brown, and the defense lacked a good pass rush.

The Lions also suffered through an injury-plagued 1963 season, dropping to 5-8-1 after having placed second in the Western Conference for three years in a row. Detroit was long known as a strong defensive team with a less impressive offense.

Floyd Peters (pictured above), who was a month short of his 28^th birthday, was the key player in the deal for Philadelphia. An eighth-round draft choice out of San Francisco State by the Colts in 1958, he failed to make the team that year but was picked up by the Cleveland Browns in ’59. Following three seasons in Cleveland, Peters was obtained by the Lions in 1963 to fill in for the suspended Alex Karras. It was anticipated that the 6’4”, 255-pound veteran would be a valuable addition to a weak defensive line.

Thrown in to the deal was Ollie Matson, once a top-flight performer but now 33 years old (he turned 34 a few weeks later) and coming off an injury-plagued year with the Lions in which he ran for just 20 yards on 13 carries. He had a history with Kuharich, who had been his coach when he starred with the undefeated 1951 Univ. of San Francisco team.  A first-round draft choice of the Chicago Cardinals (where Kuharich also became the head coach), he flashed his all-around skills as a running back, kick returner, and occasional defensive back who earned consensus first-team All-NFL honors in four consecutive seasons (he missed 1953 due to military duty) and six straight Pro Bowl appearances. The Rams traded nine players to obtain him in 1959, but after rushing for 863 yards his first year in LA, his career went into decline, along with the team in general. Under Head Coach Bob Waterfield, he was shifted to safety on defense as well as slot back and fullback on offense, and spent substantial time on the bench in ’62 before being dealt to Detroit. The 6’2”, 210-pound Matson was certainly versatile, although there were concerns about how much of his great talent remained.

As for the Lions, they hoped that the 27-year-old J.D. Smith could take over the spot at right tackle vacated by the untimely death of Lucien Reeberg, a promising 1963 rookie. Smith had started for the 1960 NFL Championship team and was named to the Pro Bowl in ’61, but a broken leg suffered in the Playoff Bowl following that season had led to a decline.

For Philadelphia, the result of all of the retooling was an improvement to 6-8 in 1964, but the club had just one winning season during Kuharich’s five-year tenure. Unlike other trades he engineered, the acquisition of Peters and Matson in exchange for Smith was one in which the Eagles clearly benefited most.

Peters did indeed move directly into the starting lineup and spent six years with the Eagles. He achieved Pro Bowl honors in 1964 and again, following knee surgery after the 1965 season, in 1966 and ’67 and was a first-team All-Eastern Conference choice by The Sporting News in each of those three years as well. Peters proved to be a formidable pass rusher from the inside of the line who was also tough against the run. While he didn’t get opportunities to perform in the offseason with the mediocre Eagles, he did excel in the 1967 Pro Bowl, in which he was named Most Valuable Lineman. Following his retirement in 1970, after one year with Washington, Peters went on to a coaching career and was a well-regarded defensive coordinator with several NFL teams.

Matson (pictured at left) proved to be a valuable reserve halfback. When Timmy Brown went down with an injury in ‘64, he rushed for 100 yards against the Giants and had 85 yards on 11 carries vs. Washington. He totaled 404 yards for the year, his highest since 1959, while averaging 4.2 yards per carry and catching 17 passes for another 242 yards. Matson played another two seasons with Philadelphia and continued to perform well off the bench, and also returned kickoffs. He added 1567 yards to his career all-purpose yards total of 12,799 while with the Eagles and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1972 (Joe Kuharich was his presenter).

Meanwhile, Smith failed to return to form with Detroit, playing in seven games in 1964, missing all of ’65, and finishing his injury-plagued career in 1966.

Highlighted Year: Pete Banaszak, 1975

Halfback, Oakland Raiders

Age: 31

10^th season in pro football & with Raiders

College: Miami (FL)

Height: 5’11” Weight: 210

Prelude:

Banaszak was chosen by the Raiders in the fifth round of the 1966 AFL draft and, after seeing scant action as a rookie, played well when given an opportunity in ’67 due to a broken ankle suffered by HB Clem Daniels. He averaged 5.5 yards per carry while rushing for 376 yards and was a capable blocker. Still, he remained a backup, able to play at both halfback and fullback amid a good group of running backs over the next several seasons. He finally moved into the starting lineup in 1971 and carried 137 times for 563 yards (4.1 avg.) and 8 TDs. But he returned to a backup role and had a total of 144 carries over the next three seasons, for 608 yards (4.2 avg.) and six touchdowns while catching 25 passes for 158 yards.

1975 Season Summary

Appeared and in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 187 [15]

Most attempts, game – 27 (for 116 yds.) vs. Atlanta 11/30

Yards – 672 [20]

Most yards, game – 116 yards (on 27 carries) vs. Atlanta 11/30

Average gain – 3.6

TDs – 16 [1, tied with O.J. Simpson]

100-yard rushing games – 1

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 10      

Most receptions, game – 2 (for 15 yds.) at San Diego 10/5, (for 3 yds.) at Kansas City 10/12, (for 22 yds.) vs. Kansas City 12/21

Yards – 64

Most yards, game – 22 (on 2 catches) vs. Kansas City 12/21

Average gain – 6.4

TDs – 0

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 2

Yards – 24

Average per return – 12.0

TDs – 0

Longest return – 19 yards

Scoring

TDs – 16 [3]

Points – 96 [5, tied with Jan Stenerud]

Postseason: 2 G

Rushing attempts – 25

Most rushing attempts, game – 17 vs. Cincinnati, AFC Divisional playoff

Rushing yards – 95

Most rushing yards, game – 62 vs. Cincinnati, AFC Divisional playoff

Average gain rushing – 3.8

Rushing TDs – 1

Pass receptions – 2

Most pass receptions, game – 2 at Pittsburgh, AFC Championship

Pass receiving yards – 12

Most pass receiving yards, game – 12 at Pittsburgh, AFC Championship

Average yards per reception – 6.0

Pass Receiving TDs – 0

Kickoff returns – 1

Kickoff return yards – 15

Kickoff return TDs – 0

Raiders went 11-3 to finish first in the AFC West while tying with the Baltimore Colts for most rushing touchdowns (28). Won AFC Divisional playoff over Cincinnati Bengals (31-28). Lost AFC Championship to Pittsburgh Steelers (16-10).

Aftermath:

Banaszak followed up with 370 rushing yards in 1976, splitting time with HB Clarence Davis as he handled the short-yardage situations and contributed to a NFL title with two touchdown carries in the Super Bowl win over Minnesota. His long career as a valuable part-time cog in the backfield came to an end in 1978 after 13 seasons. Banaszak rushed for 3772 yards on 964 carries (3.9 avg.) and caught 121 passes for another 1022 yards (8.4 avg.), scoring a total of 52 TDs (47 rushing, five receiving).

--

Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970