1993: AFC Wins First Overtime Pro Bowl

The AFC-NFC Pro Bowl on February 7, 1993 was played before 50,007 fans at Aloha Stadium on a sunny day with intermittent clouds. It marked the 14^th consecutive year that the game was played in Honolulu. Coaches were Don Shula of the Dolphins for the AFC and San Francisco’s George Seifert for the NFC.

The NFC took the opening kickoff and drove 65 yards in 14 plays. QB Steve Young of the 49ers scrambled for eight yards in a third-and-three situation and completed five passes, the longest to his San Francisco teammate, TE Brent Jones, for 17 yards. The advance finally stalled at the AFC 10 and Morten Andersen of the Saints kicked a 27-yard field goal.

The AFC punted following their first series but got the ball back four plays later when a Young pass was intercepted by Denver FS Steve Atwater at the AFC 29. Miami QB Dan Marino completed consecutive throws to WR Anthony Miller of the Chargers for 16 yards and Houston WR Haywood Jeffires for 11 to get the ball into NFC territory, but a holding penalty moved them back, and on third down Marino was sacked by Minnesota DE Chris Doleman for a 15-yard loss, resulting in a punt.

The AFC managed to get on the scoreboard when, on the first play of the second quarter, LB Junior Seau of the Chargers intercepted a Young pass and returned it 31 yards for a touchdown. Kansas City’s Nick Lowery added the extra point to give the AFC a 7-3 lead. The NFC responded with a 10-play, 58-yard possession. An illegal blitz (an infraction specific to the Pro Bowl) on the AFC converted a third down and Dallas RB Emmitt Smith broke away for a 23-yard gain to the AFC 34. The NFC converted another third down before the drive came to an end at the AFC 20 and Andersen kicked a 37-yard field goal to narrow the score to 7-6.

QB Troy Aikman of the champion Cowboys (pictured at right) was behind center for the next NFC series and came out throwing, hitting on three straight passes to pick up 25 yards, two of them to his Dallas teammate, WR Michael Irvin. The nine-play drive covered 54 yards and ended with Aikman passing to Irvin once more for a nine-yard TD. Andersen converted and the NFC took a 13-7 lead.

The AFC went three-and-out and punted, and with 56 seconds remaining in the first half, Aikman again went to the air, connecting with Atlanta WR Andre Rison for 18 yards, RB Barry Sanders of the Lions for 19, and Rison again for 11 yards. But Aikman’s next two passes fell incomplete, with a Sanders run for no gain in between, and Andersen’s field goal try was blocked by DE Leslie O’Neal of the Chargers and returned by Miami LB Bryan Cox to the NFC 35.

Houston QB Warren Moon completed a pass to Jeffires and it appeared that time had run out in the half before the receiver got out of bounds. Players began to head to the locker room and technicians started to pull sets for the halftime show onto the field. But the officials ruled that there were still two seconds remaining and the field was cleared. On the final play of the half, Lowery booted a 42-yard field goal and the NFC margin was narrowed to 13-10 at halftime.

The AFC started the third quarter off with a short series and punted. On the NFC’s third play, Aikman threw to Dallas TE Jay Novacek for 26 yards, but after Sanders ran twice to gain another 14 yards, Aikman’s next pass was picked off by SS Henry Jones of the Bills, who returned it 32 yards to the NFC 42. With Pittsburgh RB Barry Foster (pictured at top) running effectively and his teammate with the Steelers, QB Neil O’Donnell, completing a pass, the AFC reached the 11 before settling for a 29-yard Lowery field goal to tie the score at 13-13.

Atlanta CB Deion Sanders returned the ensuing kickoff 46 yards and the NFC started with good field position near midfield. QB Brett Favre of the Packers was in the game and misfired on his first three passes before connecting with San Francisco WR Jerry Rice for 48 yards to the AFC two. RB Ricky Watters of the 49ers lost two yards on first down and, while Rice picked up three yards on a short toss from Favre, the AFC defense held as Favre was stuffed for no gain on a quarterback sneak and, on fourth down, Watters dove for the end zone and came up short.

The AFC had possession as the game headed into the fourth quarter. O’Donnell completed passes to Houston WR Ernest Givins for six yards and WR Andre Reed of the Bills for nine, but the AFC had to punt. RB Johnny Bailey of the Cardinals returned the kick but fumbled when hit by Buffalo WR Steve Tasker, the AFC’s special teams representative, and punter Rohn Stark of the Colts recovered at the AFC 39. However, on the next play O’Donnell’s pass was intercepted by Phoenix SS Tim McDonald.

The NFC punted for the first (and only) time following a short series and a 20-yard return by Indianapolis WR Clarence Verdin had another 15 yards tacked on for unnecessary roughness. Starting at the NFC 37, the AFC netted a yard in three plays and Lowery missed a 54-yard field goal attempt.

Favre threw to WR Fred Barnett of the Eagles for 16 yards on first down and the NFC maintained possession when an apparent interception was nullified by a pass interference penalty. Favre was sacked by DE Howie Long of the Raiders on third down and that set up another big play for the AFC on special teams. A field goal try by Andersen was blocked by Tasker and CB Terry McDaniel of the Raiders recovered and ran 28 yards for a touchdown. Lowery converted and the AFC was back in front by 20-13 with eight minutes left in regulation.

Young was back at quarterback for the NFC and he threw to Irvin for 19 yards and ran for eight. Sanders ran for six yards and it was Young to Irvin again for 12 to the AFC 35, but a holding penalty backed the NFC up and the next two passes were incomplete before Young was intercepted by Buffalo CB Nate Odomes.

The AFC punted following the next series and the NFC took over at its 22 with less than three minutes remaining on the clock. Young threw to Rice for 16 yards but was sacked by DE Neil Smith of the Chiefs for a loss of eight. Two plays later, he passed to Brent Jones for 16 yards and a first down and, after another sack, connected with Rison for 18. Throws to Novacek and Rison got the ball to the AFC 20, but the next two passes were incomplete and Young was sacked by Cox on third down. Facing fourth down and with time running out, a scrambling Young completed a throw to RB Rodney Hampton of the Giants at the goal line for a 23-yard touchdown with ten seconds remaining in regulation. Andersen tied the score at 20-20 with the point after and, with the score tied at 20-20 at the end of four quarters, the game went into overtime.

The NFC won the toss and had the first possession in overtime, but Young fumbled when caught from behind by Kansas City LB Derrick Thomas while scrambling and Long recovered for the AFC at the NFC 28. Foster ran the ball four times to reach the NFC 16 before Lowery came on to kick the game-winning 33-yard field goal at 4:09 into OT. The AFC won the first overtime Pro Bowl game by a final score of 23-20.

The NFC far outgained the AFC (472 yards to 114) and also had big margins in first downs (30 to 9) and offensive plays (90 to 50). However, the NFC turned the ball over six times, to one suffered by the AFC, and the AFC had both an interception and blocked field goal returned for touchdowns.

Dan Marino completed just three of nine passes for 31 yards and Neil O’Donnell had the most completed passes for the AFC, with four, out of seven attempts for 23 yards with one intercepted. Barry Foster rushed for 57 yards on 15 carries to lead the team by far (runner-up was RB Harold Green of the Bengals with nine yards on four attempts). Haywood Jeffires led the receivers with three catches for 26 yards and Anthony Miller contributed 23 yards on his two receptions. Steve Tasker (pictured below) was named the game’s MVP as he accounted for four tackles, a forced fumble, and a blocked kick. Regularly recognized for his outstanding play on special teams, Tasker was appearing in his fourth of an eventual seven Pro Bowls.

For the NFC, Steve Young was successful on 18 of 32 throws for 196 yards and a TD, but gave up three interceptions and had the disastrous fumble in overtime. He also led the team in rushing with 34 yards on six carries. Troy Aikman was 10-of-15 for 120 yards with a touchdown and an interception and Brett Favre, making his first Pro Bowl appearance, completed four of eight passes for 74 yards with no TDs or pickoffs. Andre Rison had 8 catches for 80 yards and Jerry Rice gained 78 yards on his four receptions while Michael Irvin scored a TD among his 5 catches for 59 yards.

The game marked the first time that the Pro Bowl went into overtime and reduced the NFC’s lead in the series to 13-10 since going to the AFC vs. NFC format following the 1970 AFL/NFL merger.

1991: Bill Belichick Becomes Head Coach of Cleveland Browns

On February 5, 1991 owner Art Modell of the Cleveland Browns introduced Bill Belichick at a press conference as the eighth head coach in franchise history (not counting interims). He received a five-year contract and, two months shy of his 39^th birthday, was the youngest head coach in the NFL at the time.

Belichick had most recently been defensive coordinator of the New York Giants, who had edged Buffalo in the Super Bowl less than two weeks previously. He beat out Mike White, the quarterback coach of the Los Angeles Raiders, to succeed to the job that Bud Carson was forced to vacate after nine games of his second season at the helm (Jim Shofner was the interim coach for the last seven contests).

The son of Steve Belichick, who played for one season in the NFL as a fullback for the Detroit Lions in 1941 and went on to become a highly regarded college scout, Belichick was a graduate of Wesleyan University in Connecticut. His first NFL assistant coaching job was with the Baltimore Colts in 1975 at age 23 as a low-paid special assistant, essentially studying game film and running errands. He moved on to more significant positions with the Lions and Broncos before joining the Giants in 1979. In New York, he started out coaching special teams under Head Coach Ray Perkins, added linebackers to his responsibilities, and, retained by Bill Parcells, moved up to defensive coordinator in 1985. The Giants won two Super Bowls during Belichick’s tenure and the defense was a key to the team’s success.

Belichick already had a reputation as a hard worker with strong organizational skills, who was also intense and a highly knowledgeable student of the game. He inherited a team that was coming off of a dismal 3-13 record in 1990 after five straight playoff seasons. In selecting his staff, Belichick retained one holdover assistant, offensive line coach Hal Hunter, and included Nick Saban as defensive coordinator and Gary Tranquill, a career college assistant, to coach the quarterbacks.

The Browns improved to 6-10 in ’91 and were noticeably more competitive. Veteran QB Bernie Kosar, who had taken a beating in recent seasons, was sacked 41 times but also passed for 3487 yards and 18 touchdowns while giving up nine interceptions. The big-back combination of FB Kevin Mack and RB Leroy Hoard was effective and the receivers, led by WR Webster Slaughter, were capable. DT Michael Dean Perry initially held out but came back to make the Pro Bowl for the third straight year while providing leadership to a young defensive line. 36-year-old LB Clay Matthews was utilized primarily for his skill as a pass rusher and did well although injuries decimated the defensive backfield, where SS Eric Turner, the team’s first draft choice, missed the first half of the season due to a stress fracture in his foot but came on strong when he finally took the field.

The record was slightly better at 7-9 in 1992, although the Browns were at 7-6 before losing their last three contests. Kosar was limited to seven games due to a broken ankle, and with backup QB Todd Philcox also going down, journeyman Mike Tomczak accumulated eight starts. Rookie FB Tommy Vardell joined the corps of power running backs while HB Eric Metcalf was outstanding as a third-down back and punt returner. There was retooling among the receivers, where WR Michael Jackson had a breakout season and ex-Giants TE Mark Bavaro was steady. On defense, Perry got off to a slow start and complained about his role but came on stronger as the season progressed. Matthews appeared to be ageless and he and DE Rob Burnett led the club with nine sacks apiece. Age and injuries were still an issue in the backfield.

The 1993 season was highlighted by the dramatic, and controversial, decision to jettison Kosar from the team after seven games. The move was all the more stunning because Vinny Testaverde, the veteran obtained from the Buccaneers to back up Kosar, was injured and the team had to go with Philcox. The club lost four straight games, but Testaverde performed well when he took over the starting job and the Browns duplicated their ’92 record at 7-9. Vardell led the team in rushing and Metcalf was an All-Pro in his all-purpose role. WR Mark Carrier, another ex-Buc, teamed well with Jackson and the line, built around center Steve Everitt, was much improved. The defense was strongest on the line and in the backfield, but the linebackers were showing their age and lack of speed.

The pressure was on Belichick to show greater results in 1994, and the Browns responded by going 11-5 and reaching the playoffs. Testaverde’s performance was uneven but the play of other personnel on offense helped. When Vardell went down with a season-ending knee injury, Hoard ably stepped in and was named to the Pro Bowl along with Metcalf. Four starters on defense also made the Pro Bowl, including Perry, Burnett, Turner (who was also a first-team All-Pro by AP and the Pro Football Writers), and ex-Giants LB Pepper Johnson.  Both of the team’s first-round draft picks, CB Antonio Langham and WR Derrick Alexander, contributed significantly. Having finished second in the AFC Central, the Browns defeated New England in the Wild Card playoff round before losing to the division-rival Steelers at the Divisional level. It was a solid year and expectations were high for 1995.

Those high expectations failed to materialize. Cleveland got off to a 3-1 start, lost three straight, and was at 4-4 before the bottom fell out. Modell announced that the franchise would be moved to Baltimore in 1996 and the distracted club finished up at 1-7 for an overall record of 5-11. Testaverde was benched for four games and WR Andre Rison, who was brought in as a free agent from Atlanta at high cost to upgrade the receiving corps, proved a poor fit and became a negative presence in the locker room. The defense also slipped badly, and Turner was injured for half the season.

After five years, Belichick’s tenure with the Browns came to an end. His overall regular season record was 36-44 and 1-1 in the postseason. He took over a team in dire need of rebuilding and had steadily done so, making the greatest progress on the offensive line and the defense. The team had drafted well and, except in the notorious case of Rison, made good veteran pickups to fill holes.  Belichick had drawn criticism for his dour demeanor, which alienated the media and fans, and his intensity wore thin, not least with Modell, who initially had given the coach a vote of confidence to go with the team to Baltimore in ’96, only to dismiss him instead (Belichick was succeeded by one of his mentors, Ted Marchibroda, under whom he had served in his first assistant coaching job).

Belichick rejoined Bill Parcells, now head coach of the Patriots, in ’96 and went with him to the Jets the following year, acting as assistant head coach. He was set to replace Parcells with the Jets in 2000 but backed out to instead become head coach in New England. A year later, the Patriots won their first of six AFC titles and four Super Bowls (to date) under Belichick’s direction.

Highlighted Year: Frank Garcia, 1983

Punter, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Age: 26

2^nd season in pro football, 1^st with Buccaneers

College: Arizona

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 205

Prelude:

A versatile player in high school who played quarterback and halfback as well as handling the placekicking and punting, Garcia performed well as a punter in college. He had difficulty catching on as a pro, however, failing to catch on with Atlanta in 1979, San Diego in ’80, and both Green Bay and Tampa Bay in 1981 before appearing in one game with Seattle after punter Jeff West was injured. He was let go by the Seahawks in ’82 and joined the Chicago Blitz of the USFL in the spring of 1983 but was cut once again after averaging 37.5 yards on 18 punts, with two touchbacks and eight inside the 20. Garcia got another shot with the Buccaneers and made the club.

1983 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Punting

Punts – 95 [1]

Most punts, game – 10 at Green Bay 10/2

Yards – 4008 [2]

Average – 42.2 [6, 1^st in NFC]

Best average, game – 48.4 (on 8 punts) at Minnesota 11/6

Punts blocked – 1 [3, tied with ten others]

Longest punt – 64 yards

Awards & Honors:

2^nd team All-NFC: UPI

Buccaneers went 2-14 to finish fifth in the NFC Central while generating the fewest total yards (4477) in the NFL.

Aftermath:

Garcia spent another four seasons with the Buccaneers and remained steady, if not outstanding. Typically, his net average ranked lower than his gross average. He was let go after a 1987 season in which his average dipped to a low of 38.9 yards with a poor net average of 28.3. Overall, he averaged 41.1 yards on 379 punts with Tampa Bay.

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Highlighted Years features players who were 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

1986: Simms Rallies NFC to Pro Bowl Win

It was a calm, sunny day at Aloha Stadium with 50,101 fans in attendance for the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl on February 2, 1986, marking the seventh straight year that the NFL’s annual all-star game was held in Honolulu. The coaches were John Robinson of the Rams for the NFC and Miami’s Don Shula for the AFC.

The NFC had first possession and advanced to the AFC 37 but came up empty when Morten Andersen of the Saints missed a 54-yard field goal attempt. The AFC drove 63 yards in 11 plays as San Diego QB Dan Fouts completed five passes, three of them to WR Steve Largent of the Seahawks. RB Marcus Allen of the Raiders ran for a two-yard touchdown and Pittsburgh’s Gary Anderson added the extra point.

The teams exchanged punts but the NFC was on the move as the opening period ended thanks to three pass completions by QB Phil Simms of the Giants (pictured above), two of them for 16 yards apiece to Tampa Bay TE Jimmie Giles and WR James Lofton of the Packers. However, facing fourth-and-two at the AFC 31 early in the second quarter, a carry by Atlanta RB Gerald Riggs came up short. But the NFC got a break three plays later when a Fouts pass was intercepted by safety Joey Browner of the Vikings, who returned it 48 yards for a TD. Morten Andersen’s conversion tied the score at 7-7.

The AFC responded with a 78-yard drive in eight plays. Allen ran effectively and Fouts completed another two throws to Largent (pictured below), and it was Allen taking a pitchout and tossing an option pass to San Diego WR Wes Chandler for a 51-yard touchdown. Gary Anderson added the point after and the AFC was back in the lead by 14-7.

QB Jim McMahon of the recently-crowned champion Bears was behind center for the next NFC series, but he was hindered by a knee injury suffered in the Super Bowl. McMahon was sacked for an eight-yard loss by DE Howie Long of the Raiders on first down and, two plays later, was picked off by Denver CB Louis Wright, who returned it 12 yards to the NFC 19. The AFC picked up another three points when Gary Anderson booted a 34-yard field goal four plays later for a 17-7 advantage.

Another short series for the NFC ended with McMahon fumbling when sacked by DE Mark Gastineau of the Jets on third down and Denver DE Rulon Jones recovered for the AFC at the NFC 10. On the next play, QB Ken O’Brien of the Jets connected with Pittsburgh WR Louis Lipps for a touchdown. Gary Anderson added the extra point and, with four minutes remaining in the first half, the AFC held a 24-7 lead, which remained the score at halftime.

The AFC started off the third quarter by advancing to midfield, but O’Brien fumbled when attempting to hand off and Dallas DT Randy White recovered for the NFC at the AFC 49. After a running play lost a yard, Simms, back behind center for the NFC due to McMahon’s injury, completed three consecutive passes, the longest to TE Doug Cosbie of the Cowboys for 23 yards. Simms finished off the six-play possession with a pass to Washington WR Art Monk for a 15-yard TD, Morten Andersen converted, and the AFC lead was narrowed to 24-14.

The teams traded punts before the AFC put together a promising drive. Allen again ran the ball well and Fouts completed three passes, two to Largent for 20 yards and one to Chandler for 23. But after reaching the NFC 18, a Fouts throw into the end zone was intercepted by CB Leroy Irvin of the Rams to snuff out the opportunity.

The clubs again exchanged punts and, as the game entered the fourth quarter, Irvin’s 32-yard punt return put the NFC at the AFC 32. Simms threw to Cosbie for 19 yards and San Francisco RB Roger Craig ran twice for 11 yards. It was Simms to Cosbie for a two-yard touchdown and, with Morten Andersen adding the extra point, the AFC lead was whittled down to three points at 24-21.

The AFC went primarily to the air on the next series and O’Brien connected on five straight passes and a roughing-the-passer penalty on LB Otis Wilson of the Bears put the ball on the NFC 13. But once again the NFC came through with an interception in the end zone as O’Brien’s next toss was picked off by Chicago LB Mike Singletary.

Starting from their 20, the NFC drove 80 yards in 10 plays. Simms converted a third-and-six situation with a completion to Lofton for 19 yards and, after a fumble resulted in a nine-yard loss, he threw to Monk for 17 yards on a third-and-16 play. RB Joe Morris of the Giants gained 11 yards on a fake reverse and, two plays after that, it was Simms to Monk for 17 yards to the AFC 15. From there, Simms connected with Giles for a touchdown and Morten Andersen’s kick made it a four-point game. The AFC had one last shot and it ended when a Fouts pass was intercepted by Irvin to nail down the 28-24 win for the NFC.   

The AFC had the edge in total yards (382 to 272) and first downs (24 to 18). However, they also turned the ball over five times, to two suffered by the NFC.

Phil Simms, who was named the game’s MVP, completed 15 of 27 passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns while giving up no interceptions. The hobbled Jim McMahon was a lackluster one-of-six for seven yards and gave up an interception and fumble. Joe Morris led the NFC rushers with 34 yards on 8 attempts and Roger Craig, who also carried 8 times, was second with 25. Art Monk and Doug Cosbie caught four passes apiece, for 61 and 55 yards, respectively. On defense, LeRoy Irvin accounted for two interceptions and Joey Browner had one that was returned for a score.

For the AFC, Dan Fouts was successful on 16 of 27 throws for 173 yards, but none were for TDs and he was intercepted three times. Ken O’Brien was 8-of-15 for 87 yards and a touchdown with an interception as well. Marcus Allen rushed for 58 yards on 16 carries that included a TD and also threw a scoring pass. Steve Largent caught a then-Pro Bowl-record 8 passes, for 82 yards, and Wes Chandler gained 114 yards on his four pass receptions that included a touchdown. 

“When Jim (McMahon) got hurt, I knew I was going to play the rest of the game,” said Phil Simms. “I can’t say I was real thrilled about Jim getting hurt…but it turned out well.”

The game marked a return to the victory column for the NFC, which lost the previous year’s contest after having won two straight. The NFC held a 10-6 advantage since the AFC vs. NFC format had been adopted following the 1970 merger.

Highlighted Year: Joey Galloway, 1997

Wide Receiver, Seattle Seahawks

Age: 26 (Nov. 20)

3^rd season in pro football & with Seahawks

College: Ohio State

Height: 5’11” Weight: 188

Prelude:

Galloway caught 108 passes for 1894 yards (17.5 avg.) and 19 touchdowns in college. He was chosen by the Seahawks in the first round of the 1995 NFL draft (eighth overall), who were looking to add speed at wide receiver, and moved directly into the starting lineup. Galloway caught 67 passes for 1039 yards (15.5 avg.) and seven TDs as a rookie and also returned 36 punts for a 10.0 average with one touchdown. He followed up with 57 receptions for 987 yards (17.3 avg.) and seven more TDs in 1996.

1997 Season Summary

Appeared in 15 of 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 72 [15, tied with Andre Rison & Shannon Sharpe]     

Most receptions, game – 8 (for 75 yds.) at St. Louis 10/19, (for 98 yds.) at Denver 11/2

Yards – 1049 [16]

Most yards, game – 117 (on 7 catches) vs. Oakland 10/26

Average gain – 14.6

TDs – 12 [2, tied with James Jett, Rod Smith & Antonio Freeman, 1^st in AFC]

100-yard receiving games – 3

Rushing

Attempts – 9

Yards – 72

Yards per attempt – 8.0

TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 12 [5, tied with four others]

Points – 72

Seahawks went 8-8 to finish third in the AFC West while leading the NFL in passing yards (3959).

Aftermath:

Galloway had another strong year in 1998, catching 65 passes for 1047 yards (16.1 avg.) and 10 touchdowns, but a long contract holdout in ’99 cost him half the season, as well as good will with the organization, and he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in 2000. A knee injury suffered in the first week cost him the remainder of the season and he had a mediocre year in 2001, averaging a then-career-low 13.4 yards on 52 catches. He bounced back in ’02 with 61 receptions for 908 yards (14.9 avg.) and six TDs and led the NFL by averaging 19.8 yards, although on just 34 catches, in 2003. Traded to Tampa Bay for WR Keyshawn Johnson in ’04, Galloway spent the next five seasons with the Buccaneers and, following an injury-plagued year in which he was limited to ten games, he achieved career highs with 83 receptions for 1287 yards in 2005. It was the first of three straight thousand-yard receiving seasons in his mid-thirties. A foot injury hindered his performance in 2008 and he was released, finishing up with brief stints with New England and Washington in 2009 and ’10. Overall, Galloway caught 701 passes for 10,950 yards (15.6 avg.) and 77 touchdowns, with 283 of those catches for 4457 yards and 37 TDs coming with the Seahawks. He also returned 141 punts for a 9.6-yard average and five TDs.

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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: Jim Cason, 1949

Halfback, San Francisco 49ers

Age: 22

2^nd season in pro football & with 49ers

College: LSU

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 168

Prelude:

Cason was part of the LSU team that went 9-1-1 in 1946 and appeared in the Cotton Bowl, and was chosen by the 49ers in the third round of the 1948 AAFC draft (he was also picked by the Chicago Cardinals in the seventh round of the corresponding NFL draft). He gained 245 yards from scrimmage and scored three touchdowns as a rookie on offense, averaged 14.0 yards on 22 punt returns and 21.2 yards returning kickoffs, and intercepted five passes on defense.

1949 Season Summary

Appeared in all 12 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions

Interceptions – 9 [1]

Int. return yards – 152 [1]

Int. TDs – 0

Rushing

Attempts – 21

Yards – 70

Yards per attempt – 3.3

TDs – 1

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 5

Yards – 38

Yards per catch – 7.6

TDs – 0

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 11 [8, tied with Buddy Young]

Yards – 247 [9]

Average per return – 22.5

TDs – 0

Punt Returns

Returns – 21 [2]

Yards – 351 [1]

Average per return – 16.7 [3]

TDs – 0

Passing

Attempts – 2

Completions – 1

Yards – 38

TD passes – 1

Interceptions – 0

Scoring

TDs – 1

Points – 6

Postseason: 2 G

Pass receptions – 1

Pass receiving yards – 30

Pass receiving TDs – 0

Interceptions – 2

Int. return yards – 21

TDs – 0

Kickoff returns – 1

Kickoff ret. yards – 23

Kickoff ret. TDs – 0

Punt returns – 8

Punt ret. yards – 108

Average per return – 13.5

Punt ret. TDs – 0

Longest return – 10 yards

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL/AAFC: INS

49ers went 9-3 to finish second in the AAFC while leading the league in interceptions (32) and fewest yards allowed (3313). Won AAFC First Round playoff over New York Yankees (17-7). Lost AAFC Championship to Cleveland Browns (21-7).

Aftermath:

Cason moved on to the NFL with the 49ers in 1950 and was chosen to the Pro Bowl in ’51 after intercepting eight passes, one of which he returned for a TD. The versatile halfback also caught 30 passes for 374 yards in 1950. Cason spent the 1953 season in Canada with Saskatchewan but returned to the 49ers in ’54 and was chosen to another Pro Bowl. He was traded to the Rams in 1955 and spent his last two seasons with them, playing defensive halfback and intercepting nine passes. Over the course of eight years with the 49ers and Rams, he accumulated 34 interceptions, two of which he returned for TDs, with 25 occurring with San Francisco, 14 while in the AAFC. Cason also rushed for 351 yards and four TDs, caught 40 passes for 519 yards and another four scores, returned 67 punts for a 14.1-yard average and 33 kickoffs for an average of 21.3 yards. He was chosen to two Pro Bowls. Cason was an assistant coach for the Denver Broncos in their inaugural 1960 season.

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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: John Carney, 1994

Placekicker, San Diego Chargers

Age: 30

7^th season in pro football, 4^th complete with Chargers

College: Notre Dame

Height: 5’11” Weight: 170

Prelude:

Carney kicked 51 field goals in college and set a Notre Dame season record with his 89.5 percentage in 1984 (17 of 19). He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1987 but failed to make the team and sat out the year. Carney finished out the last four games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1988, substituting for the injured Donald Igwebuike, and started the year in ’89, playing in a total of five games and making good on two of five field goal attempts and all six of his PAT attempts. After failing to make the Chargers during the 1990 preseason, he appeared in one game with the Rams and was then re-signed by San Diego, succeeding on 19 of 21 field goal attempts. Following a lesser year in ’91, Carney bounced back to have two strong seasons, including hitting on 31 of 40 field goal tries in 1993, with two games in which he kicked six field goals in as many attempts.

1994 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Kicking

Field goals – 34 [1, tied with Fuad Reveiz]

Most field goals, game – 5 at New Orleans 10/16, vs. Denver 10/23

Field goal attempts – 38 [3]

Most field goal attempts, game – 5 at New Orleans 10/16, vs. Denver 10/23

Field goal percentage – 89.5 [2]

PATs – 33 [9, tied with Ed Murray]

PAT attempts – 33 [9, tied with Ed Murray]

Longest field goal – 50 yards at Atlanta 11/6, vs. San Francisco 12/11

Scoring

Field Goals – 34

PATs – 33

Points – 135 [1]

Postseason: 3 G

Field goals – 4

Most field goals, game – 2 vs. Miami, AFC Divisional playoff

Field goal attempts – 4

Most field goal attempts, game – 2 vs. Miami, AFC Divisional playoff

PATs – 5

Most PATs, game – 2 vs. Miami, AFC Divisional playoff; at Pittsburgh, AFC Championship

PAT attempts – 5

Longest field goal – 31 yards vs. San Francisco, Super Bowl

Awards & Honors:

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

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

Pro Bowl

Chargers went 11-5 to finish first in the AFC West. Won AFC Divisional playoff over Miami Dolphins (22-21) & AFC Championship over Pittsburgh Steelers (17-13). Lost Super Bowl to San Francisco 49ers (49-26).   

Aftermath:

Carney spent another six years with the Chargers and departed following the 2000 season as the club’s all-time leader in field goals (261) and scoring (1076 points). While not strong on kickoffs, and with concerns about his range, he joined the New Orleans Saints in 2001 and stayed for six years, providing reliability if not long distance. Carney split time with the Jaguars and Chiefs in 2007 before moving on to the New York Giants in ’08, where he had an excellent season, making good on 35 of 38 field goal attempts and gaining selection to the Pro Bowl at age 44. However, his contract was not renewed and he spent parts of the 2009 and ’10 seasons back with the Saints, finishing his 23-year career at 46 years old. Overall, Carney kicked 478 field goals in 580 attempts (82.4 %) and added 628 extra points (with 10 misses) for a total of 2062 points The field goal and point totals ranked third all-time in NFL history. He received first-team All-NFL recognition once, second-team honors twice, and was chosen to two Pro Bowls. Carney was named to the Chargers’ 50^th anniversary all-time team.

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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