Highlighted Year: Horace Gillom, 1951

End/Punter, Cleveland Browns

Age: 30

5^th season in pro football & with Browns

College: Nevada-Reno

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 220

Prelude:

Gillom starred at Massillon, Ohio’s Washington High School under Head Coach Paul Brown and followed his coach to Ohio State in 1941, but left to go into the army during World War II. Gillom enrolled at Nevada after his discharge in 1946 and joined the Browns of the AAFC in ‘47, reuniting with Coach Brown. He backed up at end on both offense and defense and made his biggest mark as a punter. Gillom‘s high, booming kicks were noted for their hang time, and he lined up 15 yards behind center, rather than the 10 to 12 that was typical during that era, thus further helping the coverage unit. His average was 44.6 yards on 47 punts as a rookie and he had his best seasons for pass receiving in 1948, with 20 catches for 295 yards (14.8 avg.) and a TD and 23 for 359 yards (15.6 avg.) in ’49, the AAFC’s last year. In 1950, his first NFL season, Gillom punted 66 times for a 43.2-yard average.

1951 Season Summary

Appeared in all 12 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Punting

Punts – 73 [2, tied with Joe Geri]

Yards – 3321 [1]

Average – 45.5 [1]

Punts blocked – 0

Longest punt – 66 yards

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 11

Yards – 164

Yards per catch – 14.9

TDs – 0

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 2

Yards – 25

Average per return – 12.5

TDs – 0

Longest return – 15 yards

Scoring

TDs – 1         

Points – 6

Postseason: 1G (NFL Championship at LA Rams)

Punts – 4

Yards – 148

Average – 37.0

Longest punt – 38 yards

Browns went 11-1 to finish first in the NFL American Conference. Lost NFL Championship to Los Angeles Rams (24-17).

Aftermath:

Gillom led the NFL in punting again in 1952, averaging 45.7 yards, when he was also chosen for the Pro Bowl. He spent a total of ten seasons with the Browns, until being waived in 1956, and averaged 43.1 yards on 492 punts. Of that, 107 punts for a 40.5-yard average were in the AAFC and 385 for a 43.8 average came in the NFL. He also caught a total of 74 passes for 1003 yards (14.6 avg.) and three touchdowns (AAFC: 45 for 678 yards and a TD, NFL: 29 for 405 yards and two scores).

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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

Highlighted Year: Tommy Casanova, 1976

Safety, Cincinnati Bengals

Age: 26

5^th season in pro football & with Bengals

College: LSU

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 194

Prelude:

The versatile Casanova saw action on both offense and defense in college, as well as returning kicks, and despite injuries, he received consensus All-American honors as a defensive back in 1970 and ’71. Casanova was chosen by the Bengals in the second round of the 1972 NFL draft and moved directly into the starting lineup at free safety, intercepting five passes while also returning 30 punts for a 9.6-yard average that included a touchdown. He missed five games due to injury in ’73, although still intercepted four passes, but came back to gain a Pro Bowl selection in 1974. Casanova was shifted to strong safety in ’75 and received first-team All-AFC honors from the Associated Press.

1976 Season Summary

Appeared in 11 of 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 5 [17, tied with six others]

Most interceptions, game – 1 on five occasions

Int. return yards – 109 [9]

Most int. return yards, game – 33 (on 1 int.) vs. Green Bay 9/26

Int. TDs – 2 [2, tied with Prentice McCray, Jim Merlo & John Rowser]

Fumble recoveries – 1

Fumble recovery TDs – 1

Punt Returns

Returns – 10

Yards – 45

Average per return – 4.5

TDs – 0

Longest return – 15 yards

Scoring

TDs – 3

Points – 18

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL: AP

2^nd team All-NFL: PFWA, NEA

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

Pro Bowl

Bengals went 10-6 to finish second in the AFC Central while leading the conference in interceptions (26).

Aftermath:

Casanova had another Pro Bowl season in 1977 but, having started medical school while playing football, he retired to complete his degree and go into medicine. Overall, Casanova started 65 games for the Bengals and intercepted 17 passes, two of which he ran back for touchdowns. He also scored on a fumble recovery. As a punt returner, he averaged 8.6 yards on 91 returns with one TD. He was a consensus first-team All-NFL choice once, received first- or second-team All-AFC recognition after three other seasons, and was chosen to three Pro Bowls. In addition to practicing medicine as an ophthalmologist, Casanova also went on to serve in the Louisiana state senate.

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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

Highlighted Year: Mike Ditka, 1962

Tight End, Chicago Bears

Age: 23 (Oct. 18)

2^nd season in pro football & with Bears

College: Pittsburgh

Height: 6’3”   Weight: 230

Prelude:

Ditka was a three-sport athlete in college (baseball and basketball were the others). He led the team in pass receiving three times and was a consensus first-team All-American as a senior. Ditka also played linebacker and defensive end with distinction and punted, setting the tone for his later pro career with his competitive fury and hard-nosed playing style as well as being a skillful performer. He was chosen by the Bears with the fifth overall pick in the first round of the 1961 NFL draft (he was chosen by the Houston Oilers of the AFL, also in the first round) and quickly became a key player on offense at tight end with his ability as a receiver as well as blocker. He caught 56 passes for 1076 yards (19.2 avg.) and 12 touchdowns in ’61 and, in addition to receiving Rookie of the Year honors from UPI and The Sporting News, was also a first-team All-NFL selection of NEA and The Sporting News and was chosen to the Pro Bowl.

1962 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 58 [5, tied with Tommy McDonald & Johnny Morris]    

Most receptions, game – 8 (for 132 yds.) vs. San Francisco 10/14

Yards – 904 [10]

Most yards, game – 155 (on 6 catches) vs. LA Rams 12/9

Average gain – 15.6 [19]

TDs – 5 [18, tied with five others]

100-yard receiving games - 4

Scoring

TDs – 6

Points – 36

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL: UPI, NEA

2^nd team All-NFL: AP

1^st team All-Western Conference: Sporting News

Pro Bowl

Bears went 9-5 to finish third in the NFL Western Conference.   

Aftermath:

Ditka was selected to the Pro Bowl in each of the next three seasons and was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection in 1963, when the Bears won the NFL Championship, and ’64, when he caught a career-high 75 passes. He did much to define the newly-evolved position of tight end with his outstanding combination of skills. After a contract dispute fouled his relations with Chicago’s owner and head coach, George Halas, Ditka was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 1967, but accumulated wear-and-tear caused his production to drop off during two injury-plagued seasons. After catching 316 passes for 4503 yards and 34 TDs in six years with the Bears, he had just 39 receptions for 385 yards and four TDs in 20 games for the Eagles. Traded again to Dallas, Ditka split time in his last four seasons. He had 30 catches in 1971, a year in which he also caught a touchdown pass in a winning Super Bowl appearance. Ditka retired into coaching after the ’72 season, having caught a total of 427 passes for 5812 yards and 43 TDs. His greatest years came with the Bears, where he was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection twice, received at least second-team recognition after four other seasons, and was named to the Pro Bowl five straight times. He later became head coach of the Bears, leading them to a NFL title in 1985, and also was head coach of the Saints. Ditka’s #89 was retired by the Bears and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1988.

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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: Muhsin Muhammad, 1999

Wide Receiver, Carolina Panthers

Age: 26

4^th season in pro football & with Panthers

College: Michigan State

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 220

Prelude:

Muhammad caught 50 passes for 867 yards (17.3 avg.) and three touchdowns in 1995, his last college season, and was chosen by the Panthers in the second round of the ’96 NFL draft. While hampered by a hamstring injury as a rookie, he showed promise, catching 25 passes for 407 yards (16.3 avg.) and impressing with his size as well as speed. Following another injury-plagued season in 1997, Muhammad started every game in ’98 and broke out with 68 receptions for 941 yards (13.8 avg.) and six TDs.

1999 Season Summary

Appeared in 15 of 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 96 [3, 1^st in NFC]    

Most receptions, game – 11 (for 126 yds.) vs. San Francisco 12/18

Yards – 1253 [7]

Most yards, game – 151 (on 8 catches) at Washington 10/3

Average gain – 13.1

TDs – 8 [12, tied with Az-Zahir Hakim, Kevin Johnson & Keyshawn Johnson]

100-yard receiving games – 5

Scoring

TDs – 8

Points – 48

Awards & Honors:

Pro Bowl

Panthers went 8-8 to finish second in the NFC West while ranking second in the NFL in passing yards (4161) and third in touchdowns (50).

Aftermath:

Muhammad led the NFL with 102 catches in 2000, gaining 1183 yards (11.6 avg.) and scoring six touchdowns. Injuries and off-field problems caused his production to drop off significantly in 2001, but there was improvement in 2002 and ’03, and he had an 85-yard scoring reception in the Super Bowl loss to New England following the latter season. Muhammad had a big year in 2004, leading the NFL with 1405 yards and 16 TDs on his 93 pass receptions and receiving consensus first-team All-NFL honors as well as selection to the Pro Bowl. However, he was released by the Panthers in the offseason due to contract issues and moved on to the Chicago Bears in 2005, where with his diminished speed combining with inconsistency at quarterback, his numbers dropped off. He spent three years with the Bears before returning to Carolina for his last two seasons in 2008 and ’09. Overall, Muhammad caught 860 passes for 11,438 yards (13.3 avg.) and 62 touchdowns. Of those totals, 696 receptions for 9255 yards and 50 TDs came with the Panthers. Muhammad was a first-team All-NFL selection once and was named to two Pro Bowls.

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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 Percentage, 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: Jim Kelly Signs with USFL

The Houston Gamblers, one of the United States Football League’s six expansion franchises for its second season, made a major acquisition on June 9, 1983 as prize QB Jim Kelly from the Univ. of Miami signed a contract.

Kelly had been chosen by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the NFL draft as part of a much-heralded quarterback class that included Stanford’s John Elway and Dan Marino of Pittsburgh. While contract terms were not released at the time of the signing, it was later revealed to be a five-year fully-guaranteed deal for $3.3 million. While they were at it, the Gamblers also signed Kelly’s roommate at Miami, RB Mark Rush, who had been Minnesota’s fourth-round draft pick (he lasted five games with Houston before being released).

“Kelly is more ready to play pro football than some of the others because of the type of offense he was under in college,” explained Gene Burrough, Houston’s general manager.

Playing under Head Coach Howard Schnellenberger at Miami, who utilized a pro-style passing offense, Kelly set school records for pass completions (376), passing yards (5228), and TD passes (31), but his college career was curtailed when he suffered a separated shoulder against Virginia Tech in the third game of the 1982 season. Already given a clean bill of health, but with the USFL season not set to start until February of 1984, he would have that much more time to fully heal.

While the Gamblers were coached by Jack Pardee, the offensive coordinator was Darrel “Mouse” Davis, architect of the “run-and-shoot” offense at Portland State. Houston lost its opening game, 20-17 to the Tampa Bay Bandits, and Kelly passed for 229 yards and a touchdown while giving up two interceptions. But the following week, on a Monday night, the Gamblers blasted the San Antonio Gunslingers, another first-year club, and Kelly threw for 309 yards and a TD while running for two more. The Gamblers got off to a 3-1 start, stumbled for two losses, and then went on to a 13-5 record that placed first in the Central Division. Moreover, the offense was nothing short of sensational, averaging 34.3 points per game on the way to racking up 618 points, which were 79 more than the runner-up, and scoring 79 touchdowns over the course of 18 games.

Kelly significantly exceeded rookie expectations, topping the circuit in pass attempts (587), completions (370), yards (5219), and touchdowns (44), although also in interceptions (26). In addition, he rushed for 493 yards on 85 carries (5.8 avg.) and five TDs. Two of his receivers, Richard Johnson (115 catches, 1455 yards, 15 TDs) and Ricky Sanders (101 receptions, 1378 yards, 11 TDs) finished first and second in pass receptions. For his efforts, Kelly was a consensus first-team All-USFL selection and was named Player of the Year by the league. That the Gamblers fell short in the first round of the playoffs against the Arizona Wranglers took little luster off of the season of accomplishments.

The Gamblers were without “Mouse” Davis in 1985, who became the head coach of the Denver Gold, but it did not slow down Kelly and the offense. In the opening game against the Los Angeles Express and another heralded young quarterback, Steve Young, Kelly had a remarkable performance in a 34-33 come-from-behind win. His 574 passing yards not only far exceeded the existing USFL record but also the NFL mark of 554 set in 1951 by Norm Van Brocklin of the Rams. He went to the air 54 times, completed 35, and five were good for touchdowns.

Kelly maintained high production through another outstanding season until he was sidelined for the last four games with a knee injury, yet he still topped the USFL in pass attempts (567), completions (360), yards (4623), and TD passes (39). He again received consensus first-team All-USFL honors. And while Kelly returned for the postseason, Houston was once more eliminated in the first round.

The 1985 season proved to be the end of the line for the USFL. A planned move to the autumn in 1986 was aborted when an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL led to a favorable ruling but, essentially, no cash award (one dollar, times three), something that was desperately needed by the USFL. The Gamblers had been merged with the New Jersey Generals during the offseason in a move that was to put Kelly in the same backfield with star RB Herschel Walker, but it was not to be. He left the USFL having thrown for 9842 yards and 83 TDs in just two seasons and 32 games.

Kelly went on to the NFL and the Buffalo Bills, who retained his rights. He stayed with Buffalo for eleven years, passing for 35,467 yards and 237 touchdowns, and performing well in a fast-paced, no-huddle offense that was similar to the one he had so much success with in the USFL. The club won four straight AFC Championships between 1990 and ’93 and Kelly, who received consensus first-team All-NFL honors once and was chosen to five Pro Bowls, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.    

1966: Rams Obtain Irv Cross from Eagles

On June 8, 1966, while the main focus of pro football followers was on the announcement of the AFL-NFL merger, the Philadelphia Eagles parted ways with Pro Bowl CB Irv Cross, who was sent to the Los Angeles Rams for DB Aaron Martin and HB/flanker Willie Brown.

It was the second trade by the Eagles to the Rams of a disgruntled defensive Pro Bowler during the turbulent offseason as discontent rose against Head Coach/GM Joe Kuharich. LB Maxie Baughan’s demand to be sent elsewhere was accommodated several weeks earlier. The 26-year-old Cross had been with the Eagles for five seasons, but threatened to quit unless traded.

Drafted by the Eagles in the seventh round out of Northwestern in 1961, Cross was thrust into the starting lineup when star CB Tom Brookshier suffered a broken leg in the eighth game. He intercepted two passes, recovered two fumbles, and suffered three concussions during the season. Cross remained in the starting lineup in 1962 and showed improvement as he intercepted five passes. By 1964, he was chosen to the Pro Bowl for the first of two consecutive seasons and was noted for his tackling ability as well as coverage skills. Thus far with the Eagles, he had intercepted 15 passes, one of which he returned for a 94-yard touchdown. He also was Philadelphia’s primary kick returner in ’65, running back 25 kickoffs for a 26.5-yard average and 14 punts at a 5.6-yard rate.

As for the players the Eagles received for Cross, Willie Brown was 24 and a third-year player who was drafted by the Rams in the third round in 1964 out of USC. He had primarily been used to return kicks and, as a halfback, rushed for 133 yards on 44 carries in ‘65. The Eagles had hopes of using him as a flanker. Aaron Martin, also 24, went undrafted out of North Carolina College and was signed by the Dallas Cowboys in 1964, who tried him on offense, but was released during the preseason after which the Rams picked him up. He started the ’65 season at cornerback and intercepted two passes before suffering a broken left arm in the fourth game that sidelined him for the remainder of the year.

The Rams, coming off of a 4-10 record (their seventh straight losing season) had a new head coach in the defense-minded George Allen, formerly an assistant under George Halas with the Bears (who did not let him go without a court battle). Allen inherited an excellent defensive line but the remainder of the unit needed bolstering. The addition of Baughan at outside linebacker was a plus and it was hoped that Cross could help in a defensive backfield that had one star in FS Ed Meador and inexperienced players at the other positions. 

Cross proved to be a good fit at right cornerback for the Rams, who improved to 8-6 in their first year under Coach Allen. He paired up well with young CB Clancy Williams on the other side and, while he intercepted only one pass, he returned it 60 yards for a touchdown, and continued to impress with his tackling.

Cross was with Los Angeles for three seasons, and with the outstanding defense leading the way, the Rams went 11-1-2 in 1967, reaching the postseason for the first time since 1955, and 10-3-1 in ’68. He intercepted a total of six passes and was also used to return kicks, averaging 7.5 yards running back 29 punts and 30.1 yards on 16 kickoff returns.

Cross was traded back to the Eagles in 1969 in the deal that brought All-Pro OT Bob Brown to LA. He was a player/coach in his final season, and after retiring as a player was an assistant coach in 1970 before moving to the broadcast booth. He became a fixture on "The NFL Today" on CBS from 1975 to ’89.  

As for the Eagles, the result of the transaction was disappointing. Willie Brown lasted one year with the club, catching no passes and returning a handful of kicks with mediocre results. Aaron Martin spent two seasons with Philadelphia, intercepted two passes and returned a punt for a touchdown, but was nothing special in the defensive backfield.

Highlighted Year: Steve Christie, 1998

Placekicker, Buffalo Bills

Age: 31 (Nov. 13)

9^th season in pro football, 7^th with Bills

College: William & Mary

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 185

Prelude:

A native of Canada, Christie was a highly-sought soccer prospect coming out of high school but was recruited by William & Mary to be a kicker. He set school records for field goals (57), field goal percentage (68.7), and points (279) and was also an accomplished punter. For his efforts, he was a three-time All-ECAC selection. Undrafted out of college, Christie joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1990 and was successful on 23 of 27 field goal attempts. He received first-team All-NFC honors from UPI and Pro Football Weekly. After a second season with the Bucs, he signed with the Bills as a free agent in 1992. Christie connected on 24 of 30 field goal attempts in 1992 and was 9-of-10 in his first postseason, which included the game-winning kick in the dramatic come-from-behind win over the Oilers in the Wild Card round and five in the AFC Championship against Miami. A lesser year in ’93 was followed by his career high for field goal percentage (85.7) in 1994 as he made good on 24 of 28 attempts and kicked a Super Bowl-record 54-yard field goal in the postseason. He remained consistent and in 1997 was 24-of-30 on field goals (80 %) and was successful all 21 of his extra point attempts.

1998 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Kicking

Field goals – 33 [3]

Most field goals, game – 4 vs. San Francisco 10/4, at NY Jets 11/8, at Cincinnati 12/6

Field goal attempts – 41 [1]

Most field goal attempts, game – 5 vs. San Francisco 10/4

Field goal percentage – 80.5 [16]

PATs – 41 [7, tied with Ryan Longwell & Todd Peterson]

PAT attempts – 41 [8, tied with Todd Peterson]

Longest field goal – 52 yards at Cincinnati 12/6

Scoring

Field Goals – 33

PATs – 41

Points – 140 [2, 1^st in AFC]

Postseason: 1 G (AFC Wild Card playoff at Miami)

Field goals – 1

Field goal attempts – 1

PATs – 2

PAT attempts – 2

Longest field goal – 33 yards

Bills went 10-6 to finish third in the AFC East and qualified for the postseason as a Wild Card. Lost AFC Wild Card playoff to Miami Dolphins (24-17).  

Aftermath:

Christie spent two more seasons with Buffalo for a total of nine before a preseason groin injury in 2001 led to his being placed on injured-reserve and then released. He departed the Bills having achieved franchise records with 234 field goals out of 299 attempts (78.3 %) and 309 extra points, with four misses, for a total of 1011 points. Christie joined the San Diego Chargers during the 2001season and stayed on for another two years before finishing his career with the Giants in 2004. Overall, Christie was successful on 336 of 431 field goal attempts (78.0 %) and 468 of 473 PATs for a total of 1476 points.

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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