1981: Redskins Obtain Joe Washington from Colts

Just prior to the annual NFL draft, on April 28, 1981, the Washington Redskins obtained RB Joe Washington from the Baltimore Colts for a second-round draft pick. It was part of a busy day for Washington GM Bobby Beathard, who was active on the trading front, not only obtaining the 5’10”, 179-pound running back but making deals that led to the drafting of linemen Russ Grimm and Mark May. May, the Outland Trophy winner, was taken in the first round and Grimm was grabbed in the third round thanks to a deal with the Rams. Both would be significant contributors as members of the esteemed offensive line that would come to be known as “The Hogs”.

Joe Washington had been taken with the fourth overall pick by the Chargers in 1976 out of Oklahoma. His pro career did not start out auspiciously when he missed the entire season with a knee injury. As a spot player for San Diego in ’77, he gained 461 yards from scrimmage – 244 on 31 pass receptions and 217 on 62 carries. Prior to the 1978 season, Washington was dealt to the Colts for RB Lydell Mitchell, a veteran with similar skills as a classic halfback, and broke out in a big way. He gained 1869 all-purpose yards that broke down to 956 rushing yards on 240 carries, 377 receiving yards on 45 catches, 490 yards on 19 kickoff returns that included a game-winning 90-yard TD, and 37 yards on 7 punt returns. In addition, he tossed two touchdown passes.

In 1979, Washington was selected to the Pro Bowl following a season in which he ran for fewer yards (884) but led the NFL with 82 pass receptions, for 750 yards and a total of 1333 yards from scrimmage.  However, the total dropped to 996 yards in 1980 (502 rushing, 492 receiving) as he lost his starting job to rookie Curtis Dickey. Washington had been unable to come to terms on a new contract with owner Robert Irsay and requested a trade. The Colts were reluctant to part with him, but they sent the second round draft pick they received from the Redskins on to the Minnesota Vikings as part of a transaction that gave them two choices in the first round. The Vikings in turn used it to take undistinguished RB Jarvis Redwine.

Washington had a productive first season with the Redskins, even while missing some time due to injury, gaining 1474 yards from scrimmage. He had 916 yards on 210 carries and caught 70 passes for another 558. In combination with power-running John Riggins, it gave the Redskins a potent backfield and marked the first time in franchise history that two backs gained over 700 rushing yards in the same season (Riggins ran for 714). The team, in its first year under Head Coach Joe Gibbs, got off to a 1-6 start but rallied in the second half to finish at 8-8. It set the stage for two NFC titles and a Super Bowl victory over the next two years.

Washington was overshadowed by Riggins in the strike-shortened 1982 season, especially during the playoffs leading to the Super Bowl, and his numbers were modest. In the one-back, two-tight end offense that Gibbs employed, Washington was typically used in place of Riggins in passing situations. He was more of a factor in 1983, rushing for 772 yards and catching 47 passes for another 454 as the Redskins set a new league record for scoring on their way to the top of the conference.

It was Washington’s last significant season with the Redskins. He appeared in just seven games in 1984 and gained a paltry 266 yards from scrimmage. Dealt to the Atlanta Falcons during the ’85 draft, he finished up his career as a situational back spelling Gerald Riggs.

In all, during four seasons with the Redskins, Washington rushed for 2070 yards on 455 carries (4.5 avg.) and caught 149 passes for 1220 yards, scoring a total of 16 touchdowns. He had two hundred-yard rushing games, with a high of 147 against Detroit in 1981, plus a 10-catch, 124-yard pass receiving performance vs. the Cowboys, also in ’81. For his nine-season career, he gained 8252 yards from scrimmage and was equally dangerous as a runner and receiver out of the backfield, ably complementing John Riggins with the Redskins. 

Rookie of the Year: Jevon Kearse, 1999

Defensive End, Tennessee Titans

Age: 23 (Sept. 3)

College: Florida

Height: 6’4”   Weight: 265

Prelude:

Looking to upgrade their pass rush, the Titans chose Kearse in the first round (16^th overall) of the 1999 NFL draft. With his exceptional speed and wide wingspan, he earned the nickname “The Freak” in college. He quickly moved into the starting lineup with Tennessee.

1999 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 14.5 [4, 1st in AFC]

Most sacks, game – 3 vs. Cleveland 9/19

Multi-sack games – 3

Interceptions – 0

Fumble recoveries – 1

Forced fumbles – 8

Tackles – 48

Assists – 9

Scoring

TDs – 1

Points – 6

Postseason: 4 G

Sacks – 3

Most sacks, game – 2 vs. Buffalo, AFC Wild Card playoff

Interceptions – 0

Safety – 1

TD – 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA

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

1^st team All-AFC: Pro Football Weekly

Titans went 13-3 to finish second in the AFC Central and qualified for the postseason as a Wild Card entry while ranking third in the league with 54 sacks. Won AFC Wild Card playoff over Buffalo Bills (22-16), AFC Divisional playoff over Indianapolis Colts (19-16), and AFC Championship over Jacksonville Jaguars (33-14). Lost Super Bowl to St. Louis Rams (23-16).

Aftermath:

Following his outstanding first season in which he set a rookie record for sacks, Kearse received Pro Bowl recognition after the 2000 and 2001 seasons as well. He accumulated 11.5 and 10 sacks, respectively, while facing increased double-teaming. A foot injury suffered in the first contest of the ’02 season limited him to just four games and he missed time in 2003 with foot and ankle injuries that significantly reduced his performance during the second half of a year in which he registered 9.5 sacks. Kearse joined the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent in 2004 and, with his versatility, was a good fit in the blitz-heavy scheme the Eagles employed. But while he stayed healthy, his play lacked consistency and his sack total was only 7.5. He underachieved in 2005, with another 7.5 sacks, and a major knee injury limited him to two games in ’06. After one more year in Philadelphia during which he lost his starting job, Kearse returned to Tennessee in 2008 for his last two seasons. In all, over the course of 11 years he accumulated 74 sacks. While a feared pass rusher with tremendous athleticism early in his career, injuries ultimately wore him down.

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

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Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie of the Year in the NFL (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). 

1983: Stars Hold Off Rally to Beat Breakers

The Philadelphia Stars were off to a 6-1 start in the inaugural United States Football League season as they hosted the Boston Breakers on April 24, 1983. Head Coach Jim Mora’s team benefited greatly from the presence of rookie RB Kelvin Bryant on a ball-control offense directed by QB Chuck Fusina. The “Doghouse Defense” was even more the key to the club’s success, having given up an average of just eight points a game in the first seven weeks.

Boston was 5-2 and right behind the Stars in the Atlantic Division standings. Coached by the offensive-minded Dick Coury, who had ex-NFL star quarterback Roman Gabriel as offensive coordinator, the Breakers had a fine passing game with 35-year-old QB John Walton, a veteran of the WFL and NFL who had come out of retirement as a college coach, throwing to wide receivers Frank Lockett, Nolan Franz, and ex-Eagle Charlie Smith. Ex-CFL halfback Richard Crump was productive both as a receiver out of the backfield and runner from scrimmage.

There were just 10,257 fans in attendance at Veterans Stadium. The home team started off the scoring as Fusina tossed a 14-yard touchdown pass to WR Willie Collier seven minutes into the first quarter. Early in the second quarter, Kelvin Bryant ran around the left side for a 21-yard TD.

The defense set up another scoring series for the Stars when FS Mike Lush knocked the ball out of the hands of Nolan Franz and LB Sam Mills recovered at the Philadelphia 37. The resulting drive ended up with a 34-yard David Trout field goal for a 17-0 margin.

Five minutes into the second half, Trout added another field goal, this time from 34 yards, and it seemed as though the Stars were cruising at 20-0. However, the Breakers came up with a big play with just over five minutes to go in the third quarter. Walton connected with Frank Lockett down the middle for an 86-yard touchdown to get them on the board.

Two minutes later, LB Ben Needham intercepted a Fusina throw and that resulted in a Boston possession that concluded with Walton tossing another TD pass, this time from eight yards out to Richard Crump. Suddenly, the Breakers were only six points down with plenty of time remaining.

The Stars defense showed its mettle in keeping the surging Breakers from again reaching the end zone. In the closest call, a fake field goal attempt by the Breakers came up short at the Philadelphia three yard line with 4:19 left on the clock.

The Stars couldn’t move out of their end of the field and took an intentional safety with 2:29 remaining in the game as punter Sean Landeta ran out of the end zone. But while that pulled the Breakers to just four points behind, Boston RB Ira Matthews fumbled the free kick and CB Jonathan Sutton of the Stars recovered at the Breakers’ 30. David Trout added a 42-yard field goal to make it a seven-point game.

The Breakers had one last shot and drove to the Philadelphia 10 with 26 seconds remaining. However, they could get no further as Walton threw two incomplete passes and the Stars hung on for a tough 23-16 win.

Although Philadelphia held the ball for five minutes longer than the Breakers, Boston outgained the Stars (471 yards to 254) and had more first downs (19 to 14). However, the visitors also turned the ball over five times, to three by Philadelphia.

As usual, Kelvin Bryant was the key producer on offense for the Stars with 110 yards on 23 rushing attempts that included a TD. Chuck Fusina completed 12 of 18 passes for 124 yards with a touchdown and the one costly interception. WR Rodney Parker led the receiver s with three catches for 55 yards.

For the Breakers, John Walton went to the air 44 times and was successful on 31 for 367 yards and two TDs with one intercepted. Nolan Franz caught 7 of those passes for 74 yards while, with the one long scoring grab, Frank Lockett gained 131 yards on 5 receptions. Charlie Smith contributed another 5 catches for 97 yards. Richard Crump ran for 51 yards on 13 carries and pulled in 6 passes for 50 more yards and a TD.

The fumble on the free kick, not surprisingly, drew the most comments after the game.

“I think the Stars made a poor decision in calling for the safety,” said Dick Coury. “It gave us a chance, but we fumbled it away, and that fumble cost us the game.”

“The biggest thing we wanted to do was make sure we made the tackle to keep them from getting good field position,” explained Jonathan Sutton of the key turnover. “Mark McCants made a good hit. We saw the ball pop out and I was right there to cover the ball.”

The Stars continued on to win the Atlantic Division with a 15-3 record, eventually losing to the Michigan Panthers in the USFL Championship game. Boston won the rematch with Philadelphia but finished second in the division at 11-7 and missed the postseason.

Kelvin Bryant ranked second in the league in rushing with 1442 yards on 318 carries (4.5 avg.) and 16 touchdowns and had 53 pass receptions for 410 more yards and a TD. He received All-USFL recognition and was named MVP by the league.

John Walton led the USFL in pass attempts (589) and ranked second in completions (330) and yards (3770) while tying for third (with Alan Risher of Arizona) with 20 touchdown passes. Nolan Franz led the Breakers with 62 catches, for 848 yards, while Charlie Smith gained 1009 yards on 54 receptions for a fine 18.7-yard average and five scores. Frank Lockett, who missed five games, had 37 catches for 535 yards and three TDs. 

MVP Profile: Eric Dickerson, 1986

Running Back, Los Angeles Rams

Age: 26

4^th season in pro football & with Rams

College: Southern Methodist

Height: 6’3”   Weight: 220

Prelude:

A two-time All-American in college who set a Southwest Conference career rushing record despite splitting time with Craig James, Dickerson was taken by the Rams in the first round of the 1983 NFL draft (second overall). An upright runner with speed as well as power, he moved into the starting lineup in new Head Coach John Robinson’s ground-oriented offense. After setting a rookie rushing record in 1983 with 1808 yards, Dickerson went a step farther in ’84 as he set a new single-season record with 2105 yards on the ground. He was a consensus first-team All-NFL and Pro Bowl selection in 1983 and ’84 but, due to a contract holdout and nagging injuries, Dickerson’s rushing numbers dropped off to 1234 yards in 1985, although he still scored 12 touchdowns.

1986 Season Summary

Appeared and started in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 404 [1]

Most attempts, game - 38 (for 193 yds.) at St. Louis 9/7

Yards – 1821 [1]

Most yards, game – 207 yards (on 30 carries) vs. Tampa Bay 10/5

Average gain – 4.5 [7, tied with Lorenzo Hampton]

TDs – 11 (5)

200-yard rushing games – 1

100-yard rushing games – 11

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 26      

Most receptions, game – 5 (for 12 yds.) at New Orleans 11/9

Yards – 205

Most yards, game - 46 (on 3 catches) at Chicago 11/3

Average gain – 7.9

TDs – 0

Passing

Attempts – 1

Completions – 1

Yards – 15

TDs – 1

Interceptions – 0

Scoring

TDs – 11 [9, tied with Mark Duper, Stephone Paige & Walter Payton]

Points – 66

All-purpose yards: 2026 [1]

Postseason: 1 G (NFC Wild Card playoff at Washington)

Rushing attempts – 26

Rushing yards – 158

Average gain rushing – 6.1

Rushing TDs – 0

Pass receptions – 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Offensive Player of the Year: AP

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

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

Pro Bowl

Rams went 10-6 to finish second in the NFC West and qualify for a Wild Card playoff berth. Lost NFC Wild Card playoff to Washington Redskins (19-7).

Aftermath:

Dickerson gained over a thousand yards in all four of his seasons in LA, but contract disputes and holdouts also occurred on a regular basis and in a blockbuster midseason trade in 1987, he was dealt to the Indianapolis Colts. He gained a total of 1011 yards in just nine games in that strike-shortened season, and once more led the league with 1659 yards in 1988. With the Colts, he was a consensus first-team All-Pro in ’88 and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1988 and ’89. Injuries began to take a toll from 1990 on, and he moved on to the Raiders in 1992 and, briefly, Atlanta in ’93 before retiring. In all, he ran for over a thousand yards in each of his first seven seasons and gained a career total of 13,259. He also scored 90 rushing touchdowns (96 in all). Dickerson’s #29 was retired by the Rams and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1999.

[Updated 8/4/13]

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MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league itself). Also includes Associated Press NFL Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year.

2002: Bills Obtain Drew Bledsoe from Patriots

The 2001 NFL season went very differently for QB Drew Bledsoe of the New England Patriots than he certainly could have anticipated going into it. Following eight years with the Patriots, he had received a ten-year, $103 million contract extension that was the richest in league history at the time and seemed to secure his future in New England. But after sustaining a hit by LB Mo Lewis of the Jets two weeks into the season that resulted in a chest injury, he was replaced by unheralded backup QB Tom Brady, who performed well enough that the veteran was unable to regain the starting job once he was cleared to return to action.

Bledsoe handled the demotion with characteristic class and, when Brady was injured during the AFC title game against the Steelers, he stepped in to rally the team to victory. But it was Brady going all the way in the stunning Super Bowl win over the Rams and it was clear that the veteran’s days with the Patriots were numbered. On April 21, 2002 speculation as to where the 30-year-old Bledsoe would play next was ended when he was dealt to the Buffalo Bills for a conditional first-round draft choice in 2003.

Bledsoe’s career started with great promise when he was taken by New England as the first overall pick of the 1993 NFL draft out of Washington State. At 6’5” and 233 pounds, he had ideal size and passing ability, although limited mobility as a traditional pocket quarterback. He gained the starting job as a rookie and in his second year led the league in pass attempts (691), completions (400), yards (4555), and, more unfortunately, interceptions (27). In one game against the Vikings, he set NFL records with 70 passes and 45 completions. For his efforts, he was named to the Pro Bowl and the team’s record, under the direction of Head Coach Bill Parcells, improved to 10-6, its best in eight seasons.

Bledsoe again led the NFL in pass attempts in 1995 (636) but otherwise had a lesser year. However, the Patriots reached the Super Bowl in ’96 as Bledsoe led the league in attempts (623) and completions (373) while throwing for 4086 yards and 27 touchdowns. He was selected once more to the Pro Bowl and, while he had a rough Super Bowl performance in a loss to the Packers, he and the team appeared to be heading in the right direction.

Parcells departed the club following the AFC Championship season and was replaced by Pete Carroll. While the Patriots made it to the postseason in 1997 and ’98, they didn’t advance any farther than the Divisional playoff round and Bledsoe took criticism for tossing ill-timed interceptions and not stepping up in pressure situations. The departure of star RB Curtis Martin to the Jets in 1998 added further to the demands on the quarterback. The Patriots collapsed during the second half of the 1999 season, when they went 2-6 to conclude with an 8-8 record. Bledsoe had an especially difficult time, tossing 17 interceptions in that eight-game stretch to just six TD passes and enduring 33 sacks.

Bill Belichick was the new head coach during a 5-11 rebuilding season in 2000. While Bledsoe displayed a great deal of toughness and heart, he also took a tremendous beating along the way. He threw for only 17 touchdowns and was sacked 45 times. Still, the club gave him the big contract in the offseason, believing that with a better line and more effective playmakers around him, he could regain his form.  

Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills were coming off a 3-13 year in 2001 with Rob Johnson and Alex Van Pelt at quarterback. Johnson had been a disappointment as a starting quarterback since being obtained from Jacksonville in 1998 and was let go while Van Pelt was nothing more than a capable backup. With Bledsoe behind center, the Bills improved to 8-8 in ’02, although they faltered down the stretch after getting off to a 5-3 start.

Bledsoe had a big year, completing a career-high 61.5 percent of his passes for 4359 yards with 24 touchdowns against 15 interceptions. Both starting wide receivers went over a thousand yards with a rejuvenated Eric Moulds catching 100 passes for 1292 yards and 10 TDs and Peerless Price adding 94 catches for 1252 yards and 9 scores. Bledsoe and Moulds were chosen to the Pro Bowl, the first selection for the ten-year quarterback in five seasons.

Things did not go as well for the team or its quarterback in 2003, who suffered through a dreadful season. The loss of Price to free agency and then Moulds to injury did not help matters. Bledsoe’s passing yardage total dipped to 2860 and his touchdown throws to 11, with a passer rating of 73.0, and he was sacked 49 times.  Buffalo dropped to 6-10.

The Bills finished strong in 2004 to end up with a 9-7 record, helped greatly on offense by the performance of RB Willis McGahee. Bledsoe threw for 2932 yards and 20 touchdowns but was released following the season to make way for 2004 first draft choice J.P. Losman to take over as the starting quarterback.

Bledsoe moved on to Dallas, where he was reunited with Head Coach Bill Parcells and played his final two NFL seasons. In all, he passed for 44,611 yards and 251 touchdowns, with 206 interceptions and 467 sacks. Of those totals, 10,151 yards, 55 TDs, 43 pickoffs, and 140 sacks came with the Bills.

The Patriots continued to prosper with Tom Brady at quarterback during the same time period that Bledsoe was in Buffalo, winning the Super Bowl following the 2003 and ’04 seasons. Bledsoe’s earlier contributions to the club were not forgotten, however, as he was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2011.

As a footnote, the 2003 first draft choice that the Patriots received from Buffalo for Bledsoe was in turn sent on to the Chicago Bears, who used to take DE Michael Haynes from Penn State.  New England, moving up a spot as a result of trading picks, took DT Ty Warren out of Texas A & M.

Rookie of the Year: Keith Jackson, 1988

Tight End, Philadelphia Eagles

Age: 23

College: Oklahoma

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 250

Prelude:

Jackson was taken by the Eagles in the first round of the 1988 NFL draft (13^th overall). He was a two-time All-American in college despite playing in a ground-oriented wishbone offense, but while he caught only 62 career passes, he averaged 23.7 yards per catch and scored 14 touchdowns. With speed to match ideal size, Jackson immediately moved into the starting lineup for the Eagles.

1988 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 81 [6]

Most receptions, game – 10 (for 76 yds.) vs. Cincinnati 9/11

Yards – 869

Most yards, game - 92 (on 7 catches) at Dallas 12/18

Average gain – 10.7

TDs – 6 [17, tied with nine others]

Scoring

TDs – 6

Points – 36

Postseason: 1 G (NFC Divisional playoff at Chicago Bears)

Pass receptions – 7

Pass receiving yards – 142

Average yards per reception – 20.3

Pass Receiving TDs - 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Rookie of the Year: Sporting News

NFC Rookie of the Year: UPI

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

2^nd team All-NFL: NEA

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

Pro Bowl

Eagles went 10-6 to finish first in the NFC East. Lost NFC Divisional playoff to Chicago Bears (20-12).

Aftermath:

While injuries and holdouts marked his time in Philadelphia, Jackson caught 242 passes for 2756 yards and 20 TDs over the course of four seasons with the club. A fine downfield receiver from the tight end position, he was less accomplished as a blocker. Jackson was a consensus first-team All-Pro and was selected to the Pro Bowl following each of his first four years. Granted free agency in 1992, he signed with the Miami Dolphins and had a Pro Bowl season. Three years in Miami were followed by two in Green Bay where he was selected to the Pro Bowl for the fifth time in his last season which also resulted in a Super Bowl triumph. Overall for his career, Jackson had 441 catches for 5283 yards (12.0 avg.) and 49 TDs.

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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). 

[Updated 2/4/14]

1978: Dolphins Trade Freddie Solomon to 49ers for Delvin Williams

On April 17, 1978 the Miami Dolphins dealt WR Freddie Solomon, safety Vern Roberson, and first and fifth round draft picks to San Francisco for RB Delvin Williams.

 “It was a stiff price to pay, but a lot of clubs were interested in Williams,” said Dolphins Head Coach Don Shula. “Williams is a complete back. He has the track record to show he can be a breakaway back. He is a fine pass receiver coming out of the backfield, which interested us a great deal.”

The 6’0”, 197-pound Williams (pictured above) had 2966 rushing yards for his career thus far, including 1203 in 1976. He was drafted by the 49ers in the second round out of Kansas in 1974. The Niners had four picks in the first two rounds and, looking to upgrade the running game, also took a halfback, Wilbur Jackson from Alabama, in the first round. Jackson got more attention initially and Williams ran the ball just 36 times for 201 yards as a rookie. However, Jackson had injury problems in ’75 and, with greater opportunity, Williams emerged to rush for 631 yards while averaging an outstanding 5.4 yards per carry and caught 34 passes for another 370 yards. Jackson was shifted to fullback and became part of an outstanding tandem with Williams, who ranked second in rushing in the NFC in 1976 and was selected to the Pro Bowl.

Williams had lesser numbers in 1977, dropping to 931 rushing yards with a 3.5-yard average, significantly lower than the 4.9 yards per carry of ’76. The acquisition of RB O.J. Simpson from the Bills, a San Francisco native, rendered Williams expendable and set the stage for the trade with Miami.

Freddie Solomon, at 5’11” and 185 pounds, had also been a second-round draft pick, taken by the Dolphins in 1975. A quarterback in college at Tampa, he was considered to be an outstanding all-around athlete entering the draft and was viewed as a prospect at several positions. Shula hoped he could be the replacement at wide receiver for the great Paul Warfield, who had departed for the World Football League, across from Nat Moore. He made more of an impression as a kick returner while catching 61 passes for 973 yards and five touchdowns. He did show promise, particularly in his second year, and had punt return touchdowns of 79 and 50 yards and a 90-yard kickoff return. In one 1976 game, gained 252 all-purpose yards. But Shula indicated that Solomon was not going to start for the Dolphins in ’78 due to the emergence of Duriel Harris, who had moved into the lineup.

“The writing has been on the wall for the last couple of weeks,” said Solomon. “There have been rumors in the newspapers and I thought that something was going to happen.”

Vern Roberson came to the Dolphins undrafted in 1977 and intercepted one pass as a reserve safety. He lasted one season with the 49ers, again picking off a pass and also recovering two fumbles. The first draft pick San Francisco received was used to take Dan Bunz, a linebacker from Long Beach State, and the fifth-round choice went for DB Bruce Threadgill out of Mississippi State. Bunz spent seven seasons with the Niners while Threadgill lasted one year as a reserve defensive back and quarterback before moving on to the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL.

Williams proved to be an outstanding fit in Miami’s offense in 1978. Although slowed by an injury late in the season, he ran the ball 272 times for 1258 yards (4.6 avg.) and eight touchdowns and caught 18 passes for another 192 yards. He was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection and was also chosen to the Pro Bowl. The Dolphins, who had missed the postseason in the three previous years, qualified for an AFC Wild Card spot with an 11-5 record.  He played two more years for the Dolphins with less spectacular results, however. In 1979 the offense as a whole was less effective even though the club won the division title with a 10-6 tally. The return of FB Larry Csonka took carries away from Williams – the 33-year-old Csonka ran the ball 220 times for 837 yards while Williams had just 184 rushing attempts for 703 yards.

Csonka was gone in 1980 but Williams declined further as he ran for 671 yards on 187 carries and, while he pulled in 31 passes for 207 yards, young Tony Nathan was far more productive as a receiver out of the backfield with 57 receptions for 588 yards and five TDs. It was the end for Williams in Miami and, other than a brief appearance with Green Bay in 1981, the end of his career as well. With the Dolphins, Williams gained 2632 rushing yards and 13 TDs, most of which came in his big first season, and had 70 catches for 574 yards and one score. For his overall career, he ran for 5598 yards, caught 152 passes for 1415 yards, and scored a total of 39 touchdowns. He was twice selected to the Pro Bowl and received All-NFL recognition in 1978 alone.

Meanwhile, the 49ers were a dreadful 2-14 club in ’78. Both O.J. Simpson and Wilbur Jackson went down with injuries and Solomon saw some action at quarterback as well as wide receiver. Solomon (pictured above) did lead the club in pass receiving with 31 catches for 458 yards. San Francisco went 2-14 again in 1979, but with a new head coach and general manager, Bill Walsh, installing a pass-oriented West Coast offense, Solomon’s numbers improved to a team-leading 807 yards on 57 catches (one behind RB Paul Hofer) with seven TDs, and would likely have been better had he not worn down in the late going.

In 1980, the team began the improvement that would lead to much better results during the Walsh era and while Solomon was a productive receiver and deep threat, with 48 catches for 658 yards and eight touchdowns, Dwight Clark emerged on the other side with 82 receptions for 991 yards. Solomon also regained his form as a punt returner, averaging 11.0 yards on 27 returns that included two TDs. The 49ers exploded into a championship team in 1981 and Solomon played his part in what was his most productive year in the NFL. He had 59 receptions for 969 yards and a 16.4-yard average gain, his best since his second year with the Dolphins, while scoring another eight TDs. He also performed well in the postseason, catching 16 passes in three games and scoring touchdowns in the NFC Divisional playoff win over the Giants (he also gained 107 yards) and in the narrow NFC Championship victory over Dallas (although it was Clark scoring the winning TD on a play in which Solomon was the primary receiver).

Solomon lasted another four years with the 49ers. While pushed by Mike Wilson and track star Renaldo Nehemiah, his receptions declined but he was still an effective deep threat and his average gain increased, with a high of 21.4 in 1983. He had a career-high 10 touchdown receptions in ’84, on 40 catches with an 18.4-yard average. His last season, 1985, was the first for his illustrious successor, Jerry Rice (who he mentored). In eight years with San Francisco, Solomon had 310 catches for 4873 yards (15.7 avg.) and 43 touchdowns. In the postseason, he added another 34 receptions for 537 yards and six TDs. While he never received All-NFL or Pro Bowl recognition, Solomon proved to be a good fit in Bill Walsh’s offense and earned two Super Bowl rings along the way.