Rookie of the Year: Leslie O’Neal, 1986

Defensive End, San Diego Chargers

Age: 22

College: Oklahoma State

Height: 6’3”   Weight: 252

Prelude:

Determined to improve their defense, the Chargers traded up in the 1986 NFL draft to take O’Neal in the first round (8^th overall). He was a two-time All-American in college and moved quickly into the starting lineup where he performed extremely well until a knee injury in the 13^th game knocked him out for the rest of the year.

1986 Season Summary

Appeared in 13 of 16 games

(Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20)

Sacks – 12.5 [9]

Most sacks, game – 5 vs. Dallas 11/16

Multi-sack games (2 or more) – 3

Interceptions – 2

Most interceptions, game – 1 at NY Giants 9/14, at Kansas City 10/19

Int. return yards – 22

Most int. return yards, game – 17 (on 1 int.) at NY Giants 9/14

Int. TDs – 1 [4, tied with 21 others]

Fumble recoveries – 2

Forced fumbles – 3

Tackles – 82

Scoring

TDs – 1

Points – 6

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA (co-winner)

AFC Rookie of the Year: UPI

Chargers went 4-12 to finish fifth in the AFC West while tying for second in the NFL in sacks (62).

Aftermath:

The severe knee injury suffered late in his rookie season cost him all of 1987 and the first half of ’88. By 1989 he was a Pro Bowl performer, listed as an outside linebacker but often lining up as a down lineman while showing skill in dropping back into pass coverage. He registered 12.5 sacks and another 13.5 in 1990 as he again received Pro Bowl recognition. A smart and savvy player on the field, he took criticism for his attitude off of it. Following a lesser year in 1991, O’Neal was moved back to defensive end in ’92 and compiled a career-high 17 sacks as he again received Pro Bowl recognition. It was the first of four straight Pro Bowl years as he solidified his reputation as one of the NFL’s top pass rushers while registering 54 sacks. O’Neal left the Chargers as the club’s all-time sack leader with 105.5 and joined the St. Louis Rams in 1996. After two disappointing seasons in St. Louis, he moved on to the Chiefs for the final two years of his career. Overall, O’Neal had 132.5 sacks, which ranked sixth all-time at the time, and was chosen to the Pro Bowl on six occasions.

[Updated 6/14/13]

--

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). 

MVP Profile: Ken Easley, 1984

Safety, Seattle Seahawks

Age: 25

4^th season in pro football & with Seahawks

College: UCLA

Height: 6’3”   Weight: 205

Prelude:

Highly regarded after an outstanding college career, Easley was taken by the Seahawks in the first round (fourth overall) of the 1981 NFL draft. He immediately moved into the starting lineup at strong safety and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1982 and ’83, when he was also a consensus first-team All-NFL honoree. In his first three years, he intercepted 14 passes as he demonstrated excellent ball-hawking skills to go along with his solid tackling.

1984 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 0

Interceptions – 10 [1]

Most interceptions, game – 3 at San Diego 10/29

Int. return yards – 126 [11, tied with Michael Downs]

Most int. return yards, game – 58 (on 1 int.) vs. Kansas City 11/4

Int. TDs – 2 [1, tied with seven others]

Fumble recoveries – 1

Forced fumbles – 0

Punt Returns

Returns – 16

Yards – 194

Most yards, game – 59 (on 2 ret.) vs. Cleveland 9/3

Average per return – 12.1 [4]

TDs – 0

Longest return – 42 yards

Scoring

TDs – 2

Points – 12

Postseason: 2 G

Sacks – 0

Interceptions – 1

Int. return yards – 21

TDs – 0

Punt Returns – 6

Most punt returns, game – 5 vs. LA Raiders, AFC Wild Card playoff

Punt Return Yards – 57

Most punt ret. Yards, game – 52 LA Raiders, AFC Wild Card playoff

Punt Return Avg. – 9.5

TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Player of the Year: AP

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

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

Pro Bowl

Seahawks went 12-4 to finish second in the AFC West and qualify for the postseason as a Wild Card entry while leading the NFL in interceptions (38). Won AFC Wild Card playoff over Los Angeles Raiders (13-7). Lost AFC Divisional playoff to Miami Dolphins (31-10).

Aftermath:

An injury suffered while returning a kick cost Easley three games in 1985, but he was still an outstanding and disruptive performer when healthy and was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection for the third straight year as well as a Pro Bowl honoree for the fourth straight. Continued ankle trouble hindered him further in ’86 and he had surgery. Easley came back to gain a fifth Pro Bowl selection in the strike-interrupted 1987 season but, due largely to acrimony related to his role in the players’ strike, he was traded to the Cardinals in the offseason. He never played for the Cards, however, when a physical revealed a kidney condition that forced his retirement. In seven seasons, Easley intercepted 32 passes and set the standard at his position, but his outstanding career came to a too-early end.

[Updated 6/14/13]

--

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.

1984: Reaves Tosses 4 TD Passes as Bandits Beat Outlaws

The Tampa Bay Bandits of the United States Football League were on a roll, having won five straight games prior to hosting the Oklahoma Outlaws on May 14, 1984. Head Coach Steve Spurrier’s team featured an exciting offense directed by 34-year-old QB John Reaves and a defense that was solid up front if less proficient at defending against the pass.

The Oklahoma Outlaws, one of six new clubs for the USFL’s second season, appeared to be going in the opposite direction, having lost three straight games by lopsided scores after getting off to a promising 6-2 start. Coached by Woody Widenhofer, the offense featured QB Doug Williams, who had spent five seasons with the NFL Buccaneers and was making his return to Tampa. Defense was the biggest problem for the Outlaws, who had given up an alarming 124 points in the three losses leading up to the game against the Bandits.

There were 45,116 fans in attendance for the Monday night contest at Tampa Stadium, and they lustily booed Williams when he first appeared. The game started off as a shootout as the Bandits scored the first three times they had the ball, driving 77, 78, and 79 yards respectively, and Oklahoma did so on its first two possessions.

On the first series, RB Gary Anderson tossed an option pass to TE Marvin Harvey for a 10-yard touchdown to finish it off. The Outlaws came back with a scoring drive of their own, with WR Alphonso Williams catching a pass from Doug Williams for an 11-yard TD. It was 7-7 after a period of play.

RB Greg Boone scored a touchdown for the Bandits on the first play of the second quarter, running in from a yard out, and Tampa Bay’s lead increased when John Reaves threw to WR Spencer Jackson for a 26-yard TD. Down by 21-7, the Outlaws rallied back with two quick scores. Williams tossed a 14-yard touchdown pass to WR Lonnie Turner to cap a five-play, 69-yard series. He then threw to TE Jerry Price from three yards away and, with the successful extra point, the game was tied with 2:42 left in the half.

However, the Bandits responded by going 74 yards in seven plays ending with a 10-yard Reaves scoring pass to Harvey. It was 28-21 at the midpoint. 

After a very competitive first two quarters, Tampa Bay’s defense shut down the Outlaws in the second half. Reaves tossed a pass to WR Eric Truvillion for a 35-yard touchdown in the third quarter and to Anderson for a six-yard TD in the final period. The extra point was missed after the fourth scoring pass by Reaves, but it hardly mattered, and in any event Truvillion, who normally caught passes, threw one to Harvey from 13 yards out for a TD that capped the scoring. It was the third touchdown for Harvey, each coming from a different passer. Tampa Bay ended up winning comfortably by a final score of 48-21.

The Bandits rolled up 511 total yards to Oklahoma’s 435 and had the edge in first downs by 28 to 27. However, the Outlaws turned the ball over four times, to none by Tampa Bay. Oklahoma had three possessions end with interceptions, one via a fumble, and one more in which they had to turn the ball over on downs. There was only one punt during the game, by the Bandits in the second quarter.

John Reaves had a big day as he completed 22 of 31 passes for 378 yards and four touchdowns with none intercepted. WR Willie Gillespie had 5 catches for 107 yards while Marvin Harvey contributed 5 receptions for 68 yards and the three scores. Eric Truvillion pulled in four passes for 74 yards and a touchdown while also passing for a TD. Gary Anderson rushed for 49 yards on 17 carries and had a touchdown pass as well.

For Oklahoma, Doug Williams was successful on 25 of 48 throws for 317 yards and three TDs, but also had three intercepted. In addition, Williams was flagged once for unsportsmanlike conduct after arguing a call and was also penalized for a late hit on an interception return that sparked a scuffle between the teams along the sideline as well as a shower of debris from some nearby fans. Alphonso Williams caught 6 passes for 119 yards and a TD. RB Ted Sample ran for 70 yards on 8 carries.

The sixth straight win for the Bandits put them a game behind the Birmingham Stallions in the Southern Division. They went on to finish at 14-4 and earn a Wild Card playoff spot, although they lost convincingly to the Stallions in the first round. Oklahoma’s collapse continued and the Outlaws ended up at 6-12 and fourth in the division.

John Reaves, who had been a disappointment in the NFL, ranked fifth among USFL passers as he threw for 4092 yards and 28 touchdowns with a 57.5 completion percentage. Eric Truvillion and Marvin Harvey were favorite targets, each catching 70 passes and scoring 9 touchdowns while accumulating 1044 and 938 yards, respectively. 

Rookie of the Year: Lenny Moore, 1956

Halfback, Baltimore Colts

Age:  23 (Nov. 25)

College: Penn State

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 190

Prelude:

An outstanding all-around talent in college, Moore rushed for 2380 yards, intercepted 10 passes, and averaged 15.8 yards on punt returns and 24.3 yards on kickoff returns. He was taken in the first round of the 1956 NFL draft by the Colts (9^th overall).

1956 Season Summary

Appeared in all 12 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 86

Most attempts, game - 13 (for 185 yds.) vs. Green Bay 10/28

Yards – 649 [8]

Most yards, game – 185 yards (on 13 carries) vs. Green Bay 10/28

Average gain – 7.5 [1]

TDs – 8 [3, tied with Alan Ameche & Hugh McElhenny]

100-yard rushing games – 2

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 11      

Most receptions, game – 2 on four occasions

Yards – 102

Most yards, game - 27 (on 1 catch) vs. Green Bay 10/28

Average gain – 9.3

TDs – 1

Passing

Attempts – 4

Completions – 1

Yards – 8

Touchdowns – 1

Interceptions – 1

Punt Returns

Returns – 8

Yards – 38

Average per return – 4.8

TDs – 0

Longest return – 15 yards

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 10 [18]

Yards – 129

Average per return – 12.9

TDs – 0

Longest return – 21 yards

All-purpose yards – 918

Scoring

TDs – 9 [6, tied with Frank Gifford]

Points – 54 (14)

Awards & Honors:

NFL Rookie of the Year: UPI

2^nd team All-NFL: NY Daily News

Pro Bowl

Colts went 5-7 to finish fourth in the NFL Western Conference while placing second in the league in rushing (2202 yards).

Aftermath:

While he never carried the ball more than 98 times in any of his first six years, he was highly effective when he did, leading the NFL in yards per carry three more times. He was perhaps even more effective as a pass receiver, often lining up out wide as a flanker, and was a formidable offensive weapon for the Colts, leading the league in yards from scrimmage in 1957 (1175) and twice gaining over 900 receiving yards in a season as he achieved consensus first-team All-Pro honors in four consecutive years (1958-61) and five straight Pro Bowl selections (1958-62). He also had over a thousand yards from scrimmage in five consecutive years (1957-61) with a high of 1536 in Baltimore’s first championship season of 1958. In the meantime Moore, nicknamed “Spats” for the manner in which he taped up his football shoes, was shifted full-time to halfback in 1961. In ’62, injuries limited his effectiveness and in 1963 he played in only seven games and saw limited action. It appeared that his days with the Colts were numbered, but Moore wasn’t traded during the offseason and started 1964 as backup to Tom Matte at halfback. He had a remarkable comeback season, gaining 1056 yards from scrimmage and setting a then-NFL record with 20 touchdowns. Moore gained 878 yards from scrimmage in 1965 (464 rushing, 414 receiving) and played another two years, although he carried the ball just 105 times (for 431 yards) and caught 34 passes as his playing time diminished. Following his retirement after the 1967 season, he had gained 5174 yards rushing on 1069 carries (4.8 avg.) and caught 363 passes for 6039 more yards (16.6 avg.) while accumulating a total of 113 TDs, which ranked second all-time. He totaled 12,449 all-purpose yards. The Colts retired his #24 and Moore was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1975.

[Updated 8/4/13]

--

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). 

MVP Profile: Jerry Rice, 1990

Wide Receiver, San Francisco 49ers

Age: 28 (Oct. 13)

6^th season in pro football & with 49ers

College: Mississippi Valley State

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 200

Prelude:

Drafted by the 49ers in the first round in 1985, Rice moved into the starting lineup as a rookie and showed flashes of future greatness as he caught 49 passes for 927 yards and diverted coverage from veteran WR Dwight Clark. In ’86, Rice broke out with 86 receptions and led the NFL in receiving yards (1570) and TD catches (15). He was a consensus first-team All-Pro selection and was chosen for the Pro Bowl. It was the first of four straight seasons prior to ’90 in which he received those honors, and in the strike-interrupted 1987 season Rice had a record 22 touchdown receptions in just 12 games and received MVP recognition as well. In 1989, he led the NFL in pass receiving yards (1483) and TD catches (17).

1990 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 100 [1]           

Most receptions, game – 13 (for 225 yds.) at Atlanta 10/14

Yards – 1502 [1]

Most yards, game - 225 (on 13 catches) at Atlanta 10/14

Average gain – 15.0

TDs – 13 [1]

200-yard receiving games – 1

100-yard receiving games – 7

Rushing

Attempts – 2

Yards – 0

Average gain – 0.0

TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 13 [4, tied with Marcus Allen, Neal Anderson & Thurman Thomas]

Points – 78

Postseason: 2 G

Pass receptions – 11

Most pass receptions, game – 6 vs. Washington, NFC Divisional playoff

Pass receiving yards – 122

Most pass receiving yards, game – 68 vs. Washington, NFC Divisional playoff

Average yards per reception – 11.1

Pass Receiving TDs – 1

Awards & Honors:

NFL MVP: Sporting News

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

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

Pro Bowl

49ers went 14-2 to finish first in the NFC West with the best record in the conference while leading the NFC in total offense (5895 yards) and passing yards (4177). Won NFC Divisional playoff over Washington Redskins (28-10). Lost NFC Championship to New York Giants (15-13).

Aftermath:

Rice went on to play 20 seasons in the NFL and re-wrote the record book by the time he was done. The 1986 and ’87 seasons were the first of 11 straight thousand-yard receiving seasons and 14 overall. He led the league in that category five more times, including a record 1848 in 1995. Rice also had four 100-catch seasons and was the NFL leader twice. A prolific scorer, he had a total of nine years in which he reached double figures in receiving TDs and paced the league six times. After 16 years with San Francisco, Rice moved on to the Raiders for three full seasons plus part of his last year, in 2004, in which he finished up with Seattle. Overall, he retired as career leader in pass receptions (1549), receiving yards (22,895), receiving touchdowns (197), and total TDs (208). He gained the most total yards (23,546) of any player in NFL history. The 49ers retired Rice’s #80 and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2010.

[Updated 8/4/13]

--

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). 

1983: Norwood Kicks 5 Field Goals as Stallions Defeat Generals

The Monday night United States Football League matchup on May 9, 1983 featured the New Jersey Generals, with prize rookie RB Herschel Walker, against the visiting Birmingham Stallions. After a slow start, Walker came into the tenth week leading the new league with over a thousand yards on the ground. However, while they had won the previous week, the Generals were only 3-6 thus far under Head Coach Chuck Fairbanks. Other than Walker, the offense was ordinary and the defense mediocre.

The Stallions, under Head Coach Rollie Dotsch, were 4-5 and suffered with inexperienced Bob Lane and Reggie Collier at quarterback, but utilized an effective running back-by-committee approach. The young defense tended to keep opposing teams out of the end zone and had given up a total of just 21 points over the previous three contests.

There was a crowd of 38,734 in attendance at Giants Stadium in the New Jersey Meadowlands. After the Stallions were forced to punt on their initial possession, the Generals took the early lead thanks to a 37-yard scoring pass from QB Bobby Scott to WR Tom McConnaughey on their second play from scrimmage at 2:22 into the first quarter. Unfortunately for the home team, that would prove to be the high point of the evening.

Birmingham came back with an 84-yard drive that culminated in a one-yard touchdown run by RB Bill White. Two more time-consuming drives led to field goals by Scott Norwood in the second quarter. The second came with 18 seconds remaining and made it 13-7 in favor of the Stallions at the half. But while the score was close, Birmingham had dominated time of possession by holding onto the ball for just over 22 minutes. As a result, Herschel Walker had just five carries for 19 yards.

Norwood kicked a 31-yard field goal with just under five minutes to play in the third quarter to extend Birmingham’s lead to 16-7 and then recovered a fumbled kickoff return by RB Thomas Lott. That set up his fourth field goal, from 37 yards.

Norwood booted a league-record fifth field goal in the fourth quarter from 25 yard but just missed a sixth from 41 yards. It was more than enough for the Stallions, who won comfortably by a score of 22-7.

Birmingham dominated in total yards (414 to 154), with 242 of that total coming on the ground, as opposed to just 38 yards for the Generals. The Stallions also were dominant in first downs (24 to 8) and time of possession (43:28 to 16:32). The visitors didn’t turn the ball over, while New Jersey did so once.

Four Birmingham runners outrushed Walker – Ken Talton (64 yards on 20 carries), Earl Gant (12 attempts for 56 yards), Bill White (15 carries for 53 yards), and Cornelius Quarles (11 for 47). Bob Lane was successful on 13 of 19 passes for 182 yards. WR Jim Smith topped the receivers with 5 catches for 78 yards. Scott Norwood, the rookie placekicker out of James Madison who had failed to catch on with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, was the scoring star with his five field goals in six attempts.

For the Generals, Herschel Walker gained just 28 yards on 11 carries. Bobby Scott completed 7 of 16 throws for 121 yards and a TD with none intercepted while backup Gene Bradley was successful on just 2 of 6 for 11 yards. TE Sam Bowers caught 4 passes for 62 yards.

“They kept the ball the whole game and I just stood back and watched,” said Herschel Walker. “I reckon I should have brought my rabbit’s foot – we didn’t have any luck.”

The Stallions went on to finish fourth in the tough Central Division with a 9-9 record. New Jersey ended up third in the Atlantic Division at 6-12.

Scott Norwood’s five field goals remained the USFL record, although it was tied twice – by David Trout of the Stars in 1984 and Brian Franco of Jacksonville in ’85. For the 1983 season, Norwood was successful on 25 of 34 field goal attempts and added 34 extra points to total 109 points, which ranked fourth in the league.

Herschel Walker bounced back with 87 yards the next week on his way to topping the circuit with 1812 yards on 412 carries (4.4 avg.) and 17 touchdowns. He also led the Generals in pass receiving with 53 catches for 489 yards and another TD.

Rookie of the Year: Erik McMillan, 1988

Safety, New York Jets

Age: 23

College: Missouri

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 200

Prelude:

Son of Ernie McMillan, a former NFL offensive tackle, McMillan was an All-Big 8 selection in his last collegiate season and was taken by the Jets in the third round of the 1988 NFL draft. In an effort to bring greater speed to the defensive backfield, the club used three of its first four picks on defensive backs (the other two were Terry Williams and James Hasty). He became the starting free safety and proved to be one of the fastest in the league at that position.

1988 Season Summary

Appeared in 13 of 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 0

Interceptions – 8 [2, tied with Terry Hoage, Vestee Jackson & Carl Lee, 1st in AFC]

Most interceptions, game – 3 at Miami 10/23

Int. return yards – 168 [2]

Most int. return yards, game – 57 (on 3 int.) at Miami 10/23

Int. TDs – 2 [1, tied with Carl Lee]

Fumble recoveries – 0

Tackles – 80

Scoring

TDs – 2

Points – 12

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA

2^nd team All-AFC: UPI

Pro Bowl

Jets went 8-7-1 to finish fourth in the AFC East while leading the conference in interceptions (24).  

Aftermath:

Daring and aggressive, McMillan was again selected to the Pro Bowl in 1989 after intercepting six passes, one of which he returned 92 yards. However, a change in defensive schemes affected his performance adversely in 1990. His play became marked by inconsistency and, following the ’92 season, he was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent. McMillan failed to last the year with the Eagles and made appearances with the Chiefs and Browns in what was his final season. Overall, over the course of six years he intercepted 22 passes, five of which he returned for touchdowns, but he failed to live up to the promise of his first two seasons in the NFL.

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

--

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).