1958: Eagles Obtain Norm Van Brocklin from Rams

On May 26, 1958 the Philadelphia Eagles traded OT Buck Lansford, DB Jimmy Harris, and a 1959 first round draft pick to the Los Angeles Rams for QB Norm Van Brocklin. According to Philadelphia GM Vince McNally, the deal had been in the works for some three months and at least two other teams were in the bidding.

The Eagles were coming off of three straight losing seasons, including a 4-8 record in 1957, and had a new head coach in Buck Shaw. QB Bobby Thomason had retired, and while rookie Sonny Jurgensen showed his potential in limited action, Shaw wanted to add an experienced quarterback.

The 32-year-old Van Brocklin had been with the Rams for nine seasons and was widely considered to be the best pure passer in the NFL. Drafted in the fourth round in 1949, his strong and accurate arm, combined with a quick release, made him one of the league’s most productive quarterbacks. He split time with Bob Waterfield through 1953, an arrangement neither player liked but that also helped make the LA offense one of the NFL’s most potent.

Van Brocklin led the league in passing three times, yards per attempts on four occasions, yards per catch twice, and completion percentage and passing yards one time apiece. He threw a 73-yard touchdown bomb to end Tom Fears that won the 1951 NFL Championship game and set a still-standing record for passing yards in a game with 554 against the New York Yanks, also in ‘51. In addition, Van Brocklin was an outstanding punter and led the league in that category in 1955.

The player known as “The Dutchman” had his detractors, to be sure, especially with regard to his lack of mobility. He was also volatile and acerbic, and locked horns with intense Head Coach Sid Gillman, especially when Gillman insisted in calling the plays and had Van Brocklin once again splitting time, in this case with Bill Wade, who was drafted out of Vanderbilt in 1954. A poor six-interception performance in the 1955 title game against the Browns did not help matters between star quarterback and head coach, and Van Brocklin believed that Gillman lost confidence in him as a result. In any event, things came to a head when Van Brocklin announced that he would retire following the ’57 season rather than continue to play under Gillman, forcing a trade.

The Eagles were not a team that “The Dutchman” wished to play for, but he later insisted that he had received assurances that he would succeed the 59-year-old Shaw as head coach if he came to Philadelphia. The Eagles went just 2-9-1 in 1958, but Van Brocklin led the NFL in pass attempts (374) and completions (198) while throwing for 2409 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was chosen to the Pro Bowl. He also showed a gift for developing talent as he helped hone the skills of second-year end Tommy McDonald and Pete Retzlaff, a converted reserve halfback who, as an offensive end, broke out to co-lead the NFL with 56 pass receptions.

The team improved to 7-5 in 1959, with Van Brocklin again receiving Pro Bowl recognition while throwing for 2617 yards and 16 TDs, and it set the stage for a MVP season in ’60. The overachieving Eagles went 10-2 to top the Eastern Conference and then defeated the Packers for the NFL Championship. “The Dutchman” passed for 2471 yards and a career-high 24 touchdowns while averaging 8.7 yards per attempt, adding 204 yards and a TD in the title game triumph. Moreover, his determined leadership was viewed as essential to the team’s overall success.

Both Coach Shaw and Van Brocklin retired following the 1960 triumph, and bitterness ensued. The Philadelphia front office balked at replacing Shaw with the strong-willed Van Brocklin. Trying to get him to come back as a player, they offered him a chance to be player/coach, which he disdainfully rejected (he was quoted as saying derisively “that sort of thing went out with Johnny Blood!”). When Nick Skorich was elevated to the position, Van Brocklin was hired to be the first head coach of the expansion Minnesota Vikings. While the relationship between the team and the star quarterback ended on a sour note, it also paid off over the course of three years, culminating in a NFL title.

With regard to the players that the Rams received for Van Brocklin, Buck Lansford was the most accomplished. The 6’2”, 232-pound lineman had been a second-round draft pick by the Eagles out of Texas in 1955 and was selected to the Pro Bowl in ’56. Capable of playing both at tackle and guard, he moved into the starting lineup for the Rams and lasted three seasons.

Jimmy Harris was a rookie in 1957, drafted out of Oklahoma by the Eagles in the fifth round. Playing at safety in ’57, he intercepted three passes, one of which he returned for a TD, and he went on to start at defensive halfback for the Rams, although he was gone after one year.

The 1959 first draft choice ultimately yielded the highest return. It was used to take FB Dick Bass from the College of the Pacific, who went on to a productive ten-year career in which he became the first Ram to rush for a thousand yards in a season (1033 in 1962). He retired as the leading rusher in franchise history at the time, with 5417 yards.

MVP Profile: Joe Greene, 1974

Defensive Tackle, Pittsburgh Steelers

Age: 28 (Sept. 24)

6^th season in pro football & with Steelers

College: North Texas State

Height: 6’4”   Weight: 275

Prelude:

An All-American and considered the best college defensive line prospect available, even if comparatively unknown to most fans, “Mean Joe” was taken by the Steelers in the first round of the 1969 NFL draft (fourth overall). With his speed as well as strength, he quickly established himself as an outstanding pass rusher from the interior of the line and was the Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year. Greene followed up with Pro Bowl years in each of the next four years from 1970 to ’73, including a selection as NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press in 1972. Fast, strong, and agile, he had the ability to dominate games and provided outstanding emotional leadership.

1974 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – N/A

Interceptions – 1

Int. return yards – 26

Int. TDs – 0

Fumble recoveries – 4

Postseason: 3 G

Sacks – 1 (unofficial)

Interceptions – 1

Int. return yards – 10

Fumble recoveries – 1

TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Player of the Year: AP

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

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

Pro Bowl

Steelers went 10-3-1 to finish first in the AFC Central while leading the NFL in fewest total yards allowed (3074), fewest passing yards allowed (1466), and most sacks (52) and the AFC in fewest points allowed (189). Won AFC Divisional playoff over Buffalo Bills (32-14), AFC Championship over Oakland Raiders (24-13), and Super Bowl over Minnesota Vikings (16-6).

Aftermath:

Greene became the cornerstone of an outstanding defense that was one of the highest-ranked in the NFL over the remainder of the decade and the Steelers won four NFL titles. While injuries became more of a factor after his 91-game playing streak came to an end in 1975, his string of Pro Bowl selections reached eight straight. “Mean Joe” played a total of 13 years, all with Pittsburgh, and was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection five times, received at least some All-NFL or All-AFC recognition in four other seasons, and was named to the Pro Bowl on a total of 10 occasions. Greene was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1987.

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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.

1983: Stallions Beat Panthers in Overtime for Fifth Straight Win

The United States Football League game on May 23, 1983, a Monday night, featured two teams with winning streaks on the line and trying to remain in contention in the competitive Central Division.

The visiting Birmingham Stallions, coached by Rollie Dotsch, had won four straight after getting off to a 2-5 start. They were the USFL’s top rushing team, but the passing attack, utilizing two rookie quarterbacks in Bob Lane (pictured at right) and Reggie Collier, was less successful, although ex-Steeler Jim Smith was a capable wide receiver. The defense was effective, especially when rushing opposing passers.

The Michigan Panthers had also gotten off to a slow start, sporting a lowly 1-4 tally at one point, with the only win coming against the Stallions in the opening week. But Head Coach Jim Stanley’s team was now at 7-4 after winning six consecutive games. Rookie QB Bobby Hebert was a pleasant surprise, more-heralded (and high-priced) rookie WR Anthony Carter was displaying the anticipated big-play ability after getting off to a quiet start, and the addition of some veteran offensive linemen was making a difference. On defense, the Panthers topped the league in sacks with OLB John Corker leading the way.

A somewhat disappointing crowd of 20,042 was on hand at the Pontiac Silverdome. The opening period was scoreless but the Stallions were driving after recovering a Michigan fumble as the game moved into second quarter and the series ended when QB Bob Lane connected with TE Steve Stephens for a one-yard touchdown on a fourth down gamble. Scott Norwood added the extra point.

The visitors then took advantage of an interception by LB Larry McPherson to add to their lead. The Stallions again moved the ball inside the Michigan five, going 29 yards in eight plays, but settled for a 23-yard Norwood field goal and a 10-0 score.

Down by ten points, the Panthers came through with a big play when a scrambling Bobby Hebert went long for Anthony Carter, who grabbed the ball after it was tipped by a defender and raced to the end zone for an 81-yard touchdown. Bojovic kicked the PAT.

The Stallions got another break inside the last two minutes of the half when Carter muffed a punt and RB Lonnie Johnson recovered at the Michigan 17. Five plays later, WR Greg Anderson caught a pass for a 15-yard touchdown with 27 seconds remaining on the clock and, having capitalized on three turnovers, the score was 17-7 in favor of Birmingham at the half.

The Stallions added to their lead with the first series of the third quarter, putting together a methodical drive that ended with Norwood booting a 25-yard field goal. Michigan finally was able to get back into the game with a fumble recovery late in the period in Birmingham territory. After driving down to the one, RB John Williams was stopped short on successive carries but scored on the first play of the fourth quarter. Bojovic added the extra point that made it a six-point contest.

Ahead by 20-14, the Stallions attempted to extend their lead with 7:24 left on the clock, but Norwood’s 49-yard field goal try was short. The Panthers responded by driving 68 yards in nine plays, and it seemed as though they would prevail when Williams again scored a touchdown from a yard out with 2:52 remaining in regulation. However, Birmingham LB Herb Spencer was able to get a hand on Bojovic’s extra point kick and block it, keeping the contest tied at 20-20.

Birmingham nearly won in regulation when DB Fred Logan intercepted a long pass intended for WR Ron Frederick at the Michigan one and rolled into the end zone, losing the ball as he attempted to spike it. TE Darryl Mason fell on the loose football in the end zone and one official signaled a touchdown for the Stallions, but after a long conference it was ruled that the Panthers had possession at the one, and they ran out the clock.

Michigan won the toss and had the first possession in overtime, but the Panthers were forced to punt after six plays. The Stallions then got a huge break when a bad snap sailed over punter Rick Partridge’s head and Birmingham got the ball at the Michigan 34. After two running plays and an incomplete pass, Norwood kicked a 46-yard field goal at 4:22 into the overtime period to win the game by a final score of 23-20.

Total yards were nearly even, with Michigan holding a 341 to 340 edge, although the Stallions had more first downs (22 to 17) and were well ahead in time of possession (38:03 to 26:29). Both teams were penalized seven times and there were no sacks. But the Panthers turned the ball over three times, with all of them leading to Birmingham scores, while the visitors turned it over twice.

Bob Lane completed 16 of 28 passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns while giving up one interception. RB Ken Talton rushed for 103 yards on 27 carries. Jim Smith topped the Stallions with 5 catches for 62 yards.

For the Panthers, Bobby Hebert was successful on 13 of 20 throws for 198 yards and had a TD and an interception. Ken Lacy gained 106 yards on 15 rushing attempts and added another 40 yards on three pass receptions. John Williams ran for just 27 yards on 13 carries, but two were good for touchdowns. Anthony Carter caught 6 passes for 136 yards that included the one long score.

“I think the key was the blocked extra point try,” said a disappointed Coach Jim Stanley. “If we make it, we win the game. Those little things come back to haunt you.”

The win for Birmingham left both teams tied at 7-5 in the Central Division race with the Chicago Blitz a game ahead. It proved to be the high point of the season for the Stallions, who lost their next two games and ended up fourth with a 9-9 record. Ultimately, the Panthers prevailed by winning five of their last six contests, topping the division at 12-6 on the way to winning the first USFL Championship. 

Rookie of the Year: Dennis Shaw, 1970

Quarterback, Buffalo Bills

Age:  23

College: San Diego State

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 210

Prelude:

A product of Head Coach Don Coryell’s program at San Diego State, Shaw threw 39 TD passes in 1969, including 9 in a single game, and the team was undefeated during his starts. He was chosen by the Bills in the second round of the 1970 NFL draft and took over the starting job from Dan Darragh three weeks into the season.

1970 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 321 [10, tied with Johnny Unitas]

Most attempts, game – 43 vs. Baltimore 12/13

Completions – 178 [8]

Most completions, game – 24 vs. Miami 10/18

Yards – 2507 [6]

Most yards, game – 348 vs. Miami 10/18

Completion percentage – 55.5 [7]

Yards per attempt – 7.8 [3]

TD passes – 10 [16, tied with Bill Munson]

Most TD passes, game – 2 vs. NY Jets 10/4, vs. Miami 10/18, at Baltimore 11/15

Interceptions – 20 [2, tied with Norm Snead]

Most interceptions, game – 2 on eight occasions

Passer rating – 65.3 [16]

300-yard passing games – 2

200-yard passing games – 5

Rushing

Attempts – 39

Most attempts, game - 6 (for 23 yds.) vs. NY Jets 10/4

Yards – 210

Most yards, game – 48 yards (on 5 carries) at Chicago 11/22

Yards per attempt – 5.4

TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA

AFC Rookie of the Year: UPI, Sporting News

Bills went 3-10-1 to finish fourth in the AFC East.

Aftermath:

While possessing a strong arm, toughness, and plenty of confidence, Shaw also had difficulty reading defenses, lacked consistency, and failed to build upon his promising rookie season. He led the NFL in interceptions (26) in 1971 while his overall production dropped, and after a slightly better year in ’72, a knee injury caused him to lose the starting job to rookie Joe Ferguson in 1973. Shaw was traded to the Cardinals for 1974, reuniting him with Coach Coryell, but he saw little action as a backup over two seasons and was waived. It was the end of his regular season NFL career, although he did have tryouts with other teams. He was a player/coach with the Chicago Blitz of the USFL in 1984 but saw no regular season action. Overall, in six NFL seasons Shaw completed 52.9 percent of his passes for 6347 yards and 35 touchdowns while tossing 68 interceptions, with all but 61 passing yards and one interception occurring as a member of the Bills.

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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). 

MVP Profile: Lawrence Taylor, 1982

Linebacker, New York Giants

Age: 23

2^nd season in pro football & with Giants

College: North Carolina

Height: 6’3”   Weight: 237

Prelude:

Following a college career in which he was a consensus first-team All-American and Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year for 1980, Taylor was chosen in the first round by the Giants in 1981 (second overall). It was expected that he would start right away, and he did with an immediate impact. Not only was he the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, and a consensus first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection, but he was selected as NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the AP.

1982 Season Summary

Appeared and started in all 9 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 7.5 [6, tied with Curtis Greer & Jesse Baker]

Most sacks, game – 3 vs. Philadelphia 12/11

Multi-sack games – 1

Interceptions – 1

Int. return yards – 97 [4]

Int. return TDs – 1 [1, tied with many others]

Scoring

TDs – 1

Points – 6

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Player of the Year: AP

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

1^st team All-NFC: UPI

Pro Bowl

Giants went 4-5 to finish tenth in the NFC, divisions having been eliminated due to the strike-shortened nature of the season.

Aftermath:

With his attacking style of play, Taylor almost immediately set new standards for outside linebackers and continued to excel with his excellent speed and ability to disrupt running as well as passing plays. He was a consensus first-team All-Pro in each of the next four seasons and a Pro Bowl selection over the next eight. Taylor continued to be the leader of the Giants defense, including 1986 when the team won the Super Bowl and Taylor received consensus MVP as well as Defensive Player of the Year honors from the AP for a third time. He achieved consensus first-team All Pro honors a total of eight times in addition to the 10 Pro Bowl selections in a career that spanned 13 years and 184 games. Taylor retired following the 1993 season, with 132.5 career sacks, and his #56 was retired by the Giants. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1999.

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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). 

1985: Big Plays by Mills on Defense Spur Stars to Defeat of Renegades

The Baltimore Stars, reigning champions of the United States Football League, were struggling at 5-6-1 as they faced the Orlando Renegades on May 17, 1985. Highly successful as a Philadelphia-based franchise in 1983 and ’84, the Stars were having difficulty adjusting to the move to Byrd Stadium at the University of Maryland (Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium was unavailable) while continuing to practice in Philadelphia. However, Head Coach Jim Mora’s team still had a solid defense plus an effective ball-control offense directed by QB Chuck Fusina that featured RB Kelvin Bryant.

The Renegades, coached by Lee Corso, were the remnant of the far-less-successful Washington Federals of the prior two years. They came into the contest at 3-9, but were showing improvement after getting off to a 0-6 start. Highly mobile QB Reggie Collier led the attack but the defense was poor, often failing in the second half of games.

There were 23,121 fans in attendance on a Friday night at Orlando Stadium. The Renegades took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, first on a six-yard TD pass from Reggie Collier to WR Jackie Flowers less than two minutes into the contest that was set up when Baltimore’s Kelvin Bryant fumbled the ball away at his own 11 yard line, safety Victor Jackson recovering, and then on a four-yard run by RB Leon Perry that completed a six-play, 50-yard possession. Jeff Brockhaus added the extra point after each.

The Stars came back in the second quarter when Chuck Fusina threw long to Bryant for a 43-yard touchdown and David Trout added the point after. However, Perry scored a second touchdown shortly thereafter, carrying from two yards out. Trout kicked a 42-yard field goal for the visitors in the final minute, but the Renegades held a surprising 21-10 lead at the half.

The Stars were known for their opportunism on defense, and two big plays by inside LB Sam Mills in the first four minutes of the second half turned the game around. First, he returned an intercepted pass 20 yards for a touchdown. Then he forced a fumble with a hard tackle of RB Henry Odom, who had just caught a Collier pass across the middle, which gave the Stars the ball at the Orlando 22 when DE William Fuller recovered. Six plays later, Bryant ran five yards for another Baltimore TD. The Stars were suddenly in front by 24-21.

The Renegades came back strong on offense, driving to the Baltimore one on their next series. However, the Stars repelled three straight runs and it was Mills making a big stop of Odom inches from the goal line on fourth down that ended the threat. The Stars responded with an 83-yard drive and Trout added a 34-yard field goal before the period was over.

There was one more score midway through the fourth quarter as Fusina passed to WR Herbert Harris for a 16-yard TD, icing the cake for the Stars. Baltimore came away with a comfortable 34-21 win thanks to 24 unanswered second half points.

Orlando outgained the Stars (348 yards to 301) and had more first downs (24 to 19). However, the Renegades also turned the ball over five times, four on fumbles, while the visitors did so twice. The Stars also recorded five sacks, to three for the home team. There were many penalties, with Philadelphia flagged 15 times to 9 called on Orlando.

Chuck Fusina completed 15 of 30 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns while giving up one interception. Kelvin Bryant ran for 87 yards on 16 carries and also led the club with 5 pass receptions for 74 yards, scoring one TD apiece on the ground and through the air.

For the Renegades, Reggie Collier was successful on 27 of 47 throws for 243 yards and a TD with one picked off. Collier was also Orlando’s rushing leader as he accumulated 50 yards on five attempts. Jackie Flowers caught 7 passes for 93 yards and a score.

The win evened the Stars’ record at 6-6-1 and they went on to win four of their next five games to finish fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 10-7-1 tally. The rally continued into the postseason as they went on to defeat the Oakland Invaders and repeat as USFL Champions. Orlando ended up at 5-13 and the bottom of the conference. 

Sam Mills was a consensus first-team All-USFL selection for the third straight year. An undersized (5’9”, 225 pounds) player out of Montclair State in New Jersey who had previously failed in free agent tryouts with the NFL Browns and CFL Argonauts, he made the most of his opportunity in the Spring league and, following the demise of the USFL, moved on to the New Orleans Saints of the NFL along with Coach Mora. He was selected to four Pro Bowls as a member of the Saints and one after moving on to the Carolina Panthers.

Rookie of the Year: Paul Robinson, 1968

Halfback, Cincinnati Bengals

Age: 24 (Dec. 19)

College: Arizona

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 200

Prelude:

Robinson went to college on a track scholarship and only played football in his last year. He was chosen by the expansion Bengals in the third round of the 1968 AFL/NFL draft, moved directly into the lineup, and scored the first regular season touchdown in franchise history.

1968 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 238 [1]

Most attempts, game - 26 (for 33 yds.) at NY Jets 12/8

Yards – 1023 [1]

Most yards, game – 159 yards (on 17 carries) at Oakland 10/27

Average gain – 4.3 [5]

TDs – 8 [1]

100-yard rushing games – 4

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 24      

Most receptions, game – 7 (for 30 yds.) at Boston 12/1

Yards – 128

Most yards, game – 78 (on 4 catches) vs. Houston 11/3

Average gain – 5.3

TDs – 1

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 3

Yards – 58

Average per return – 19.3

TDs – 0

Longest return – 22 yards

Punt Returns

Returns – 1

Yards – 1

TDs – 0

All-Purpose yards – 1210 [7]

Scoring

TDs – 9 [6]

Points – 54 [14]

Awards & Honors:

AFL Rookie of the Year: UPI

1^st team All-AFL: AP, UPI, NEA, NY Daily News, Pro Football Weekly

2^nd team All-AFL: PFWA

1^st team All-Western Division: Sporting News

AFL All-Star Game

Bengals went 3-11 to finish fifth in the AFL Western Division.

Aftermath:

The smooth-running Robinson never again matched the production of his rookie year. His rushing total dropped off to 489 yards in 1969, although he was still chosen to the last AFL All-Star Game. With a strong second half, he reached 622 yards in ’70 but carried only 49 times for 213 yards in 1971 and was traded to the Oilers during the ’72 season. Robinson was a backup with Houston in 1973 and left for the Birmingham Americans of the WFL, where he played one final season in 1974 and led the team in rushing with 599 yards on the way to that league’s only championship. In the AFL and NFL, Robinson rushed for 2947 yards on 737 carries (4.0 avg.) and caught 90 passes for 612 more yards, scoring a total of 26 touchdowns. While his career failed to live up to the early promise, Robinson remains the only player to rush for a thousand yards for a first-year expansion team in the AFL/NFL.

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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).