MVP Profile: Ray Lewis, 2003

Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens

Age: 28

8^th season in pro football & with Ravens

College: Miami (FL)

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 245

Prelude:

Lewis was chosen by the Ravens in the first round of the 1996 NFL draft, was inserted into the starting lineup at middle linebacker as a rookie, and had an immediate impact. He was chosen to the Pro Bowl for the first time in ’97 and was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection in 1999. With outstanding instincts, intensity, and speed that allowed him to cover a large area and make plays, Lewis was well-established as one of the premier linebackers in the NFL. The only concerns about him pertained to off-field issues following the ’99 season surrounding an altercation outside an Atlanta nightclub that ended in two stabbing deaths, but after a plea bargain that included his testimony against two associates (Lewis was also heavily fined by the NFL), he was back in action in 2000 and received NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors from the Associated Press as the Ravens went all the way to a Super Bowl victory. Lewis was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection for the third straight year in 2001 as well as Pro Bowl choice for the fifth consecutive season. He adjusted well to a shift to inside linebacker as the Ravens switched to a 3-4 defense in ’02 but he was limited to five games due to a shoulder injury.

2003 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 1.5

Interceptions – 6 [7, tied with nine others]

Most interceptions, game – 1 on six occasions

Int. yards – 99 [15]

Most int. return yards, game – 37 (on 1 int.) vs. Denver 10/26

Int. TDs – 1 [7, tied with many]

Fumble recoveries – 2

Forced fumbles – 2

Tackles – 121

Assists – 42

Postseason: 1 G (AFC Wild Card playoff vs. Tennessee)

Sacks – 0

Interceptions – 0

TD – 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Player of the Year: AP

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

1^st team All-AFC: Pro Football Weekly

Pro Bowl

Ravens went 10-6 to finish first in the AFC North while leading the NFL in sacks (47) and fewest rushing touchdowns (6, tied with Tampa Bay). Lost AFC Wild Card playoff to Tennessee Titans (20-17).

Aftermath:

Other than 2005, when a hamstring injury cost him significant playing time, Lewis remained a regular Pro Bowl choice through 2011, his next-to-last season at age 36. Overall, Lewis played for 17 years, all with Baltimore, and recorded 41.5 sacks, intercepted 31 passes, and was credited with over 1500 tackles. He was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection seven times, received at least some second-team recognition after four other seasons, and was chosen to the Pro Bowl on 13 occasions. Lewis capped his career in 2012 by playing in another Super Bowl, also won by the Ravens.

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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.

1984: Fowler Runs for 208 Yards as Gamblers Defeat Gold

In their first season in the United States Football League, the Houston Gamblers had developed into an exciting offensive team with their prolific passing attack led by rookie QB Jim Kelly. However, Head Coach Jack Pardee’s team could also run the ball, and on June 3, 1984 it was the ground game that achieved headlines.

Todd Fowler (pictured above) had been a tight end in college and was converted to running back by the Gamblers during the preseason, although he was viewed more as a blocking back at that time. His value as a runner rose once Sam Harrell, who had set a USFL single-game record with 200 yards earlier in the season, went on injured reserve, and he had already compiled three hundred-yard rushing performances.

Houston had won three straight games and was atop the USFL’s Central Division with a 9-5 record prior to traveling to Denver to take on the Gold. Denver, on the other hand, slumped badly after getting off to a 7-1 start and was now 8-6 after snapping a five-game losing streak the previous week. Coached by Craig Morton, the Gold suffered from instability at quarterback and was giving up too many yards on defense. Still, they remained in first place in the mediocre Pacific Division and were battling to maintain that position.

There was a typically good turnout of 50,057 at Mile High Stadium. To blunt Houston’s passing attack the Gold started no linemen, but instead five linebackers and six defensive backs. The overcompensation left them vulnerable to running plays.

Late in the first quarter, Todd Fowler ran seven yards for a touchdown for the game’s first score, with Toni Fritsch adding the extra point. Fowler set up Houston’s next score in the second quarter with a 53-yard burst up the middle, and that possession resulted in a 36-yard Toni Fritsch field goal that made the tally 10-0.

Craig Penrose came in at quarterback in the second quarter, replacing Fred Mortensen, who had failed to connect on any of his six passes. The Gold narrowed the Houston lead with a 56-yard drive that was kept alive when, forced to punt at one point, the Gamblers roughed the kicker. Penrose finished off the series by passing to RB Harry Sydney for a 28-yard TD. Brian Speelman made it a three-point game with his extra point.

That was the high water mark for Denver. The Gamblers proceeded to score 26 unanswered points to take a commanding lead. They first extended their margin when Jim Kelly threw to WR Ricky Sanders for an 18-yard touchdown to complete an 86-yard series. Houston topped off the first half scoring with a 43-yard field goal by Fritsch on the last play before halftime and the Gamblers took a 20-7 lead into the locker room.

Fritsch kicked a 49-yard field goal in an otherwise-scoreless third quarter in which the Houston defense continued to stymie the home team. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Fowler took a pitchout and broke away for a 46-yard touchdown and, while the extra point try was blocked, Houston was well in front by a score of 29-7.

The Gamblers tallied once more, on a Kelly pass to WR Scott McGhee that covered 23 yards. Denver managed to put two TDs on the board before it was over, with the Gold’s third quarterback of the day, Ken Hobart, connecting with WR Elmer Bailey from 12 yards out and then RB Bo Matthews running one yard for a touchdown. The two-point conversion after the second TD was unsuccessful, but it had no effect on the outcome as the Gamblers came away with a comfortable 36-20 win.

Houston dominated in total yards (465 to 279) and first downs (23 to 15), and the yardage total showed balance with 244 gained on the ground and 221 through the air. The Gold turned the ball over four times, to none by the Gamblers, and Houston also accounted for four sacks, to two by Denver. There were many penalties, with Houston leading in that category as well, drawing 10 flags at a cost of 70 yards to 8 penalties and 74 yards on the Gold.

Todd Fowler broke teammate Sam Harrell’s record by rushing for 208 yards on 21 carries that included two TDs. Jim Kelly (pictured below) completed 20 of 31 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns, with none intercepted. Ricky Sanders led the receivers with 8 catches for 91 yards. Toni Fritsch kicked three field goals, tying the league record of 12 straight, but a fourth attempt late in the contest was blocked to end the streak.

For the Gold, Craig Penrose had little more luck than Fred Mortensen with his passing, succeeding on just five of 17 throws for 61 yards and a TD while giving up two interceptions. Ken Hobart went 7-of-11 for 156 yards and a touchdown as well as an interception. Three Denver players caught two passes apiece, with Elmer Bailey gaining 79 yards on his pair that included a score. RB Vincent White paced the ground game with 28 yards on 6 attempts and Ken Hobart was right behind with his 25 yards on three carries.

“My offensive line knocked out some big holes in the defense, and all the credit should go to them,” said Todd Fowler regarding his record-setting performance.

“I don’t know what the motivational factor is when we have a championship to play for, then come out and play the way we did,” said a frustrated Coach Craig Morton from the losing side. “The playoffs right now are a dream for us unless we find some kind of spark.”

The Gamblers went on to win the Central Division with a 13-5 record, although they were beaten in their First Round playoff game by the Arizona Wranglers. Denver ultimately slid to a disappointing 9-9 tally, placing third in the Pacific Division.

Todd Fowler ended up rushing for 1003 yards on 170 carries with an impressive 5.9-yard average while scoring 11 touchdowns. Jim Kelly’s two touchdown passes put him at 36 for the season (tying the then-existing NFL record) on his way to 44 as he led the USFL in most major passing categories and received league MVP honors.

Rookie of the Year: Bruce Taylor, 1970

Cornerback, San Francisco 49ers

Age: 22

College: Boston Univ.

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 180

Prelude:

Taylor led the nation in punt return average (20.3 on 26 returns) and touchdowns (4) in 1969 and, combined with outstanding play in the defensive backfield, was selected as the team’s MVP after Boston University went 9-1. He was the first defensive back taken in the ’70 NFL draft when chosen by the 49ers in the first round (17^th overall) and moved into the starting lineup at cornerback, across from All-Pro Jimmy Johnson. Taylor improved as the season progressed and made a notable impression as a punt returner, which had been an area of weakness for the 49ers in 1969.

1970 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 3

Most interceptions, game – 1 vs. Green Bay 11/1, at New Orleans 12/13, at Oakland 12/20

Int. return yards – 70

Most int. return yards, game – 70 (on 1 int.) vs. Green Bay 11/1

Int. TDs – 0

Fumble recoveries – 2

Forced fumbles – 0

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 12

Yards – 190

Most yards, game – 65 (on 5 ret.) vs. LA Rams 11/29

Average per return – 15.8

TDs – 0

Longest return – 25

Punt Returns

Returns – 43 [2]

Yards – 516 [1]

Most yards, game – 133 (on 6 ret.) at Houston 11/15

Average per return – 12.0 [2, 1^st in NFC]

TDs – 0

Longest return – 76 yards

Scoring

TDs – 1

Points – 6

Postseason: 2 G

Interceptions – 1

Int. return yards – 0

TDs – 0

Punt returns – 7

Punt return yds. – 74

Most punt return yards, game – 69 at Minnesota, NFC Divisional playoff

Punt return avg. – 10.6

Punt return TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA

NFC Rookie of the Year: UPI, Sporting News

2^nd team All-NFC: UPI

49ers went 10-3-1 to finish first in the NFC West. Won NFC Divisional playoff over Minnesota Vikings (17-14). Lost NFC Championship to Dallas Cowboys (17-10).

Aftermath:

Taylor was nagged by a shoulder injury during 1971, but was named to the Pro Bowl as he intercepted another three passes and continued to improve although his average dipped to 6.9 on a league-leading 34 punt returns. He remained in the starting lineup until 1977, a total of eight years, and intercepted a career-high 6 passes in ’73, when he also led the NFL with a 13.8 average on 15 punt returns. Released during the 1978 preseason, an attempt to catch on with the Oakland Raiders failed and Taylor retired. Overall, he intercepted 18 passes, recovered 10 fumbles, and averaged 9.3 yards on 142 punt returns, and was selected to the Pro Bowl once.

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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: Bruce Smith, 1996

Defensive End, Buffalo Bills

Age:  33

12^th season in pro football & with Bills

College: Virginia Tech

Height: 6’4”   Weight: 273

Prelude:

The first overall pick by the Bills in the 1985 NFL draft, Smith started off slowly as a rookie with a poor team but broke out with 15 sacks in 1986 and earned both consensus first-team All-NFL and Pro Bowl honors for the first time in ’87. Strong against both the run and pass, he benefited from the arrival of LB Cornelius Bennett and other defensive stars. Smith was again a first-team All-NFL choice in 1988 and ’90 as well as a Pro Bowl selection in each year from 1987 to ’90, and was the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1990 as well. A knee injury limited Smith to just five games in 1991, but he bounced back in ’92 to record 14 sacks and return to the Pro Bowl for the first of seven consecutive seasons. He was also a consensus first-team All-NFL selection in 1993 to ’95.

1996 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 13.5 [2, tied with Michael McCrary & Lamar Lathon, 1st in AFC]

Most sacks, game – 3 vs. New England 9/8

Multi-sack games – 3

Interceptions – 0

Fumble recoveries – 1

Forced fumbles – 5

Tackles – 69

Assists – 21

Postseason: 1 G (AFC Wild Card playoff vs. Jacksonville)

Sacks – 0

Interceptions – 0

TD – 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Player of the Year: AP

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

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

Pro Bowl

Bills went 10-6 to finish second in the AFC East and qualify for the postseason as a Wild Card entry. Lost AFC Wild Card playoff to Jacksonville Jaguars (30-27).

Aftermath:

Smith was a consensus first-team All-NFL and Pro Bowl selection again in 1997, a year in which he registered 14 sacks, and he was named to one more Pro Bowl with the Bills in ’98. After 15 years with Buffalo, Smith moved on to the Washington Redskins in 2000 and had his last double-digit sack season, with 10. He hung on until 2003, finishing up as the NFL’s all-time leader in sacks with 200. A great all-around defensive end with tremendous savvy as well as speed and strength, Smith played in a total of 279 games, was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection eight times and a Pro Bowl choice on 11 occasions. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2009.

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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.

Rookie of the Year: John Stephens, 1988

Running Back, New England Patriots

Age: 22

College: Northwestern State (LA)

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 220

Prelude:

After setting a school rushing record with 3057 yards at Northwestern State, Stephens was chosen by the Patriots in the first round (17^th overall) of the 1988 NFL draft. He proved to be a key component in turning the team around from a 2-4 start with his solid running between the tackles.

1988 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 297 [5]

Most attempts, game – 35 (for 124 yds.) vs. Chicago 10/30

Yards – 1168 [5]

Most yards, game – 134 yards (on 25 carries) at Buffalo 10/23

Average gain – 3.9

TDs – 4

100-yard rushing games – 5

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 14      

Most receptions, game – 3 (for 15 yds.) vs. Miami 11/6, (for 29 yds.) at Denver 12/17

Yards – 98

Most yards, game – 29 (on 3 catches) at Denver 12/17

Average gain – 7.0

TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 5

Points – 30

Awards & Honors:

NFL Rookie of the Year: NEA

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

AFC Rookie of the Year: UPI

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

Pro Bowl

Patriots went 9-7 to finish third in the AFC East.

Aftermath:

Beginning in the preseason, Stephens was dogged by injuries in 1989 and his production slipped to 833 rushing yards with an average of 3.4 yards per carry. It was a similar situation in ’90, gaining 808 yards on the ground with a 3.8-yard average gain. While an effective power runner who rarely fumbled, his tendency to carry the ball with both arms slowed him down. Relegated to a backup role behind rookie Leonard Russell in 1991, Stephens was shifted to fullback in ’92. He was traded to Green Bay in 1993 but lasted five games before finishing up with the Chiefs in what was his last pro season. Overall, he rushed for 3440 yards on 945 carries (3.6 avg.) and gained another 812 yards on 105 pass receptions, scoring a total of 20 touchdowns.

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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). 

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.