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.

1984: Stars Score 31 Points in First Quarter to Thrash Blitz

The Philadelphia Stars were cruising along with a 6-1 record as they hosted the Chicago Blitz in a United States Football League game on April 15, 1984. While they were missing star RB Kelvin Bryant due to an injury, and had to rally to edge the Arizona Wranglers in their previous game, Head Coach Jim Mora’s team was still sound on both sides of the ball. QB Chuck Fusina was behind center to guide the ball-control offense and the tough and opportunistic defense was masterful at generating turnovers and keeping opposing teams out of the end zone. Undersized ILB Sam Mills was particularly adept at making big plays – as the Blitz would find out.

Chicago was struggling at 2-5. Coached by Marv Levy, the team had ex-Bear Vince Evans at quarterback but was a shadow of the club that played by the same name in 1983 and, through an ownership switch, had mostly been transferred to Arizona. The Blitz had little fan support and scant success on the field.

There were 17,417 fans in attendance at Veterans Stadium. It didn’t the Stars long to make the home crowd happy as they scored four touchdowns in the first nine minutes of the game.

It all started when Sam Mills recovered a fumble by RB Larry Canada to set up the first Philadelphia TD. Chuck Fusina threw to WR Willie Collier for a 19-yard touchdown less than four minutes into the contest.

Following a punt by the Blitz, the Stars again scored quickly. WR Herbert Harris gained 33 yards on a reverse to set up a 25-yard TD pass from Fusina to TE Steve Folsom. On the next series, RB Vegas Ferguson fumbled at his 35 and safety Scott Woerner grabbed the loose ball and returned it for another touchdown. Just like that, the Blitz were in a 21-0 hole.

It continued to go badly for Chicago when the next pass Evans threw was picked off by Mills, who returned it ten yards. The possession concluded with FB David Riley plowing over from a yard out to add a fourth TD for the Stars. In short order, Mills intercepted another Evans throw to give the Stars the ball at their 40. Six plays later, David Trout kicked a 30-yard field goal and, with 25 seconds remaining in the opening period, Philadelphia was up by 31-0. The point total was a USFL record for one quarter.

The Stars cruised from there. Midway through the second quarter, Trout added a 49-yard field goal. Once again a turnover had been turned into points by Philadelphia as CB Garcia Lane picked off a pass and returned it 19 yards to the Stars’ 35 to set up the score.

Three minutes into the third quarter, safety Mike Lush intercepted an Evans pass near midfield. RB Allen Harvin, the replacement for the injured Kelvin Bryant, topped off the resulting possession with an eight-yard touchdown carry. Chicago finally got on the scoreboard, long after it mattered, with a two-yard TD pass from Evans to OT Doug Hoppock, getting his only reception of the year on a tackle-eligible play. There was no further scoring as the Stars came away with a crushing 41-7 win.

The Stars gained 320 yards to Chicago’s 299 and had the edge in first downs by 16 to 15 – deceivingly close numbers since Philadelphia put the game away early and the Blitz vainly tried to play catch-up the rest of the way. More meaningfully, the Blitz turned the ball over seven times, to two given up by the Stars.

Chuck Fusina completed 11 of 17 passes for 180 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Allen Harvin (pictured at left) rushed for 82 yards on 19 carries with one TD. Steve Folsom, Willie Collier, and David Riley each caught three passes, for 56, 52, and 43 yards, respectively. The biggest star was Sam Mills on defense with two interceptions, a fumble recovery, and 11 tackles to fuel the onslaught.

For the Blitz, Vince Evans was successful on 18 of 36 throws for 170 yards and the one TD, but also gave up five interceptions before backup Ron Reeves finished up. RB Jim Stone ran for 61 yards on 5 attempts and also led the team with four catches for 37 yards.

The Stars continued to win with regularity through the remainder of the season, compiling a 16-2 record and three more victories in the postseason that culminated in a USFL Championship. The Blitz also continued to lose, ending up at the bottom of the Central Division with a 5-13 tally.

Sam Mills went on to lead Philadelphia in tackles (92) and assists (118) while intercepting three passes and recording five sacks. He was named to the USFL All-League team for the second year.

MVP Profile: Barry Sanders, 1997

Running Back, Detroit Lions

Age: 29

9^th season in pro football & with Lions

College: Oklahoma State

Height: 5’8”   Weight: 203

Prelude:

Following a Heisman-winning season as a junior, Sanders chose to forego his last year of eligibility and turn pro. Taken by the Lions in the first round of the 1989 NFL draft (third overall), he had an immediate impact, rushing for 1470 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was not just Rookie of the Year but went to the Pro Bowl and was a consensus first team All-Pro. Sanders followed up with a league-leading 1304 yards in 1990, his first of four NFL rushing titles, and through 1996 had received MVP recognition once, consensus All-NFL honors five times, and was chosen to the Pro Bowl in all eight years. Sanders never failed to gain a thousand yards – his lowest total was 1115 in 1993, when he missed five games due to injury, his only extended loss of playing time. He made up for lack of size with outstanding elusiveness and running instincts.

1997 Season Summary

Appeared and started in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 335 [4]

Most attempts, game - 30 (for 137 yds.) at Miami 12/7

Yards – 2053 [1]

Most yards, game – 216 yards (on 24 carries) vs. Indianapolis 11/23

Average gain – 6.1 [2]

TDs – 11 [3, tied with Kordell Stewart & Marcus Allen, 1st in NFC]

200-yard rushing games – 2

100-yard rushing games – 14

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 33      

Most receptions, game – 8 (for 102 yds.) vs. Tampa Bay 9/7

Yards – 305

Most yards, game - 102 (on 8 catches) vs. Tampa Bay 9/7

Average gain – 9.2

TDs – 3

100-yard receiving games – 1

All-purpose yards – 2358 [1]

Scoring

TDs – 14 [3, 1st in NFC]

Points – 84

Postseason: 1 G (NFC Wild Card playoff at Tampa Bay)

Rushing attempts – 18

Rushing yards – 65

Average gain rushing – 3.6

Rushing TDs – 0

Pass receptions – 5

Pass receiving yards - 43

Average yards per reception – 8.6

Pass Receiving TDs - 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL MVP: AP, PFWA, NEA, Bert Bell Award, Sporting News

NFL Offensive Player of the Year: AP

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

1^st team All-NFC: Pro Football Weekly

Pro Bowl

Lions went 9-7 to finish third in the NFC Central and qualify for the postseason as a Wild Card while leading the conference in rushing yards (2464). Lost NFC Wild Card playoff to Tampa Bay Buccaneers (20-10).

Aftermath:

Sanders rushed for 1491 yards in 1998, his last season before abruptly retiring. He was selected for the Pro Bowl following all ten seasons, was a consensus first-team All-Pro six times, and with his exciting, often-improvisational running style was a highlight film regular. Sanders retired with 15,269 rushing yards and scored a total of 109 touchdowns. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2004.

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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). 

[Updated 2/4/14]
[Updated 11/29/14]

Rookie of the Year: Mike Haynes, 1976

Cornerback, New England Patriots

Age: 23

College: Arizona State

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 189

Prelude:

Highly regarded following a college career in which he was a two-time All-American and three-time All-Western Athletic Conference selection, Haynes was chosen by the Patriots in the first round (fifth overall) of the 1976 NFL draft. He quickly made an impact, both as a defensive back and a punt returner.

1976 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 8 [3, tied with Joe Lavender & Rod Perry]

Most interceptions, game – 3 at NY Jets 11/21

Int. return yards – 90 [17]

Most int. return yards, game – 42 (on 2 int.) at Baltimore 11/14

Int. TDs – 0

Fumble recoveries – 3

Forced fumbles – 0

Punt Returns

Returns – 45 [3, tied with Butch Johnson]

Yards – 608 [2]

Most yards, game – 156 (on 4 ret.) vs. Buffalo 11/7

Average per return – 13.5 [2, tied with Eddie Brown]

TDs – 2 [2]

Longest return – 89 yards

Scoring

TDs – 2

Points – 12

Postseason: 1 G (AFC Divisional playoff at Oakland)

Interceptions – 0

Fumble recoveries – 0

Punt returns – 1

Punt return yds. – 13

Punt return TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA

AFC Rookie of the Year: UPI, NEA, Sporting News

2^nd team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, NEA

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

Pro Bowl

Patriots went 11-3 to finish second in the AFC East and qualify for a Wild Card berth. Lost AFC Divisional playoff to Oakland Raiders (24-21).

Aftermath:

Haynes quickly developed into one of the NFL’s premier cornerbacks and was chosen to the Pro Bowl in each of his first five seasons. He intercepted 23 passes during that time and averaged 10.9 yards on 105 punt returns, most of which came during his first two years. Fast and with excellent reactions, as well as being a thorough student of his craft, he was outstanding at pass coverage. Following an injury-shortened 1981 season, he came back with one last Pro Bowl year for the Patriots before moving on to the Los Angeles Raiders. Haynes led the NFL with 220 yards on six interception returns in 1984, his first of two consecutive seasons in which he received consensus first-team All-Pro recognition. His career lasted 14 years, until 1989, and he ended up with a total of 46 interceptions and nine Pro Bowl selections. Haynes was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1997.

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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). 

[Updated 2/4/14]