Rookie of the Year: Johnny Roland, 1966

Running Back, St. Louis Cardinals

Age: 23

College: Missouri

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 207

Prelude:

A star on both offense and defense in college, Roland was chosen by the Cardinals in the fourth round of the 1966 NFL draft. While there was talk of putting him at safety, he was utilized at halfback on offense where his outside speed and pass receiving ability could be put to best use.

1966 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 192 [7]

Most attempts, game - 23 (for 76 yds.) at NY Giants 11/6

Yards – 695 [11]

Most yards, game – 109 yards (on 20 carries) at Washington 10/23

Average gain – 3.6 [15, tied with Junior Coffey]

TDs – 5 [11, tied with Ken Willard & Don Meredith]

100-yard rushing games – 1

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 21      

Most receptions, game – 4 (for 34 yds.) at Pittsburgh 11/13

Yards – 213

Most yards, game - 40 (on 2 catches) vs. Philadelphia 9/11

Average gain – 10.1

TDs – 0

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 15

Yards – 347

Most yards, game – 116 (on 4 ret.) vs. NY Giants 10/9

Average per return – 23.1 [16]

TDs – 0

Longest return – 33 yards

Punt Returns

Returns – 20 [6]

Yards – 221 [3]

Most yards, game – 142 (on 3 ret.) at Philadelphia 10/2

Average per return – 11.1 [1]

TDs – 1 [1, tied with five others]

Longest return – 86 yards

Passing

Attempts – 8

Completions – 5

Yards – 130

TDs – 1

INT – 0

All-Purpose Yards – 1476 [5]

Scoring

TDs – 6

Points – 36

Awards & Honors:

NFL Rookie of the Year: UPI

Pro Bowl

Cardinals went 8-5-1 to finish fourth in the NFL Eastern Conference.

Aftermath:

Roland followed up his outstanding rookie season with another Pro Bowl year in 1967. He rushed for 876 yards and 10 TDs and caught 20 passes for another 269 yards and a score. However, in the next to last game he suffered a knee injury that required surgery and, while he played for another six years, never again approached his early level of performance. His highs for rushing attempts and yards during the remainder of his career were 138 and 498, respectively, in 1969. In 1972, his last year with the Cards, he reached career highs with 38 pass receptions for 321 yards. Altogether with St. Louis he rushed 962 times for 3608 yards (3.8 avg.) and 27 touchdowns and caught 131 passes for 1240 yards and five TDs. He spent one last year with the New York Giants in ’73, gaining 142 yards on the ground and 190 yards on 22 receptions. With two punt returns for scores, he had a total of 36 TDs.

--

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).

1984: Late Field Goals Propel Showboats Past Breakers

The United States Football League matchup in Memphis on June 1, 1984 featured the New Orleans Breakers, at 8-6 struggling to stay in the playoff hunt, against the Memphis Showboats, 6-8 and in an even more precarious situation, although much improved after a 2-7 start.

The Showboats, coached by colorful Pepper Rodgers in their first USFL season, had an exciting offense but had backup QB Mike Kelley (pictured at right) behind center in place of injured rookie QB Walter Lewis. And while the defense had a star in rookie DE Reggie White, the unit as a whole gave up too many yards.

New Orleans was coached by Dick Coury and was moving in the opposite direction of the Showboats, having stumbled after winning seven of the first nine games. Veteran QB John Walton led a talented offense, but the defense, while also containing talent, had trouble against the pass.

There were 31,191 in attendance at the Liberty Bowl for the Friday night game. They saw the visitors score first on a 42-yard Tim Mazzetti field goal. The Showboats scored the initial touchdown of the game on their second possession that ended with Kelley throwing to TE Gary Shirk from three yards out.

A blocked punt set up the second Memphis TD late in the second quarter. RB Cornelius Quarles ran in for the score from a yard out with less than a minute left on the clock and the Showboats led by 14-3 at the half.

The Breakers narrowed the margin in the third quarter thanks to a three-play, 69-yard drive that ended with John Walton throwing to WR Frank Lockett for a 42-yard TD. Walton struck again in the fourth quarter with a 10-yard scoring throw to RB Buford Jordan and it was 17-14 in favor of New Orleans with just over five minutes remaining in regulation.

The Showboats fought back and with 1:10 left on the clock Alan Duncan booted a 45-yard field goal to tie the score. Overtime appeared likely until DB Mike Thomas made the biggest defensive play of the game, intercepting a Walton pass and returning it 28 yards to the New Orleans 35. Duncan came through with another long field goal, from 52 yards, with two seconds to spare and Memphis came away with a stunning 20-17 win.

New Orleans outgained the Showboats (341 yards to 266) and had the edge in first downs (15 to 14). Memphis even turned the ball over five times, to four by the Breakers, but the last New Orleans turnover proved to be fatal.

Mike Kelley completed 17 of 25 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown, but also tossed three interceptions. RB Glenn Ford gained 80 yards on 18 carries and caught 5 passes for 36 yards. WR Cormac Carney gained 49 yards on his three pass receptions.

For the Breakers, John Walton was successful on just 14 of 29 throws for two touchdowns but also the one big interception. Buford Jordan rushed for 104 yards on 14 carries and scored a TD on one of his three pass receptions for 16 more yards. RB Marcus Dupree led the team with four pass receptions, for 37 yards, to go along with his 12 carries for 29 yards while Frank Lockett had 59 yards and a score on his two catches.

Despite the win, Memphis was eliminated from postseason contention two days later. The Showboats ended up fourth in the Southern Division with a 7-11 record. The Breakers were right ahead of them at 8-10, having lost all of their remaining games.

 

Alan Duncan, who had been drafted by the NFL’s Eagles in 1981 but never made it to the regular season and was an assistant coach at Carson Newman College in 1983, was successful on 21 of his 28 field goal attempts and all but one of his 36 extra point tries to end up with 98 points in what was his most successful pro season. 

MVP Profile: Walter Payton, 1985

Running Back, Chicago Bears

Age: 31

11^th season in pro football & with Bears

College: Jackson State

Height: 5’10” Weight: 202

Prelude:

Chosen by the Bears in the first round of the 1975 NFL draft, Payton played hurt during his rookie season (and missed the only game of his career) as he accumulated 679 rushing yards. He broke out in ’76, running for 1390 yards on a league-leading 311 carries and scoring 13 touchdowns, and followed that up with a MVP season in 1977 in which he rushed for 1852 yards, including a then-record 275 in a single game. Over the course of the next seven seasons, Payton rushed for over a thousand years in all but strike-shortened 1982 and led the NFC in rushing for five straight years, despite being part of a lackluster offense that had opposing teams keying on him. In 1984 he surpassed Jim Brown’s NFL career record of 12,312 rushing yards. Payton was named to the Pro Bowl seven times and was a consensus first-team All-Pro on four occasions prior to ‘85.  

1985 Season Summary

Appeared and started in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 324 [4]

Most attempts, game - 28 (for 192 yds.) at Green Bay 11/3, (for 53 yds.) at NY Jets 12/14

Yards – 1551 [3]

Most yards, game – 192 yards (on 28 carries) at Green Bay 11/3

Average gain – 4.8 [8, tied with James Brooks & Eddie Lee Ivery]

TDs – 9 [8, tied with Roger Craig & Larry Kinnebrew]

100-yard rushing games - 10

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 49      

Most receptions, game – 6 (for 37 yds.) vs. Tampa Bay 9/8

Yards – 483

Most yards, game - 69 (on 4 catches) vs. Detroit 11/10

Average gain – 9.9

TDs – 2

Passing

Attempts – 5

Completions – 3

Yards – 96

TDs – 1

Interceptions – 0

All-Purpose Yards – 2034 [4]

Scoring

TDs – 11 [9, tied with Mike Quick]

Points – 66

Postseason: 3 G

Rushing attempts – 67

Most rushing attempts, game - 27 vs. NY Giants, NFC Divisional playoff

Rushing yards – 186

Most rushing yards, game - 93 vs. NY Giants, NFC Divisional playoff

Average gain rushing – 2.8

Rushing TDs – 0

Pass receptions – 8

Most pass receptions, game - 7 vs. LA Rams, NFC Championship

Pass receiving yards - 52

Most pass receiving yards, game – 48 vs. LA Rams, NFC Championship

Average yards per reception – 6.5

Pass Receiving TDs - 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL MVP: NEA, Bert Bell Award

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

1^st team All-NFC: UPI

Pro Bowl

Bears went 15-1 to finish first in the NFC Central with the conference’s best record while leading the NFL in rushing (2761 yards) and NFC in scoring (456 points). Won NFC Divisional playoff over New York Giants (21-0), NFC Championship over Los Angeles Rams (24-0), and Super Bowl over New England Patriots (46-10).

Aftermath:

Payton played two more seasons, and was selected to the Pro Bowl once more in 1986. Not only a productive ground gainer, he was an outstanding blocker and receiver out of the backfield, as well as an accomplished passer on option plays (he was even the club’s emergency quarterback). Payton ultimately totaled 10 thousand-yard rushing seasons. He was a consensus first-team All-Pro five times and was chosen to nine Pro Bowls. The even-tempered player known as “Sweetness” was also an unselfish team leader and hard worker, and was popular not only with Bears fans, but throughout the league. He retired as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher with 16,726 yards and also topped the list in carries (3838) and rushing TDs (110); his total of 125 touchdowns ranked second. Payton also caught 492 passes for 4538 yards and exceeded 2000 yards from scrimmage in four seasons. The Bears retired his #34 and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1993. 

--

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). 

Rookie of the Year: Al Richardson, 1980

Linebacker, Atlanta Falcons

Age: 23 (Sept. 23)

College: Georgia Tech

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 206

Prelude:

Richardson was an eighth round draft choice by the Falcons for 1980, one of four linebackers the Falcons took. Starting on the outside, he combined with fellow rookie Buddy Curry, veteran Fulton Kuykendall, and second-year OLB Joel Williams to create an outstanding corps of linebackers.

1980 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – N/A

Interceptions – 7 [5, tied with 7 others]

Most interceptions, game – 2 at San Francisco 9/28

Int. return yards – 139 [4]

Most int. return yards, game – 52 (on 1 int.) at Philadelphia 12/7

Int. TDs – 0

Fumble recoveries – 3

Forced fumbles – 0

Scoring

TDs – 1

Points – 6

Postseason: 1 G (NFC Divisional playoff vs. Dallas)

Interceptions – 0

Awards & Honors:

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

2^nd team All-NFC: UPI

Falcons went 12-4 to finish first in the NFC West with the best record in the conference. Lost NFC Divisional playoff to Dallas Cowboys (30-27).  

Aftermath:

Due to an injury to Joel Williams, Richardson became the team’s chief blitzing linebacker in 1981 and, while his interception total dropped to one, he led the Falcons with 10.5 sacks (unofficially). A fractured shoulder blade limited Richardson to five games in 1983, following the strike-shortened ’82 season, and his level of performance dropped off thereafter. His career lasted just six seasons, through 1985, until he was cut during the preseason in ‘86. Overall, he played in 77 games and intercepted 9 passes; sacks not being an official statistic until 1982, he was credited with 9 but in actuality had more than double that number.

--

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: Michael Strahan, 2001

Defensive End, New York Giants

Age:  30 (Nov. 21)

9^th season in pro football & with Giants

College: Texas Southern

Height: 6’5”   Weight: 275

Prelude:

Strahan was chosen by the Giants in the second round of the 1993 NFL draft, but a preseason foot injury hindered his progress as a rookie. He moved into the starting lineup in ’94 and was a consensus first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection for the first time in 1997, a year in which he also reached double digits in sacks with 14. He duplicated the honors in ’98 and went to the Pro Bowl for a third straight year in 1999 despite a drop in sacks from 15 to 5.5. Following a slow start in 2000, Strahan reasserted his dominant pass rushing skills as the season progressed and finished up with 9.5 sacks.

2001 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 22.5 [1]

Most sacks, game – 4 at St. Louis 10/14

Multi-sack games (2 or more) – 5

Interceptions – 0

Fumble recoveries – 1

Forced fumbles – 6

Tackles – 62

Assists – 11

Sack total of 22.5 set NFL record

Scoring

TDs – 1

Points – 6

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Player of the Year: AP

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

1^st team All-NFC: Pro Football Weekly

Pro Bowl

Giants went 7-9 to finish third in the NFC East.

Aftermath:

Strahan was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2002 and again led the NFL with 18.5 sacks in ’03, when he was a consensus All-NFL selection for the fourth (and last) time. While major injuries hampered him in 2004 and ’06, Strahan played until 2007, a total of 15 seasons, and retired following a Super Bowl title for the team. Fast and adaptable, he ended up with 141.5 sacks, which ranked fifth all-time at his retirement, and was selected to the Pro Bowl on seven occasions.

--

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: Late TD Pass Propels Gold Over Gunslingers

The Denver Gold of the United States Football League had gotten off to a 7-1 start during the 1984 season, but were in the midst of a five-game losing streak as they faced the San Antonio Gunslingers on May 25. At 7-6 Denver was still on top of the mediocre Pacific Division, but Head Coach Craig Morton’s club desperately needed a win and was without injured starting QB Craig Penrose.

The Gunslingers, in their first season in the USFL, were 5-8 despite coming off a win at Washington the previous week and had their own difficulties. Poorly managed, the Gunslingers, who were coached by Gil Steinke, were respectable on the field and had overcome a 0-4 start. Rookie QB Rick Neuheisel showed considerable promise, but it was the young-but-tough defense that fueled the improvement.

There were 20,077 in attendance for the Friday night game at Alamo Stadium. The Gunslingers took a 3-0 lead late in the first quarter on a 32-yard field goal by Nick Mike-Mayer. Brian Speelman tied the score less than five minutes into the second quarter with a 23-yard field goal and then backup QB Fred Mortensen (pictured above) threw to RB Bill Johnson for a 23-yard touchdown with 4:20 remaining in the first half. It was 10-3 in favor of the visitors at the intermission.

In the third quarter, San Antonio took advantage of a fumble recovery at the Denver 7. RB George Works ran for a TD from two yards out and, with the successful extra point, the game was tied at 10-10. Speelman added another field goal later in the period to make it 13-10 and, before the quarter was over, Denver got a break when the Gunslingers failed to convert a fourth down, allowing the Gold to take over at the San Antonio 29. Four plays later, and now in the final quarter, RB Harry Sydney ran for a three-yard touchdown and Denver was ahead by 20-10.

The Gunslingers got within seven points as the 34-year-old veteran Mike-Mayer kicked his ninth straight field goal, from 33 yards out four minutes later. A blocked punt by LB Reggie Oliver then set up another score for San Antonio. Works scored his second touchdown from a yard out and Mike-Mayer booted the tying extra point. But the decisive play of the game came with 1:52 left on the clock as Mortensen tossed a pass to RB Dave Preston that was good for a 32-yard touchdown. It was enough to give the Gold a 27-20 win.

Denver outgained the Gunslingers (394 yards to 252) and had more first downs (16 to 10). However, they also turned the ball over twice, to one by San Antonio.

In his relief role, Fred Mortensen completed 19 of 27 passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns with none intercepted. WR Elmer Bailey led the Denver receivers with 4 catches for 82 yards while WR Leonard Harris was right behind with three receptions and 81 yards. Harry Sydney rushed for 42 yards on 9 carries.

For the Gunslingers, Rick Neuheisel was successful on 11 of 20 throws for 148 yards and no TDs or interceptions. RB Marcus Bonner had 43 rushing yards on 6 attempts and also caught 4 passes for 29 yards. WR Danny Buggs gained the most receiving yards with 50 that all came on a single reception. George Works (pictured at left), who scored two touchdowns, gained 37 yards on 10 carries.

Ending the losing streak did not mark a turnaround for Denver. The Gold lost the following week and won just once more the rest of the way, finishing at 9-9 and in third place in the Pacific Division – although, in a week division, they remained in contention until the season finale. San Antonio also finished third in the Central Division with a 7-11 record.

Fred Mortensen appeared in seven games and completed 64 of 100 passes for 994 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions. Released by the Gold following the season, he was picked up by San Antonio for 1985.

Rookie of the Year: Nick Pietrosante, 1959

Fullback, Detroit Lions

Age:  22 (Sept. 10)

College: Notre Dame

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 225

Prelude:

An All-American in college, Pietrosante was taken in the first round of the 1959 NFL draft by the Lions, who were looking to improve their inside running game. While there were questions regarding his speed, he more than met expectations in his rookie year.

1959 Season Summary

Appeared in 10 of 12 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 76
Most attempts, game - 17 (for 134 yds.) vs. Green Bay 11/26

Yards – 447 [16]
Most yards, game - 134 yds. (on17 att.) vs. Green Bay 11/26 

Average gain – 5.9 [2]

TDs – 3 [14, tied]
100-yard rushing games - 1

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 16      

Yards – 140

Average gain – 8.8

TDs – 0

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 5

Yards – 98

Average per return – 19.6

TDs – 0

Longest return – 24 yards

Scoring

TDs – 3

Points – 18

Awards & Honors:

NFL Rookie of the Year: Sporting News

Lions went 3-8-1 to finish fifth in the NFL Western Conference.

Aftermath:

Pietrosante rushed for a career-high 872 yards in 1960 and followed up with 841 yards in ’61. He was selected to the Pro Bowl following both seasons. While his numbers dropped off thereafter due to nagging injuries, he played seven years with the Lions and ran the ball 938 times for 3933 yards (4.2 avg.), making him the franchise’s all-time rushing leader at the time, and 28 touchdowns. He also caught 134 passes for 1323 yards. Pietrosante finished up his career as a backup for two years in Cleveland and ended up in 1967 with 4026 rushing yards.

--

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 2/22/17]