Rookie of the Year: Marcus Allen, 1982

Running Back, Los Angeles Raiders

Age: 22

College: Southern California

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 205

Prelude:

Allen was used primarily as a blocking fullback in his first two college seasons, but became the starting tailback as a junior with spectacular results. He won the 1981 Heisman Trophy, capping a season in which he rushed for 2427 yards and 22 touchdowns, and was chosen by the Raiders in the first round of the ’82 draft (10^th overall).

1982 Season Summary

Appeared and started in all 9 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 160 [6]

Most attempts, game - 25 (for 93 yds.) vs. LA Rams 12/18

Yards – 697 [4]

Most yards, game – 156 yards (on 24 carries) vs. Seattle 12/5

Average gain – 4.4 [7, tied with George Rogers]

TDs – 11 [1]

100-yard rushing games - 3

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 38 [12, tied with Wendell Tyler]

Most receptions, game – 8 (for 61 yds.) vs. LA Rams 12/18

Yards – 401

Most yards, game - 91 (on 5 catches) vs. Denver 12/26

Average gain – 10.6

TDs - 3

Passing

Pass attempts – 4

Pass completions – 1

Passing yardage – 47

TD passes – 0

Interceptions – 0

All-Purpose yards – 1098 [2]

Scoring

TDs – 14 [1]

Points – 84 [1]

Postseason: 2 G

Rushing attempts – 32

Most rushing attempts, game - 17 vs. Cleveland, AFC First Round playoff

Rushing yards – 108

Most rushing yards, game - 72 vs. Cleveland, AFC First Round playoff

Average gain rushing – 3.4

Rushing TDs – 3

Pass receptions – 12

Most pass receptions, game - 6 vs. Cleveland, AFC First Round playoff, vs. NY Jets, AFC Second Round playoff

Pass receiving yards - 112

Most pass receiving yards, game - 75 vs. Cleveland, AFC First Round playoff

Average yards per reception – 9.3

Pass Receiving TDs - 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Rookie of the Year: NEA, Sporting News

NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA

AFC Rookie of the Year: UPI

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

1^st team All-AFC: UPI

Pro Bowl

Raiders went 8-1 in strike-shortened season and were first seed in the AFC playoff tournament that replaced the usual postseason format. Won First Round playoff over Cleveland Browns (27-10). Lost Second Round playoff to New York Jets (17-14).

Aftermath:

Allen gained over a thousand yards rushing in each of the next three seasons, with a high of 1759 yards in 1985, which led the league along with his 2314 yards from scrimmage. He also was the MVP of the Super Bowl following the ’83 season, after rushing for 191 yards, and led the NFL with 18 touchdowns in 1984. Allen was a proficient receiver out of the backfield, catching a total of 237 passes in his first four seasons. He played for 16 years in the NFL, and went to the Pro Bowl six times, but after 1985 never again ran for a thousand yards or caught more than 51 passes. Bothered by injuries (and involved in disputes with owner Al Davis), Allen shared time with other running backs during the remainder of his career with the Raiders, most notably Bo Jackson. Signing with the Chiefs as a free agent in 1993 reinvigorated his career at age 33, and he led the NFL with 12 rushing touchdowns. Allen retired in 1997 with 123 career touchdowns, as well as 12,243 rushing yards and 587 pass receptions for another 5412 yards. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2003.

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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). 

MVP Profile: Joe Montana, 1990

Quarterback, San Francisco 49ers

Age:  34

12^th season in pro football & with 49ers

College: Notre Dame

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 195

Prelude:

Lightly regarded coming out of college for his slight build and seemingly weak arm, Montana was taken by the 49ers in the third round of the 1979 NFL draft. After seeing scant action as a rookie backing up Steve DeBerg, he moved into the starting lineup during the ’80 season and led the league in completion percentage (64.5). An excellent fit in Head Coach Bill Walsh’s West Coast offense, Montana broke out in 1981, passing for 3565 yards and 19 TDs and again placing at the top in completion percentage (63.7) as he achieved selection to the Pro Bowl. The team also prospered, going 13-3 and winning the Super Bowl. While the 49ers slumped in the strike-shortened ’82 season, Montana led the NFL in pass attempts (346) and TD passes (17). He had three straight Pro Bowl years from 1983 to ’85 and the 49ers went 33-13 during his starts (4-2 in the postseason) and won another NFL title in 1984. It seemed as though his career might come to an end when he had back surgery in 1986, but Montana only missed half the season and achieved consensus first-team All-Pro status as well as a return to the Pro Bowl in ’87, when he passed for a career-high 31 touchdowns. However, the 49ers were upset in the playoffs and he faced a challenge from younger backup Steve Young. Montana came back strong in a 1988 season that ended with a game-winning drive in the Super Bowl. He followed up in 1989 by leading the league in passing with a then-record 112.4 rating as the 49ers repeated as champions and he gained consensus MVP honors.

1990 Season Summary

Appeared and started in 15 of 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 520 [4]

Most attempts, game – 49 at Atlanta 10/14

Completions – 321 [2]

Most completions, game – 32 at Atlanta 10/14

Yards – 3944 [3]

Most yards, game – 476 at Atlanta 10/14

Completion percentage – 61.7 [3, 1st in NFC]

Yards per attempt – 7.6 [6]

TD passes – 26 [3]

Most TD passes, game – 6 at Atlanta 10/14

Interceptions – 16 [7, tied with Rich Gannon & Billy Joe Tolliver]

Most interceptions, game – 3 vs. LA Rams 11/25  

Passer rating – 89.0 [7]

400-yard passing games – 2

300-yard passing games – 5

200-yard passing games – 10

Rushing

Attempts – 40

Most attempts, game - 6 (for 13 yds.) at Green Bay 11/4

Yards – 162

Most yards, game – 32 yards (on 5 carries) vs. Cleveland 10/28

Yards per attempt – 4.1

TDs – 1

Scoring

TDs – 1

Points - 6

Postseason: 2 G

Pass attempts – 57

Most attempts, game - 31 vs. Washington, NFC Divisional playoff

Pass completions – 40

Most completions, game - 22 vs. Washington, NFC Divisional playoff

Passing yardage – 464

Most yards, game - 274 vs. Washington, NFC Divisional playoff

TD passes – 3

Most TD passes, game - 2 vs. Washington, NFC Divisional playoff

Interceptions – 1

Most interceptions, game – 1 vs. Washington, NFC Divisional playoff

Rushing attempts – 3

Most rushing attempts, game - 2 vs. NY Giants, NFC Championship

Rushing yards – 10

Most rushing yards, game - 9 vs. NY Giants, NFC Championship

Average gain rushing – 3.3

Rushing TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL MVP: AP

1^st team All-NFL: AP, NEA

2^nd team All-NFC: UPI

Pro Bowl

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

Aftermath:

An injury suffered in the NFC Championship game loss to the Giants caused Montana to miss all of 1991 and virtually all of ’92 (he appeared in one game) and the team committed to Young as the starting quarterback. Montana moved on to Kansas City, where he had two productive seasons and was chosen for one last Pro Bowl (his 8th) in 1993. He retired following the ’94 season with the second-highest passer rating in NFL history (92.3) as he threw for 40,551 yards and 273 TDs as well as compiling a record of 117-47 as a starting QB (16-7 in the playoffs). Known for his coolness under pressure and admired for his class, Montana’s #16 was retired by the 49ers and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2000.

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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 11/29/14]

MVP Profile: Mike Singletary, 1985

Linebacker, Chicago Bears

Age:  27 (Oct. 9)

5^th season in pro football & with Bears

College: Baylor

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 228

Prelude:

Singletary was taken by the Bears in the second round of the 1981 NFL draft and moved into the starting middle linebacker position during his rookie year. While there initially was concern about his lack of ideal size, by his third season in 1983 he was named to the Pro Bowl for the first of 10 straight years and was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection in 1984. Initially taken out of games in passing situations, he became adept at pass coverage as well as defense against the run. Singletary’s ability to dominate the middle of the field was a key component in defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan’s stifling 46 defense.

1985 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 3

Most sacks, game – 3 vs. New England 9/15

Interceptions – 1

Int. yards – 23

Int. TDs – 0

Fumble recoveries – 3

Fumble recovery TDs – 0

Postseason: 3 G

Sacks – 1

Interceptions – 0

TD – 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Player of the Year: AP

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 NFL’s best record while leading the league in fewest yards allowed overall (4135), fewest rushing yards (1319), fewest points (198), and most passes intercepted (34). 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:

Singletary continued to star in the middle of Chicago’s defense, which ranked at the top of the league for the third straight year in 1986, playing for another seven seasons and going to the Pro Bowl after each while also continuing to be a consensus first-team All-NFL selection in five of the next six years (a total of seven times overall). He was also again named NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press in 1988. Singletary appeared in 172 regular season games and 12 more in the postseason on his way to induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1998.

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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: Patrick Willis, 2007

Linebacker, San Francisco 49ers

Age: 22

College: Mississippi

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 242

Prelude:

Willis capped an outstanding college career by winning the 2006 Butkus Award as college football’s best linebacker and starred in the Senior Bowl, where he was coached by the 49ers’ staff. San Francisco in turn chose him in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft (11^th overall) with the hope that he would be able to compete for a starting job in a rebuilding defense. With his great speed and range, combined with the tutelage of assistant coach Mike Singletary, he became a starting inside linebacker and an immediate star at the position.

2007 Season Summary

Appeared and started in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 4

Most sacks, game – 2 vs. Tampa Bay 12/23

Interceptions – 0

Fumble recoveries – 1

Forced fumbles – 2

Tackles – 137

Assists – 37

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA

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

Pro Bowl

49ers went 5-11 to finish third in the NFC West.

Aftermath:

Willis was credited with another 141 tackles (109 solo, 32 assists) in 2008 and was again selected to the Pro Bowl. From 2009 through 2012 he was a consensus first-team All-NFL as well as Pro Bowl selection each year, even though injuries caused him to miss three games in 2011. By that point, he was a key component of a solid defensive unit and, while his tackles dropped, Willis was more of a factor in pass coverage. Overall, through his first six seasons he had intercepted 7 passes, recorded 17.5 sacks, forced 14 fumbles, and been in on 819 tackles.

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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).

1985: Big Plays Propel Stars to Semifinal Playoff Win Over Stallions

On July 7, 1985 the Baltimore Stars traveled to Birmingham to take on the Stallions in a United States Football League Semifinal playoff game before a crowd of 23,250 in attendance at Legion Field.

The Stars, coached by Jim Mora, were the defending USFL Champions and had gone a combined 31-5 over the course of the league’s first two regular seasons, advancing to the league title game after each, while based in Philadelphia. With the pending move to a Fall schedule, the franchise was forced to relocate and had difficulty with the adjustment. The team’s practice facilities remained in Philadelphia while games were played before small crowds at the University of Maryland’s Byrd Stadium. The Stars started off at 1-3-1 and were just 4-5-1 before winning six of their last eight contests to finish fourth in the Eastern Conference at 10-7-1, qualifying for a playoff berth. They edged the New Jersey Generals in the Quarterfinal round to reach the Semifinal playoff.

As they had been in their first two seasons, the Stars were a ball-control team on offense directed by efficient QB Chuck Fusina and featuring RB Kelvin Bryant. The defense remained tough and opportunistic.

Birmingham, coached by Rollie Dotsch, was a well-balanced team that ranked second defensively and third in offensive production. QB Cliff Stoudt passed for 3358 yards and 34 touchdowns, RB Joe Cribbs ran for 1047 yards, and WR Jim Smith had 87 pass receptions for 1322 yards and 20 TDs. All-League FS Chuck Clanton intercepted 16 passes. Moreover, the Stallions had beaten Baltimore in both of their meetings during the regular season and were looking to make it a clean sweep - especially after being denied advancement to the USFL Championship game by the Stars the previous year.

Baltimore struck quickly, scoring on the game’s third play when CB Jonathan Sutton returned an intercepted pass for a 36-yard touchdown. The Stars followed up by scoring again on their first offensive possession on a 30-yard TD pass from Chuck Fusina to WR Victor Harrison. Birmingham was in a 14-0 hole after a quarter of play.

The Stars added to their lead in spectacular fashion in the second quarter when Fusina connected with Kelvin Bryant on a USFL playoff-record 70-yard touchdown pass play.

There was no further scoring in the third quarter, but in the fourth quarter the Stars came through with another big play. At their own 24 yard line, Bryant broke through the middle of the line, got past the linebackers and sped 76 yards for a TD.

Down by an insurmountable 28-0, the Stallions finally got on the board when WR Joey Jones caught a pass from Cliff Stoudt for a 14-yard touchdown. Joe Cribbs added a one-yard TD in the final minute of play that only made the result appear less lopsided. The Stars advanced by a score of 28-14.

While playing catch-up virtually the entire game, the Stallions led in total yards (370 to 366) and first downs (21 to 14). However, the Stars came through with big plays while Birmingham averaged only 2.4 yards per rushing play (19 for 46 yards) and turned the ball over twice, once leading directly to a score, while Baltimore suffered one.

Kelvin Bryant had a total of 217 yards from scrimmage as he rushed for 116 yards on 13 carries and gained 101 yards on four pass receptions. Chuck Fusina didn’t go to the air often but completed 10 of 16 passes for 210 yards and two TDs with none intercepted.

For the Stallions, WR Jim Smith caught 10 passes for 110 yards as Cliff Stoudt went to the air 50 times and completed 29 for 327 yards and a TD with the one big interception. Stoudt was also the club’s leading rusher with 30 yards on 7 carries while Joe Cribbs was held to 13 yards on 9 attempts.

“I have a lot of respect for Birmingham’s defense,” said Jim Mora afterward, “but their defense may be easier to break a big play on than it is to gain a simple four to five yards.” 

Baltimore went on to defeat the Oakland Invaders to repeat as USFL Champions in what would prove to be the league’s last game. Hopes for a favorable financial result in the USFL’s anti-trust lawsuit against the NFL were dashed when, although the verdict was favorable, the jury awarded just one dollar in compensation (tripled to three dollars in accordance with the law) and the planned move to the Fall for ’86 never occurred. 

MVP Profile: Don Hutson, 1942

End/Defensive Back, Green Bay Packers

Age:  29

8^th season in pro football & with Packers

College: Alabama

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 185

Prelude:

Coming out of college, where he had been an All-American at Alabama, there were questions as to whether Hutson was suited to the pro game. He quickly allayed such concerns as a rookie in 1935, catching 18 passes for 420 yards (23.3 avg.) and 6 TDs (he led the league with a total of 7). The numbers improved dramatically as he became the top receiver in the NFL, leading the league in receptions (34), yards (536), and TDs (8) in 1936 and receptions (41) and TDs (7) in ’37. Fast and innovative in the maneuvers he utilized and routes he ran, Hutson became the first deep threat and caused defenses to utilize new strategies, such as double- and triple-teaming, to contain him. He led the NFL in receiving yards (548) as well as TDs (9) in 1938 and in receptions (34), yards (849), and yards per catch (24.9) in ’39. While he didn’t lead the league in receptions in 1940, he still had a then-career high with 45, and in 1941 he was first awarded the Joe F. Carr trophy as league MVP after tying the NFL record for catches (58) and also leading in yards (738), scoring (95 points), and touchdowns (12, tied with George McAfee of the Bears).

1942 Season Summary

Appeared in all 11 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 74 [1] 

Most receptions, game – 14 (for 134 yds.) at NY Giants 11/22

Yards – 1211 [1]

Most yards, game - 209 (on 13 catches) vs. Cleveland 10/18

Average gain – 16.4 [9]

TDs – 17 [1]

200-yard receiving games – 2

100-yard receiving games – 6

Rushing

Attempts – 3

Yards – 4

Average gain – 1.3

TDs – 0

Kicking

Field goals – 1 [9, tied with five others]

Field goal attempts – 4 [10, tied with Augie Lio]

Percentage – .250

PATs – 33 [1]

PAT attempts – 34 [1]

Longest field goal – 20 yards vs. Pittsburgh 12/6

Interceptions

Interceptions – 7 [2]

Return yards – 71 [8]

TDs – 0

All-Purpose yards – 1286 [2]

Scoring

TDs – 17 [1]

FG – 1

PATs – 33

Points – 138 [1]

Awards & Honors:

NFL MVP: Joe F. Carr Trophy

1^st team All-NFL: League, AP, INS, NY Daily News

NFL All-Star Game

Packers went 8-2-1 to finish second in the NFL Western Division while leading the league in passing yards (2407) on offense and interceptions (33, tied with the Bears) on defense.

Aftermath:

Taking advantage of diluted competition during World War II, he continued to be the NFL’s dominant pass receiver. He retired following the 1945 season as the career leader in receptions (488), receiving yards (7991), TD receptions (99), and overall TDs (105). Many of those records lasted for decades – the one for TD receptions lasted until 1989. Used as a defensive back (rather than end) on defense, he intercepted 30 passes in his last six seasons (individual interceptions were first compiled in 1940). As a placekicker, he compiled 7 field goals and 172 extra points and his overall point total was 823, which also was the NFL career record at the time. Hutson was a consensus first-team All-Pro on eight occasions. The Packers retired his #14 and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a Charter Member in 1963.

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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). 

Rookie of the Year: Curt Warner, 1983

Running Back, Seattle Seahawks

Age: 22

College: Penn State

Height: 5’11” Weight: 205

Prelude:

Warner broke 42 school rushing records and was a key player on the 1982 national championship squad as he rushed for 3398 yards at Penn State. The Seahawks took him in the first round of the 1983 NFL draft (third overall) with the expectation that he would add speed and pass receiving ability to the backfield.

1983 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 335 [3]

Most attempts, game - 32 (for 207 yds.) vs. Kansas City 11/27

Yards – 1449 [3, 1st in AFC]

Most yards, game – 207 yards (on 32 carries) vs. Kansas City 11/27

Average gain – 4.3 [19, tied with Ottis Anderson & Joe Cribbs]

TDs – 13 [4]

200-yard rushing games – 1

100-yard rushing games – 6

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 42      

Most receptions, game – 6 (for 72 yds.) at Kansas City 9/4, (for 49 yds.) at San Diego 10/9, (for 29 yds.) at NY Giants 12/11

Yards – 325

Most yards, game - 72 (on 6 catches) at Kansas City 9/4

Average gain – 7.7

TDs – 1

Scoring

TDs – 14 [3, tied with Roy Green & Pete Johnson, 1st in AFC]

Points – 84

Postseason: 3 G

Rushing attempts – 63

Most rushing attempts, game - 29 at Miami, AFC Divisional playoff

Rushing yards – 238

Most rushing yards, game - 113 at Miami, AFC Divisional playoff

Average gain rushing – 3.8

Rushing TDs – 2

Pass receptions – 10

Most pass receptions, game - 5 at Miami, AFC Divisional playoff

Pass receiving yards - 70

Most pass receiving yards, game - 38 at Miami, AFC Divisional playoff

Average yards per reception – 7.0

Pass Receiving TDs - 0

Awards & Honors:

AFC Rookie of the Year: UPI

2^nd team All-NFL: AP

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

Pro Bowl

Seahawks went 9-7 to finish second in the AFC West and qualify for a Wild Card playoff spot. Won AFC Wild Card playoff over Denver Broncos (31-7) and Divisional playoff over Miami Dolphins (27-20). Lost AFC Championship to Los Angeles Raiders (30-14).

Aftermath:

Warner suffered a knee injury in the opening game of the 1984 season that cost him the remainder of the year, and while he came back in ’85 to rush for 1094 yards and catch 47 passes, he wore down noticeably in the second half of the season. In 1986 he regained form as he led the AFC in rushing with 1481 yards and followed up with 985 in the strike-interrupted ’87 season. Warner was selected to the Pro Bowl following both of those seasons. However, he suffered an ankle injury in the 1987 season finale that required surgery and, while he ran for 1025 yards in ’88, was no longer as consistent as in his peak years. Following a 631-yard season in 1989, Warner joined the Rams as a free agent but ran the ball just 49 times for 139 yards in his last year. Overall, he rushed for 6844 yards (6705 with the Seahawks, which made him the franchise career rushing leader at the time) and caught 193 passes for 1467 more yards, scoring a total of 63 touchdowns. Warner was selected to the Pro Bowl on three occasions.

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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 11/29/14]