2005: Manning TDs Spur AFC to Win in Pro Bowl

There was a sellout crowd of 50,225 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu for the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl on February 13, 2005, marking the 26^th consecutive season that the contest had been staged in Hawaii. The coaches of the teams were Pittsburgh’s Bill Cowher for the AFC and, for the NFC, Jim Mora Jr. of the Falcons.

The AFC scored first on a 62-yard pass play from QB Peyton Manning (pictured above) to Indianapolis teammate WR Marvin Harrison. New England’s Adam Vinatieri added the extra point. LB Joey Porter of the Steelers then intercepted a pass by Eagles QB Donovan McNabb and Manning led the AFC on another scoring drive, going 69 yards in five plays and finishing with a throw to wide-open Pittsburgh WR Hines Ward for a 41-yard TD. With Vinatieri’s conversion, the score was 14-0 heading into the second quarter.

The NFC put together a long scoring series of 10 plays that covered 84 yards and concluded with RB Brian Westbrook of the Eagles running for a 12-yard touchdown. David Akers, also of Philadelphia, added the extra point. However, when the NFC attempted an onside kick, Ward leaped to grab the ball and then ran 39 yards for a TD (pictured below) – the second on a kickoff return in Pro Bowl history (Detroit’s Jack Christiansen ran won 103 yards in 1956 at the time of the old East vs. West format). Vinatieri kicked the point after and the AFC was again in front by 14 points at 21-7.

Buffalo LB Takeo Spikes intercepted a pass by QB Daunte Culpepper of the Vikings and, adding in a lateral to Porter, the AFC had the ball once again in NFC territory. They added more points, driving 38 yards in eight plays. Manning tossed his third TD pass of the game, connecting with TE Antonio Gates of the Chargers from 12 yards out.

The NFC finally got on the board again before the end of the half, driving 65 yards in 10 plays. Akers kicked a 25-yard field goal with 1:45 left on the clock and the AFC took a 28-10 lead into halftime.

The AFC defense was exceptionally aggressive during the first half, which led to grumblings by NFC players and coaches that they were blitzing – something not allowed in the Pro Bowl.

Heading into the third quarter, Atlanta QB Michael Vick rallied the NFC on three straight scoring drives. In his first possession behind center, Vick completed four of six throws, including a 27-yard touchdown pass to WR Torry Holt of the Rams. It finished off an eight-play, 73-yard series and, with Akers adding the PAT, made the score 28-17.

The next NFC series, following an interception by Philadelphia CB Lito Sheppard of a pass by QB Tom Brady of the champion Patriots, went 69 yards in nine plays. It concluded with the elusive Vick running three yards and diving into the end zone for a TD, despite his helmet being knocked off by Baltimore SS Ed Reed.

The AFC came back to add points early in the fourth quarter as Vinatieri kicked a 36-yard field goal to finish a 13-play, 54-yard possession. However, the NFC responded by driving 68 yards in 12 plays and, midway through the fourth quarter, Akers kicked a 21-yard field goal to narrow the tally to 31-27.

That was as far as the NFC got, however. On the next series, the AFC drove 71 yards in six plays to add to their lead. QB Drew Brees of the Chargers passed on a flea-flicker play to his San Diego teammate Gates for a 33-yard gain to set up a four-yard TD carry by yet another Charger, RB LaDainian Tomlinson.

There was still plenty of time, but the AFC defense stopped the next NFC series in five plays and then finished things off when Buffalo CB Nate Clements picked off a Vick throw with two minutes remaining to play. The AFC came away with a 38-27 win.

The NFC had more total yards (492 to 343) and first downs (26 to 15) but also committed three turnovers, to two by the AFC, as well as the TD on the botched onside kick.

Peyton Manning was the game’s MVP after completing 6 passes in 10 attempts for 130 yards, with three for touchdowns. Tom Brady made good on just four of nine tosses for 48 yards and gave up an interception, while Drew Brees completed both of his passes for 58 yards. RB Rudi Johnson of the Bengals was the AFC’s top rusher with 33 yards on six carries. Hines Ward had three catches for 63 yards and a TD, as well as the kickoff return for a score, and San Diego TE Antonio Gates also had three receptions, for 51 yards and a touchdown. Thanks to the long scoring catch, Marvin Harrison accumulated 66 yards on his two pass receptions.

For the NFC, Michael Vick completed 14 of 24 passes for 205 yards and a touchdown with one interception. Also rushing for 10 yards on three carries, he became the first quarterback to both throw and run for a touchdown in a Pro Bowl contest (although a running back, Marcus Allen, had done it in 1986). Daunte Culpepper was successful on 9 of 15 throws for 124 yards, with one intercepted, but Donovan McNabb was a disappointing one-of-eight for 24 yards and also had one pass picked off. RB Tiki Barber of the Giants ran the ball 9 times for 70 yards and Torry Holt pulled in 5 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown.

 “I’m not going to say I wasn’t holding my breath over there once Vick started to roll around, but our defense did a great job of stopping him,” said Manning, who was making his fifth Pro Bowl appearance. “It was good we got the game this year after we let the lead slip away last year.” He was referring to the wild 55-52 contest of the preceding year that was pulled out by the NFC.

The win was the fourth in five games for the AFC and broke a tie to give them an 18 to 17 edge over the NFC since the Pro Bowl had adopted the AFC vs. NFC format following the 1970 season.

Rookie of the Year: Robert Brazile, 1975

Linebacker, Houston Oilers

Age: 22

College: Jackson State

Height: 6’4”   Weight: 235

Prelude:

Originally a tight end in college, Brazile was shifted to linebacker with great success, achieving All-conference honors in 1974 and participating in the Senior Bowl. Jackson State won back-to-back SWAC championships in 1972 and ’73. The Oilers chose Brazile in the first round of the 1975 NFL dratt (sixth overall, and the first linebacker taken), and proved to be a good fit on the outside as new Head Coach Bum Phillips shifted to a 3-4 defense.

1975 Season Summary

Appeared and started in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – N/A

Interceptions – 0

Fumble recoveries – 5

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA

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

2^nd team All-AFC: UPI

Oilers went 10-4 to finish third in the AFC Central while leading the conference in fewest rushing yards allowed (1680). It was the team’s first winning record since 1967.

Aftermath:

“Dr. Doom” followed up his outstanding rookie season by gaining selection to the Pro Bowl for the first of seven straight years in 1976. A hard hitter with great range, he was highly effective as a pass rusher. He didn’t miss a game in his ten-year career, appearing in a total of 147 regular season contests and seven in the postseason. In addition to his Pro Bowl selections, he was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection twice, in 1978 and ’79, and received all-league or all-conference honors after five other seasons. While sacks were not an official statistic during his prime years, he was unofficially credited with 48 (officially he had 11 in his final three seasons) and the team also credited him with 1281 tackles. Brazile also intercepted 13 passes and recovered 14 fumbles.

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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). 

2002: Gannon Leads AFC from Early Deficit to Beat NFC in Pro Bowl

On Saturday, February 9, 2002 the NFL’s top players came together in the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl. The coaches were Pittsburgh’s Bill Cowher for the AFC and Andy Reid of the Eagles for the NFC, whose teams had lost at the conference championship level in the playoffs.

The patriotically-themed opening ceremony featured a bald eagle flying through the stadium and a squadron of F-15s soaring over it. The previous day had been marked by heavy rain that forced both teams to cancel practice, but it was 74 degrees and sunny for the opening kickoff with a sellout crowd of 50,301 at Aloha Stadium. It was the 23^rd consecutive year in which the contest was held in Honolulu.

The NFC scored in record time, after Oakland QB Rich Gannon (pictured above) fumbled on the first play from scrimmage as he attempted to pitch the ball to RB Curtis Martin of the Jets. Philadelphia DE Hugh Douglas recovered to give the NFC the ball at the two yard line. From there, RB Ahman Green of the Packers went in for a touchdown with just 27 seconds expired. David Akers of the Eagles added the extra point.

Following a three-and-out series by the AFC, the NFC was ahead by 10-0 after Akers kicked a 29-yard field goal that was set up by St. Louis QB Kurt Warner’s completion to Arizona WR David Boston that covered 23 yards.

However, Gannon and the AFC caught fire at that point. Two plays later, Gannon threw to WR Marvin Harrison of the Colts for a 55-yard touchdown, beating Tampa Bay CB Ronde Barber. Denver’s Jason Elam added the PAT to narrow the score to 10-7.

The AFC took the lead after CB Deltha O’Neal of the Broncos intercepted a pass that he returned 24 yards to the NFC six, which set up a four-yard touchdown carry by RB Curtis Martin of the Jets. Elam’s extra point made the tally 14-10.

The NFC had a short series and punted, and the AFC needed just five plays to score again. Gannon threw a flea-flicker pass to WR Troy Brown of the Patriots that was wobbly and badly underthrown, but Brown made the catch for a 30-yard gain. Kansas City RB Priest Holmes finished off the possession by running 39 yards for a TD and Elam again booted the extra point.

The NFC put together a 10-play series that ended with Akers kicking a field goal from 41 yards on the last play of the eventful opening period. The teams had combined for a Pro Bowl-record 34 points in the first quarter, with the AFC leading by 21-13.

The ensuing kickoff was returned 54 yards by WR Jermaine Lewis of the Ravens, and that set up another scoring series. Gannon threw his second touchdown pass, this one to Indianapolis TE Ken Dilger from 19 yards out over a leaping LB LaVar Arrington of the Redskins. Gannon called it a day with the AFC up by 28-13.

That was it for the first half scoring until Akers booted his third field goal with six seconds remaining in the half to make the score 28-16 at the intermission.

Early in the fourth quarter, the NFC drove into AFC territory, but Philadelphia QB Donovan McNabb was picked off by San Diego LB Junior Seau. However, CB Champ Bailey of the Redskins returned the favor, intercepting a pass by New England’s Tom Brady that allowed the NFC to narrow the margin to 28-23 in the third quarter when McNabb threw to WR Terrell Owens of the 49ers for an eight-yard TD and Akers added the extra point.

The AFC came back with a drive that featured runs by Cincinnati RB Corey Dillon of 29 and 16 yards and was capped by Elam kicking a 38-yard field goal. Two plays later, with 2:49 left on the clock, CB Ty Law of the champion Patriots intercepted a McNabb throw and ran it 31 yards before tossing a lateral to Ravens LB Ray Lewis (pictured below), who went the last 13 yards for a touchdown, dragging three NFC players into the end zone.

The NFC scored once more in the last two minutes as McNabb connected with San Francisco RB Garrison Hearst for a 15-yard touchdown. The NFC attempted an onside kick, but safety Rod Woodson of the Ravens recovered for the AFC to end the threat. The AFC won by a final score of 38-30.

The AFC had more total yards (398 to 346) although the NFC had the edge in first downs (23 to 19). The AFC gained 201 yards on the ground, to 197 through the air, while the NFC, playing from behind for most of the contest, ran the ball only 12 times for 36 yards and had 310 passing yards. The AFC recorded two sacks and consistently maintained pressure on the three NFC quarterbacks. The NFC also turned the ball over four times, to two turnovers by the AFC.

After a rocky start, Rich Gannon completed 8 of 10 passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, and was named MVP for the second straight year. Pittsburgh’s Kordell Stewart was 6 of 12 for 45 yards and Tom Brady, who entered the game in the fourth quarter, was successful on two of five throws for 22 yards with one interception. Priest Holmes was the leading rusher with 77 yards on 7 carries that included a TD and Corey Dillon contributed 58 yards on six attempts. Marvin Harrison was the AFC’s top receiver with four catches for 80 yards and the one long touchdown. Shane Lechler of the Raiders had punts of 70 and 73 yards, the two longest in Pro Bowl history.

For the NFC, Donovan McNabb completed 12 of 25 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown but also was intercepted twice. McNabb also tied for the team rushing lead with one 12-yard carry while RB Marshall Faulk of the Rams also gained 12 yards, on five rushing attempts. QB Jeff Garcia of the 49ers was successful on 11 of 19 throws for 111 yards and Kurt Warner, who started the game, went 6 of 14 for 63 yards with one interception. Terrell Owens topped the receivers with 8 catches for 122 yards. David Akers kicked three field goals, but his try from 62 yards in the fourth quarter fell short.

“You look around and you’ve got the best receivers, the best tight end, and the best line,” said the 36-year-old Rich Gannon, who became the first player to win back-to-back Pro Bowl MVP awards since the format had changed to the AFC vs. NFC following the 1970 season. “It’s like a dream come true for a quarterback. If I could have this every week, we’d be in business.”

Gannon was playing in his third straight Pro Bowl, a streak that would reach four following the 2002 season.

It was the fifth win in the last six games for the AFC, tying the series since the contest had moved to the AFC/NFC format at 16 wins apiece.

MVP Profile: Ray Lewis, 2000

Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens

Age: 25

5^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 and 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 following the ’99 season pertained to off-field issues surrounding an altercation outside an Atlanta nightclub that ended in two stabbing deaths, but following a plea bargain that included his testimony against two associates, he was back in action in 2000 (and was also heavily fined by the NFL).

2000 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 3

Most sacks, game – 2 vs. Cleveland 11/26

Interceptions – 2

Most interceptions, game – 1 at Cleveland 10/1, vs. Dallas 11/19

Int. yards – 1

Most int. return yards, game – 1 (on 1 int.) at Cleveland 10/1

Int. TDs – 0

Fumble recoveries – 3

Fumble recovery TDs – 0

Forced fumbles – 0

Tackles – 107

Assists – 30

Postseason: 4 G

Sacks – 0

Interceptions – 2

Int. return yards – 54

Fumble rec. – 1

TD – 1

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 12-4 to finish second in the AFC Central and qualify for a Wild Card playoff spot while leading the NFL in fewest rushing yards (970) and points allowed (165), both records for a 16-game season. Won AFC Wild Card playoff over Denver Broncos (21-3), AFC Divisional playoff over Tennessee Titans (24-10), AFC Championship over Oakland Raiders (16-3), and Super Bowl over New York Giants (34-7).

Aftermath:

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. Lewis bounced back to again be named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2003 and, other than a hamstring injury that cost him time in ’05, 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.

2011: Packers Defeat Steelers in Super Bowl XLV

Super Bowl XLV on February 6, 2011 pitted the team that had won the most NFL titles, the Green Bay Packers with 12, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the club that had won six Super Bowls, the most since that annual showcase had come into existence.

The Packers, who overcame a rash of injuries throughout the season, were the sixth seed in the NFC coming into the playoffs. Having started out the 2010 season at 3-3, they won five of their next six games and finished second in the NFC North at 10-6. QB Aaron Rodgers (pictured above), the successor to Brett Favre as starting quarterback, suffered two concussions but also came into his own in a year in which he led the NFL in passing with a 101.2 rating. Pro Bowl WR Greg Jennings was the most productive of a good receiving corps (76 catches, 1265 yards, 12 TDs) while WR Jordy Nelson was coming on in the postseason. The running game had been a chronic problem after RB Ryan Grant suffered a season-ending injury in the opening game, but RB James Starks was a pleasant surprise in the playoffs. The defense featured a solid group of linebackers led by OLB Clay Matthews. Head Coach Mike McCarthy’s team went on the road in the postseason and defeated the Eagles in the Wild Card round, ambushed the top-seeded Falcons in Atlanta, and then bested the long-time rival Bears for the NFC title.

Pittsburgh, under Head Coach Mike Tomlin for the fourth year, topped the AFC North at 12-4 despite not having QB Ben Roethlisberger for the first four games due to a suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. The Steelers were 3-1 without him and when Roethlisberger returned, he played well. Wide receivers Mike Wallace and Hines Ward were productive while RB Rashard Mendenhall rushed for 1273 yards and 13 TDs. The Steelers ranked second in the league in total defense, and the unit was solid throughout. Pittsburgh defeated the division-rival Ravens and Jets to reach the Super Bowl.

Wintry weather had been a problem in the week leading up to the contest, but clear skies and milder temperatures returned on game day. There were 103,219 fans in attendance at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with many more watching the telecast.

The teams exchanged punts until midway through the first quarter, when the Packers put together a nine-play, 79-yard scoring drive. James Starks ran for eight yards on a third-and-one play and Aaron Rodgers completed three passes to Jordy Nelson, the third of which was good for a 29-yard touchdown. Mason Crosby added the extra point.

An illegal block on the ensuing kickoff had the Steelers starting at their seven yard line, and on the next play Ben Roethlisberger threw long and was intercepted by FS Nick Collins, who returned it 37 yards for a TD. Crosby’s conversion put Green Bay up by 14-0.

The Steelers came back with a 13-play drive that extended into the second quarter and was helped along by Roethlisberger scrambling for 18 yards on a third-and-nine play and passing to WR Emmanuel Sanders for the necessary 13 yards in a third down situation to the Green Bay 22. The drive finally stalled at the 15 and Shaun Suisham kicked a 33-yard field goal to get the AFC Champs on the board.

The Packers went three-and-out on their next series and Pittsburgh moved to midfield before Roethlisberger again was picked off, this time by DB Jarrett Bush, giving the Packers the ball at their own 47. It took Green Bay just four plays to make the most of the turnover. Rodgers completed passes to Greg Jennings for four yards and then Nelson for 16 before Starks ran for 12 yards to the Pittsburgh 21. From there, Rodgers again connected with Jennings down the middle (pictured below), this time for a touchdown and, with Crosby’s PAT, a 21-3 lead.

Down by 18 points and getting the ball back on offense with 2:24 left in the first half, the Steelers advanced 77 yards in seven plays. Roethlisberger started off with a throw to WR Antwaan Randle El that picked up 37 yards to the Green Bay 40. Another Roethlisberger pass was knocked down at the line of scrimmage, but he completed his next four tosses, three of which were to the 34-year-old veteran Hines Ward. The last completion to Ward was good for a six-yard touchdown and, following Suisham’s extra point, the score was 21-10 at halftime.

The Packers had the first possession of the third quarter and punted, with a face mask penalty on the return giving Pittsburgh favorable field position at the 50. Rashard Mendenhall ran for 17 yards on first down and, following a short running play, Roethlisberger gained six yards on a scramble that set up third-and-one. RB Isaac Redman gained 16 yards around end and Mendenhall capped the five-play series with an eight-yard touchdown carry. Suisham added the extra point and the Steelers were behind by just four points and appeared to have the momentum.

The Packers had another short possession followed by a punt, and the Steelers, starting at their 40, again moved into Green Bay territory. Roethlisberger threw to Ward for a 15-yard gain to the 29, but the Packers stiffened on defense and, following a third-down sack of Roethlisberger, Suisham was wide on a 52-yard field goal attempt.

The teams exchanged punts for the remainder of the period but, on the first play of the fourth quarter, Mendenhall fumbled, which was forced by Clay Matthews, and LB Desmond Bishop recovered for the Packers at the Green Bay 38. Two pass completions were followed by two that fell incomplete, but facing third-and-10, Rodgers connected with Nelson for 38 yards to the Pittsburgh two. Rodgers was sacked by LB LaMarr Woodley for a loss of six yards on first down but followed up with an eight-yard scoring pass to Jennings. With the successful conversion, the Packers held a widened lead of 28-17.

The Steelers responded with a 66-yard drive in seven plays. All of those plays were Roethlisberger passes, and he completed six of them, including the last to Mike Wallace for 25 yards and a TD (pictured below). Pittsburgh then went for a two-point conversion and it was successful when Randle-El took a pitchout and reached the end zone. Green Bay’s lead was narrowed to three points at 28-25.

The Packers started their next possession at their 25 with 7:34 left to play. Rodgers was sacked on first down by DE Ziggy Hood but threw to Nelson for nine yards and, after a false start backed them up five yards, Rodgers went deep to Nelson for a gain of 31 yards to the Pittsburgh 44. Starks ran twice for a total of 15 yards before Rodgers went long for WR James Jones and picked up 21 yards to the eight yard line. The Steelers held on defense, but Crosby added a crucial 23-yard field goal to make it a six-point game.

With the clock now down to just over two minutes, the Steelers had one last shot. Starting at their 13, Roethlisberger threw to TE Heath Miller for 15 yards and Ward for five, but the next three passes fell incomplete and with that Green Bay came away with a 31-25 win.

The Steelers led in total yards (387 to 338) and first downs (19 to 15). They also recorded three sacks, to one by Green Bay. However, Pittsburgh also turned the ball over three times, to no turnovers by the Packers.

Aaron Rodgers, the game’s MVP, completed 24 of 39 passes for 304 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. Jordy Nelson had 9 catches for 140 yards and a TD while Greg Jennings scored twice while pulling in four receptions for 64 yards. The Packers didn’t run the ball much, and James Starks led the club with 52 yards on 11 carries.

For the Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger was successful on 25 of 40 throws for 263 yards with two TDs, but also two interceptions, and ran for 31 yards on four attempts. Mike Wallace was the top receiver with 9 catches for 89 yards and a touchdown and Hines Ward contributed 7 receptions for 78 yards that also included a score. Rashard Mendenhall rushed for 63 yards and a TD on 14 carries.

“This is where it (the Lombardi Trophy) belongs,” said LB A.J. Hawk. “As long as the Packers have lived, it’s going to be great to bring that back.”

It was the 13^th league championship for the Packers, and they appeared on their way to another when they went 15-1 in 2011. However, they fell flat in a loss to the Giants at the Divisional playoff level to snuff out their hopes of repeating. Pittsburgh again went 12-4, finishing second in the AFC North, but lost in stunning fashion to the Denver Broncos in overtime of their Wild Card playoff contest. 

Rookie of the Year: Duane Bickett, 1985

Linebacker, Indianapolis Colts

Age: 23 (Dec. 1)

College: Southern California

Height: 6’5”   Weight: 232

Prelude:

After playing tight end, defensive tackle, and inside linebacker in college, Bickett moved to outside linebacker as a senior and was Defensive Player of the Year in the Pac-10, amassing 151 tackles and six sacks. He was chosen by the Colts in the first round of the 1985 NFL draft (fifth overall). Despite a contract holdout that delayed his reporting to training camp, Bickett moved directly into the starting lineup at right outside linebacker. He went on to lead the team in sacks and rank third in tackles.

1985 Season Summary

Appeared and started in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 6

Most sacks, game – 1 each on six occasions

Interceptions – 1

Int. return yards – 0

Fumble recoveries – 2

Forced fumbles – 1

Tackles – 141

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: AP

Colts went 5-11 to finish fourth in the AFC East

Aftermath:

Bickett followed up his fine rookie year by being a Pro Bowl alternate in 1986 and made it to the Pro Bowl in ’87, a year in which he had eight sacks, 113 tackles, and also was a second-team choice (AP, NEA) and first-team All-AFC selection (UPI, Pro Football Weekly). Bickett was a second-team All-AFC honoree by UPI in 1988, and while he never again received Pro Bowl or All-league or conference honors, he remained a solid player for the Colts for nine years. He accumulated 50 sacks, 9 interceptions, and was credited with 1052 tackles before moving on to Seattle for two years in 1994 and ’95 and finishing up with Carolina in 1996.

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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). 

1977: Leeman Bennett Becomes Head Coach of Atlanta Falcons

On February 3, 1977 the Atlanta Falcons announced the hiring of Leeman Bennett to be the team’s head coach. Bennett was given a five-year contract by GM Eddie LeBaron, the ex-NFL quarterback-turned-lawyer who was himself a recent hire. Bennett was hired after Dallas assistant coach Dan Reeves turned down the job.

The 38-year-old Bennett (he turned 39 prior to the start of the ’77 season) had not previously been a head coach and most recently was wide receivers coach with the Rams. He had previously been an assistant with the Lions and Cardinals, and before that was a college assistant at Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Navy. The native of Paducah, Kentucky had played quarterback and defensive back in college at Kentucky.

“I’ve seen poor programs and strong programs and I’ve learned the difference,” Bennett said at his press conference. “I’m convinced I know what it takes to get a good program going.”

Since entering the NFL in 1966, the Falcons had finished with winning records in just two of eleven seasons. In 1976, they ended up at 4-10 with Head Coach Marion Campbell falling by the wayside five weeks into the campaign and then-GM Pat Peppler, who had last been a head football coach at the high school level in the 1940s, finishing out the year. While the Falcons upset the Cowboys along the way, they also were thrashed by the expansion Seahawks and were shut out three times, with the Rams annihilating them by a score of 59-0.

To be sure, promising second-year QB Steve Bartkowski had gone down with a knee injury five weeks into the season and it was the likes of Kim McQuilken and Scott Hunter directing the offense the rest of the way. Bartkowski was still not around at the start of the 1977 season and, when he finally returned, he struggled. Just as in ’76, the offense was a problem area for the Falcons, but the story was not all bad. RB Haskel Stanback had a good year, rushing for 873 yards and catching 30 passes for 261 more. TE Jim Mitchell was a fine player, despite an off-year in ’77, while wide receivers Alfred Jenkins and Wallace Francis were capable. The line was young, but anchored by solid center Jeff Van Note.

As much as the offense was a problematic work in progress, the attacking “Grits Blitz” defense was brilliant, setting a league record by giving up just 129 points over the course of 14 games. DE Claude Humphrey led a pass rush that recorded a team-record 42 sacks. The linebacker corps was a good one, with MLB Ralph Ortega flanked by Greg Brezina and Fulton Kuykendall (aka “Captain Crazy”), and the backfield had a star in CB Rolland Lawrence, who accounted for seven of the team’s 26 interceptions (also a club record at the time).

The final tally was 7-7, which reflected favorably on Bennett and LeBaron and boded well for the team’s future. In 1978, Atlanta took another step upward.

The trajectory didn’t appear to be moving that way when the team lost three consecutive games after beating Houston in the season-opening contest. The Falcons were 2-4 before posting five straight wins and seven in their last ten contests – some of which were in dramatic fashion – to finish second in the NFC West and thus qualifying as a Wild Card team in the playoffs.

Bartkowski (pictured above), who lost his starting job to backup June Jones for the first three games, finally broke out and had a good season. Wallace Francis caught 45 passes for 695 yards and, when Alfred Jenkins was lost for the year in the first week, WR Billy Ryckman stepped in and had 45 catches for 679 yards. The third wide receiver, rookie Alfred Jackson, brought needed speed and averaged 20.2 yards on his 26 receptions and Jim Mitchell bounced back with 32 catches and displayed his usual skill at blocking. Haskel Stanback had a lesser year running the ball and HB Bubba Bean led the club with 707 yards on the ground.

The defensive line lost Claude Humphrey, who quit the club four games into the season (he was traded to the Eagles afterward), and he proved hard to replace. But Greg Brezina provided leadership as well as good play at linebacker along with Fulton Kuykendall. Rolland Lawrence and CB Rick Byas performed ably and rookie safeties Frank Reed and Tom Pridemore were valuable additions.

Perhaps the most inspiring addition of all was placekicker Tim Mazzetti, a bartender in Philadelphia when the season began who had failed to catch on with other teams, but who was picked up by the Falcons six weeks into the schedule and not only provided an inspiring story but came through with 13 field goals in 16 attempts, some of which were crucial in winning close games.

Hosting their first-ever postseason game, the Falcons characteristically came from behind in the fourth quarter to edge the Eagles by a score of 14-13 and then fought hard against the powerful Dallas Cowboys in the Divisional round before succumbing 27-20. Overall, the season was considered a success and the combination of LeBaron and Bennett received praise.

However, Bennett himself suggested that the good luck in close games could not be expected to last, and that there was still building to be done. Such became apparent when the Falcons slipped to 6-10 in 1979.

Steve Bartkowski suffered from inconsistency and, while his overall numbers improved, he also tossed 20 interceptions. Tim Mazzetti attempted 25 field goals and was successful on only 13. More significantly, the defense that had performed so ably in 1977 and ’78 dropped to 25^th overall in the NFL and gave up 388 points as opposing teams became more adept at coping with the blitzing scheme and began to burn the Falcons through the air.

There was good news, too, as Alfred Jenkins returned from his injury and performed well (50 catches, 858 yards, 17.2 avg.) and Wallace Francis had another big year (74 catches, 1013 yards, 13 TDs). Rookie FB William Andrews proved to be an outstanding all-purpose talent, rushing for 1023 yards and catching 39 passes out of the backfield for 309 more.

After overachieving in 1978 and underachieving in ’79, the stage was set for an outstanding year in 1980. The Falcons won the NFC West with a 12-4 record that reflected tremendous improvement on both sides of the ball.

Bartkowski was consistent and outstanding in a year that saw him pass for 3544 yards and lead the league with 31 TD passes. Jenkins and Francis were again productive and were joined by rookie TE Junior Miller, who contributed 46 catches for 584 yards and nine touchdowns. William Andrews proved that his rookie performance was not a fluke as he gained 1308 rushing yards and 456 more yards on 51 pass receptions. HB Lynn Cain added 914 yards on the ground. Bartkowski, Jenkins, Miller, and Andrews were all selected to the Pro Bowl.

On defense, an influx of key rookies and second-year players made a significant difference in overall performance. Two of the newcomers, linebackers Al Richardson and Buddy Curry, received Rookie of the Year honors and second-year OLB Joel Williams (pictured at right), an unheralded player picked up on waivers in ’79, accounted for 16 sacks (unofficially) while blitzing from the outside. It was a young unit, with four rookies starting by the end of the season, but the newcomers proved valuable.

In the postseason, the Falcons faced Dallas in the Divisional round and suffered a heartbreaking defeat when the Cowboys came from behind in the fourth quarter.

The expectation for 1981 was that that Falcons would be contenders once again. The offense responded by putting up 426 points, second most in the NFL, and Bartkowski, Andrews, Jenkins, and Miller all returned to the Pro Bowl while Francis and Cain continued to be key contributors. The line was outstanding.  However, the defense regressed. Joel Williams was lost for a significant portion of the year with a knee injury, and that had an effect on the pass rush, which recorded 29 sacks in comparison to 46 in 1980. NT Don Smith played well on the line, and Tom Pridemore returned his 7 interceptions for a total of 221 yards, but overall the Falcons gave up more passing yards than any other NFL team.

After winning their first three games, the Falcons lost their next three and remained inconsistent for the rest of the way. They finished with a disappointing record of 7-9, with many of the losses coming in close games – they lost seven contests by a total of 19 points.

LeBaron and Bennett looked to fine-tune, rather than overhaul, the team for 1982. In a strike-interrupted season that limited the schedule to nine games, Atlanta got off to a 5-2 start before collapsing in the last two contests and finishing at 5-4. The defeats were bad ones, 38-7 to the Packers and 35-6 at the hands of the Saints. They still qualified for the revised playoff format, but lost to Minnesota in the first round in a game that was not as close as the 30-24 score would suggest (none of the points were produced by the offense).

The result was Bennett’s dismissal after six years. The low-key coach lacked charisma, but was knowledgeable and organized, and brought the Falcons to a new level of success. Ultimately, however, he paid for the team’s inconsistency and unevenness of that success. His overall record was 46-41 in the regular season and 1-3 in the playoffs. After two years out of football, he was hired by the Buccaneers to be head coach in 1985, but had far less success than in Atlanta and lasted just two years.

The Falcons hired Dan Henning to replace Bennett with the hope of moving up to the next level, but he failed to post a winning record in four seasons. In fact, Atlanta would not finish above .500 again until 1991, when the Falcons also next reached the playoffs. In retrospect, Bennett’s accomplishments, however checkered, came to look all the more impressive.