June 30, 2015

1984: Stars Defeat Generals in USFL Playoff Contest


Two rivals from the Atlantic Division of the United States Football League faced off in a First Round Playoff game on June 30, 1984. The Philadelphia Stars had gone 16-2 during the regular season, the league’s best record, but both losses were to the New Jersey Generals, the club that finished second in the division with a 14-4 tally. The second meeting had been just the previous week, and Philadelphia had been uncharacteristically sloppy in both contests.

The Stars, who narrowly lost the USFL Championship game the previous year, were coached by Jim Mora. QB Chuck Fusina, the league’s most efficient passer, directed the ball-control offense that featured RB Kelvin Bryant (pictured #44 above, with WR Willie Collier) operating behind a solid line. The tough and opportunistic defense that included All-League performers in NT Pete Kugler, LB Sam Mills, CB Garcia Lane, and FS Mike Lush yielded a league-low 12.5 points per game.

New Jersey was coached by Walt Michaels and was much improved over the 1983 unit thanks to the addition of significant veteran talent. QB Brian Sipe was one of those upgrades, and while he didn’t have a big season, he was far more effective than the signal callers of the previous year. RB Herschel Walker was again the key to the offense, but he suffered from a sore shoulder all season and looked more tentative, although he still rushed for 1399 yards and 16 TDs while FB Maurice Carthon also reached a thousand yards (1042). The defense benefited from the addition of linebackers Willie Harper, Bobby Leopold, and Jim LeClair, FS Gary Barbaro, and CB Kerry Justin.

The game was played before 19,038 fans at Franklin Field of the Univ. of Pennsylvania, once home of the NFL Eagles, due to a conflict with major league baseball’s Phillies for use of Veterans Stadium. The locker rooms were too small to accommodate the teams and they had to suit up at the nearby Hollenbeck Center and walk to the stadium.

It had rained during the morning, but stopped prior to kickoff. In the first quarter, a promising ten-play possession for the Generals ended with a pass by Brian Sipe being intercepted by FS Scott Woerner at the Philadelphia 16, and he returned it to his 40.  

The opening period remained scoreless as the teams traded punts. Early in the second quarter, another turnover by the Generals set up the first score of the game. Pete Kugler sacked Sipe, causing the quarterback to fumble. LB John Bunting recovered and the Stars took just three plays to travel 49 yards. Chuck Fusina connected with WR Scott Fitzkee for 17 yards and FB David Riley for 22, and Kelvin Bryant reached the end zone on a ten-yard sweep. David Trout added the extra point and Philadelphia was ahead by 7-0 three minutes into the period.



New Jersey’s next possession ended in a punt and Garcia Lane, sprung thanks to outstanding blocks by DB Bill Hardee and WR Herbert Harris, returned it 70 yards for a TD. Trout again converted to widen the home team’s lead to 14-0.

The Generals, down by two touchdowns, were forced out of their game plan, but they advanced into Philadelphia territory on the next series, helped along by a roughing-the-passer penalty on the Stars. However, the visitors came up empty when Roger Ruzek missed on a 42-yard field goal attempt. Bryant immediately took off on a 38-yard jaunt to key an eight-play, 75-yard drive that culminated in Bryant catching an 11-yard touchdown pass over his shoulder in the corner of the end zone. Trout added the point after. The first half ended with Ruzek failing on a field goal try from 49 yards and, despite New Jersey running more plays and generating the most yards, the Stars took a 21-0 lead into halftime. Adding to their problems, the Generals lost three starters to injuries in the hard-hitting first half: Gary Barbaro, Kerry Justin, and G Wayne Harris.

The Stars punted following the first possession of the third quarter and New Jersey advanced into scoring territory, but after reaching the Philadelphia 15 following Herschel Walker’s run to convert a fourth down, the Stars stiffened on defense and Ruzek missed a third field goal attempt, hooking to the left from 42 yards.  

Philadelphia proceeded to put together a 20-play drive that covered 75 yards and ran 11:48 off the clock. Bryant punched over from the one for a touchdown that, with Trout’s PAT, put the Stars up by 28-0 with 10:41 to play and effectively sealed the win. The Generals finally got on the board when Sipe threw to WR Clarence Collins for a 14-yard TD, but it was of no consequence. Philadelphia advanced to the next round by a decisive score of 28-7.

New Jersey had the edge in total yards (313 to 269) and first downs (24 to 17), but also suffered the game’s only two turnovers, both of which were turned into points by the Stars. Philadelphia held the Generals to just 70 yards on the ground and recorded three sacks, to one by New Jersey. There were a total of 16 penalties called in the hard-hitting game, with the Stars getting flagged 10 times.

Kelvin Bryant rushed for 117 yards on 23 carries that included two touchdowns and scored another on one of his two catches for 32 yards. Chuck Fusina didn’t go to the air often but was typically efficient, completing 9 of 14 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown, including six-of-six for 77 yards in the first half. David Riley and Scott Fitzkee caught three passes apiece, for 39 and 33 yards, respectively.

For the Generals, Brian Sipe was successful on 24 of 40 throws for 259 yards and a TD along with one interception. Herschel Walker was limited to 50 yards on 15 rushing attempts but led the club with 6 catches for 79 yards. Clarence Collins contributed 5 receptions for 62 yards and a score and TE Jeff Spek added 58 yards on his 5 catches.

“A loss today meant the season,” said Kelvin Bryant. “We really wanted to get them because they were the only team to beat us.”

“We were a lot more physical today, there was a lot of emotion out there,” said Coach Mora of the Stars.

The Stars went on to defeat the Birmingham Stallions the following week for the Eastern Conference title and won the USFL Championship handily over the Arizona Wranglers. New Jersey came back in 1985 to go 11-7 and again qualify for the playoffs, and once more fell to the Stars, now based in Baltimore, in the first round.

June 29, 2015

Highlighted Year: Jim Arnold, 1984

Punter, Kansas City Chiefs


Age: 23
2nd season in pro football & with Chiefs
College: Vanderbilt
Height: 6’2”   Weight: 212

Prelude:
Arnold was a four-time All-Southeastern Conference choice in college as well as consensus All-American as a senior in 1982. He was chosen by the Chiefs in the fifth round of the ‘83 NFL draft and averaged 39.9 yards on 93 punts as a rookie.

1984 Season Summary
Appeared in all 16 games
[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Punting
Punts – 98 [1, tied with Rohn Stark]
Most punts, game – 9 at Denver 9/23, vs. Houston 11/11
Yards – 4397 [1]
Average – 44.9 [1]
Best average, game – 50.9 (on 8 punts) at LA Raiders 11/18
Punts blocked – 0
Longest punt – 63 yards

Rushing
Attempts – 1
Yards – 0
TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:
2nd team All-NFL: AP

Chiefs went 8-8 to finish fourth in the AFC West.

Aftermath:
A lesser performance in 1985 set the stage for Arnold’s release prior to the ‘86 season and he was picked up by Detroit for the last seven games, averaging 42.6 yards on 36 punts. He followed up with a 1987 season in which he was a consensus first-team All-NFL and Pro Bowl selection after averaging 43.6 yards on 46 punts during the strike-interrupted campaign. He had another Pro Bowl year in ‘88 after punting a team-record 97 times for a 42.4-yard average, which topped the NFC. Arnold ended up playing a total of eight years for the Lions and set a franchise career records with 536 punts, averaging 42.7 yards per kick. He played for the Miami Dolphins in 1994 before retiring. Overall, Arnold punted 866 times over 12 seasons for a 42.3-yard average (284 for a 42.0 average with the Chiefs). He was named to the Pro Bowl twice and received first- or second-team All-NFL honors on three occasions.

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Highlighted Years features players who were first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)
Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating
Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)
Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)
All-Purpose: Total Yards
Defense: Interceptions, Sacks
Kickoff Returns: Average
Punt Returns: Average
Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970

June 28, 2015

Highlighted Year: Chris Hanson, 2002

Punter, Jacksonville Jaguars


Age: 26 (Oct. 25)
4th season in pro football, 3rd active in NFL & 2nd with Jaguars
College: Marshall
Height: 6’1”   Weight: 211

Prelude:
The left-footed Hanson was an undrafted free agent signed by the Cleveland Browns in 1999 but was waived following training camp. He was picked up by the Packers, appeared in the season opener, and moved to the practice squad until he was let go in midseason. Hanson’s next stop was Miami, who allocated him to the Barcelona Dragons of NFL Europe for the 2000 spring season. He punted 50 times for a 42.8-yard average but an injury suffered in the season finale caused him to be placed on injured reserve for the NFL season. Released during the 2001 preseason, Hanson was picked up by the Jaguars and averaged 43.6 yards on 82 punts.

2002 Season Summary
Appeared in all 16 games
[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Punting
Punts – 81 [8, tied with Chris Gardocki & Dave Zastudil]
Most punts, game – 8 vs. Houston 10/27
Yards – 3583
Average – 44.2 [2, 1st in AFC]
Best average, game – 53.2 (on 5 punts) vs. NY Jets 9/29
Punts blocked – 0
Longest punt – 64 yards

Awards & Honors:
2nd team All-NFL: AP
1st team All-NFC: Pro Football Weekly
Pro Bowl

Jaguars went 6-10 to finish third in the AFC South.

Aftermath:
Hanson’s 2003 season ended in bizarre fashion after suffering a serious injury to his right leg when gashed by swinging an axe that had been placed along with an oak stump in the locker room by Head Coach Jack Del Rio as a motivational tool. He returned in good form in ’04 and stayed with Jacksonville for another two years. A drop in performance in 2006 caused the Jaguars to cut him in favor of rookie draftee Adam Podlesh and, after being dropped in the 2007 preseason by the Saints, Hanson moved on to New England for three years, finishing up in 2009. Overall, he averaged 42.5 yards on 577 punts, with 424 for a 42.9-yard average coming with Jacksonville.

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Highlighted Years features players who were first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)
Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating
Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)
Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)
All-Purpose: Total Yards
Defense: Interceptions, Sacks
Kickoff Returns: Average
Punt Returns: Average
Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970

June 26, 2015

1978: Bengals Trade Parrish & Bacon to Redskins


On June 26, 1978 the Cincinnati Bengals traded two able but discontented players to the Washington Redskins. CB Lemar Parrish and DE Coy Bacon were exchanged for Washington’s 1979 first draft choice. It assured that, for the eleventh straight year, the Redskins would not have a selection in the first round. Under General Manager/Head Coach George Allen since 1971, they had invested heavily in veteran talent. Allen had departed following the ’77 season and the trade thus marked one of the first major deals by new Washington GM Bobby Beathard.

“It’s a big step for us, getting a couple of guys who have played that well,” said Washington’s incoming Head Coach Jack Pardee. “The number one pick is valuable. You hate to give one up. We are looking for more than one player who could help us right away. It had to be a multi-player deal.”

Lemar Parrish was 30 and had played eight seasons with Cincinnati. Outstanding as a kick returner as well as in the defensive backfield, he had been selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons and again in the four years from 1974 to ‘77. An unheralded seventh-round draft choice in 1970 out of Lincoln University of Missouri, Parrish intercepted 25 passes, with a high of seven in 1971, and returned four of them for touchdowns. He also scored three more times on fumble recoveries and averaged 9.2 yards on 130 punt returns, with a league-leading 18.8 average in 1974 that included two TDs. His average on 61 kickoff returns was 24.7, with a top figure of 30.1 as a rookie.

Coy Bacon was 35 and a ten-year NFL veteran, although only the last two seasons were with the Bengals. Having played collegiately at Jackson State, he had originally performed in the minor league United and Continental Football Leagues and, after spending a year on the Dallas taxi squad, was obtained by the Rams in 1968, alternating with aging veteran DT Roger Brown the following year. Shifted to right end in 1970, he began to develop into an outstanding pass rusher and reached the Pro Bowl in ‘72. Bacon was traded to San Diego in 1973 as part of the deal that brought QB John Hadl to Los Angeles and arrived in Cincinnati in 1976, having been dealt for WR Charlie Joiner. He was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his seasons with the Bengals and, while sacks were not yet compiled for individual players, unofficially led the NFL with 26 in 1976.

Both players had been outspoken in denouncing the club and demanding a trade. Parrish was unhappy with his salary and had indicated that he would play out his option. Bacon did not like the new 3-4 defensive alignment. GM Paul Brown indicated that either rookie Ray Griffin, brother of double-Heisman Trophy winner Archie, also a Bengal, or Melvin Morgan would replace Parrish in the lineup at cornerback. However, it ended up being Louis Breeden, a first-year player who intercepted three passes on his way to 33 in ten years with the club. Rookie Ross Browner from Notre Dame, the team’s first draft choice, was to fill Bacon’s place. The three-man front that had alienated Bacon didn’t last the season, but Browner, who was injured at the start, came on strong in the second half. It was a disappointing year for the Bengals as a whole as they dropped to 4-12 following six straight records of .500 or better. Things would not turn around until 1981, when Cincinnati surged to the AFC Championship, and Breeden and Browner were both still starting in the defensive unit.

The veteran players filled areas of need for Washington. Parrish was expected to replace the retired Pat Fischer and it was hoped that Bacon would improve the pass rush. Parrish played well when healthy, but a broken arm cost him five games. Bacon (pictured below) started off strong but faded as the season progressed, along with other aging veterans on the defense. Washington followed suit in going 8-8, its worst record since the pre-George Allen year of 1970.


Both players had better seasons in 1979 and beyond. Parrish intercepted nine passes and was a consensus first-team All-NFL choice as well as Pro Bowl selection. He was selected to the Pro Bowl once more in ’80 and was traded to Buffalo following the 1981 season. Overall, he intercepted 21 of his career total of 47 passes in a Washington uniform (he picked off one last throw as a member of the Bills in ’82).

Bacon was unofficially credited with 15 sacks in 1979 and 11 in ’80. At age 39 and clearly past his prime, though, he had difficulties with new Head Coach Joe Gibbs and was waived prior to the 1981 season. He came back to play for the Washington Federals of the USFL in 1983. Unofficially, he was credited with 130 sacks over the course of his career.

As for the first draft pick that the Bengals acquired for 1979, it was used to take RB Charles Alexander from LSU, a two-time All-American who was nicknamed “Alexander the Great”. His pro career was not great, however, although he lasted for seven seasons in Cincinnati and was part of the 1981 AFC Championship team. He rushed for 2645 yards, averaging 3.5 yards per carry, caught 165 passes for 1130 yards, and scored a total of 15 touchdowns. Alexander’s best season was his second in 1980 when he achieved career highs in rushing (169 carries, 702 yards) and pass receptions (36).

June 23, 2015

Highlighted Year: Raymond Berry, 1957

Offensive End, Baltimore Colts



Age: 24
3rd season in pro football & with Colts
College: Southern Methodist
Height: 6’2”   Weight: 190

Prelude:
Berry didn’t have much opportunity to show off his pass receiving skills in college, catching just 33 passes and scoring one touchdown, but he was chosen as a future pick by the Colts in the 20th round of the 1954 NFL draft. He joined the team in ’55 and caught 13 passes as a rookie and, with the arrival of QB Johnny Unitas, improved to 37 receptions for 601 yards (16.2 avg.) in 1956. What he lacked in speed and heft he made up for with reliable hands and an excellent work ethic.

1957 Season Summary
Appeared in all 12 games
[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving
Receptions – 47 [2] 
Most receptions, game – 12 (for 224 yds.) at Washington
Yards – 800 [1]
Most yards, game – 224 (on 12 catches) at Washington
Average gain – 17.0 [17]
TDs – 6 [3, tied with Ray Renfro, Elroy Hirsch & Billy Wilson]
200-yard receiving games – 1
100-yard receiving games – 2

Scoring
TDs – 6 [9, tied with ten others]
Points – 36 [19, tied with ten others]

Awards & Honors:
1st team All-NFL: Sporting News
2nd team All-NFL: AP

Colts went 7-5 to finish third in the NFL Western Conference while leading the league in passing yards (2388) and touchdowns (41).

Aftermath:
Berry followed up by leading the NFL in pass receiving in each of the next three seasons, in pass receiving touchdowns in 1958 and ’59, and pass receiving yards in 1959 and ’60, despite being hindered by a leg injury in the latter year. He was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection after all three years and also had an outstanding performance in the 1958 NFL Championship overtime win over the Giants (12 catches, 178 yards, 1 TD). While he didn’t lead the league and missed two games due to injury in 1961, the steady Berry had a career-high 75 catches and was chosen to a fourth straight Pro Bowl. He went on to play a total of 13 seasons, all with the Colts, and retired as the career pass receiving leader at the time with 631, for 9275 yards (14.7 avg.) and 68 TDs. Berry was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection three times, received some first- or second-team honors after two other seasons, and was named to the Pro Bowl six times. He was selected to the 50th and 75th-year all-time NFL teams. The Colts retired his #82 and Berry was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1973. Berry went on to a coaching career and was head coach of the New England Patriots when they won the AFC Championship in 1985.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)
Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating
Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)
Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)
All-Purpose: Total Yards
Defense: Interceptions, Sacks
Kickoff Returns: Average
Punt Returns: Average
Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970

June 21, 2015

Highlighted Year: Jerome Mathis, 2005

Wide Receiver/Kick Returner, Houston Texans


Age: 22
1st season in pro football
College: Hampton
Height: 5’11” Weight: 181

Prelude:
With his great speed that also made him a college track star, Mathis accumulated 4541 all-purpose yards that included 93 pass receptions for 2456 yards (26.4 avg.) and 21 touchdowns and a 26.6-yard average on 62 kickoffs. He ranked second in the nation with an average of 160.8 all-purpose yards per game and was chosen by the Texans in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL draft. Mathis handled kickoffs as a rookie and also took over punt return duties when CB Phillip Buchanon was injured, although he was less adept at fielding punts.

2005 Season Summary
Appeared in 12 of 16 games
[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Kickoff Returns
Returns – 54 [10]
Yards – 1542 [5]
Most yards, game – 266 (on 7 ret.) vs. Indianapolis 10/23, (on 7 ret.) vs. Kansas City 11/20
Average per return – 28.6 [2]
TDs – 2 [1]
Longest return – 99 yards

Punt Returns
Returns – 12
Yards – 68
Most yards, game – 29 (on 5 ret.) at Baltimore 12/4
Average per return – 5.7
TDs – 0
Longest return – 19 yards

Pass Receiving
Receptions – 5
Yards – 65
Average gain – 13.0
TDs – 1

Scoring
TDs – 3
Points – 18

Awards & Honors:
1st team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, Sporting News
1st team All-AFC: Pro Football Weekly
Pro Bowl

Texans went 2-14 to finish fourth in the AFC South with the NFL’s worst record.  

Aftermath:
Injuries limited Mathis to five games over the next two seasons and he was let go by the Texans, having averaged 28.5 yards on 72 kickoffs with three TDs. He was briefly signed during the offseason with the Redskins, was waived, and moved on to the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL, although injuries caused him to be cut and re-signed during the 2009 season. Mathis played in the Arena Football League in 2011 with the Pittsburgh Power and in nine games caught 30 passes for 418 yards and 7 TDs and returned 31 kickoffs for a 22.2-yard average and a touchdown.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)
Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating
Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)
Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)
All-Purpose: Total Yards
Defense: Interceptions, Sacks
Kickoff Returns: Average
Punt Returns: Average
Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970

June 19, 2015

1983: Backup Woodward Leads Breakers to Win Against Bandits


On June 19, 1983 two teams with playoff aspirations in the inaugural United States Football League season met in Boston. Both were also playing without their regular quarterbacks.

The Boston Breakers were 9-6 and in second place in the Atlantic Division. With the Philadelphia Stars having already clinched the division title, the Breakers were in the hunt for the lone Wild Card playoff spot. Coached by Dick Coury, they had proven adept at rallying for wins with their exciting offense, but veteran QB John Walton was out with a strained knee and the untested Doug Woodward would be making his first start at quarterback.

The Tampa Bay Bandits also had injury problems at quarterback, and were starting Mike Kelley in place of Jimmy Jordan, originally himself a backup who had in turn taken over for John Reaves when the 33-year-old veteran went down with a broken wrist. Under pass-oriented Head Coach Steve Spurrier, the Bandits had gotten off to a 4-0 start but were now at 10-5 and trying to keep pace with the Chicago Blitz atop the Central Division. They had beaten the Breakers in the season’s first week.

There were 15,530 fans in attendance at Nickerson Field of Boston University on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Among those in attendance was actor Burt Reynolds, a minority owner of the Bandits. With the inexperienced Woodward at quarterback, who had thrown just three passes thus far, the Breakers came into the contest utilizing a simplified offense and relying on a good defensive effort.

On the first play from scrimmage, Tampa Bay RB Gary Anderson fumbled and SS Joe Restic recovered for the Breakers. Four plays later, Doug Woodward, rolling to his left, tossed a scoring pass to FB Dennis Johnson from 11 yards out. Tim Mazzetti added the extra point and, less than two minutes into the game, the home team was up by 7-0. To make matters worse for Tampa Bay, Anderson, the star rookie whose arrival at midseason had bolstered the running attack, aggravated a shoulder injury.

The Bandits responded by driving to a 35-yard field goal by Zenon Andrusyshyn, but the Breakers then put together a 46-yard series that was capped by Johnson diving for a two-yard TD. Mazzetti again successfully converted and Boston was staked to a 14-3 first quarter lead.

Early in the second quarter, the Bandits scored on a 20-yard touchdown carry by RB Sam Platt and Mike Kelley threw to WR Eric Truvillion for a two-point conversion. Mazzetti kicked a 22-yard field goal with 2:20 remaining in the first half that increased Boston’s advantage to 17-11. As time expired before halftime, Andrusyshyn kicked a field goal from 51 yards that hit the crossbar but went over. The score was 17-14 at the intermission.

In the third quarter, the Bandits put together a drive that started from their 25 and advanced deep into Boston territory. But facing third-and-three at the seven, Anderson ran for two yards and then, attempting to convert fourth down, the rookie was stopped by LB Marcus Marek for no gain (although the spot by the officials was highly disputed) to end the threat and turn the ball back over to the Breakers.

Later in the period, a 72-yard punt by Boston’s Dario Casarino pinned the Bandits back at their two yard line. Tampa Bay reached the 12 before having to punt in turn early in the fourth quarter, and it took the Breakers just two plays to score from their own 49. Woodward connected with TE Beau Coash for 44 yards and then WR Nolan Franz for a seven-yard TD. Mazzetti kicked the point after.

With 7:50 to play, Andrusyshyn narrowed the margin to seven points with a 35-yard field goal, but that proved to be the last gasp for the Bandits, who failed to cross midfield for the remainder of the contest. On the game’s next-to-last play, LB Ray Phillips sealed the 24-17 win for the Breakers by intercepting a Kelley pass at the Boston 40.

Tampa Bay dominated in total yards (355 to 222) and first downs (22 to 10), and ran 27 more offensive plays than the Breakers. However, the Bandits failed too often to convert long possessions into touchdowns and turned the ball over three times, to none by Boston. The Breakers also recorded four sacks, while Tampa Bay had none.

Staked to an early lead, Doug Woodward completed 12 of 17 passes for just 80 yards, but two were good for touchdowns and he gave up no interceptions. RB Richard Crump rushed for 79 yards on nine carries. Thanks to his one long catch, Beau Coash led the Breakers with 47 yards on two pass receptions.

For the Bandits, Mike Kelley was successful on 22 of 40 throws for 238 yards and no TDs and was picked off once. Gary Anderson, who was knocked out of the contest for a time in addition to reinjuring his shoulder, rushed for 49 yards on nine attempts and Greg Boone contributed 36 yards on 10 carries. WR Willie Gillespie caught four passes for 87 yards.

“It was a fairly simple game plan, but the young kid did an excellent job,” said Boston’s Coach Coury. “He’s a heady kid, throws the ball real well, and came up with a couple of big plays.”

It was the fifth win in six games for the Breakers. Meanwhile, the loss put the Bandits a game behind the Chicago Blitz in the Central Division with two contests remaining. Both clubs ultimately failed to make the postseason. They each split their remaining games and ended up with 11-7 records (Chicago was the Wild Card at 12-6).

June 18, 2015

Highlighted Year: John Brockington, 1973

Fullback, Green Bay Packers


Age: 25 (Sept. 7)
3rd season in pro football & with Packers
College: Ohio State
Height: 6’0”   Weight: 225

Prelude:
Brockington started at halfback as a sophomore in college, backed up FB Jim Otis for a year, and then started at fullback as a senior and rushed for a team-record 1142 yards and scored 17 TDs in 1970. He was chosen by the Packers in the first round (ninth overall) of the ’71 NFL draft and moved directly into the starting lineup in combination with HB Donny Anderson. Brockington led the NFC with 1105 rushing yards and received consensus first-team All-NFL as well as Rookie of the Year honors. In 1972 he had a new backfield mate in HB MacArthur Lane and ran for 1027 yards as the Packers won the NFC Central, achieving All-NFC honors and again being selected to the Pro Bowl.

1973 Season Summary
Appeared and started in all 14 games
[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing
Attempts – 265 [4]
Most attempts, game – 28 (for 137 yds.) vs. St. Louis 11/11
Yards – 1144 [2, 1st in NFC]
Most yards, game – 142 yards (on 22 carries) at Chicago 12/16
Average gain – 4.3 [19]
TDs – 3
100-yard rushing games – 5

Pass Receiving
Receptions – 16
Most receptions, game – 3 (for 17 yds.) vs. New Orleans 12/2
Yards – 128
Most yards, game – 45 (on 2 catches) at New England 11/18
Average gain – 8.0
TDs – 0

Passing
Attempts – 1
Completions – 0
TDs – 0
INT – 0

Scoring
TDs – 3
Points – 18

Awards & Honors:
1st team All-NFL: NEA
2nd team All-NFL: AP, PFWA
1st team All-NFC: AP, UPI, Pro Football Weekly, Sporting News
Pro Bowl

Packers went 5-7-2 to finish third in the NFC Central.

Aftermath:
After having become the first player in NFL history to reach a thousand rushing yards in each of his first three years, Brockington found the going more difficult over time as the team’s lack of a credible passing attack had defenses keying on stopping the ground game. After gaining 883 yards rushing in 1974, in addition to catching a career-high 43 passes, his production dropped sharply as the wear and tear of his punishing, straight-ahead running style began to take its toll and he never again gained as many as 500 yards in a season. Released by the Packers early in the 1977 season, he finished up with the Kansas City Chiefs. Overall, Brockington rushed for 5185 yards on 1347 carries (all but 161 yards and 54 carries coming with Green Bay) and caught 157 passes for 1297 yards (19 for 222 yards with the Chiefs), scoring a total of 34 touchdowns (30 rushing, four receiving). He was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection once, received first- or second-team All-NFL and All-NFC honors after two other seasons, and was a three-time Pro Bowl choice.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)
Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating
Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)
Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)
All-Purpose: Total Yards
Defense: Interceptions, Sacks
Kickoff Returns: Average
Punt Returns: Average
Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970

June 16, 2015

Highlighted Year: Terry Barr, 1963

Flanker, Detroit Lions


Age: 28
7th season in pro football & with Lions
College: Michigan
Height: 6’0”   Weight: 190

Prelude:
Following a successful college career, Barr was chosen by the Lions in the third round of the 1957 NFL draft. He played at defensive halfback and returned an interception for a touchdown in Detroit’s NFL Championship victory over Cleveland. Barr performed capably in the defensive backfield, receiving second-team All-NFL honors from the New York Daily News in ’58, until being shifted over to flanker on offense in 1959. He shared the position with Howard “Hopalong” Cassady and posted modest numbers, but broke out with 40 catches for 630 yards (15.8 avg.) and six touchdowns in 1961. However, Barr was limited to six games in ’62 due to a knee injury that required surgery and there were concerns regarding his health heading into the 1963 season.

1963 Season Summary
Appeared in all 14 games
[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving
Receptions – 66 [3] 
Most receptions, game – 10 (for 135 yds.) at San Francisco 11/3
Yards – 1086 [4]
Most yards, game – 135 (on 10 catches) at San Francisco 11/3
Average gain – 16.5 [17]
TDs – 13 [1, tied with Gary Collins]
100-yard receiving games – 6

Rushing
Attempts – 1
Yards – 9
TDs – 0

Scoring
TDs – 13 [2, tied with Gary Collins]
Points – 78 [7, tied with Gary Collins]

Awards & Honors:
2nd team All-NFL: AP, NEA
1st team All-Western Conference: Sporting News
Pro Bowl

Lions went 5-8-1 to finish tied for fourth with the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL Western Conference.

Aftermath:
Barr followed up with another Pro Bowl year in 1964, catching 57 passes for 1030 yards (18.1 avg.) and nine TDs. However, another knee injury cost him half the season in ’65 and he retired. Overall, in nine seasons all spent with the Lions, Barr had 227 catches for 3810 yards (16.8 avg.) and 35 touchdowns. He ran the ball for 151 yards and another two TDs and returned 26 kickoffs for a 25.2-yard average and a TD and 50 punts for a 5.2-yard average. On defense, he intercepted five passes. Barr was inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Fame.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)
Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating
Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)
Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)
All-Purpose: Total Yards
Defense: Interceptions, Sacks
Kickoff Returns: Average
Punt Returns: Average
Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970

June 14, 2015

Highlighted Year: Champ Bailey, 2005

Cornerback, Denver Broncos


Age: 27
7th season in pro football, 2nd with Broncos
College: Georgia
Height: 6’0”   Weight: 192

Prelude:
A consensus All-American cornerback in 1998, Bailey starred on both offense and defense in college and was chosen by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the ’99 NFL draft (seventh overall). He moved directly into the starting lineup and intercepted five passes. Tough and smart, and with ideal size and speed, he quickly became established as an elite player at his position and in 2000 was named to the Pro Bowl for the first of eight consecutive seasons in addition to receiving first-team All-NFC recognition. In 2004, after five years in Washington, he was dealt to Denver in a blockbuster trade for RB Clinton Portis and achieved consensus first-team All-NFL honors for the first time.

2005 Season Summary
Appeared in 14 of 16 games
[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 8 [4, tied with Nathan Vasher]
Most interceptions, game – 1 on eight occasions
Int. return yards – 139 [8]
Most int. return yards, game – 65 (on 1 int.) at Dallas 11/24
Int. TDs – 2 [1, tied with four others]
Sacks – 0
Fumble recoveries – 0
Forced fumbles – 1
Tackles – 59
Assists – 5

Scoring
TDs – 2
Points – 12

Postseason: 2 G
Interceptions – 1
Int. return yards – 100
Sacks – 0
TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:
1st team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, Sporting News
1st team All-AFC: Pro Football Weekly
Pro Bowl

Broncos went 13-3 to finish first in the AFC West. Won AFC Divisional playoff over New England Patriots (27-13). Lost AFC Championship to Pittsburgh Steelers (34-17).

Aftermath:
Bailey followed up in 2006 by leading the NFL in both interceptions (10) and interception return yards (162) and was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection for the third straight year. With teams not throwing in his direction, his interception total dropped to three in ’07, but he still achieved Pro Bowl recognition. Injuries cost Bailey seven games in 2008 but he bounced back in ’09 to return to the Pro Bowl for another four straight years. Even with declining skills, he was still a formidable cover corner well into his 30s. A foot injury limited Bailey to five games in 2013, although he returned to play in the postseason, including the Super Bowl loss to Seattle that was his last game with the Broncos. He was released following the season, signed with New Orleans, but failed to make the team and retired. Overall, Bailey played for 15 years, ten of them with Denver, and intercepted 52 passes, 34 as a member of the Broncos, four of which he returned for touchdowns. He was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection three times, received at least some first-team recognition after three other seasons, and was selected to the Pro Bowl 12 times, a record for a cornerback. He was named to the All-2000s Team by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His brother Rodney “Boss” Bailey also played in the NFL with the Lions and Broncos.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)
Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating
Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)
Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)
All-Purpose: Total Yards
Defense: Interceptions, Sacks
Kickoff Returns: Average
Punt Returns: Average
Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970