February 8, 2015

Highlighted Year: Jamal Anderson, 1998

Running Back, Atlanta Falcons





Age: 26 (Sept. 30)
5th season in pro football & with Falcons
College: Utah
Height: 5’11” Weight: 234

Prelude:
Anderson was chosen by the Falcons in the seventh round of the 1994 NFL draft and was strictly a backup during his first two seasons who also returned kickoffs in ’95. He broke out in 1996, beating out Craig Heyward, the starter for the previous two seasons, and gaining 1528 yards from scrimmage, with 1055 yards on 232 carries and 473 yards on 49 catches. A powerful runner and at his best between the tackles, he also could be graceful and had the ability to burst to the outside. Anderson was hindered by an ankle sprain in ’97 but still rushed for 1002 yards and caught 29 passes for another 284 yards.

1998 Season Summary
Appeared and in all 16 games
[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing
Attempts – 410 [1]
Most attempts, game – 32 (for 104 yds.) at New England 11/8
Yards – 1846 [2, 1st in NFC]
Most yards, game – 188 yards (on 31 carries) at St. Louis 11/29
Average gain – 4.5 [7]
TDs – 14 [2, tied with Fred Taylor]
100-yard rushing games – 12

Pass Receiving
Receptions – 27      
Most receptions, game – 4 (for 58 yds.) vs. Indianapolis 12/6
Yards – 319
Most yards, game – 58 (on 4 catches) vs. Indianapolis 12/6
Average gain – 11.8
TDs – 2

Passing
Attempts – 2
Completions – 0
Interceptions – 0

All-Purpose yards – 2165 [4]

Scoring
TDs – 16 [4]
2-pt PATs – 1 [6, tied with many]
Points – 98 [20, tied with Todd Peterson]

Postseason: 3 G
Rushing attempts – 70
Most rushing attempts, game – 29 vs. San Francisco, NFC Divisional playoff
Rushing yards – 276
Most rushing yards, game – 113 vs. San Francisco, NFC Divisional playoff
Average gain rushing – 3.9
Rushing TDs – 2

Pass receptions – 10
Most pass receptions, game – 6 at Minnesota, NFC Championship
Pass receiving yards – 59
Most pass receiving yards, game – 33 at Minnesota, NFC Championship
Average yards per reception – 5.9
Pass Receiving TDs – 1

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

Falcons went 14-2 to finish first in the NFC West. Won NFC Divisional playoff over San Francisco 49ers (20-18) and NFC Championship over Minnesota Vikings (30-27). Lost Super Bowl to Denver Broncos (34-19).

Aftermath:
After setting a NFL record for rushing attempts in 1998, Anderson’s 1999 season ended in the second game with a knee injury that required surgery. He came back in 2000 and, following a slow start, rushed for 1024 yards and caught 42 passes for another 382 yards. However, another major knee injury in 2001 proved to be career-ending. Overall, Anderson rushed for 5336 yards on 1329 carries (4.0 avg.) and caught 156 passes for 1645 yards (10.5 avg.), scoring a total of 41 touchdowns (34 rushing, 7 receiving).

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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