September 26, 2016

Highlighted Year: Charles Haley, 1994

Defensive End, Dallas Cowboys


Age: 30
9th season in pro football, 3rd with Cowboys
College: James Madison
Height: 6’5”   Weight: 250

Prelude:
Haley excelled as an inside linebacker in college before moving to the outside as a senior in 1985. He was chosen by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round of the 1986 NFL draft and was used as a defensive end in pass rushing situations, accumulating a team-leading 12 sacks as a rookie. Haley moved into a starting role at left outside linebacker in 1988 and was selected to the Pro Bowl after recording 11.5 sacks. Able to shift from linebacker to pass-rushing defensive end as needed, he used his size and speed to great advantage and reached double figures in sacks in three straight seasons, with a career-high 16 in 1990 when he was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection. He was also selected to the Pro Bowl that year and again in ’91, although plagued by injuries. However, due to clashes with the coaches, Haley was dealt to the Cowboys just prior to the 1992 season. Inserted at right defensive end, his sack total dropped to six but his presence improved the overall line play as Dallas won a NFL Championship. Haley had a lesser season in ’93 due to a ruptured disc that required off-season surgery.

1994 Season Summary
Appeared in all 16 games
[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 12.5 [4, tied with Leslie O’Neal]
Most sacks, game – 4 at Pittsburgh 9/4
Multi-sack games – 2
Interceptions – 1
Int. return yards – 1
Int. TDs – 0
Fumble recoveries – 0
Forced fumbles – 3
Tackles – 42
Assists – 9

Postseason: 2 G
Sacks – 0
Interceptions – 0
TDs – 0

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

Cowboys went 12-4 to finish first in the NFC East while leading the NFL in fewest passing yards allowed (2752) and fewest overall yards allowed (4313) and the NFC in sacks (47) and fewest points allowed (248). Won NFC Divisional playoff over Green Bay Packers (35-9). Lost NFC Championship to San Francisco 49ers (38-28).

Aftermath:
Haley initially announced his retirement following the 1994 season but was persuaded to return in ’95 and had one last Pro Bowl season with 10.5 sacks. There were further injuries, however, cutting short his 1996 season, and he was away from the game for nearly two years until returning to the 49ers for the postseason in 1998. Haley stayed on to play one last year with the club in 1999 before retiring for good. Overall, he accumulated 100.5 sacks, 34 of which came with the Cowboys, and reached double figures six times. Haley also added 11 more sacks in the postseason and appeared with five Super Bowl-winning teams. He was a consensus first-team All-NFL choice twice, received first- or second-team All-NFC honors after two other seasons, and was chosen to five Pro Bowls. Haley was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2015.

--

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