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2001 Season Review

January 11, 2002

2001 WAS 1 WILD SEASON
Who's this TOM BRADY? DOMINIC RHODES wasn't even drafted? The Bears win the division? The Rams have a defense?

Over 17 suspenseful...eventful...fun-filled weeks, the NFL this year proved once again that the last thing anyone should do is try to predict what might happen in the league. Because it probably won't!

"That's the NFL now," says San Francisco 49ers head coach STEVE MARIUCCI. "But don't we say that every year now? It's just crazy."

In the NFL, you just never know what's going to happen!

IN 2001...

Five of the six divisions had new champions, the fourth year in a row that at least five out of the six titlists were new. In the past five years, 25 out of 30 division champions were new from the year before - an amazing 83 percent.
Eleven teams finished with 10 or more wins - one below the season record of 12 such teams in 1986, 1991 and 2000.
There were five 12-win teams (Chicago, Green Bay, Pittsburgh, St. Louis and San Francisco), tying 1998 and 1990 for the most ever. The four 12-win teams in the NFC are the most ever in the conference.
For the fifth consecutive season, at least five teams (out of 12) that weren't in the playoffs the year before made the playoffs.
The final playoff makeup came down to the final game of the season, when Baltimore had to beat Minnesota on Monday night, January 7, to make the playoffs.
One division - the NFC West - had its sixth new division champion (St. Louis) in the past six seasons. Since 1997, no division has had fewer than three new titlists.
For the third consecutive year, at least one team went from "worst to first" in its division, from last place to division championship in one year. This year it was the CHICAGO BEARS (5-11 to 13-3) and NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (5-11 to 11-5).
Almost half the games (48 percent) in 2001 were decided by seven points or less, and a quarter of the games (25 percent) were decided by three points or less. And - never, ever give up! -- 20 percent of the games in which a team trailed after three quarters were won by the trailing team (47 of 235 such games).
The passing game was up. There were 19 3,000-yard passers in 2001, topping the record of 16 3,000-yarders in 1980, 1989 and 1995. As a result, there were the second-most 1,000-yard receivers in history in 2001 - 25, one behind the 26 of 1999.
Four of the top-10 all-time NFL paid attendance weekends (Weeks 1, 12, 15, 16) were recorded in 2001 - all one-million-plus totals.

IT KICKED OFF CRAZY, AND STAYED THAT WAY
It began with a President - GEORGE W. BUSH - flipping the coin to begin the season for the first time in the NFL's 82-year history (it came up tails).

By the time the weekend was over, all indications were that this, indeed, was about to be 17 weeks of unpredictability, surprise and topsy-turvy developments - you know, just your typical NFL season.

In Week 1...

Indianapolis Colts quarterback PEYTON MANNING, speaking for every NFL player, said: "I don't care how old you get, you still kind of have first-game jitters."

Ten of the 15 games played were decided by less than a two-touchdown margin. Six of those games were decided by less than a TD. Two games went into overtime, including the first of four - tying the NFL record for the second-most in a season -- that the surprising SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS would play (See "Surprise! Teams" section.)

Although their game did not go into overtime, the eventual AFC Western Division-champion OAKLAND RAIDERS pulled out a 27-24 victory over Kansas City with a 31-yard field goal by SEBASTIAN JANIKOWSKI with 15 seconds to go in the game, capping off a 10-point rally with 3:10 left in the game.

In Cleveland, a 52-yard field goal with three seconds remaining gave the SEATTLE SEAHAWKS a 9-6 victory over the CLEVELAND BROWNS. "Rian Lindell, son of a gun," said an exuberant Seahawks head coach MIKE HOLMGREN, with his 100th NFL victory.

All-time NFL TD scorer and receiving leader JERRY RICE made his debut with the Raiders and caught eight passes for 87 yards. (And Oakland receiving cohort TIM BROWN had eight catches himself and one TD.)

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver CRIS CARTER - in what was thought to be his final year - had a reception for his 125th career touchdown, tying him with WALTER PAYTON for fifth place all time.

San Diego Chargers rookie running back LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON - giving a hint of things to come (a 1,000-yard [1,236] rushing season) - rumbled for 113 yards and two TDs against Washington.

THEN...A PAUSE
The morning after the first Monday night game of the season came the September 11 terrorist attacks. In their wake, the NFL and its teams put aside football for a weekend to concentrate on helping their fellow Americans.

NFL Commissioner PAUL TAGLIABUE postponed the games originally scheduled for September 16-17. "We in the National Football League have decided that our priorities for this weekend are to pause, grieve and reflect," Tagliabue said. "It is a time to tend to families and neighbors and all those wounded by these horrific acts of terrorism."

Tagliabue vowed that "the NFL, its players and coaches would return stronger than ever" for the games of September 23-24. The NFL honored the victims and heroes of the terrorist attacks and saluted America when the games resumed. "The NFL is part of American life," said the Commissioner. "We play one role in the healing process by playing our games, honoring the victims and heroes, and by saluting brotherhood, diversity and tolerance."

Among the activities the NFL undertook after September 11:

The NFL through NFL Charities contributed a minimum of $5 million and the National Football League Players Association contributed another $5 million to organizations dealing with the loss of life and needs resulting from the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center, Pentagon and western Pennsylvania.

All NFL players wore a special American flag decal on the lower right back of their helmets for the remainder of the season. Players, coaches and other personnel from all teams wore on the sidelines team caps with the flag imprinted on the right side panel.

On September 23:

All NFL game telecasts on the afternoon of September 23 opened with a 60-second film prepared by NFL Films recognizing the unprecedented events of the week. The segment also aired in the stadiums.

Bon Jovi, Lionel Richie and Mary J. Blige performed special presentations of "America the Beautiful" that aired in stadiums and on all telecasts prior to kickoff during Sunday's games.
A moment of silence was observed before each game.

The home teams arranged for local and national artists to perform the "Star-Spangled Banner," accompanied by volunteer members of the community.

The coin toss ceremony included local volunteer groups as honorary captains.

A giant American flag or "Stars and Stripes" display was unfurled by members of local volunteer groups at each stadium during pregame for the singing of "America the Beautiful" and the "Star-Spangled Banner."

All fans in attendance received American flags and a four-page pamphlet with the words to the "Star-Spangled Banner," "America the Beautiful" and "God Bless America."

Special red, white and blue NFL bunting with the inspirational words "United We Stand" was displayed in every stadium's end zone and along the sidelines.

THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH!
It's like they never left the backyard.

That's the ST. LOUIS RAMS.

Again this year just like the two before, the Gateway Guys showed that -- no matter what -- they were out for a fun, fling-it-up, crazy-play, ring-it-up time. Let's have fun playing football! That's the Rams' philosophy.

"The thing I like about (Rams head coach) MIKE MARTZ," says former NFL quarterback and now-ESPN commentator SEAN SALISBURY, "is that he became wilder when he became a head coach. Most coordinators become more conservative when they get to be a head coach."

Not "Air Martz," and not the Rams.

In posting the best record (14-2) in the NFL and winning the NFC Western Division championship for the second time in three years, the Rams scored 500 points for the third year in a row. That total has only been reached eight times in NFL history, and the Rams have done it the past three years in a row!

In doing so, they set all kinds of records, reached numerous milestones, and just had a lot of old-time, draw-it-in-the-dirt backyard fun. On top of all that, they turned their defense around (see below).

The 2001 "Rambunctious Bunch":

Began the season for the third consecutive year with a 6-0 record, tying the 1929-31 Green Bay Packers (10-0, 8-0, 9-0) as the only teams in NFL history to do so.
Became the sixth team since 1970 to finish with a perfect (8-0) road record. Four of the previous five went on to win Super Bowl (1972 Miami, 1982 Washington, 1984 and 1989 San Francisco).
Became the eighth team in NFL history to score 500 points in a season (503), replicating their totals in 1999 (526) and 2000 (540). The other "500" teams: 1961 Houston (513), 1983 Washington (541), 1984 Miami (513), 1994 San Francisco (505), 1998 Denver (501) and 1998 Minnesota (556).
Established the NFL record for most total points scored over a three-year span (1,569)...most total yards (20,177) over that time...and total passing yards (14,248) for three years.
Disproved the theory that "turnovers will kill you." Led the league in turnovers (44), yet still won more games than anybody. Were 5-2 in games in which they had a turnover disadvantage for a .714 winning percentage. The rest of the league was 51-139 when they had a turnover disadvantage (.268). "They're the one team that I've ever seen in the history of this league that can turn the ball over like they have and win," said former Indianapolis Colts head coach JIM MORA. "Their margin for error is so much bigger than the other teams."
Martz (22-8, .733) tied RED MILLER (22-8, .733) and BARRY SWITZER (22-8, .733) for the fourth-best mark since 1970 in a head coach's first 30 career games, after GEORGE SEIFERT (27-3, .900), STEVE MARIUCCI (24-6, .800), and CHUCK KNOX, 23-7, .767).

Rams quarterback KURT WARNER, the shelf-stocker turned superstar, continued to compile wins and amazing statistics to add to his now-well-known, but still-improbable saga. He also won his second Associated Press NFL MVP in three years. Warner's season:

Became the first quarterback in Rams history to throw for 4,000 yards in a season twice (1999: 4,353; 2001: 4,830).
Threw for 4,830 yards, the second-most ever in a season, after DAN MARINO's 5,084 in 1984.

Tied for the second-best streak in history by completing at least 50 percent of his passes from the beginning of a career in 36 consecutive starts (tying BRETT FAVRE, 1992-94; behind BRAD JOHNSON, 48 games, 1996-2000).

Became the player to reach 10,000 career yards the fastest, in 36 games, two fewer than the previous record-holder, Marino.

In the past three years, has completed 70.5 percent of his passes in the red zone, a better percentage than all other NFL quarterbacks (50.7) in that time.

On December 2, had his fourth career game with a passer rating of over 150.0. A perfect passer rating is 158.3, which Warner has reached twice.

Tied DANNY WHITE (1980-81) for the most consecutive home wins from the beginning of a career at 16 before losing on October 28.

Has posted the best win-loss record in history in 300-yard games (minimum 20), 22-4 (.846), behind STEVE YOUNG (21-7, .750), JOE MONTANA (29-10, .744) and JOHNNY UNITAS (19-7, .731).

On December 17, tied Marino (32-8) for the third-most wins by a quarterback in the first 40 starts of a career, behind DARYLE LAMONICA (35-4-1) and OTTO GRAHAM (33-7). Warner's NFL rank in passing categories through the first 40 starts of his career:

CATEGORY	TOTAL	ALL- TIME NFL RANK
Pass Yards	11,702	1^st
Pass Rating	101.7	1^st
Comp. Pct.	66.2	1^st
300-yard Games	24	1^st
100-rating games	22	1^st

Punctuated his year by becoming a "wideout" for one play on October 21 against the Jets when he lined up as a wide receiver when Rams running back TRUNG CANIDATE (see below) took a snap in a shotgun formation and charged to a 12-yard TD, with Warner claiming afterwards that he was "wide open" for a pass!
Had perhaps the best description of his passing uttered by Martz when describing a Warner 16-yard scoring pass to WR TORRY HOLT on November 18: "That ball had vapor coming off of it," said Martz.

Rams running back MARSHALL FAULK - who finished second to Warner in the Associated Press MVP voting (211�2 to 171�2) after winning last year - continued to be perhaps the most dangerous, all-around offensive threat in the NFL (in spite of missing two games with knee problems):

Became the 13th player in history to score 100 touchdowns and now has the ninth-most TDs (110) in history. When he scored his 100th touchdown on December 2, Faulk reached the total the sixth fastest in history (116 games).
Joined EMMITT SMITH as the only players in NFL history to score 20 or more touchdowns in successive seasons (Smith, 47 in 1994-95, 40 in 1995-96; Faulk, 47 in 2000-01).
Set an NFL record by accounting for 2,000 scrimmage yards in each of four consecutive seasons, breaking his tie in the category with WALTER PAYTON (1983-85). He also joined Payton and ERIC DICKERSON as the only players in history with four 2,000 scrimmage-yard seasons in a career.
Rushed for 1,000 yards for his fifth consecutive season and for his seventh in eight seasons.

On December 17, reached 6,017 scrimmage yards in his 40th Rams game, the most such yards in history in that amount of games.
Has a simple explanation for all his individual feats: "This stuff just happens as you win."

But the Rams are not built on two men alone:

Wide receiver ISAAC BRUCE, with three touchdown receptions on December 17 to give him 56 in his Rams career, broke the team career-TD record held by ELROY "CRAZYLEGS" HIRSCH (53, 1949-57).
Canidate gets the vote! The Rams let loose throughout the season with a "Marshall in the Making" in second-year running back TRUNG CANIDATE. On October 21 in his first NFL start while replacing an injured Faulk, Canidate accounted for 232 total yards (195 on 23 carries and 37 on three receptions). It was the most rushing yards by an RB making his first start since Atlanta's GERALD RIGGS had 202 on September 2, 1984. Not officially included in his rushing yardage was a lateral he took from wide receiver AZ-ZAHIR HAKIM (who himself had taken a handoff) and turned into a 44-yard TD scamper, trotting the final 10 yards.
Faulk and Candidate teamed up to create exploits during the season. On November 11 against Carolina, they combined for 328 rushing yards (Faulk, 183, with 100 yards in the game's first seven minutes; Canidate, 145), the first time two teammates rushed for 100 yards in the same game since Oakland's NAPOLEON KAUFMAN (122) and TYRONE WHEATLEY (111) on December 19, 1999.
Together they had three 175-yard rushing games (Faulk, 202 on December 23 and 183 on November 11; Canidate, 195 on October 21) - only the second time in NFL history that two teammates rushed for 175 yards in the same season (Cleveland's JIM BROWN, 178 on 11/1/59; and BOBBY MITCHELL, 232 on 11/15/59).
Kicker JEFF WILKINS kicked his 30th consecutive field goal on October 21, giving him the third-longest streak in NFL history behind FUAD REVEIZ' 31 and GARY ANDERSON's 40. "He's money," said Martz of Wilkins.

And the Rams "fell in Lovie" with defense! Just what the rest of the league needed.

To add to their offensive powerhouse, the Rams this year attacked their weak defense of 2000. They brought in as defensive coordinator LOVIE SMITH from Tampa Bay and eight new starters on defense.

Result? St. Louis zoomed from a No. 31 ranking in the NFL - that's last - in points allowed (471) in 2000 to a No. 7 spot (273) in the category this year. "We are a complete football team right now," says Martz. The Rams defensive turnaround in a year:

2000	CATEGORIES	2001
471	Points Allowed	273
31	NFL Rank, Points Allowed	7
343.4	Total Defense	279.4
23	NFL Rank, Total Defense	3
106.1	Rush Defense	86.6
13	NFL Rank, Rush Defense	3
237.3	Pass Defense	192.9
27	NFL Rank, Pass Defense	10
25	Total Takeaways	34
19	Interceptions	21
6	Fumble Recoveries	13

SURPRISE! TEAMS
And who doesn't love surprises?! Especially if you're fans of the CHICAGO BEARS, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS, PITTSBURGH STEELERS and SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS.

That quartet - and there were others at points in the season - made the "NFL 2001" all that much more unpredictable.

Look at this foursome this way: combined, they close to doubled their victory total in a year, from 25 wins in 2000 to 49 this year. Looking at it in another way, the biggest winner last year (Pittsburgh, 9-7) won fewer games than the smallest winner of the four this year (New England, 11).

And, as listed above, two of the clubs - Chicago and New England -- went from "worst to first," from last in their division last year to a division title this year.

Thumbnails on the Quite A Quartet!:

Chicago Bears (5-11 to 13-3): How 'bout Da Bears?! Supplied some of the most "fantastic-finish" games of the season (see "10 Memorable Games" section) while reversing a 5-11, last-place record into a stunning 13-3 division title season.

And - did somebody say "Butkus"? - brought back those days of great Bears defense by allowing the fewest points in the league (203). And who isn't reminded of those great bone-crunching Bears linebackers like DICK BUTKUS and MIKE SINGLETARY when they see the new Chicago scourge in the middle, shaved-headed BRIAN URLACHER? The Pro Bowl selection was the only defensive player this year to receive votes in the Associated Press NFL MVP balloting. Chicago's defense posted two shutouts, the first time it has done that since 1991.

The Bears, with their most wins since 1986 (14-2), earned their first playoff berth since 1994.
New England Patriots (5-11 to 11-5): Another team that pulled their bootstraps and themselves up out of the basement. Things looked pretty bleak up in Foxboro when the team started 1-3 and in the process lost their stellar quarterback DREW BLEDSOE.

So what did "Mr. Defense," head coach BILL BELICHICK, do? Plugged in little-known quarterback TOM BRADY (see "Quarterbacks" section) while the team won nine of its final 11 games! In the process, the Pats scored the second-most points (371) in the AFC, and Brady was selected to the Pro Bowl.

They also discovered they had an offseason-find of a running back in ANTOWAIN SMITH, the club's first 1,000-yard rusher (1,157) since ROBERT EDWARDS (1,115) in 1998 - the last year New England went to the playoffs.
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7 to 13-3): New stadium, a renewed team. So much so that the Steelers clinched their first division title since 1997, a first-round bye, and homefield Heinz Field advantage throughout the playoffs.

A simplified offense designed by new offensive coordinator MIKE MULARKEY and a defense that reminded people of the old Steel Curtain were the main reasons for Pittsburgh's resurgence. In the process, Steelers seven-year quarterback KORDELL STEWART became a Pro Bowl selectee by moving from the AFC's 14th-ranked passer to its sixth while tying for the third-fewest interceptions (11) in the conference.

Meanwhile, the Steelers' defense became as tight as the cap on an unopened bottle of ketchup by allowing the fewest points in the AFC (212) - and adding five touchdowns on returns. And do the Steelers know something that everybody else doesn't? They're the only team in the NFL to play a 3-4.

"They're as good as anybody we played this year," said Detroit Lions defensive tackle LUTHER ELLISS.
San Francisco 49ers (6-10 to 12-4): At one point from 1999 to mid-November of last year, the Niners had lost 19 of 22 games. The glory days seemed long past. Then on November 12 of last year, they beat Kansas City 21-7, and were on their way. Since that day, San Francisco has won 16 of 23 games and clinched its first playoff spot since 1998.

How'd they do it? For one thing, the Niners' young opening-day roster (NFC lowest average experience, 3.04 years; fewest players - six - over 30) started to jell. Add that to great years by 49er veterans and you've suddenly got a contender. Or, as head coach Mariucci would say, "Is this fun, or what?"

The veterans (all Pro Bowl selections)? Quarterback JEFF GARCIA, a 1999 import from the Canadian Football League, had his second consecutive 30-TD season, the only 49ers QB in history to do that. Six-year wide receiver TERRELL OWENS had a breakout year, leading the league in TD receptions (16). And running back GARRISON HEARST, after missing two full years with leg woes, came back to finish fifth in the NFC in rushing with 1,206 yards.

THE QBs
Some people believe that it may be the single toughest position to play in all of sports. And most NFL quarterbacks would agree with that assessment. You've got to be smart, retentive, an athlete, a leader, a motivator. The ones who combine those qualities the best are usually the most successful in the National Football League.

Some of the outstanding performances by quarterbacks this year in the NFL:

BRETT FAVRE, Green Bay: Seemed to do it all this year. Engineered comebacks (see "10 Memorable Games" section). Brought the Pack back to the playoffs. Achieved personal milestones. Even threw some devastating blocks. And through it all, seemed to have that old "Favre Fun" playing the game he loves.
In 2001, Brett Favre...
TOM BRADY, New England: Perhaps the most incredible quarterback story of the year.

The 24-year-old, second-year pro, who had thrown all of three passes in his rookie year, rescued the Patriots' season after three-time Pro Bowl starter Drew Bledsoe went down with a chest injury in the second game of the season. Brady led the team to an 11-3 record and a playoff berth, and in the process joined some impressive company.

He completed 70 percent of his passes in four consecutive games between November 11-December 2, joining only four other quarterbacks in history - and some notable ones at that -- to do so in a season:

CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITH 70% OR HIGHER COMPLETION PCT.

QUARTERBACK YEAR GAMES

Joe Montana 1989 8

Sammy Baugh 1945 4

Steve Young 1993 4

Troy Aikman 1995 4

Tom Brady 2001 4

(Minimum 10 passes in game)
Through it all, the quarterback, who looks like he just stepped off a "Hardy Boys" cover, seemed unfazed by the pressure of playing in front of NFL crowds. "By nature, I'm relatively calm," Brady said. "Plus, I've had experience in pressure games" (playing in front of 100,000-plus people at the University of Michigan).
KORDELL STEWART, Pittsburgh: Not that he had ever been anywhere, but had a comeback season that earned him a trip to the Pro Bowl and the Steelers a trip to the playoffs.

To attest to his renewed confidence, threw for nine 200-yard games, when he did so only two times over the previous two years.

"When things are going your way like this," he said, "all you can do is ride the wave and see how far it takes you."
PEYTON MANNING, Indianapolis: With 4,131 yards, joined DAN MARINO (1984-86) and DAN FOUTS (1979-81) as the only quarterbacks in history to reach that amount three seasons in a row.

On November 11, Manning threw three TD passes against Miami, with his second giving him 100 for his career - making him the player to reach that figure the third-fastest in history (56 games) behind Marino in 44 and JOHNNY UNITAS in 53.

In reaching 100 TDs in 56 games, Manning became the No. 1 NFL overall draft choice (1998) in history to reach that figure the quickest, passing DREW BLEDSOE in 69 games.

On December 2, Manning threw for 310 yards against Baltimore, reaching 15,000 yards in 58 career games, the second-fastest in NFL history behind Marino's 56 games.
RICH GANNON, Oakland: Became the first Raider to lead the AFC in passing (95.5) since KEN STABLER (103.4) in 1976.
DONOVAN MC NABB, Philadelphia: The NFL's No. 2 overall 1999 draft choice turned in his best season, ranking fourth in the NFC with an 84.3 passer rating.

THE RBs
The season produced the second-most 100-yard rushing games (124) in history (after 1998's 136). And most of those yards were tough ones to make indeed.

A rundown of some of the stellar rushing performances of 2001:

EMMITT SMITH, Dallas: Next year should be the year. The dean of NFL running backs became the league's second-leading career rusher (16,187) this year, and is now within 540 yards of topping the NFL career rushing leader WALTER PAYTON (16,726).

Smith became the No. 2 all-time NFL rusher on September 23 in the Cowboys' home game against San Diego when he took a handoff from quarterback ANTHONY WRIGHT in the second quarter, darted inside, then broke outside for a 14-yard gain.

"When I heard them making the announcement on the field, I was like, 'Wow,'" said Smith. "Now I've got one more to go (Payton's record)."

Smith and Payton are the only running backs in NFL history to attain 16,000 yards.

Smith established two additional NFL milestones to go along with the ones he already has:
SHAUN ALEXANDER, Seattle: The second-year RB posted the fourth-best rushing performance - 266 yards - in NFL history on November 11 against Oakland.

It was bettered only by COREY DILLON (278 yards, 10/22/00), WALTER PAYTON (275, 11/20/77) and O.J. SIMPSON (273, 11/25/76).

"Alexander The Great" broke an 88-yard TD run in the third quarter of the game that was the longest in Seahawks history.

"I don't think you ever expect any back in this league to pop an 88-yarder unless it's a blitz situation, and that wasn't a blitz situation," said Seattle head coach MIKE HOLMGREN.

Raiders head coach JON GRUDEN was just as impressed with Alexander's performance. "I don't know if that was Alexander or Jim Brown out there today," he said. "You're asking me if he's good. He's real good, man. Real good."

Alexander finished the year leading the league in rushing touchdowns with 14, and was tied for second in total TDs with 16.
PRIEST HOLMES, Kansas City: He didn't exactly come out of nowhere - the Chiefs signed him as an unrestricted free agent from the Super Bowl XXXV-champion Baltimore Ravens. But his performance in 2001 did surprise some people, including his head coach.

"We though he could be the kind of back that could help us win a championship," said Kansas City coach DICK VERMEIL in late December of Holmes. "That's not a surprise. But for him to lead the NFL right now in our situation (5-9), I'd say that's a surprise."

The fifth-year RB - who was an undrafted free agent out of Texas -- finished the year as the NFL's leading rusher (1,555) and the league's scrimmage-yards leader (2,169), helping the Chiefs rank No. 3 in the AFC in both rushing and passing.

In a three-game span from November 11-December 9, Holmes produced 643 scrimmage yards, joining St. Louis' MARSHALL FAULK this year (643, December 23-January 6) as the first players to account for that total in that span since WALTER PAYTON ran up 746 scrimmage yards from November 13-24 in 1977.
JEROME BETTIS, Pittsburgh: The Bus kept motoring this year.

On October 7 in Pittsburgh's first regular-season game at Heinz Field, Bettis ran for three yards on the Steelers' third possession of the game against Cincinnati and thus became the 14th player in NFL history to rush for 10,000 career yards - and the third active player to do so (EMMITT SMITH, RICKY WATTERS). Bettis had 103 yards by halftime and 153 for the game.

"When you play the Steelers, you've got to stop him," said Bengals cornerback TOM CARTER. "That was the best I've seen him play, and that goes back to when we were both freshmen at Notre Dame."

Bettis finished the year with his sixth consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season, and moved into 12th place all-time in rushing yardage (10,876).
COREY DILLON, Cincinnati: Finished as the AFC's fourth-leading rusher (1,315 yards) while posting his fifth 1,000-yard rushing season in a row, joining BARRY SANDERS, ERIC DICKERSON, CURTIS MARTIN, TONY DORSETT and EDDIE GEORGE as the only RBs to do so in each of the first five years of a career.

Also broke off the longest rush of the season - 96 yards (for a TD) against Detroit on October 28 on the game's first play from scrimmage for the longest run in Bengals history and the fourth-longest in NFL history.

"I'm 70 percent effort," says Dillon. "Since Pop Warner, coaches instilled in me, 'Keep your legs moving, keep your eyes open, keep your head up.'"
CURTIS MARTIN, NY Jets: Became only the third player in history to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his first seven seasons, joining BARRY SANDERS (10 seasons) and ERIC DICKERSON (7).

Martin also became the first Jets running back with four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, and scored the second-most rushing TDs (10) in a Jets season.
MIKE ALSTOTT & WARRICK DUNN, Tampa Bay: Each had 150 carries for the fourth consecutive year, breaking the NFL record in the category of three such years held by New Orleans' TONY GALBREATH and CHUCK MUNCIE in 1977-79, and San Francisco's ROGER CRAIG and WENDELL TYLER in 1983-85.

THE WRs
Twenty-five receivers had 1,000-yard seasons, the second-most ever after 1999's 26. Some paired up with teammates to produce formidable receiving games, some supplied the same danger on their own. Either way, there's nothing in the NFL like a quick strike through the air.

Some outstanding receiving performances in 2001:

JERRY RICE & TIM BROWN, Oakland: Formed a "pick-your-poison" combo that enabled the Raiders to produce the fourth-ranked passing game in the NFL.

Rice, of course, came over from San Francisco after a sure-Hall of Fame career with the 49ers - and added to that stature. Brown has spent his entire career with the Raiders and this year added to his exploits.
ISAAC BRUCE, St. Louis: On November 18, caught seven passes for 130 yards, reaching 8,000 career yards the third-fastest in history (102 games), behind LANCE ALWORTH (83) and JERRY RICE (94).
KEENAN MC CARDELL & JIMMY SMITH, Jacksonville: The twosome that are such a strike force each reached 500 career receptions in the same game, on October 7 against Seattle.

Each went over 1,000 yards for the season, matching only Minnesota's CRIS CARTER and JAKE REED (1994-97) as the only other duo in league history with 1,000-yard receiving seasons four years in a row.

Smith became the fifth receiver in history to have 1,000 yards in six consecutive seasons.
MARVIN HARRISON, Indianapolis: Caught five passes for 96 yards on December 30, giving him 100 for the year, and joining him with HERMAN MOORE (1995-97) and JERRY RICE (1994-96) as the only receivers in NFL history with three consecutive 100-catch seasons.

Harrison lifted his career reception total to 522, passing STERLING SHARPE (501) for the most catches in a player's first six seasons.
CRIS CARTER & RANDY MOSS, Minnesota: Each extended career milestones.

Moss' 1,000-yard season (1,233) made him the only player in history to post four such seasons from the beginning of a career.

Carter moved up on the all-time receiving-yards table, as his 13,853 career yards lifted him into fourth place for a career. On October 14, he scored his 127th touchdown, passing JIM BROWN on the career list. He finished the season with 130.

HEY, ROOKIE
They arrived in all shapes and sizes. From big schools, from little-known schools. High draft choices, low-rounders, or no-rounders.

But one thing these young pups all had in common during the 2001 NFL season was that they stood out.

An alphabetical sampling of some of the promising rookies of 2001:

LB KENDRELL BELL, Pittsburgh: Earned consecutive NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month honors by totaling 52 tackles and seven sacks in eight October-November games.
WR CHRIS CHAMBERS, Miami: Not even a starter, led the Dolphins and all NFL rookies in receiving yards with 883 (for seven TDs).

His seven touchdowns came in a five-game span between November 11-December 10, the most in such a period since RANDY MOSS did it in 1998.
WR ROD GARDNER, Washington: Finished second to Miami's Chris Chambers in NFL rookie receiving, with 46 catches for 741 yards. His yardage led all Redskins receivers and his four TD catches tied MICHAEL WESTBROOK for most on the team.

On October 21 against Carolina, Gardner had six catches for 208 yards (and one TD) - the most for any receiver in any game this season.

CB ANTHONY HENRY, Cleveland: Not even a starter, tied RONDE BARBER of Tampa Bay for the league lead in interceptions (10), tying for the second-most for a rookie since 1970:

PLAYER	TEAM	YEAR	INTs
Everson Walls	Dallas	1981	11
Mark Carrier	Chicago	1990	10
*Anthony Henry*	*Cleveland*	*2001*	10
Tom Flynn	Green Bay	1984	9
Orlando Thomas	Minnesota	1995	9

RB DOMINIC RHODES, Indianapolis: Rushed for 1,104 yards, the most-ever by an undrafted rookie and the first time an undrafted rookie has reached 1,000 rushing yards. Had five 100-yard games and nine rushing TDs, second-most for a rookie behind LaDainian Tomlinson's 10 (see below).
WR STEVE SMITH, Carolina: Had three return touchdowns, two on kickoffs, one on a punt. Posted 252 kickoff-return yards (on seven returns with one TD) on November 11 against St. Louis, the most by any player in a game this year. Also that day, had the longest kickoff return in the NFC for the season - 99 yards.
CB FRED SMOOT, Washington: Became the fifth rookie since 1990 to record an interception in each of his first two games. Finished with five on the year, the second-most by a 2001 rookie behind the 10 of Cleveland's Anthony Henry.
LB BRANDON SPOON, Buffalo: Returned both of his interceptions this year for touchdowns.
RB ANTHONY THOMAS, Chicago: The "A-Train" led the Bears in rushing (1,183) and in rushing TDs (7), finishing second to San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson in rookie rushing.

Had four 100-yard rushing games, including two of the top-10 in the league (No. 4, 188 on October 21; No. 10, 173 on December 16). The 188-yard game broke a 67-year-old Bears rookie record held by BEATTIE FEATHERS (155 yards vs. Green Bay in 1934).
RB LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON, San Diego: Led all rookies in rushing with 1,236 yards. Added 367 receiving yards to lead all rookies in scrimmage yards with 1,603. His scrimmage-yards total broke the Chargers' team record of LANCE ALWORTH (1,590 in 1965). Rushed for 10 TDs, the most by a rookie in 2001, and tying for the third-most in the league. Had four 100-yard rushing games.

On Kickoff Sunday, September 9, rushed 36 times against Washington (for 113 yards and two touchdowns), which would stand as the most carries for anyone in the AFC for the entire season. On September 30, Tomlinson rushed for three touchdowns, the first Chargers RB to do so since NATRONE MEANS on October 1, 1994. On November 25, Tomlinson caught 13 passes for 72 yards, the most receptions ever by a Chargers running back.

10 MEMORABLE GAMES
Every game in the NFL is big, because every team plays only 16 of them. But sometimes things happen in games - plays or performances - that make them stick in the memory bank even longer than usual.

A chronological list of 10 memorable 2001 NFL games:

SEPTEMBER 30 -- INDIANAPOLIS 13 AT NEW ENGLAND 44: A shocker, to be sure, but a sign of things to come. The 2-0 Colts were off and flying in the young season, averaging 43.5 points per game. The Patriots had opened 0-2, had lost their starting quarterback DREW BLEDSOE to injury, and were starting somebody named TOM BRADY.

Result? Everything is upended! The Patriots score all the points in the first half - 20 - return two interceptions for touchdowns, enjoy a 94-yard, two-TD performance from their new RB ANTOWAIN SMITH, and get the first of a winning string of solid performances from Brady. "Never did I think it would be the runaway victory that it was," says Brady.

It was only the third game in NFL history, and the first since 1975, in which a team that had been 2-0 or 3-0 was handed a 30-point defeat by a team that had been 0-2 or 0-3.
OCTOBER 28 - SAN FRANCISCO 31 AT CHICAGO 37 (OT): The first of a series of last-minute victory-snatching by the never-give-up Bears.

There they were half way through the third quarter down by 19, 28-9. What happens? They're rescued by two rookies from Michigan, WR DAVID TERRELL and his two TD catches, and RB ANTHONY "A-TRAIN" THOMAS with a rushing score and a two-point conversion run that ties it with 26 seconds to go. Sixteen seconds into overtime, Bears safety MIKE BROWN picks off a JEFF GARCIA pass intended for TERRELL OWENS and races 32 yards into the end zone for the game-winner, the third game in a row in which Chicago had returned a takeaway for a score.

"This is unbelievable," says Brown. It was the shortest overtime game in NFL history (:16).
NOVEMBER 4 - CLEVELAND 21 AT CHICAGO 27 (OT): Replay! Brown again!

Exactly one week later, the Bears pull off an almost identical, just-as-improbable overtime win as the 49ers' game.

Down 14 points late in the third quarter, the Bears force overtime with two touchdowns in the final 28 seconds - a nine-yard SHANE MATTHEWS' pass to MARTY BOOKER, and a desperation, no-time-left diving catch by RB JAMES ALLEN of a tipped ball as he lands on top of Booker in the end zone. Then, 2:50 into OT, it's "deja' Brown" all over again as the safety once again intercepts a pass (from TIM COUCH) and races 16 yards into the end zone and continues right into the locker room. "I don't know if anybody in this locker room has experienced anything like this," says Brown. "People are sort of shocked, saying, 'Are you kidding me?'"

Chicago became the first team in NFL history to win consecutive games in overtime by touchdowns...the first team in history to win a game after trailing by 14 points with 30 seconds to play in the fourth quarter...and the second team (after the 1980 Miami Dolphins, three in a row) to win two consecutive games after trailing by 14 points in the fourth quarter.
NOVEMBER 18 - CHICAGO 27 AT TAMPA BAY 24: Yet one more Bears squeaker of a victory, this time with them holding on for a win that earned them sole possession of first place in the NFC Central.

Ahead 21-9 early in the third quarter, the Buccaneers pull within three (27-24) when BRAD JOHNSON scores on a quarterback sneak and tosses a successful two-point conversion pass to MIKE ALSTOTT with 2:29 to go. On the Bucs' final drive, they get into Bears territory on two WARRICK DUNN catches, and a personal foul penalty moves them to within field-goal range. But MARTIN GRAMATICA's 48-yard attempt smacks into the right upright and the Bears preserve the victory.
NOVEMBER 25 - MIAMI 34 AT BUFFALO 27: The first of two successive games in which the Dolphins erase double-digit deficits to win.

Miami overcomes a 27-17 deficit in the final eight minutes, helped in part when cornerback PATRICK SURTAIN recovers NATE CLEMENTS' fumble on a kickoff return, setting up the winning score. On the game-winning drive, Dolphins quarterback JAY FIEDLER waits patiently in the pocket and lofts a perfect touch pass to rookie CHRIS CHAMBERS, who catches the ball at the one and falls backwards into the end zone. Chambers, with 101 yards, also has a 22-yard TD catch that sparks the comeback.
DECEMBER 2 - DENVER 10 AT MIAMI 21: Another fourth-quarter comeback.

The Dolphins come from behind to win for the fifth time in the season, including in four of their past six games. Denver takes a 10-0 lead into the fourth quarter, but two turnovers help the Dolphins score 21 points in 4:46. The game-winning points come on a 56-yard interception-return TD by 275-pound Dolphins defensive end KENNY MIXON. "I saw the ball coming, and it was slow motion for a second," says Mixon after the game. "I said, 'Uh, oh, I've got to catch this thing.' It stuck in my mitts."

It was the Dolphins' second successive double-digit comeback win. Only one team in NFL history has ever done that three games in a row - the Dolphins from September 14-28, 1980.
DECEMBER 3 - GREEN BAY 28 AT JACKSONVILLE 21: Brett at his best - on a Monday night.

Down two touchdowns late in the third quarter, Packers quarterback BRETT FAVRE throws for two scores (part of a 264-yard second half for him), then bootlegs in for the winning score. On the play, the 32-year-old QB rolls around left end, then barely squeezes into the corner of the end zone for his first rushing score since October 25, 1998, the longest such drought of his career.

"I wasn't going to throw the ball unless someone was absolutely wide open," says Favre. "I figured I was the last guy the Jaguars would figure to run with the ball."
DECEMBER 22 - PHILADELPHIA 3 AT SAN FRANCISCO 13: Defense can't be fun? It is on this late-season Saturday.

The Eagles are going for a playoff berth and the lead late in the fourth quarter when they are on the 49ers' two-yard line. Over and over again, Philadelphia tries to pound it in. Six times they try, and all six times they are turned back by the Niners' stout defense. Linebacker DEREK SMITH makes two key plays, including a drive-ending interception at the one-yard line. Four minutes later, TERRELL OWENS catches a game-clinching TD pass from JEFF GARCIA.

"Nobody blinked," says Smith of the goaline stand. "We got in there and kept stopping them. You could feel the urgency on the field."
DECEMBER 23 - NEW YORK JETS 29 AT INDIANAPOLIS 28: Vinny does it again!

Jets quarterback VINNY TESTAVERDE rallies his team to its fourth fourth-quarter comeback of the year - for the second week in a row -- by some sleight of hand. On the drive that gives New York its second successive one-point victory, Testaverde starts by throwing 23 yards to WAYNE CHREBET, and then hooks up with Chrebet again on a 16-yard pass. Then Testaverde improvises as he scrambles down the field, pitching the ball back to CURTIS MARTIN on a play that gains 23 yards. Two plays later, Testaverde throws a six-yard pass to tight end ANTHONY BECHT to tie the game before the extra point wins it.

"I told Vinny, 'You made a good pitch, but if something would've happened to that ball, they would have hung you,'" says Martin about the key play.
DECEMBER 30 - NEW YORK GIANTS 21 AT PHILADELPHIA 24: "76 Lambuth Special."

That is the name of a heart-stopping play - for both sides -- that almost wins the game for the Giants, but comes up four yards short.

Eagles kicker DAVID AKERS kicks a 35-yard field goal with seven seconds left for the lead. New York has time for one more play from its 20. Giants quarterback KERRY COLLINS throws a 14-yard pass to TIKI BARBER, who laterals the ball to wideout RON DIXON (from Lambuth University). With blockers leading him down the left sideline, Dixon races all the way to the Eagles' four before DAMON MOORE makes the game-saving tackle, giving the Eagles the NFC Eastern Division title, and eliminating the Giants from playoff contention.

"It would have been a special way to win the game," says Collins afterwards.

2001 NFL MILESTONES
IT WAS ONE EXCITING WEEKEND: Every week seems to be, but Week 5 was particularly full of exciting finishes and close games:

10 of 13 Sunday games (76.9 percent) were decided by seven points or less, marking the first Sunday since October 10, 1999 - a span of 34 weeks - that there were 10 such games in a single day. With a two-point game on Monday (Dallas 9, Washington 7), 11 of 14 Week 5 games (78.6 percent) were decided by seven points or less - one shy of the record 12 of 14 set in Week 15 of 1993.
5 teams had game-winning scores on the final play.
3 of those 5 games went into overtime (all on Sunday) - the most in a single day since November 10, 1996.
The New York Jets came back from a 17-0 deficit to win 21-17 against Miami. The 17-point comeback victory matched the third-largest in club history (September 24, 1967 against Denver).
SHARPE TIGHTENS THE RECORD: He beat his boss.

The Baltimore Ravens' SHANNON SHARPE this season became the NFL career leader for tight ends in catches and receiving yards, breaking the all-time marks of the man who brought him to the club in 2000 - Ravens Vice President of Football Operations OZZIE NEWSOME, a tight end for the Cleveland Browns from 1978-90 who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999.

On October 7 against Tennessee, Sharpe caught three passes for 57 yards, surpassing Newsome's tight-end record of 7,980 yards with 8,018 yards. A 13-yard reception in the second quarter did the trick. "I went up and told him, 'Ozzie who?' said the always-effusive Sharpe. Actually, it's been great to have the opportunity to break one of his records."

Then on November 18 in Baltimore, Sharpe's first reception of the game - a 29-yarder - gave him 663 for his career, one more than Newsome had attained. The game was stopped while Newsome went on the field to congratulate Sharpe.
STRAHAN'S SACKS: In the New York Giants' final game of the season on January 6, defensive end MICHAEL STRAHAN dropped Green Bay quarterback BRETT FAVRE with 2:42 left in the game. It gave Strahan 22.5 sacks for the season, breaking the record held by former New York Jets defensive end MARK GASTINEAU (22.0).

"I couldn't have asked personally for anything better," said Strahan of his record.
MATTHEWS PASSES MARSHALL: At two of the toughest positions - offensive and defensive line - they excelled...and lasted.

But on October 7, Tennessee Titans guard BRUCE MATTHEWS passed longtime Minnesota Vikings defensive end JIM MARSHALL for the most games played in NFL history by a non-kicker. The 19-year veteran Matthews played in his 283rd career game.

Asked to describe the feeling of passing Marshall, Matthews said, simply, "humbling."
THE RECORD FOR ROD: It was a record - and a clincher.

On December 2, Baltimore Ravens safety ROD WOODSON broke his tie with Pro Football Hall of Famer KEN HOUSTON for the most career interception returns for touchdowns. With 1:34 left in a game against Indianapolis, Woodson picked off a PEYTON MANNING pass and returned it 47 yards for the clinching score in a 39-27 Ravens victory. It was the 10th INT-return TD of Woodson's 15-year career. The pickoff enabled him to become the eighth player in NFL history with 60 interceptions.

The top five all-time interception-touchdown returners:

Player INT-Return TDs

Rod Woodson 10

Ken Houston 9

Deion Sanders 8

Herb Adderly 7

Lem Barney 7

Erich Barnes 7
BOSTON PART OF HISTORY: With a 127-yard game against Carolina on December 30, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DAVID BOSTON became one of 15 players in NFL history with nine or more 100-yard receiving games in a season (record held by MICHAEL IRVIN, 11 in 1995).
ERIC'S BACK!: First NFL game since 1999, and it was like ERIC METCALF had never left! The 33-year-old punt and kickoff returner was signed by the Washington Redskins on October 24. Four days later, he fielded his first punt and returned it 89 yards for a score, evading one diving tackler early, but otherwise sailing along untouched while making a stealthy cut against the grain in a crowd at the 50-yard line.

It was Metcalf's 10th punt return for a TD, extending his NFL record. And it was his NFL-record 12th combined kick-punt return TD, breaking his tie with Brian Mitchell (see below).

Metcalf had practiced only a handful of returns at half-speed in practice during the week. "We never did one at full speed," he said. "I was thinking, 'Wow, what's going to happen when I really go out there?' I haven't done it in a long time."
MITCHELL'S METER AT 20,000: "Mr. Return," Philadelphia Eagles running back/punt returner/kickoff returner BRIAN MITCHELL on December 16, with a 19-yard kickoff return in the second quarter against Washington, reached 20,000 career all-purpose yards. Only JERRY RICE and WALTER PAYTON have also done so.

And on November 4, one week after Washington's Eric Metcalf set the record, Mitchell tied it with the 12th kick-return (kickoff or punt) touchdown of his career. On the game's opening kickoff, he took off up the middle, juked at midfield to elude Arizona kicker BILL GRAMATICA, and sprinted to the end zone for a 94-yard touchdown.
CENTERS OF ATTRACTION: Give us your gloves and shoes - they're going to the Pro Football Hall of Fame! That's what happened to Buffalo Bills running back LARRY CENTERS after he became on November 18 the all-time leader in receiving yards by a running back with 6,093. On December 2, Centers - already the all-time NFL leader in career catches by an RB - got his 750th career reception.

HOT STOVER: On October 21, for the 32nd game in a row, the Baltimore Ravens' MATT STOVER kicked a field goal -- a 21-yarder with 5:11 remaining in the first half in Cleveland - thus breaking his tie with FRED COX for the most consecutive games with a field goal. The last time he missed a field goal was on October 21, 1999.

Stover extended his record to 38 games before he missed his one attempt on December 16.

...AND YOU CAN QUOTE ME!
Ten lighthearted quotes from the 2001 season:

"He's definitely my new No. 1 receiver" - Cleveland Browns quarterback TIM COUCH after throwing a two-yard TD pass to 6-3, 287-pound backup center SHAUN O'HARA.
"It took about 20 minutes" - O'Hara on his nervous wait for Couch's two-yard pass to reach his hands.
"Kicking in the Dome. I can get used to this" - New Orleans Saints kicker JOHN CARNEY after his first game in the Louisiana Superdome in which he converted five field goals, a Saints record.
"I had a flashback to when I was 23" - Thirty-eight-year-old Baltimore Ravens quarterback RANDALL CUNNINGHAM after rushing four times for 40 yards and a touchdown.
"We met at the 26-yard line, where I picked up 'The Fumble'" - New York Jets head coach HERMAN EDWARDS, identifying the location at Giants Stadium where he met Kansas City Chiefs head coach DICK VERMEIL, who coached him with Philadelphia when Edwards returned a famous fumble for the winning score against the Giants in 1978.
"He made it, bless his heart" - Seattle Seahawks head coach MIKE HOLMGREN after kicker RIAN LINDELL booted the game-winner in overtime after missing two attempts in the final five minutes of regulation.
"I laughed, then went back and told the whole defense to get after Chandler, he's sick" - Buffalo Bills defensive end PHIL HANSEN, describing what he did after Atlanta Falcons quarterback CHRIS CHANDLER told him at the pregame coin toss that he was sick.
"I took it to the house" - Miami Dolphins 275-pound defensive end KENNY MIXON describing his 56-yard touchdown run with an interception.
"I talked to the special teams coach. He said, 'You want to do it now? As soon as he said that, I lost confidence" - Seattle Seahawks head coach MIKE HOLMGREN, recalling a conversation he had with one of his coaches after deciding to go for a first down instead of trying a possible game-winning field goal with 12 seconds to go in a game.
"Favre's here. It's 'Titletown, USA. You want to come up here" - Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle WARREN SAPP after his team's last game as an NFC-Central Packers opponent before next year's realignment.