Century Spotlight: Wes Chandler 1979 New Orleans Saints

In 1979 2nd year wide receiver Wes Chandler had a huge year for the New Orleans Saints. Chandler caught the ball 65 times for 1,069 yards and 6 touchdowns, leading his team in all 3 categories. 

In his 3 years (and 4 games in 1981) with the Saints Chandler caught 182 passes for 2,801 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was traded partway through the 1981 season to the Chargers and had success there as well, catching 373 passes over the next 7 seven seasons. He racked up 6,132 yards and pulled in 41 touchdowns.

Chandler's legs didn't just help him separate from defenders, he was also a pretty decent punter as well, he punted for both the Chargers and the Saints on some occasions, booting the ball 13 times for 415 yards.

Chandler's best season came in 1982 when he led the league in receiving yards, touchdowns, and yards per game. His 129 receiving yards per game in 1982 has yet to be matched by any player.

References:

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ChanWe00.htm

http://cdn.sportsmemorabilia.com/sports-product-image/52-t695604-500.jpg

Legendary Games: Super Bowl IX

Super Bowl IX would end up being the final professional football game to ever be played at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, LA. The game was a match up between two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks Terry Bradshaw and Fran Tarkenton. It was also a match up between two unforgettable defenses in Pittsburgh's "Steel Curtain" and Minnesota's "Purple People Eaters."

Even though both of these quarterbacks would later be Hall of Fame legends, you wouldn't know it by watching the game. Bradshaw finished with 1 touchdown and only 96 yards on just 14 attempts. Tarkenton struggled terribly, throwing 3 interceptions while only completing  42% of his passes for a 14.1 quarterback rating.

Even though neither of the quarterbacks made a big impact in the game, both of the teams defenses showed up for some key plays. The Vikings held Terry Bradshaw to 96 yards, making Super Bowl IX the only Super Bowl in which Bradshaw threw for less than 200 yards. On another big defensive play, the Steelers fell on Tarkenton in his own end zone after a fumbled pitch to score the first safety in NFL history. 

Special teams made an impact in the game as well. The Vikings' only scoring play came when linebacker Matt Blair blocked a punt in the Steelers' end zone and safety Terry Brown covered the ball for a touchdown, however kicker Fred Cox was unable to kick the make the PAT. That would be the 2nd, and last time a team would be held to under 7 points in a Super Bowl.

Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris was named Super Bowl MVP, carrying the ball 34 times for 158 yards and a touchdown.

References:

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/super-bowl/ix.htm

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/gallery/featured/GAL1151048/2/20/index.htm

Century Spotlight: Billy Johnson 1977 Houston Oilers

Billy Johnson was only 5' 9" but he still found a way to make a big impression on the field. In 1977 Johnson was selected to go the the Pro Bowl, it would be his 2nd of three appearances. This was the same season he was selected to the 1st All Pro team by the Associated Press.

1977 was by far Johnson's most successful season, he returned 35 punts for 539 yards and 2 touchdowns, he also returned 25 kickoffs for 630 yards and 1 touchdown. Johnson wasn't just utilized on special teams however, in that same season Johnson had 20 receptions for 412 yards and 3 touchdowns, he rushed for another 102 yards on 6 carries, gaining one last touchdown. Johnson finished that season with 1,683 all purpose yards and 7 touchdowns.

Johnson ended his 13 year career with 10,785 all purpose yards, over 4,500 which were gained from scrimmage. He had 25 receiving touchdowns and 2 rushing touchdowns, he gained 6 more touchdowns on punt returns and 2 on kick returns.

Johnson is known for being a pioneer in the touchdown celebration. Johnson's "Funky Chicken Dance" was one of the first touchdowns celebrations seen in the NFL.

Video of Billy Johnson: #3 of All Time Return Aces:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0EVm7fi0iQ

References:

http://www.signedautographed.com/Billy-Johnson-Autographs.php

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JohnBi01.htm

Century Spotlight: MacArthur Lane 1976 Kansas City Chiefs

In 1976, Chiefs running back MacArthur Lane led the league in receptions with 66. Lane racked up 686 receiving yards on those receptions with another 542 yards on the ground, carrying the ball 162 times. Lane had 6 touchdowns in 1976, 5 of those came while rushing the ball, and a lone receiving touchdown in a game against the Oakland Raiders, the team that would later win that seasons Super Bowl.

Lane was drafted #13 overall by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1968. In his 3rd season with the Cardinals, Lane rushed for 977 yards and gained 365 yards receiving. Lane scored 13 touchdowns that season with a league leading 11 rushing touchdowns, which bought him a ticket to his one and only Pro Bowl.

Lane played a total of 11 seasons, 4 of those were with the Cardinals, then he played 3 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, and he finished his career after 4 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. Lane totaled 4,656 yard rushing, carrying the ball 1,206 times, and another 2,786 yards receiving on 287 receptions. He finished his career with 37 touchdowns, 30 on the ground, and 7 receiving touchdowns.

References:

http://packerville.blogspot.com/2008_10_01_archive.html

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LaneMa00/touchdowns/