Throwback Thursday: A 1962 Snapshot At The Career Statistical Leaders

I was recently reading Tex Maule's The Game. It's a fun, interesting look at the NFL's history up to the time that the book was published. The Game was published following the 1962 season. So all league, team, and game histories were through the 1962 season. I get a kick out of looking at NFL history from such a snapshot perspective. Nestled between a league chronology and an author's note in The Game, Maule included the career leaders of some of the major statistical categories. Most of the career leaders in 1962 played 12-game seasons. In 1961, the league bumped the schedule to 14 games. The passing numbers, in particular, are tiny compared to today. It was a very different game. There were significantly fewer games and the games were much more violent. Both were reflected in the passing numbers. Even the league’s best quarterbacks completed just over 50% of their passes and they often threw as many interceptions as touchdowns. The only protection provided the quarterbacks was from those blocking for him. Unlike today, there was no assistance from the rules or the officials. One might even argue that today’s pampered quarterbacks wouldn’t even attempt to play a game under the conditions of those long gone days. They certainly wouldn’t do so under the pay scale of the day. The Game is an interesting look at football's first 43 years. 

A 1962 Snapshot Of The Career Statistical Leaders:

Most Yards Rushing, Lifetime
1. Joe Perry, 49ers, Colts, 1950-62: 8,280
2. Jim Brown, Browns, 1957-62: 7,459
3. Steve Van Buren, 1944-51: 5,860

Joe Perry’s numbers (wrongly) do not include the two years that he played in the All-America Football Conference. He retired after the 1963 season with 9,723 yards (that’s rightly including his AAFC numbers). Jim Brown kept running for another three years. He retired after the 1965 season with 12,312 yards. That number stood as the league record until Walter Payton chased it down in the 1980s. 

Current Leader:
Emmitt Smith: 18,355

Most Passes Attempted, Lifetime
1. Bobby Layne, Bears, Bulldogs, Lions, Steelers, 1948-62: 3,700
2. Y.A. Tittle, Colts, 49ers, Giants, 1950-62: 3,169
3. Sammy Baugh, Redskins, 1937-52: 3,016

Bobby Layne retired after the 1962 season. Y.A. Tittle had one more All-Pro season in him and retired after the 1964 season. 

Current Leader:
Tom Brady: 12,050

Most Passes Completed, Lifetime
1. Bobby Layne, Bears, Bulldogs, Lions, Steelers, 1948-62: 1,814
2. Y.A. Tittle, Colts, 49ers, Giants, 1950-62: 1,750
3. Sammy Baugh, Redskins, 1937-52: 1,709

Current Leader:
Tom Brady: 7,753

Most Yards Gained Passing, Lifetime
1. Bobby Layne, Bears, Bulldogs, Lions, Steelers, 1948-62: 26,768
2. Norm Van Brocklin, Rams, Eagles, 1949-60: 23,611
3. Y.A. Tittle, Colts, 49ers, Giants, 1950-62: 23,396

Norm Van Brocklin was the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings in 1962. 

Current Leader:
Tom Brady: 89,214

Most Touchdown Passes, Lifetime
1. Bobby Layne, Bears, Bulldogs, Lions, Steelers, 1948-62: 196
2. Sammy Baugh, Redskins, 1937-52: 186
3. Norm Van Brocklin, Rams, Eagles, 1949-60: 173
3. Charles Conerly, Giants, 1948-61: 173

Current Leader:
Tom Brady: 649

Fran Tarkenton held all of the above passing records for about 20 years. That’s longer, by a wide margin, than any quarterback has ever held those records. 

Completion Percentage, Lifetime
1. Milt Plum, Browns, Lions, 1957-62: 57.2
2. Sammy Baugh, Redskins, 1937-52: 56.7
3. Bart Starr, Packers, 1956-62: 56.6

Milt Plum played through the 1960s but his best years were in this time frame. Bart Starr was just getting started. 

Current Leader:
Drew Brees: 67.7

(5. Kirk Cousins: 66.8)

Most Passes Caught, Lifetime
1. Don Hutson, Packers, 1935-45: 488
2. Billy Howton, Packers, Browns, Cowboys, 1952-62: 470
3. Raymond Berry, Colts, 1955-62: 419

Raymond Berry finished his great career in 1967 with 631 catches. 

Current Leader:
Jerry Rice: 1,549

Most Touchdown Passes Caught, Lifetime
1. Don Hutson, Packers, 1935-45: 101
2. Pete Pihos, Eagles, 1945-55: 61
3. Hugh Taylor, Redskins, 1947-54: 58

Current Leader:
Jerry Rice: 197

Most Points Scored, Lifetime
1. Lou Groza, Browns, 1950-62: 902
2. Bobby Walston, Eagles, 1951-62: 881
3. Don Hutson, Packers, 1935-45: 825

Lou Groza played forever (22 years). He retired after the 1967 season with 1608 points scored. 

Current Leader:
Adam Vinatieri: 2,673

Most Touchdowns Scored, Lifetime
1. Don Hutson, Packers, 1935-45: 105
2. Jim Brown, Browns, 1957-62: 81
3. Steve Van Buren, 1944-51: 77

Current Leader:
Jerry Rice: 208

Jim Brown retired with 126 touchdowns. 

Don Hutson’s touchdown numbers are probably the only numbers in this snapshot that aren’t tiny. His 105 touchdowns are nearly half of Jerry Rice’s 208. Hutson played 11 years. Rice played 21 years. 

Today's game is a very different game. 

More Harrison Smith, Please

It was difficult to watch the Minnesota Vikings defense last season. The passive play was nauseating. Perhaps the most difficult watch was the way defensive coordinator Ed Donatell used safety Harrison Smith. More accurately, it was the way Donatell didn’t use his versatile defender. Since his first year with the Vikings in 2012, Smith has always been at his best playing all over the field, using his instincts. Leslie Frazier took advantage of his versatility and instincts. Mike Zimmer took even greater advantage with a more experienced player. For whatever reason, Donatell didn’t. He took away Smith’s versatility, shackled his instincts, and planted him at the back of the the Vikings passive defense. It was difficult, frustrating, and sad to see. I hate to celebrate the misfortunes of others but it was a great day when Donatell was fired after the season. It was an even greater day of celebration when Brian Flores was hired to coordinate the Vikings defense. My first thought, Flores is going to love Harrison Smith. 

Harrison Smith is a great football player. His greatness comes from his versatility. He’s position says safety. His play says so much more. It’s difficult to pick what he does best. Most of his splash plays come within reach of the line of scrimmage. He’s just as adept at roaming the back of the defense. Unless he’s picking off a pass or breaking up a reception, those plays aren’t as splashy. Pretty much the only thing I’d rather not see him do is cover a swift receiver, one on one, down the field. Play Smith to his strengths. That should be easy enough to do. It’s mind-numbing thinking about why Donatell didn’t. 

What a difference a year, and coordinator change, makes.

Harrison Smith’s alignments, 2022:

Free safety: 55.6%

Box: 25.7%

Slot: 13.2%

Defensive line: 4.3%

Wide CB: 1.2%

Harrison Smith’s alignments, 2023 (4 games):

Free safety: 30%

Box: 31%

Slot: 17.3%

Defensive line: 17.7%

Wide CB: 4%

I’m a little surprised that Smith lined up at free safety only 55.6% of the time last season. I expected the number to be closer to 75%.

Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers reminded everyone of what Smith can do when allowed to play without restraints. He was a game-long menace. He collected three sacks. The first was a strip-sack that D.J. Wonnum scooped up and returned for a 51-yard touchdown. The second and third sacks came on the Panthers final three plays and ended all hopes of tying the game. The Vikings won their first game of the season largely on the play of Harrison Smith. 

The Vikings defense is learning it’s way in Flores’ scheme. Through the first three games, there have been some rocky moments and stretches. I expect the defense to get better as they grow more comfortable in the scheme and with each other. It’s early but the potential success of this defense is dependent on the pass rushing of Danielle Hunter, the continued health of Marcus Davenport, and the versatile play of Harrison Smith. 

Minnesota Vikings Week 4 Superlatives

The Minnesota Vikings finally won a game. It took four weeks but the Vikings finally got their first win. They defeated the Carolina Panthers by the score of 21-13. Here are some of the players that helped make it happen.

Offensive Player of the Week

Justin Jefferson, WR

Justin Jefferson has set a ridiculously high bar for himself. His numbers against the Panthers:

6 catches

85 yards

2 touchdowns

By nearly every normal standard, that’s a good game. For Jefferson, it felt quiet. Kirk Cousins and the passing attack never seemed to get on track against the Panthers. The Vikings had only 44 offensive plays. Little on offense outside of Jefferson and a decent run game worked. 

Defensive Player of the Week

Harrison Smith, S

For the first time this season, a player other than Danielle Hunter is the Defensive Player of the Week. Harrison Smith was brilliant against the Panthers. His numbers:

14 tackles

3 sacks

3 QB hits

2 tackles for loss

1 forced fumble

Harrison Smith was a menace. His first sack forced a fumble that D.J. Wonnum returned for a touchdown. His final two sacks ended the Panthers final possession of a one-score game. This was the sort of game from Smith that I envisioned when Brian Flores was hired as defensive coordinator. More of this, please. 

Special Teams Player of the Week

Ryan Wright, P

As with Justin Jefferson, Ryan Wright has been the Special Teams Player of the Week each week this season. Perhaps arguably, he’s been the league’s best punter. Against the Panthers:

4 punts

216 yards

54 yards/punt

Long of 61

Perhaps the lone blemish to Wright’s game, Panthers punt returner (and former Vikings receiver) Ihmir Smith-Marsette returned three of the four punts for 35 yards. That’s a bit too much on returns. That’s more on the gunners missing the first tackle opportunity than Wright not punting the ball well enough. 

Vikings - Panthers

Finally.

It took four weeks but the Minnesota Vikings finally won a game. 

Minnesota Vikings   21

Carolina Panthers   13

Offensively, the Vikings played perhaps their worst game of the season. They did some good things running the ball. The passing game appeared out of sync for much of the game. The Vikings defense was the difference. 

It helped that the Panthers are in a clear rebuild. Rookie quarterback, experienced but first-year head coach, young players splashed across the roster. The veteran leader of the youthful Panthers offense is former Vikings receiver Adam Thielen. He had a solid game against his former teammates. Seven catches for 76 yards. There were stretches, especially early in the game, during which Thielen looked like Bryce Young’s only target. It helped that he was routinely open. It was both fun and terrible to see. 

The Vikings opened the game with a crisp 70-yard drive to the Panthers 5-yard line. Forty-five of those yards came by a pass interference penalty on a deep pass to Jordan Addison. Instead of an early score, Kirk Cousins threw another interception at the goal line. It was his third interception of the season. All three were intercepted at the goal line or in the end zone. This one was returned 99 yards for a Panthers touchdown. It was a horrible decision by Cousins. As soon as the ball left his hand it was headed to the waiting hands of Panthers defensive back Sam Franklin Jr. He had an easy path to the other end of the field. It was a possible 14-point swing. It was a terrible start. 

If this season is to amount to anything, the Vikings must stop making things easy for their opponents. This easy pick-six was so avoidable. Cousins never should’ve attempted that pass. Late in the first half, another nice drive ended without points due to another interception. The Vikings had driven to the Panthers 21-yard line. Cousins was hit as he threw and essentially tossed up a pop fly. It was another easy interception for the Panthers. It led to a half-ending field goal. 10 of the Panthers 13 points were the direct result of Vikings giveaways. Very generous. Through four games, the Vikings have turned the ball over 11 times. 11! 11!! The Vikings must stop making things easy for opponents. 

The Vikings defense is slowly finding its way under the aggressive direction of defensive coordinator Brian Flores. This was their best game. With the offense out of sync for much of the game, the defense needed to play its best game. Granted, this young Panthers offense was probably the weakest that the Vikings have faced this season. Still, the defense kept this young Panthers offense out of the end zone. They really only gave up a single field goal. Harrison Smith was the defensive catalyst. He was fantastic. 

Harrison Smith’s day:

14 tackles

3 sacks

3 QB hits

2 tackles for loss

1 forced fumble

Smith’s first sack of Young forced a fumble that D.J. Wonnum returned 51 yards for a touchdown. The third quarter defensive score gave the Vikings their lead of the game, 14-13. It was the play of the game for the Vikings. It’s still so early but it might’ve been the play that changed the direction of the season. Smith’s final two sacks of Young ended the Panthers last possession and game-tying hopes. This is the sort of game I envisioned Smith having when Flores was hired. It was brilliant.

Through the first three weeks, the Vikings needed a great start by Danielle Hunter to generate any sort of pass rush. It’s been a one-man pass rushing show. The Vikings were forced to send extra rushers more than even Flores is probably comfortable doing. Hunter needed pass rushing help. He got that help yesterday with the return of Marcus Davenport to the field. He was inactive in Weeks 1 and 3 and only played about four snaps in Week 2. Davenport was signed in the offseason to form a dynamic pass rushing pair with Hunter. He was finally able to be that yesterday. He collected his first sack and caused a second that went to Wonnum. Davenport was routinely in the Panthers backfield. Hopefully, it’s only the beginning. He must stay on the field. 

The Vikings offense, explosive through the first three weeks, often struggled against the Panthers. They gained only 265 yards for the game. They gained about that much in a single half in previous games. Perhaps even more surprising than the total was that only 130 of the yards were gained passing. Cousins had been getting that in a single quarter. About the only thing nice about the Vikings offense against the Panthers was the running and Justin Jefferson. 

Vikings RBs: 22 carries for 135 yards

Justin Jefferson: 6 catches for 85 yards and 2 TDs (4,30)

Alexander Mattison had his second consecutive productive game. He gained 95 yards on 19 carries. Most importantly, he did not put the ball on the ground. Recently acquired, Cam Akers made his Vikings debut. He ran well, five carries for 40 yards. It’s a ridiculously small sample size but Mattison and Akers look like a solid rushing pair. 

Only with Justin Jefferson can a six catch, 85 yard, two touchdown game feel like a quiet game. Through three games, he’d made 150 yards feel like his baseline game. 

I’m not worried about a sub-par passing game. This game is an outlier. Cousins is too good. Jefferson is too great. Jordan Addison didn’t catch a pass. T.J. Hockenson only caught two pass. K.J. Osborn only caught one pass. They only had 44 plays. The Vikings have too much talent on offense for this game to be concerning. The important thing was the win. The Vikings finally got one. 

Moving forward, the offense will get back on track. Hopefully, the defense will build on this performance. 

Finally. The Vikings finally won a game. 

Flea Flicker Week 4 Predictions

It’s already Week 4. Here are some guesses. 

Minnesota Vikings @ Carolina Panthers

Pick: Vikings

Just like they could not open the season with three straight losses, the Vikings can not open the season with four straight losses. The Vikings must win this game.

Atlanta Falcons @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Pick: Jaguars

The first international game of the season. This is an annual trip for the Jaguars so the Jaguars are the pick.

Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills

Pick: Bills

The Dolphins could’ve used some of those 70 points in this game. 

Denver Broncos @ Chicago Bears

Pick: Broncos

One of the teams has to win this game.

Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland Browns

Pick: Ravens

It’s the original Browns vs the current Browns. As is usually the case, the original Browns are the pick.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Tennessee Titans

Pick: Bengals

If Joe Burrow can move a bit better in this game than he did in the last game, it’s the Bengals. 

Los Angeles Rams @ Indianapolis Colts

Pick: Colts

Just going with the home team.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints

Pick: Buccaneers

It’s only three games but it’s a little surprising that both of these teams are 2-1. Buccaneers, I guess.

Washington Commanders @ Philadelphia Eagles

Pick: Eagles

Despite being 3-0, the Eagles have yet to play like a Super Bowl favorite. Maybe that starts with this game. 

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Houston Texans

Pick: Steelers

After surprising the Jaguars, the Texans fall to the Steelers.

Las Vegas Raiders @ Los Angeles Chargers

Pick: Chargers

After starting with two losses, the Chargers make it two straight wins. 

New England Patriots @ Dallas Cowboys

Pick: Patriots

The Cowboys fail to rebound from their shocking loss to the Cardinals.

Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers

Pick: 49ers

The Cardinals return to earth.

Kansas City Chiefs @ New York Jets

Pick: Chiefs 

It’s the Chiefs in a laugher.

Seattle Seahawks @ New York Giants

Pick: Seahawks

The Seahawks edge the Giants.

Carolina Panthers All - Time Team

The Minnesota Vikings travel to Carolina for a Week 4 date with the Panthers. The Carolina Panthers are approaching their 30th year. They entered the league in 1995. Over the nearly thirty years, they’ve had somewhat of a rollercoaster existence. They’ve had several highs and perhaps an equal number of lows. They started real fast. The Panthers made it all the way to the NFC Championship game in only their second season. They’ve reached the Super Bowl twice. The Panthers lost to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII and Denver Broncos in Super Bowl L. On the eve of their big game with the Vikings, here are some of the best players in the Carolina Panthers franchise history. 

Carolina Panthers All - Time Team

Offense

Quarterback

Cam Newton

Running Back

Christian McCaffrey

Fullback

Mike Tolbert 

Wide Receivers

Steve Smith Sr.

Muhsin Muhammad

Tight End

Greg Olsen

Offensive Tackles

Jordan Gross

Taylor Moton

Offensive Guards

Trai Turner

Andrew Norwell

Center

Ryan Kalil

Defense

Defensive Ends

Julius Peppers

Mike Rucker

Defensive Tackles

Kris Jenkins

Kawann Short

Linebackers

Kevin Greene

Luke Kuechly

Thomas Davis

Cornerbacks

Eric Davis

Josh Norman

Safeties

Mike Minter

Charles Godfrey

Special Teams

Kicker 

John Kasay

Punter

Todd Sauerbrun

Returner

Michael Bates

Line Tweak?

The Minnesota Vikings visit the Carolina Panthers this Sunday. In an effort to get their first win of the season, will there be a tweak of the offensive line? The Vikings returned all five starters from last season.

LT	Christian Darrisaw
LG	Ezra Cleveland
C	Garrett Bradbury
RG	Ed Ingram
RT	Brian O’Neill

Since the start of last season, only injuries, and there have been plenty, have kept those five players from being an every game staple. Only the guards have started and finished the past 20 games. That’s a problem. The strength of this group is the terrific tackles. Christian Darrisaw is emerging as one of the best left tackles in the league. Brian O’Neill has been one of the better right tackles for a few years. The wildly inconsistent play of the interior offensive line has been a problem. Garrett Bradbury missing all but the first seven snaps of the season hasn’t helped. He’s expected to return to the field this Sunday. That should help. Will there be another change?

Last season, on five or six occasions, rookie Ed Ingram stepped on Kirk Cousins’ foot as each started the play. The Vikings right guard essentially sacked his own quarterback as many as a half dozen times. This season, he took his absurd miscues to another level by slapping the ball out of Cousins’ hand as he pulled away from the line. It ended a promising drive and handed the ball to the opponent. These are mind-numbing mistakes. Ingram has shown improvement over his 20 games. The problem is that his highs are merely pretty good and his lows are so damn low. It’s great that his pretty good reps are the majority of his reps but his lows have directly led to sacks and a singular turnover. Ezra Cleveland is far from free of criticism. It’s just that his mistakes aren’t as glaring, or as game-changing, as those of Ingram. It’s time for a change on the Vikings offensive line.

Enter Dalton Risner. 

Vikings fans have been calling for and begging for Risner for months. He was their offensive line savior. He visited the team during training camp. The fans were teased. The Vikings finally signed him following their Week 2 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The fans were thrilled. Risner’s had a crash course in the offense ever since. It probably helped that Vikings offensive line coach Chris Kuper and assistant offensive line coach Justin Rascati coached him with the Denver Broncos. That familiarity should help the transition. In Week 4, it appears time for this offensive line.

LT	Christian Darrisaw
LG	Ezra Cleveland
C	Garrett Bradbury
RG	Dalton Risner
RT	Brian O’Neill

This doesn’t mean the end to Ingram’s time in Minnesota. I actually believe that he has a higher ceiling at guard than Cleveland. Right now, Ingram’s nowhere near that ceiling. For all I know, the Vikings decision-makers might actually see Risner at left guard. That’s where he played during his four years in Denver. I just see Ingram as the bigger problem right now. 

The Vikings have pushed the Darrisaw-Cleveland-Bradbury-Ingram-O’Neill offensive line into a second season. It’s easy to understand the thinking. Tremendous bookend tackles and an interior selected with high-end draft picks. It really hasn’t worked as planned or expected. Cousins is hit too often. Running backs are stuffed without options too often. Perhaps this tweak will help. That’s certainly the hope. The Vikings offense has too much playmaking potential to be held back by an under-performing offensive line.