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| Allen Howard, WR, NY Stars (28) |
Booger926 has followed his Rookie Defensive Player of the Year candidates from last blog post with one for the offensive players. See below.
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There is no greater honor than being selected by the AI Writers of Simerica as being the best of your class, except being selected as the best by your peers. This year, I am proud to introduce the 1976 Rookie Offensive Player of the Year Candidates as decided by AIWS
https://usflwfl.myfootballnow.com/player-awards
1) WR Lee Rice – Birmingham Stallions
The 19th overall pick in the 1976 draft, this speedy Washington Huskie/Birmingham Stallion played “Catch-Me-If-You-Can” with opposing secondaries. Being former MVP QB Augustin Cook’s favorite target, Rice became the fifth-highest targeted receiver in the league with 190. While being third overall in receptions with 109, he was able to get 1,897 yards thru the air even though he only caught 57.3 percent of the passes thrown his way. He was able to get 100+ yards in nine of the 13 games in which he has played. While his 12 receiving TDs could be considered “Meh” in the current pass-happy style of the game, one still has to take into account his 17.4 avg. On another note, on a wild ride in a DeLorean with a flux capacitater, I cannot affirm nor deny that this may or may not be the father of the greatest ever WR, Jerry Rice.
2) WR Allen Howard – New York Stars
Taken in the third round in the 1976 draft, this former stud from the University of Alabama rolled over defensive secondaries. Targeted 125 times, he was able to catch 48 percent of the passes thrown his way. With his 60 receptions, he was able to cover 1,259 yards thru the air in his 14 games, scoring 13 times. But his pass-catching skills are not the only weapon for the playoff-bound New York Stars. As their kickoff/punt returner, Howard raced by would-be special team tacklers for another 1,072 yards. His 38.0 yards per kick return average is third in the league and he leads the league in returns for TD’s with two. He is also sixth in the league in total yards with 2,331 and 15 TDs.
3) WR Edward Conner – Tampa Bay Bandits
All of Edward’s life, he has been told he isn’t good enough. He isn’t even the No. 1 WR on his playoff-bound Bandits. But being told over and over that he could not do it only made him want to prove everyone wrong. The former pizza delivery boy didn’t go to college, instead got the Tampa coach’s attention by delivering his order before he could hang up the phone. When Tampa made the announcement they were taking Conner with the 14th pick in the first round, everyone scratched their head and asked, “Who?” Now defensive coordinators are asking, “Who’s going to cover this guy?” Conner caught 58 percent of the 116 passes thrown his way while dropping only five. His 17.2 yard per catch average on 60 receptions help get him in the 1,000 club with 1,150 yards and nine scoring opportunities. Now, is that good enough for you?
4) RB Enrique “Suave” Pacheco – Detroit Wheels
The 29th overall pick in the 1976 draft, the former Tennessee Volunteer offered to be the workhorse for the 13-2 playoff bound Detroit Wheels. Playing in 11 games, he carried the pigskin 225 times for 866 yards and crossed the goal line five times. And coming out of the backfield to catch 22 wheel passes, he also added 312 yards and three receiving TDs through the air to his impressive first-year resume. The only thing that kept Pacheco from getting more yards was his body, being injured three times and fumbling the ball seven times.
