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39. Terry Metcalf

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39. Terry Metcalf

Long Beach State does not produce many draft choices, let alone NFL Pro Bowlers, but Terry Metcalf would break those molds and become a brief star of the St. Louis Cardinals offense.

Metcalf joined the Cardinals as a Third Round Pick in 1973 and saw immediate action as a rusher and returner with just over 1,000 All-Purpose Yards.  Metcalf would see more touches over the next four seasons, going to the Pro Bowl three times (1974, 1975 & 1977) and accumulating at least 1,000 Yards From Scrimmage years, along with establishing himself as one of the top returners in the NFL.  In all of his Pro Bowl years, he broke 2,000 Yards in All-Purpose Yards, setting a then-record 2,462 APY in 1975, an astounding amount considering it was still a 14-game Season.  Metcalf also received strong MVP consideration over this period, finishing second in 1974 and third in 1975.

In what could never be imagined today, Metcalf bolted for the Canadian Football League for the Toronto Argonauts, where he received the financial compensation he felt he deserved.  With the Cardinals had 9,048 All-Purpose Yards, a significant number, but we also had to drop him a few spots as he was fumble-prone, twice having led the league in Fumbles.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Fullback, Running Back
  • Acquired: Selected in the 3rd Round, 63rd Overall in the NFL Draft 1/30/73.
  • Departed:

    Signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL after the 1977 Season.

  • Games Played: 65
  • Notable Statistics:

    59 Games Started
    748 Rushing Attempts
    3,438 Rushing Yards
    24 Rushing Touchdowns
    197 Receptions
    1,862 Receiving Yards
    9 Receiving Touchdowns
    80 Punt Returns
    921 Punt Return Yards
    1 Punt Return Touchdown
    107 Kick Returns
    2,804 Kick Return Yards
    2 Kick Return Touchdowns
    4 Pass Completions
    10 Pass Attempts
    78 Passing Yards
    2 Touchdown Passes
    1 Interception
    67.9 Passer Rating
    57 Approximate Value

    2 Playoff Games
    23 Rushing Attempts
    82 Rushing Yards
    1 Rushing Touchdown
    10 Receptions
    137 Receiving Yards
    5 Punt Returns
    24 Punt Return Yards
    5 Kick Returns
    107 Kick Return Yards

  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    Second Team All-Pro (1975)
    Pro Bowl (1974, 1975 & 1977)
    Most All-Purpose Yards (1975)
    Most Yards per Kick Return (1974)

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