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Steve Johnson Tries to Follow Remarkable Third-Year Campaign
Cold, Hard Football Facts for August 17, 2011
By Adam Dobrowolski
Cold, Hard Football Facts Buffalo Soldier
The 90s treated many people well. The average angsty teen finally found an outlet to express their distaste with life. Any fan of the sitcom treated themselves to an array of classics, from "the show about nothing" to "that Urkel kid." Heck, kids even had quality cartoons to watch.
And the loyal Buffalo Bills fan got to see their team completely own the AFC.
However, those times are gone. All that's left are post-post-grunge rock bands, a horrendous lineup of sitcoms and a Bills franchise that last made the playoffs before the turn of the century. And Amy Jo Johnson is married with a child. Sorry, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers fans.
Other than potential relocation to Los Angeles, the Buffalo Bills generally don't garner much attention of the casual fans. Perhaps that's why very few realize the special year Steve Johnson had in 2010 as a wide receiver. When someone owns such a common name, it doesn't help to play a pro sport in Buffalo.
Last year, Johnson became just the ninth player in NFL history to have at least 80 receptions, 1000 yards and 10 touchdown in his third season, according to the Pro-Football-Reference database. The list includes Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow and the charismatic Chad Ochocinco.
That's the good news.
The bad news is, it's unlikely to happen again.
Start with the fact that Johnson was the first to pull this great season of nowhere after catching 12 passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns in his first two seasons combined.
The 80-1000-10 Club (Third-Year Receivers)
|
Player |
First Two |
Third Season |
|
John Jefferson, 1980 |
117 rec, 2091 yds, 23 TD |
82 rec, 1340 yds, 13 TD |
|
Kellen Winslow, 1981 |
114 rec, 1545 yds, 11 TD |
88 rec, 1075 yds, 10 TD |
|
Antonio Freeman, 1997 |
64 rec, 1039 yds, 10 TD |
81 rec, 1243 yds, 12 TD |
|
Keyshawn Johnson, 1998 |
133 rec, 1807 yds, 13 TD |
83 rec, 1131 yds, 10 TD |
|
Chad Ochocinco, 2003 |
97 rec, 1495 yds, 6 TD |
90 rec, 1355 yds, 10 TD |
|
Javon Walker, 2004 |
64 rec, 1035 yds, 10 TD |
89 rec, 1382 yds, 12 TD |
|
Antonio Gates, 2005 |
105 rec, 1353 yds, 15 TD |
89 yds, 1101 yds, 15 TD |
|
Braylon Edwards, 2007 |
93 rec, 1396 yds, 9 TD |
80 rec, 1289 yds, 16 TD |
|
Steve Johnson, 2010 |
12 rec, 112 yds, 2 TD |
82 rec, 1073 yds, 10 TD |
Johnson multiplied his career receptions nearly eight-fold, career yardage more than ten-fold, so the regression to the mean theory applies to the 2011 season.
In addition, only Freeman (1998) replicated a 80-1000-10 season in his career, although Winslow, Johnson, Ochocinco and Gates came close several times.
It's a good group to be part of, for sure, but Johnson really sticks out like a sore thumb. Fantasy football players and Bills fans, beware.
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