University of North Carolina Athletics
A Look At Tar Heels In The NFL
January 10, 2002 | Football
Jan. 10, 2002
The following is a look at how Carolina's 26 active NFL players fared in the 2001 regular season. Be sure to check back through the playoffs for continued updates.
Ethan Albright
Center/Washington Redskins
After a rough 0-5 start, the Redskins managed to turn their season around and make a run at the playoffs, eventually finishing at 8-8. Running back Stephen Davis led the NFC in rushing yards with 1,432.
Dre Bly
Cornerback/St. Louis Rams
While Bly only played in 12 of the Rams' 16 games, his stats resembled those of an everyday corner. He had 30 tackles on the year, with one forced fumble and recovery, and six picks. Two of the interceptions Bly took back for scores. The Rams were widely regarded as the best team in the NFL all year and go into the playoffs at 14-2 with a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout.
Na Brown
Wide Receiver/Philadelphia Eagles
The sure-handed Brown played in all 16 of the Eagles' games this year, starting twice. Most of Brown's playing time came at the beginning of the season, and he completed the year with seven catches for 95 yards for the year. The Eagles were divisional champs this year and head into the postseason at 11-5.
Alge Crumpler
Tight End/Atlanta Falcons
Crumpler had a very successful rookie season, catching at least one ball in 12 of the Falcons' 16 games. Splitting time with the team's more veteran TE's, he was often the go-to guy for Chris Chandler and Michael Vick. Crumpler tallied 25 receptions for 330 yards and three touchdowns. At 7-9, the Falcons missed the playoffs.
Russell Davis
Defensive Tackle/Arizona Cardinals
Mirroring how this season has gone for the Cardinals, they lost a close one to the Redskins, 20-17, in the final week of the season. Davis had one tackle in the game bringing his final totals to 54 tackles and two sacks - both career-highs for the third-year player. The Cardinals were 7-9.
Kevin Donnalley
Offensive Guard/Carolina Panthers
Never before had an NFL team lost 15 straight games until Carolina achieved the dubious distinction this year. After defeating the Vikings in Week 1, the Panthers went on lose close game after close game the rest of the way. Injuries, a rookie QB and a shaky defense all attributed to the Panthers demise. Because of the team's 1-15 record, head coach George Seifert was fired Monday after three years in Carolina.
Deon Dyer
Fullback/Miami Dolphins
In two years in the pros Dyer has proven himself to be one of the toughest blocking backs in the AFC. Even though the Dolphins didn't put up gaudy rushing stats like last year, it was enough to get the team into the playoffs with an 11-5 record.
Ebenezer Ekuban
Defensive End/Dallas Cowboys
After a successful 2000 season, the Cowboys were looking for big things from the third year defensive end. Ekuban's rise was slowed however after an early season injury kept him out of Dallas' final 15 games. Ekuban finished with two tackles and his team ended up with a 5-11 record.
Greg Ellis
Defensive End/Dallas Cowboys
While Ekuban recovered from his injury, Ellis shined, finishing with a career high in tackles with 61. He also had six sacks and three fumble recoveries. Although the Cowboys were 5-11, they had several encouraging wins late in the season, including one against the 49ers.
Bernardo Harris
Linebacker/Green Bay Packers
Harris had yet another solid season for the 12-4 Pack. Finishing just shy of 100 tackles with 98, he finished with a career high 2.5 sacks, and had one fumble recovery and two interceptions as well. The Packers defense has been one of the NFL's toughest all year, and the team hopes to continue their success heading into the playoffs.
William Henderson
Fullback/Green Bay Packers
Starting in half of the Packers' games this year, Henderson once again proved his worth for the 12-4 playoff bound club. He retuned kickoffs, ran the ball, caught passes, and more importantly to the Pack, made critical blocks enabling Ahman Green to finish second in the NFC in rushing. For the year, Henderson had six carries for 11 yards and 21 catches for 193 yards.
Jimmy Hitchcock
Cornerback/Carolina Panthers
The Panthers' defense was third in the NFL with 33 interceptions. Carolina finished at 1-15 and Hitchcock contributed 53 tackles and three interceptions.
Sedrick Hodge
Linebacker/New Orleans Saints
Hodge's rookie season had some highlights and showed Saints coaches promise for next year. Although New Orleans faded in the second half of the season, missing the playoffs at 7-9, the team has talent to build on for the 2002 season. Hodge played in 11 games this year, starting one, and finished with eight tackles.
Vonnie Holliday
Defensive End/Green Bay Packers
Holliday had several excellent performances this season, helping make Green Bay's defense one of the best in the league. In his fourth NFL season, Holliday had 72 tackles, seven sacks and a fumble recovery. He and the rest of the Packers defense hope to contain the 49ers next week in an opening-round playoff matchup.
Leon Johnson
Running Back/Chicago Bears
Picked up midway through the season, Johnson proved to be an excellent complement for the Bears running attack. On 20 carries, he gained 99 yards and had four touchdowns. In addition, Johnson was the Bears' primary punt return specialist and he shared kickoff return duties as well. The 13-3 Bears continue their remarkable season two weeks from now, as they won their division and have a bye heading into the playoffs.
Freddie Jones
Tight End/San Diego Chargers
Jones, like the Chargers, had an up and down season in 2001. Oft injured, Jones never achieved the consistency that made him one of the NFL's best tight ends last year. Despite this, his numbers were solid, as he posted 35 catches for 388 yards and four scores. As for the Chargers, after starting hot they faltered, and ended the season at 5-11.
Marcus Jones
Defensive End/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jones was a key plug in the Tampa Bay defense throughout the year. He put up stats this year similar to those of his previous seasons, recording 25 tackles and three sacks. The Bucs are one of the hottest teams in the league right now and head to Philadelphia next week to take on the Eagles in a rematch of last year's opening-round playoff game.
Randy Jordan
Fullback/Oakland Raiders
Jordan, used primarily as a blocking back, figured in every Raiders game this season. While his stats were down slightly from previous seasons, he was still an important figure in the overall running scheme. He finished with 59 yards on 13 carries and 63 yards on nine catches. Oakland, however, is struggling into the playoffs. Once considered the cream of the AFC crop, the Raiders have fallen to 10-6 and have shown weaknesses on both sides of the ball.
Eddie Mason
Linebacker/Washington Redskins
Although Mason saw little time early in the season, his minutes and production picked up in the final two weeks, including last Sunday's three-tackle performance against the Cardinals. For the year, Mason finished with 13 tackles and one sack. The Redskins were 8-8 and missed the playoffs.
Mike Morton
Linebacker, Indianapolis Colts
Morton, a seven-year vet, played sparingly this season, only seeing action in 11 of the Colts' games. He finished with three tackles. The Colts were 6-10 and had trouble all season finding consistency on the defensive side of the ball.
Keith Newman
Linebacker/Buffalo Bills
In his third NFL season, Newman has developed into one of the Bills' best defensive players. Posting a career high in tackles with 83, he led the team in that category in several games. Newman also recorded 3.5 sacks and had a forced fumble. Despite his success, the Bills as a team didn't have much to smile about this year. Injuries to Rob Johnson, an inconsistent running attack and a shaky secondary all had a hand in Buffalo's 3-13 season.
Riddick Parker
Defensive Tackle/New England Patriots
Parker saw action in only five games this season for the resurgent Patriots. He had 10 tackles and a sack in those games. The Patriots, led by Tom Brady, surprised everybody this year as they won the AFC East with an 11-5 record and have a first round bye in the playoffs.
Jeff Saturday
Center, Indianapolis Colts
While the Colts were the second highest scoring team in the NFL this year, their defense gave up the most points in the entire league. And, while Peyton Manning threw for over 4,000 yards and 26 touchdowns, he had 23 interceptions as well. Overall, it was a disappointing year for Indy, and although they beat the Broncos in their finale, the Colts wound up 6-10 on the year and out of the playoff picture.
Brian Simmons
Linebacker/Cincinnati Bengals
On a Bengals front seven unit that has received praise throughout the league, Simmons delivered in 2001, starting in all 16 games. In his fourth season, Simmons tallied 84 tackles, 6.5 sacks, an interception, and two fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a touchdown. The Bengals finished 6-10, but they closed strong, and two of their wins were against the Steelers and Patriots -- the AFC's top two teams.
Brandon Spoon
Linebacker/Buffalo Bills
Spoon had one of the better years for any defensive rookie this season. On a team that finished 3-13 and a defense that gave up the third most points in the league, Spoon was one of the few encouraging stories. He finished with 64 tackles and two interceptions. Perhaps more notable, however, is that he returned both of the INT's for touchdowns. With a more stable running and passing game and a more experienced defense, the Bills hope to turn around their team in 2002.
Bracey Walker
Safety/Kansas City Chiefs
Walker saw time in only five games this year and had one tackle. Despite the addition of Priest Holmes, Trent Green and head coach Dick Vermeil, the Chiefs only managed a 6-10 record.
*** Note: Tackle totals for defensive players combine solo tackles and assists.
