Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

Can you name the first 3 players to have over 1000 receiving yards in each of their first two seasons?

Bill Groman
Lionel Taylor
Bob Hayes?

Shofner and Powell came close

JameisSaintston wrote: ↑Fri Sep 15, 2023 12:38 pm Bill Groman
Lionel Taylor
Bob Hayes?

Shofner and Powell came close

Bill Groman - before my time but from what I've read about him he could've easily been regarded as one of the all time greats if not for that knee injury. . .

At first I thought Tom Fears but he didnt have 1000 yards his first year, though he was the first with multiple seasons.

I am a big fan of Tommy McDonald, who was fearless over the middle and scored alot of TDs but Del Shofner should have been elected to the HOF first. Not only the first to have 1000 yard seasons with different teams but the first to have three and four seasons of over 1000 yards. Art Powell was the first to have five seasons and Lance Alworth was the first to six and seven seasons with over 1000 yards.

Steve Largent was the first to eight seasons in 1986. 17 years after Alworth got his seventh.

Since we're not really responding to the question anymore, I'll throw out that Bobby Mitchell is very underrated from this era imo. I think he made HOF from the senior committee? But he was very dynamic and versatile, peaked the highest of any NFL receiver of the era, consistently excellent every year using scrimmage stats (he ran a good bit, especially in Cleveland), and I think he retired with the 2nd most career scrimmage yards behind Jim Brown. Seems like he should've been first ballot?!

Also, I forgot Harlon Hill, who doesn't meet the criteria but came close (2 of his first 3) before anyone else mentioned except Fears.

JameisSaintston wrote: ↑Fri Sep 15, 2023 12:38 pm Bill Groman
Lionel Taylor
Bob Hayes?

Shofner and Powell came close

Now don't be sad, 'cause two out of three ain't bad.

It has to be Taylor. In every NFL and AFL season through the end of the 14-game era, only those 3 guys appear to fit the description. It doesn't appear Taylor saw the field in 59 so I don't presume we need to count that.

Bryan wrote: ↑Fri Sep 15, 2023 5:18 pm

JameisSaintston wrote: ↑Fri Sep 15, 2023 12:38 pm Bill Groman
Lionel Taylor
Bob Hayes?

Shofner and Powell came close

Now don't be sad, 'cause two out of three ain't bad.

John Jefferson? He had the start of a Hall of Fame career until he held out and was traded to Green Bay.

Taylor played in 8 games during the 1959 season for the Bears his rookie season. I am stumped, because it wasnt anyone from the AAFC?

JameisSaintston wrote: ↑Fri Sep 15, 2023 6:13 pm It doesn't appear Taylor saw the field in 59

?????