2012 DETROIT LIONS HISTORY BOOK
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE LIONS Detroit welcomed <strong>the</strong> Lions in 1934, but it was not <strong>the</strong> area’s fi r<strong>st</strong> look at professional football. In 1920, <strong>the</strong> Detroit Heralds were a charter member of <strong>the</strong> American Professional Football Association, which was <strong>the</strong> original name of <strong>the</strong> present NFL, but <strong>the</strong> club folded a er two years. The Detroit Pan<strong>the</strong>rs appeared in 1925, but also folded a er two <strong>season</strong>s. In 1928, <strong>the</strong> Detroit Wolverines were formed, but <strong>the</strong>y failed a er ju<strong>st</strong> one year. In 1930, <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>n-10-year-old National Football League added a franchise from Portsmouth, Ohio, called <strong>the</strong> Spartans. A er four <strong>season</strong>s, <strong>the</strong> team was purchased for $7,952.08 by a gro<strong>up</strong> headed by Detroit radio executive George A. Richards and moved to <strong>the</strong> Motor City. Playing in <strong>the</strong> University of Detroit Stadium before crowds that averaged 16,000, <strong>the</strong> new Detroit Lions won <strong>the</strong> NFL Championship in only <strong>the</strong>ir second year (1935). Under <strong>the</strong> leadership of Coach “Potsy” Clark and <strong>st</strong>ars like Hall of Famer “Dutch” Clark, Ernie Caddel, George Chri<strong>st</strong>ensen, “Ace” Gutowsky, Glenn Presnell and “Ox” Emerson, <strong>the</strong> early Lions e<strong>st</strong>ablished pro football in Detroit. In 1940, Chicagoan Fred Mandel bought <strong>the</strong> club. Lions’ <strong>st</strong>ars of that era included Hall of Famers Bill Dudley and Alex Wojciechowicz, John Green, Byron “Whizzer” White, Frank Sinkwich and “Camp” Wilson. The team was sold eight years later to a gro<strong>up</strong> of local businessmen under <strong>the</strong> leadership of Edwin J. Anderson. The Detroit syndicate controlled <strong>the</strong> club until 1964, when William Clay Ford became <strong>the</strong> sole owner for a price of $4.5 million. The Lions dominated <strong>the</strong> NFL in <strong>the</strong> 1950s with four division titles and three league championships. Under <strong>the</strong> direction of head coach Buddy Parker, <strong>the</strong> team won back-to-back world crowns in 1952-53, defeating Cleveland on both occasions. Stars of those powerful teams were Hall of Famers Bobby Layne, Jack Chri<strong>st</strong>iansen, Doak Walker and Lou Creekmur, as well as Les Bingaman, Cloyce Box, Leon Hart and Bob Hoernschemeyer. The Detroit-Cleveland battles of <strong>the</strong> era were classic con<strong>front</strong>ations between two giants of <strong>the</strong> blossoming NFL. Since <strong>the</strong>ir la<strong>st</strong> title in 1957 under <strong>the</strong> coaching of George Wilson, <strong>the</strong> Lions have continued searching for <strong>the</strong> league’s top spot. Such performers as Joe Schmidt, Yale Lary, Dick “Night Train” Lane, John Henry Johnson and Lem Barney have been elected to <strong>the</strong> Hall of Fame. Out<strong>st</strong>anding players such as Wayne Walker, Mike Lucci, Nick Pietrosante, Roger Brown, Terry Barr, Mel Farr, Charlie Sanders, Dexter Bussey, Billy Sims and Doug English have also taken <strong>the</strong>ir places in <strong>the</strong> annals of pro football in Detroit. In 1967, Schmidt began <strong>the</strong> fi r<strong>st</strong> of six <strong>season</strong>s as head coach of <strong>the</strong> Lions. His 1970 team made <strong>the</strong> playoff s, (fi r<strong>st</strong> po<strong>st</strong><strong>season</strong> trip since ’57) but lo<strong>st</strong> in <strong>the</strong> fi r<strong>st</strong> round to Dallas by <strong>the</strong> baseball-like score of 5-0. Prior to <strong>the</strong> 1975 <strong>season</strong>, <strong>the</strong> Lions moved into a new, domed <strong>st</strong>adium in Pontiac, Mich., a suburb located 30 miles north of Detroit. The Silverdome was, at one time, <strong>the</strong> world’s large<strong>st</strong> air-s<strong>up</strong>ported domed <strong>st</strong>ructure and seated over 80,000 spectators under a fi berglass roof. Monte Clark took control of all football operations as head coach in 1978. Under Clark’s direction, <strong>the</strong> Lions narrowly missed playoff berths in 1980-81, before qualifying in 1982 — <strong>the</strong> Lions’ fi r<strong>st</strong> playoff appearance since 1970. Detroit captured <strong>the</strong> NFC Central Division crown in 1983, but <strong>st</strong>umbled in <strong>the</strong> fi r<strong>st</strong> round of <strong>the</strong> playoff s with a 24-23 loss at San Francisco. Darryl Rogers took over for Clark in 1985 but was replaced on an interim basis by his defensive coordinator Wayne Fontes in November 1988 a er Rogers’ teams had po<strong>st</strong>ed a combined 18-40 record. Fontes was offi cially named <strong>the</strong> franchise’s 18th head coach on December 22, 1988. The Lions “Re<strong>st</strong>ored <strong>the</strong> Roar” in 1991, winning a franchise-record 12 regular <strong>season</strong> games. Riding a tide of emotion a er guard Mike Utley’s paralyzing neck injury, Detroit defeated Dallas, 38-6, in <strong>the</strong> Lions’ fi r<strong>st</strong> Silverdome playoff conte<strong>st</strong>. The victory gave <strong>the</strong> Lions a berth in <strong>the</strong> NFC Championship Game, where Detroit fell to <strong>the</strong> eventual S<strong>up</strong>er Bowl Champion Washington Redskins. The Lions fi nished 10-6 in 1993 en route to capturing <strong>the</strong> NFC Central Division title, and earned a Wild Card playoff bid in 1994. The 1995 Lions featured <strong>the</strong> NFL’s top-rated off ense and won <strong>the</strong>ir fi nal seven games to earn a third <strong>st</strong>raight playoff berth. Herman Moore set an NFL record with 123 catches, and he and Brett Perriman became <strong>the</strong> fi r<strong>st</strong> teammates to each total over 100 catches in <strong>the</strong> same <strong>season</strong>. The receiver tandem also set <strong>the</strong> NFL record for mo<strong>st</strong> receiving yards in a <strong>season</strong>. Quarterback Scott Mitchell set team passing records for yards (4,338), completions (346) and touchdowns (32). In 1996, running back Barry Sanders captured his third NFL rushing title with a dramatic 175-yard outbur<strong>st</strong> on <strong>the</strong> fi nal Monday night of <strong>the</strong> <strong>season</strong> in San Francisco. The Lions, however, fi nished a disappointing 5-11 HISTORY BOOK Detroit<<strong>st</strong>rong>lions</<strong>st</strong>rong>.com Media.Detroit<<strong>st</strong>rong>lions</<strong>st</strong>rong>.com in ’96 and following <strong>the</strong> <strong>season</strong>, Fontes was replaced as head coach by former San Diego Chargers’ head coach, Bobby Ross. Fontes, who was <strong>the</strong> head coach for more than eight full <strong>season</strong>s, fi nished his career as <strong>the</strong> team’s all-time leader among head coaches in both wins (67) and games coached (138). Ross was named <strong>the</strong> 19th head coach in team hi<strong>st</strong>ory January 13, 1997, and led <strong>the</strong> club back to <strong>the</strong> playoff s in his inaugural year at <strong>the</strong> helm with a 9-7 record. That <strong>season</strong>, Sanders, who was inducted into <strong>the</strong> Hall of Fame in Augu<strong>st</strong> 2004, continued his <strong>st</strong>orybook career by becoming only <strong>the</strong> third player in league hi<strong>st</strong>ory to record 2,000 yards rushing in a single-<strong>season</strong> (2,053) and he reeled off an NFL record 14 consecutive 100-yard outings to fi nish <strong>the</strong> <strong>season</strong>. The Lions closed out <strong>the</strong> 1990s reaching <strong>the</strong> playoff s for <strong>the</strong> sixth time in <strong>the</strong> 10-year span, which is a franchise record for playoff appearances during a decade. Detroit’s playoff berth in 1999 marked <strong>the</strong> second time in Ross’ fi r<strong>st</strong> three years as head coach that he led <strong>the</strong> Lions into <strong>the</strong> po<strong>st</strong><strong>season</strong>. The la<strong>st</strong> Lions’ head coach to accomplish that feat was Buddy Parker in 1952-53 during his second and third <strong>season</strong>s at <strong>the</strong> helm. A er playing nine games into <strong>the</strong> 2000 <strong>season</strong> and compiling a 5-4 record, Ross abr<strong>up</strong>tly resigned as head coach November 6 and was immediately replaced by Gary Moeller. Moeller guided <strong>the</strong> team to a 4-3 record over <strong>the</strong> la<strong>st</strong> seven games, but narrowly missed <strong>the</strong> playoff s with a loss to <strong>the</strong> Chicago Bears in <strong>the</strong> <strong>season</strong> finale. Following <strong>the</strong> <strong>season</strong>, William Clay Ford named Matt Millen president and CEO, and he assumed control over team operations. On January 25, 2001 Gary Moeller was replaced as head coach by former San Francisco 49ers off ensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg. On April 1, 2002, Detroit relocated <strong>the</strong> team’s day-to-day operations into <strong>the</strong> new $36 million Headquarters and Training Facility in Allen Park. The new complex features outdoor and indoor practice fi elds, spacious training and meeting rooms and even <strong>the</strong> team’s own broadca<strong>st</strong> <strong>st</strong>udio. A new era in Lions’ hi<strong>st</strong>ory dawned as Ford Field, <strong>the</strong> team’s $500 million downtown Detroit <strong>st</strong>adium, opened its doors in Augu<strong>st</strong> 2002. The 65,000-seat <strong>st</strong>adium sparkled as its retro and innovative features gli<strong>st</strong>ened in <strong>the</strong> national spotlight as <strong>the</strong> premiere sports and entertainment complex. The Lions played <strong>the</strong> fi r<strong>st</strong> game at Ford Field Augu<strong>st</strong> 24, 2002 in a pre<strong>season</strong> tilt again<strong>st</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pittsburgh Steelers. The inaugural regular <strong>season</strong> game was played between <strong>the</strong> Lions and <strong>the</strong> Green Bay Packers September 22, 2002. In January 2003, Mornhinweg was fi red a er two <strong>season</strong>s and former San Francisco 49ers Head Coach Steve Mariucci was tabbed <strong>the</strong> new Lions’ head coach February 4. For <strong>the</strong> fi r<strong>st</strong> time since <strong>the</strong> Lions placed <strong>the</strong> Leaping Lion logo on <strong>the</strong> players’ helmets in 1961, Detroit announced a major addition to <strong>the</strong> team’s uniform on April 23, 2003. The Lions’ classic uniform was enhanced with black trim on <strong>the</strong> logo, jerseys and pants, along with black shoes and black facemasks. In April 2005, <strong>the</strong> team introduced an alternate black jersey that would be worn through 2007. On November 28, 2005, Steve Mariucci was relieved of his duties as head coach and defensive coordinator Dick Jauron was named interim head coach for <strong>the</strong> remaining fi ve games. In 2006, <strong>the</strong> Lions hired Rod Marinelli as <strong>the</strong> team’s 24th head coach, a position he would hold through 2008. In 2008, <strong>the</strong> Lions commemorated <strong>the</strong> franchise’s 75th <strong>season</strong> in Detroit. Ju<strong>st</strong> a handful of NFL teams have been around as long as <strong>the</strong> Lions, a franchise that spans several generations of fans over <strong>the</strong> years. Detroit has called three diff erent <strong>st</strong>adiums home with nearly 1,400 players seeing action on a given gameday and numerous coaches <strong>st</strong>rolling <strong>the</strong> sideline. That hi<strong>st</strong>ory is rich with great players who have donned <strong>the</strong> uniform -- <strong>the</strong> Lions are one of only nine teams to have at lea<strong>st</strong> 18 Pro Football Hall of Fame players don <strong>the</strong>ir respective uniforms -- and with traditions like <strong>the</strong> “Honolulu Blue and Silver”, <strong>the</strong> leaping Lion logo, <strong>the</strong> “Roaring 20’s” and <strong>the</strong> team’s annual Thanksgiving Tradition. With 78 years now in <strong>the</strong> rear-view mirror, Detroit is surging ahead in a new era of Lions football. In 2009, for <strong>the</strong> fi r<strong>st</strong> time in team hi<strong>st</strong>ory, <strong>the</strong> team entered <strong>the</strong> <strong>season</strong> with a new president, Tom Lewand, a new general manager, Martin Mayhew, and a new head coach, Jim Schwartz, hired January 16, 2009. Toge<strong>the</strong>r, <strong>the</strong>y have been <strong>the</strong> driving force for <strong>the</strong> team’s success on and off <strong>the</strong> fi eld. In that same year, <strong>the</strong> Lions introduced a new logo and new
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DETROIT LIONS VS. ST. LOUIS RAMS Th
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MEDIA INFORMATION Detroitli
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2012 DETROIT LIONS ALPHABETICAL ROS
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2012 DETROIT LIONS POSITIONBYPOSITI
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JANUARY 2012 January 1: .......Deac
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2012 DETROIT LIONS 2011 SEASON IN R
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2011 PLAYOFF STATISTICS Won 0, Lost
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SEASON IN REVIEW Detroitlio
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SEASON IN REVIEW Detroitlio
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AT TB 9/11 TE LT LG C RG RT TE WR Q
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GAME #3 LIONS 26, VIKINGS 23 OT MAL
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GAME #7 FALCONS 23, LIONS 16 FORD F
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GAME #11 PACKERS 27, LIONS 15 FORD
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GAME #15 LIONS 38, CHARGERS 10 FORD
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2012 DETROIT LIONS EXECUTIVES AND C
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Lions to win a Super Bowl. Mr. Ford
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In 2009, the team introduced compre
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strengthening each position unit fr
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A key to Schwartz’s defensive app
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SCOTT LINEHAN OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR
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DANNY CROSSMAN SPECIAL TEAMS COORDI
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BURKE’S BACKGROUND Detroit Lions
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of the NCAA Division II playoff s.
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KYLE VALERO Off ensive Quality Cont
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JAMES HARRIS Senior Personnel Execu
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CARY CONKLIN Regional Scout Years w
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DEAN KLEINSCHMIDT Coordinator of At
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2012 Detroit Lions Player Profiles
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Jeff BaCkus Tackle Michigan 12th Ye
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JoiQue BeLL Runningback Wayne State
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JahviD Best Running Back California
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nate BurLeson Wide Receiver Nevada
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erik CoLeman Safety Washington Stat
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Justin Durant Linebacker Hampton 6t
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Drayton fLorenCe Cornerback Tuskege
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DyLan GanDy Center Texas Tech 7th Y
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Jonte Green Cornerback New Mexico S
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Jason hanson Kicker Washington Stat
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wiLL heLLer Tight End Georgia Tech
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shaun hiLL Quarterback Maryland 11t
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DouG hoGue Linebacker Syracuse 2nd
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LawrenCe JaCkson Defensive End USC
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in four games that month. ¾ since
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JaCoB LaCey Cornerback Oklahoma Sta
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DeanDre Levy Linebacker Wisconsin 4
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travis Lewis Linebacker Oklahoma Ro
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keLLen moore Quarterback Boise Stat
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BiLL naGy Guard Wisconsin 2nd Year
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ashLee PaLmer Linebacker Mississipp
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PLayer ProfiLes Detroitlion
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iLey reiff Tackle Iowa Rookie Ht: 6
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oB sims Guard Ohio State 7th Year H
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amari sPievey Safety Iowa 3rd Year
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throwing at least three touchdowns.
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nDamukonG suh Defensive Tackle Nebr
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stePhen tuLLoCh Linebacker N.C. Sta
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John wenDLinG Safety Wyoming 6th Ye
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Corey wiLLiams Defensive Tackle Ark
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titus younG Wide Receiver Boise Sta
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oDney austin Guard Elon Ht: 6-4 Bor
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2012 DETROIT LIONS LIONS HONORS
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NFL PEPSI ROOKIE OF THE WEEK 2003 B
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1955 Howard Cassady Ohio State 1969
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RB Barry Sanders 1996 WR Herman Moo
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RUSHING RECORDS Detroit Lions recor
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Passing Rating, Season (League qual
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6 Vern Huff man 97t Brk 10/17/37 7
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Quarterback Sacks, Season Rk Player
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Passing Completions Rk Opp Cmp 1t a
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TEAM RECORDS Rushing Attempts Rk Te
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POSTSEASON SINGLEGAME RECORDS Rushi
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5 6 Iheanyi Uwaezuoke Glyn Milburn
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1946 Dave Ryan 154 73 47.4 965 6.27
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1973 Levi Johnson DB 5 82 0 1974 Le
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12/22/91 at Buf Barry Sanders 108 2
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34t Howard Cassady 34t Altie Taylor
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FIVE+ SACKS Lions ................W
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COACHING & SERIES RECORDS Detroit<s
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BEARS 2012 SCHEDULE Sep. 9 Indianap
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VIKINGS 2012 SCHEDULE Sep. 9 Jackso
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PHILADELPHIA EAGLES EAGLES 2012 SCH
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NEW ORLEANS SAINTS SAINTS 2012 SCHE
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RAMS 2012 SCHEDULE Sep. 9 at Detroi
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BUFFALO BILLS BILLS 2012 SCHEDULE S
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BALTIMORE RAVENS RAVENS 2012 SCHEDU
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HOUSTON TEXANS TEXANS 2012 SCHEDULE
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DENVER BRONCOS BRONCOS 2012 SCHEDUL
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2012 DETROIT LIONS YEARBYYEAR RESUL
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1979 220 CINCINNATI L 28-40 at Buff
- Page 196 and 197: 1940 Record: 5-5-1, 3rd NFL Western
- Page 198 and 199: 1952 Record: 9-3-0, 1st NFL Western
- Page 200 and 201: 1958 Record: 4-7-1, 5th NFL Western
- Page 202 and 203: 1964 Record: 7-5-2, 4th NFL Western
- Page 204 and 205: 1970 Record: 10-4, 2nd NFC Central
- Page 206 and 207: 1972 Record: 8-5-1, 2nd NFC Central
- Page 208 and 209: 1974 Record: 7-7, 2nd NFC Central D
- Page 210 and 211: 1976 Record: 6-8, 3rd NFC Central D
- Page 212 and 213: 1978 Record: 7-9, 3rd NFC Central D
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- Page 216 and 217: 1982 Record: 4-5, 4th NFC Central D
- Page 218 and 219: 1984 Record: 4-11-1, 4th NFC Centra
- Page 220 and 221: 1986 Record: 5-11, 3rd NFC Central
- Page 222 and 223: 1988 Record: 4-12, 4th NFC Central
- Page 224 and 225: 1990 Record: 6-10, 3rd NFC Central
- Page 226 and 227: 1992 Record: 5-11, 5th NFC Central
- Page 228 and 229: 1994 Record: 9-7, 3rd NFC Central D
- Page 230 and 231: 1996 Record: 5-11, 5th NFC Central
- Page 232 and 233: 1998 Record: 5-11, 4th NFC Central
- Page 234 and 235: 2000 Record: 9-7, 4th NFC Central D
- Page 236 and 237: 2002 Record: 3-13, 4th NFC North Da
- Page 238 and 239: 2004 Record: 6-10, 3rd NFC North Da
- Page 240 and 241: 2006 Record: 3-13, 4th NFC North Da
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- Page 262 and 263: 5 141 Scott, Jonathan T Texas 6 179
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- Page 266 and 267: Cason, Aveion RB Illinois State 200
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- Page 272 and 273: Walters, Rod G Iowa 1979 Walters, T
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