Record Setting Rookie WR
Rookie Free Agent Billy Garner Rises Above Drafted Rookies
By "Lyle Anderton"
Playoffs 2132
(South Philadelphia) - The Philadelphia Eagles are very proud of their walk-on wide receiver, Billy Garner, who wow-ed the league in 2132, putting up 959 receiving yards - 5th best rookie performance All-Time (see below) and walking away with the Tim Arkwright Rookie of the Year award - a unanimous choice by the USA SportsWriters Association.
'Garner blew us away in training camp,' says team captain OL Lee Mitchell, 'and we knew he was gonna be a key ingredient in turning this ball club around.'
'Last year we were under .500 at 6-8,' continued Mitchell, 'Garner got us those three extra victories that put us at 9-5 this year. That might not sound like a lot, but its the difference between playing in the post-season and flying home early for Christmas.'
The Eagles nearly had two Rookie of the Year award winners in a row - FB Aaron Redden was second in ROY voting last season.
The top 5 'All-Time most receiving yards gained by a rookie WR' are:
1,319 - Julius Fozo, Houston, 2088
1,298 - Lazar Walker, Cleveland, 2036
1,003 - Bob Phifer, Green Bay, 2021
987 - Brent Nelson, Minnesota, 2023
959 - Billy Garner, Philadelphia, 2132
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