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Ed's Bio
Ed McCaffrey
has established himself among the top receivers in the National Football
League over the past few seasons, and continues to perform at the top of
his game. The consummate professional, McCaffrey earned his first Pro Bowl
berth in 1998, as he posted the best numbers of his career. He then set a
new personal record for receptions in 1999, and then again in 2000,
proving that he may be just hitting his prime. The 10th-year pro, who
signed with Denver as an unrestricted free agent in 1995, continues to be
one of the most stable performers in the league at his position, showing
an unerring ability to make the tough catch in clutch situations.
McCaffrey, one of the best route-runners in the league, has played in 140
games (68 starts) over his nine-year career, catching 370 passes for 4,913
yards (13.3) and 43 touchdowns, while posting 10 100-yard games. His
Broncos numbers tie for eighth in franchise history in receptions (267),
11th in receiving yards (3,691) and seventh in receiving touchdowns (34).
He has also played in 13 postseason games (eight starts) and caught 34
passes for 479 yards (14.1) with a long of 47 and two touchdowns, winning
World Championships with the Broncos (1997 and 1998) and 49ers (1994). His
postseason numbers as a Bronco rank fourth in receptions (28) and fifth in
receiving yards (415). McCaffrey is one of just 31 players in NFL history
to win a Super Bowl with two different teams, and one of only 13 to win
one in each conference. He entered the NFL in 1991 as a third-round draft
choice of the New York Giants (No. 83 overall) out of Stanford.
2000
McCaffrey-named All-Pro by Sports Illustrated-started all 16 games and
posted the best numbers of his 10-year career with a franchise-record 101
receptions for 1,317 yds. (13.0), with a long of 61 and eight touchdowns.
He ranked second in the AFC (3rd NFL) in receptions and fifth (10th NFL)
in receiving yds. His 101 receptions topped the previous mark of 100 by
Lionel Taylor in 1961, and his 1,317 yds. ranked second in team history
behind the record-breaking total of 1,602 by teammate Rod Smith this
season. McCaffrey became the 27th player in NFL history to log 100
receptions in a season, with his franchise record-breaking 101st fittingly
coming on a 25-yd. touchdown pass in the third qtr. of the season finale
vs. S.F. (12/23). With teammate Rod Smith also reaching 100 catches
McCaffrey and Smith became the second tandem in NFL history each catch 100
passes in a season (Detroit's Herman Moore-123 and Brett Perriman-108 did
so in 1995). McCaffrey also tied for third (T5th NFL) in third-down
receptions (27-351-13.0-4); tied for fourth in the AFC (T6th NFL) in
receiving touchdowns; ranked 13th in first downs earned (68) and third in
receiving first downs (4th NFL). In Denver's 31-24 win over Sea. (12/10)
McCaffrey logged his career-best fifth 100-yd. receiving game of the
season-and his 14th as a Bronco, tied with Shannon Sharpe for fourth most
in franchise histsory-with eight catches for 112 yds. (14.0). It was a big
day for McCaffrey whose 5-yd. touchdown reception from Gus Frerotte was
his 42nd as a Bronco, moving him into sole possession of fourth place on
the club's all-time list, ahead of Riley Odoms. He also passed Steve
Watson (353) for fifth place on the club's all-time receptions list (now
368) and Mark Jackson (4,746) for eighth place in receiving yds. (now
5,008). McCaffrey tied his career-high for the third time this season with
10 receptions for a career-high 148 yds. (14.8) vs. S.D. (11/19), and
caught two touchdown passes-the latter the game-winner with 1:33
remaining. On the day McCaffrey eclipsed his previous single-season high
of 71 receptions (1999), and with two TDs moved into a tie with Riley
Odoms (41) for most scoring receptions in franchise history. McCaffrey
capped a five-game hot streak at the Jets (11/5) with a game-high (tie)
six receptions for 96 yds. (16.0) and two touchdowns, including a long of
47. His 47-yd. touchdown reception in the 4th qtr. proved to be the
game-winner, as it gave Denver a 30-20 lead in an eventual 30-23 win. In
the Jets game he passed Rick Upchurch (4,369 yds.) for ninth place on
Denver's all-time receiving yards list. McCaffrey eclipsed the 100-yd.
receiving mark for the second straight game at Cin. (10/22) with a
then-career-high 136 yds. on 10 catches, tying his career high. It was his
third 100-yd. game of the season and 13th of his career. He has 12 as a
Bronco, fifth most in franchise history. It marked the second straight
week both McCaffrey and Rod Smith and topped the 100-yard receiving mark,
just the second time in franchise history that feat has occurred, and the
first since 1962. The previous week vs. Cleve. (10/15) McCaffrey caught
five passes for 129 yds. (25.8) with a long of 61 yds. In the contest he
moved past Al Denson (4,150 yds.) for 10th place on Denver's all-time
receiving yards list. In Denver's 21-7 Week 6 win at S.D. (10/8) McCaffrey
posted a new career-high 10 receptions for 71 yds. (7.1) and two
touchdowns, moving him ahead of teammate Rod Smith (now seventh with 349)
and Haven Moses (302) for sixth place on the Broncos' all-time receptions
list. A week earlier vs. N.E. (10/8) McCaffrey had tied his previous
career high with nine receptions for 91 yds. (10.1). He had seven
receptions at Oak. (9/17) for 92 yds. and his first touchdown, which came
on a 10-yd. pass from Brian Griese. McCaffrey was slowed by a groin injury
vs. Atlanta (9/10), but still managed one catch for 5 yds. In the opener
at St. Louis he hauled in a game-high seven passes for a season-best 115
yds. (16.4). His night included a long of 35, en route to his 11th career
100-yd. game. McCaffrey ranks fifth in club history in career receptions
(368), eighth in receiving yards (5,008) and fourth in receiving
touchdowns (43). Preseason: McCaffrey started all four games and caught
five passes for 117 yards (23.4) with a long of 61.
1999 McCaffrey
started 15 games and ranked second on the team with a career-high 71
receptions for 1,018 yds. (14.3) and seven touchdowns with a long of 78
(TD). He tied for seventh in the AFC in receiving touchdowns, while
ranking eighth in the AFC in receptions and 10th in receiving yards. With
1,018 receiving yards in 1999 McCaffrey became the sixth player in
franchise history to post back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, and together
with Rod Smith (1,020) made it two straight years with two receivers
topping 1,000, and the fourth time overall in franchise history. McCaffrey
was declared inactive (Fri.) for the Week 9 game at San Diego (11/7)
because of a deep knee bruise. He led all receivers in the opener vs.
Miami (9/13) with 105 yds., and matched his career high with three
touchdowns. The first came on his then-longest career reception (61 yds.)
in the 1st qtr., followed by 11- and 4-yd. scoring catches in the 3rd and
4th qtrs., respectively, all from Brian Griese. It was McCaffrey's seventh
career 100-yd. game. He added his fourth TD of the season at Tampa Bay
(9/26) with a 12-yd. scoring reception from Griese. McCaffrey caught five
passes for a game-high 88 yds. at Oakland to help Denver notch its first
win of the season. He came up big again the next week vs. Green Bay
(10/17) with his eighth career 100-yd. game, hauling in five passes for
116 yds. (23.2) and two touchdowns from Griese. His second score came on a
78-yd. reception - the longest of his career - and featured an outstanding
show of strength and determination on McCaffrey's part, fighting off
Packers safety Darren Sharper with an imposing stiff-arm to free himself
for the final 15 yds. to the end zone. McCaffrey combined with Byron
Chamberlain (123 rec. yds.) and Olandis Gary (124 rush. yds.) vs. Green
Bay to give Denver two 100-yd. receivers and a 100-yd. rusher in the same
game for the first time in franchise history. He was the game's leading
receiver again at New England (10/24) in Week 7, notching his ninth career
100-yd. performance with 5 catches for 111 yds. His final catch left him
with a mild concussion, as he landed partially on his head and neck after
being upended while leaping to make the grab. A week later vs. Minnesota
(10/31) McCaffrey caught two passes for 18 yds. (9.0) despite missing
about one-third of the game because of a blow to the head in the first
half and a deep bone bruise in his left knee in the second. McCaffrey
posted his 10th career 100-yard game at Seattle (11/14), catching six
passes for a game-high 125 yds. (20.8) and one touchdown, with a long of
42. His touchdown came on a 23-yd. pass from Chris Miller in the 3rd qtr.
to tie the game at 10-10. McCaffrey led all receivers with 82 yards on
seven receptions vs. Oakland (11/22), and was the game's high receiver
with seven catches at Detroit (12/25), for 65 yds. He was exemplary in the
community as well, being named the Denver Broncos nominee for the
prestigious NFL Man of the Year Award.
1998 McCaffrey -
selected to start in the Pro Bowl for the first time in his eight-year
career and named second-team All-NFL by the Associated Press and All-AFC
by Football News - started at wide receiver in 15 of the 16 games and
enjoyed the finest statistical season of his career in all four receiving
categories with 1,053 yds. on 64 receptions for an average of 16.5, with
10 touchdowns. He enjoyed an exemplary year off the field, as well, being
named the "Sprint Broncos Man of the Year" for 1998. McCaffrey tied for
the AFC lead in receiving TDs (T6th NFL), tied for sixth (T13th NFL) in
total TDs, ranked sixth in the AFC (14th NFL) in receiving yards and tied
for 15th in receptions, while his yards-per-catch avg. of 16.5 ranked
sixth in the AFC (11th NFL). He posted a reception of 32 yds. or longer in
9 of the 15 games he played in '98 (32, 33, 37, 38, 41, 41t, 44, 48, 48),
finished the year having scored 13 TDs in his last 18 regular season
games, dating back to the 1997 season. He turned in an outstanding '98
debut vs. New England (9/7), leading all receivers with seven catches for
97 yards (13.9), while also recovering a Patriots onside kick attempt in
the final two minutes. His longest reception (44 yds.) came on the first
play of the game and tied for the longest of his career. He followed that
with a then-career-high 117 yards on five receptions vs. Dallas (9/13),
including a 38-yard reception from backup QB Bubby Brister in the fourth
quarter. His first two touchdowns of the season came in Week Three at
Oakland (9/20), on a 1-yd. reception from John Elway and a 13-yd. grab
from Brister, followed by a 19-yd. TD reception from Brister the next week
at Washington (9/27). In Week 5 vs. Philadelphia (10/4) McCaffrey caught
two passes for 60 yds., including a career-best 48-yarder from Brister on
the first play from scrimmage, and his fourth touchdown of the year on a
12-yd. reception in the second quarter. He led all Denver receivers in
yardage vs. Jacksonville (10/25) with 92 on three receptions, including a
41-yd. TD from Elway on the first play of the 2nd qtr., his fifth TD of
the year. McCaffrey posted a new career high with 133 receiving yds. at
Cincinnati (11/1) on seven receptions (19.0), including his sixth TD of
the season. The score came on a 25-yd. pass from Elway in the 4th qtr. of
a 33-26 come-from-behind win. He matched that career high, as well as his
career-high for receptions, with a 9-133 performance vs. San Diego (11/8),
which included a 7-yd. touchdown reception from Brister, his seventh of
the year. It came early in the 3rd qtr. and gave Denver a 20-0 lead.
McCaffrey posted back-to-back 100-yd. games for the first time in his
career during the 1998 season (7-133 at Cin., 11/1 and 9-33 vs. S.D.,
11/8), and recorded four of his six career 100-yd. games in 1998.
Additionally, it marked just the sixth time in Broncos history that a
player has posted receiving totals of 130 yds. or more in back-to-back
games. McCaffrey caught one pass for 19 yds. at Kansas City (11/16) before
leaving the game in the 1st qtr. with a hamstring strain. That injury also
forced him to miss his first start of the season a week later vs. Oakland
(11/22), as he was declared inactive the day of the game. McCaffrey
bounced back a week later at San Diego (11/29), returning to the starting
lineup and catching 5 passes for 74 yds. (14.8) and 2 TDs, both coming in
the 1st qtr. on passes of 15 and 37 yds. from John Elway. The two scores
gave him a career-high 9 for the season, and the five receptions allowed
him to match his career high of 49. McCaffrey extended his career-high TD
total to 10 vs. Kansas City (12/6), part of a 6-catch, 103-yd. performance
that saw him break his previous single-season best of 49 catches,
finishing the day at 55. It was McCaffrey's fourth 100-yd. game of the
year, and the sixth of his career, and included a 48-yd. reception from
Elway, tying the longest of McCaffrey's career. McCaffrey joined Rod Smith
(165 yds.) to give Denver two 100-yd. receivers in the same game for the
first time since Nov. 20, 1994 vs. Atlanta (Cedric Tillman-175, Anthony
Miller-102). McCaffrey went over the 1,000-yd. receiving mark for the
season with his 42 yds. at Miami (12/21), joining Rod Smith (1,222) to
give Denver two 1,000-yd. receivers in the same season for the just the
third time in franchise history (1994 and '97). McCaffrey suffered a
tendon tear in his left ring finger in practice Aug. 11, and missed one
preseason game (vs. New Orleans, 8/14). McCaffrey started at wide receiver
in all three postseason games and caught 11 passes for 190 yds. (17.3)
with a long of 47, the longest postseason reception of his career (vs. the
Jets, 1/17/99). In the AFC Divisional Playoff Game vs. Miami (1/9) he
caught three passes for 52 yds. (17.3), and followed that up with three
more catches for a team-high 66 yds. (22.0) in the AFC Championship Game
vs. the Jets (1/17). He was superb again in Super Bowl XXXIII vs. Atlanta
(1/31), catching five passes for 72 yds. with a long of 25, all in the
second half.
1997 McCaffrey
started 15 of the 16 games at wide receiver and ranked fourth on the team
in receptions, with 45 for 590 yards (13.1), a long of 35 yards and a
career-best eight touchdowns, tied for fifth-most receiving touchdowns in
the AFC. McCaffrey missed his only game of the season in Week 15 at
Pittsburgh (12/7) when he was declared inactive because of a strained
hamstring. His first big performance of the 1997 season came at Seattle
(9/7) in Week Two when he was matched up with rookie CB Shawn Springs and
produced one of the biggest days of his career, catching eight passes for
93 yards and two touchdowns in Denver's 35-14 victory. Against St. Louis
the next week (9/14) he had just one reception, but it was a 23-yard
touchdown in the third quarter that put Denver ahead 35-7, en route to a
35-14 victory. The following week he caught his third touchdown of the
season, a 32-yarder against Cincinnati (9/21) in Denver's 38-20 victory.
He finished the day with four receptions for 62 yards. At Oakland (10/19)
McCaffrey had three receptions for 61 yards and a 28-yard touchdown that
brought Denver to within 28-25 in the fourth quarter, the score by which
Denver would drop its first game of the season. In Denver's next matchup
with the Raiders (11/24) he had four catches for 51 yards, including a
diving 35-yard reception that set up Denver's first touchdown of the game
en route to a 31-3 win on Monday Night Football. The next Sunday at San
Diego, McCaffrey caught seven passes for a career-high 111 receiving yards
(the second 100-yard game of his career) in Denver's 38-28 win. In that
game he caught two touchdown passes (4 and 21 yards) to raise his total to
seven, ending a five-game scoring drought since catching his fifth in the
fourth quarter at Oakland (10/19). He closed the regular season with a
four-catch, 32-yard performance that included his eighth touchdown of the
year to set a new personal high. The touchdown came on a 1-yard reception
from John Elway in the second quarter to put Denver ahead 21-3, en route
to a 38-3 victory. In the postseason McCaffrey started at wide receiver in
all four games and tied for the team lead in receptions (12) with Shannon
Sharpe, covering 171 yards (14.3) with one touchdown, as he joined a list
of just 30 players in NFL history to win a Super Bowl with more than one
team (San Francisco, SB XXIX). In the Wild Card Game against Jacksonville
(12/27) he caught two passes for 35 yards, including a 25-yarder on the
Broncos' first possession on third-and-15 that kept the drive alive and
set up their first score of the day. In Denver's 14-10 AFC Divisional
Playoff win at Kansas City (1/4/98), McCaffrey caught three passes for 56
yards, including a 43-yarder on third-and-five early in the fourth quarter
that set up Terrell Davis' game-winning touchdown with 12:32 remaining. In
the AFC Championship Game at Pittsburgh (1/11) he caught five passes for
37 yards, including a one-yard score right before the half to give Denver
a 24-14 advantage. The Broncos held on to win 24-21 and advanced to their
first Super Bowl in eight years. In Super Bowl XXXII against Green Bay,
McCaffrey caught two passes for a team-high 45 yards, including a
36-yarder in the third quarter on Denver's 13-play, 92-yard drive (the
longest of the game) that put them ahead 24-17. He also threw a crushing
block on Packers' linebacker Brian Williams to free Howard Griffith for
the bulk of his yardage on a 23-yard pass play from Elway that set up
Denver's game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
1996 McCaffrey
started 15 of the 16 regular season games at wide receiver opposite
Anthony Miller and posted the second-best totals of his career with 48
receptions for 553 yards (11.5) and a long of 39 yards with a career-high
seven touchdowns. He missed the Chicago game (11/10) when he was declared
inactive because of a lower-back bruise. McCaffrey established a career
high and tied a Broncos franchise record with three touchdown receptions
against Baltimore (10/20). Easily his most dramatic touchdown catch of the
year came at Minnesota (11/24) when he hauled in a five-yard John Elway
pass that was tipped in the air three times by Vikings players, catching
it at the one-yard line and diving backwards into the endzone for the
score with 19 seconds left in the game. His longest reception of the year
was a 39-yard touchdown from Elway in the season-opener against the Jets
(9/1), and his most historic was his catch of Elway's 250th career
touchdown pass in the second quarter vs. Seattle (12/1). McCaffrey
sprained his ankle in practice Sept. 11 but was able to play four days
later against Tampa Bay (9/15). In the season-opener vs. the Jets (9/1),
McCaffrey started at wide receiver and caught a team-high four passes
(tied with Shannon Sharpe) for 61 yards (15.3), including a 39-yard
touchdown to put the Broncos ahead 14-0. In week five at Cincinnati (9/29)
he caught five passes for 80 yards in a true iron-man performance. He was
the victim of several vicious hits, but managed to return to the game each
time, earning high praise from his teammates in the lockerroom after the
Broncos' 14-10 victory. Versus San Diego (10/6) McCaffrey caught five
passes for 58 yards with one touchdown (9 yards) and a long of 31 yards.
His touchdown came with 8:22 remaining in the game, and put Denver ahead
by the eventual final margin of 28-17. Two weeks later vs. Baltimore,
McCaffrey tied a Broncos franchise record with three touchdown receptions,
coming on passes of 4, 6 and 8 yards from Elway. In all he caught seven
passes for 76 yards. His third TD of the day, a 6-yarder with 10:57
remaining, put the Broncos on top 38-34 en route to a 45-34 win. He had
one of his best games of the year at Minnesota (11/24), catching six
passes for a season-high 83 yards and one touchdown. His touchdown
provided the winning points in Denver's 21-17 come-from-behind win, as he
hauled in a thrice tipped five-yard pass from Elway with 19 seconds
remaining in the game, and lunged backwards into the end zone for the
score. It was his sixth touchdown of the year, surpassing his previous
best of five as a New York Giant in 1992. Versus Seattle (12/1) he caught
a team-high five passes for 43 yards with a long of 12 and one touchdown.
His four-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter was the 250th
touchdown pass of Elway's career, ninth-most in NFL history. In Denver's
AFC Divisional Playoff vs. Jacksonville (1/4/97) McCaffrey started his
first playoff game and caught five passes for 54 yards, including a long
of 15 yards for his one touchdown on the day. His score came with 1:50
remaining in the game and pulled Denver to within 30-27.
1995 McCaffrey
played in all 16 games and made four starts (vs. Buffalo 9/3, at San Diego
9/24, at Seattle 10/1 and vs. Kansas City 10/22). He had, at the time, the
second-most productive season of his career, catching 39 passes for 477
yards (12.2), with a long of 35 yards and two touchdowns, and also rushed
once for -1 yard. In his debut as a Bronco vs. Buffalo (9/3), McCaffrey
started in place of the injured Anthony Miller and caught four passes for
52 yards. He hauled in a 35-yarder from John Elway on the Broncos' final
scoring drive to set up Terrell Davis' three-yard, game-sealing touchdown
run. In Week Three vs. Washington (9/17) McCaffrey caught a season-high
five passes for 70 yards (14.0), including a clutch 19-yarder from Elway
during the Broncos' game-winning 80-yard drive. Denver won the game on the
final play 38-31. Against Arizona (11/5), McCaffrey caught one pass, a
23-yarder in the fourth quarter for his first touchdown as a Bronco and
the 10th of his career. Against Jacksonville (12/3), McCaffrey saw action
as the third receiver and made three catches for 48 yards, including a
24-yarder. He also rushed once on a reverse for -1 yard. In the season
finale at Oakland (12/24), McCaffrey - who started in the Broncos'
four-wide receiver set - caught a career-high nine passes for 99 yards and
one touchdown, with a long of 27 yards, to help lift the Broncos to a
31-28 win. McCaffrey's four-yard, one-handed touchdown reception with 5:46
remaining in the game tied the score at 28-28. McCaffrey was acquired by
the Broncos as an unrestricted free agent from San Francisco March 7.
1994 McCaffrey
played in all 16 regular season games for the 49ers and in all three
postseason games. He had 11 catches for 131 yards (12.0 average) and two
touchdowns in the regular season and one reception for five yards in the
playoffs. He also had eight special teams tackles in the regular season.
McCaffrey caught one pass for eight yards, recorded two special teams
tackles and forced a fumble at Detroit (10/9). He had three receptions for
34 yards, including a 34-yard touchdown versus Tampa Bay (10/23), and
recovered an on-side kick late in the fourth quarter of the 49ers 21-14
victory over Dallas (11/13). He caught five passes for 59 yards, including
a one-yard touchdown in the regular season finale at Minnesota (12/26).
His one reception against San Diego in the Super Bowl (1/29/95), a
five-yarder, came in the second quarter. McCaffrey was acquired by the
49ers July 25, 1994 as a free agent after being waived by the Giants July
18.
1993 McCaffrey
played in all 16 regular season games with one start for the New York
Giants, and also played in both New York playoff contests. He finished
fourth on the team with 27 receptions for 335 yards and two touchdowns. He
had touchdown receptions vs. Philadelphia (10/17) and Phoenix (11/28).
McCaffrey's one start came against the Jets (10/31) when he replaced an
injured Mike Sherrard in the lineup. His most productive game of the
season was the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at San Francisco (1/15/94) when
he caught five passes for 59 yards.
1992 McCaffrey
played in all 16 games with three starts and led the Giants in receiving
with career-best numbers of 49 catches for 610 yards. He was also the
team's fourth-leading scorer with five touchdowns. McCaffrey had
back-to-back five-reception outings to begin the season vs. San Francisco
(9/6) and Dallas (9/13). He received his first NFL start vs. Green Bay
(11/8) and also started against Philadelphia (11/11) and Dallas (11/26).
He had career highs in receptions (6), yards (105) and longest reception
(44 yards) in the Thanksgiving Day clash with the Cowboys.
1991 McCaffrey
played in all 16 games as a third wide receiver and on special teams. He
finished his rookie year with 16 catches for 146 yards. He had three
receptions vs. the Rams (9/8) and also at Philadelphia (11/4). The best
game of his rookie season came at Tampa Bay (11/24) when he caught four
passes for 35 yards, including two on the Giants' game-winning drive in a
21-14 victory. He was a third-round pick of the Giants in 1991 (No. 83
overall). |