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30. Larry Centers

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30. Larry Centers

A product of Stephen F. Austin, Larry Centers was one of their rare draft picks (5th Round in 1990) by the Cardinals, but during the Fullback’s first two seasons, you had to wonder why they selected him at all, as he was barely used.

In his third season, it changed for Centers, who played in all 16 Games and had 50 Receptions, showing himself as one of the rare Fullbacks who would see the pigskin from the air far more than on the ground.  He continued increasing his Reception numbers (66 in 1993, 77 in 1994) and had a monster campaign in 1995 with 101 Receptions for 962 Yards and a pair of TDs.  Named to his first Pro Bowl that year, his 101 catches made him the first Back of any kind to have at least 100. 

Centers was even better in 1996.  His receiving numbers were slightly less in two metrics (96 Rec and 786 Yards), but he had career-highs in Receiving Touchdowns (7) and Rushing Yards (425).  Centers had two more solid years for Arizona, but in the 1999 off-season, Centers stint with the Cards ended when he was released due to salary cap considerations.  As a Cardinal, he had nearly 7,000 All-Purpose Yards and 29 Touchdowns.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Fullback
  • Acquired: Selected in the 5th Round, 115th Overall in the NFL Draft 4/23/90.
  • Departed:

    Released 6/19/99.

  • Games Played: 126
  • Notable Statistics:

    67 Games Started
    535 Receptions
    4,539 Receiving Yards
    19 Receiving Touchdowns
    517 Rushing Attempts
    1,736 Rushing Yards
    10 Rushing Touchdowns
    5 Punt Returns
    30 Punt Return Yards
    33 Kick Returns
    617 Kick Return Yards
    0 Pass Completions
    1 Pass Attempt
    1 Interception
    46 Approximate Value

    2 Playoff Games
    9 Receptions
    61 Receiving Yards
    1 Receiving Touchdown
    3 Rushing Attempts
    5 Rushing Yards

  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    First Team All-Pro (1996)
    Pro Bowl (1995 & 1996)

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