Good game PrivateSnowflake/Memphis....and the division race heats up!
Tony "MVP" Dean threw 5 interceptions in the lose. It's only the 2nd time in his Hall of Fame career this has happened. In fact, he has the fewest interceptions (153) among the top 24 quarterbacks based on yardage for his career. In his 11 year career as starter, he averages just 14 interception per season.
It's definitely an oddity but there is a bigger twist. The man responsible for 4 of those 5 interceptions is CB Curt Chou, a 6 year journeyman defensive back who in 70 career games has just 23 starts. He entered the game without an interception and before this game had just 8 career interceptions and never more then 3 in a season.
Nobody had 4 interceptions a game this season and in the history of the USFL it's only happened 8 times before this.
1993 CHI Douglas Russell 4
1989 JAX Gordon Wong 4
1988 TAM Charles Mooney 61988 BOS Joseph Totten 4
1984 LAX Troy Irvin 4
1984 SJS William McMartin 4
1983 SJS Troy Irvin 4
1982 JAX Gordon Wong 4
Now you can say it's rare but it happens but the 6 previous players who accomplished this feat include:
Gordon Wong (x2)
A Hall of Fame DB with the most interception in USFL history. He has 97 career interceptions and in his 11 seasons had 5 seasons with double digit interception totals including 15 which he accomplished twice. He defended 1,024 passes in his career.
Troy Irvin (x2)
His 13 year career including 45 interceptions (26th) and he defended 801 passes in his career
Douglas Russell
This 7 year vet has 49 career interceptions (16th) including 3 seasons with double digit interceptions. He has defended 494 passes so far in his career.
Joseph Totten
In his 12 year Career, he had 47 interceptions (20th) including 1 double digit season and defended 681 passes.
Charles Mooney
In his 12 year career he had 42 interceptions (33rd) including 1 double digit season and he defended 917 passes.
William McMartin
In his 10 year career he had 33 interceptions (60th) including 1 double digit season and defended 576 passes in his career.
The 2nd part of the equation is who was throwing the ball during this insane games by defensive backs.
1993 Charles Russell
Chicago Blitz @ Michigan Panthers
Week 1
QB Larry Henderson
A 1st round talent who after playing 5 games his rookie season got the start week 1 in his 2nd season. Understandable as he was growing into his potential. Still young but talented, he ended up with 27 interceptions that season.
1989 Gordon Wong
Florida Blazers @ Jacksonville Bulls
Week 7
QB Sidney Maggard
His 5th season and 3rd as starter after being drafted in the 4th round. His team was 1-15 that season and he was wildly inconsistent. That season he threw 9 TDs to 25 interceptions. He has 3 seasons with at least 25 interceptions in 8 years of starting. Makes sense, inconsistent QB versus best CB ever.
1988 Charles Mooney (6 INT)
Philadelphia Bell @ Tampa Bay Bandits
Week 3
QB Robert Hernandez
The 3rd overall pick in the 1987 draft, he became the full time starter this season where he took his lumps while developing into his potential. He threw 29 interceptions during this season. He was benched after his 7th season with a pass accuracy maxed at 73 currently. Makes sense that a young developing QB gets thrown to the wolfs and makes the list twice.
1988 Joseph Totten
Philadelphia @ Boston
QB Robert Hernandez
See above
1984 Troy Irvin
Southern California Sun @ Los Angeles Express
Week 7
QB Martin Greene 21/46 1 TD/3 INT
He was drafted in the 3rd round in 1981 by Memphis and was traded before training camp to the Renegades. Before training camp, he was released and signed off waivers by the New York Stars. After a season on the bench, he was again traded in 1982 to the Sun where he became the defacto starter from 1983 to 1985. During the 1984 season, he had a 20/19 TD/INT ratio
QB Christopher Kimbrough 0 TD/ 5 INT
He was a rookie 1st round bust who made 28 pass attempts all season and threw 5 interception. He didn't become the full-time starter until 1986 where he had a 20/22 TD/INT ratio. After 1 year as starter, he was allowed to walk via free agency.
Makes sense as a journeyman starter was replaced by a raw rookie and the 2 combined for 8 interceptions.
1984 William McMartin
Oklahoma Outlaws @ San Jose Sabercats
Week 5
QB Shane Falco
Drafted in the 2nd round in 1982, he was in his 2nd season as starter and growing into his potential. After an expected 20/19 TD/INT ratio in 1983, his 2nd season saw him regress to a 7/21 TD/INT ratio. He remains inconsistent to this day as he has lost his starters job and has a career 104/141 TD/INT ratio. This also makes sense as a subpar starter turned it over like he has continued to do throughout his career.
1983 Troy Irvin
Las Angeles Express @ Honolulu Hawaiians
Week 5
QB David McBroom
A 6 year starter during his career who was highly inconsistent. He had great seasons where he posted 40/11 and 48/20 TD/INT ratios in 1980 and 1981 followed by 21/27 and 24/19 TD/INT ratios in 1983 and 1984. This is one of the better quarterbacks to get plaqued with this ominous stat but he was clearly trended down.
1982 Gordon Wong
Oklahoma Outlaws @ Jacksonville Bulls
Week 2
QB Gene Nowlin
He is a former 2nd round pick who played 10 years in the league. He had a decent career but 1982 was his worst season posting a 18/27 TD/INT ratio. He had 4 seasons with at least 20 interceptions including the last 2 of his career. Another decent QB on the decline at the end of his career.
ConclusionTony Dean throwing 4 interception to the same player is rare but the shear fact that a Hall of Fame quarterback threw 4 interceptions to a journeyman cornerback is as common as a unicorn.
