Chief among players having breakout seasons is former Alcorn State ('99) wide receiver Donald Driver who has become QB Brett Favre's favorite target with the Green Bay Packers. The former SWAC high jump champion has gone over the 1,000-yard mark in receiving yards for the first time in his career. Through games of Dec. 15, Driver has 64 receptions for 1,002 yards and eight touchdowns with two games to play.

Former Jackson State ('98) wideout Corey Bradford, signed by Houston in the expansion draft from Green Bay, is also having a productive year, leading the Texans in receiving yards (636) while hauling in 36 catches for six touchdowns.

Former Tennessee State ('00) speedster Avion Black is making a name for himself returning kicks for the Buffalo Bills. Black is third in the AFC in punt returns averaging 19.8 yards per return with one 76-yard TD.

All-time receptions leader Jerry Rice of Mississippi Valley State ('85) has his name back among receiving leaders. Rice has posted his 14th 1,000-yard season in 17 years this season as he has 1,165 yards and seven TDs for the Oakland Raiders.

Tennessee QB Steve McNair out of Alcorn State ('95) is having perhaps his best season, having thrown for 3,124 yards and 21 TDs while leading the Titans to a tie with Indianapolis atop the AFC South.

Perennial sack leaders Hugh Douglas (Central State, '95) of Philadelphia and Michael Strahan (Texas Southern, '93) of the New York Giants are again among the leaders in dumping the quarterback. Douglas is fourth league-wide with 11.5 while Strahan, who set the NFL record last year with 22.5, is just behind Douglas with 11.

© 2002 Azeez Communications, Inc.

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