Patriot Rookie of Year Won All but Playoffs

John Stephens did much more than an NFL rookie reasonably could be expected to do. The only thing he couldn’t do was satisfy himself.

His accomplishments were exceptional: five games out of his last nine with more than 100 yards rushing; a total of 1,168 yards; fifth-best among NFL runners and fourth-most in New England history, and just one lost fumble in 297 carries.

In the game the Patriots had to win to make the playoffs--the season finale in Denver--he carried the offense again: 130 rushing yards, a 23-yard touchdown run and a 52-yard ramble.

But the Patriots lost 21-10 and missed the playoffs.

“I’ll think about it over and over again,” said Stephens, as hard on himself as he was on defenders. “If I had done this or that, maybe we would have made the playoffs.”

There was something else he couldn’t do: avoid attention. His play made that impossible, a fact underscored today when he was named the NFL’s offensive rookie of the year by the Associated Press.

Stephens, drafted by the Patriots out of Northwestern (La.) State with the 17th pick, received 30 votes.

He edged Philadelphia tight end Keith Jackson, who had 29. Cincinnati running back Ickey Woods had 19 and Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown had 4.