Tigers Finish up NFL Season
1/7/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 7, 2002
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Eight former Missouri football players capped off the 2001 NFL season on Sunday. Seven players saw action in at least 10 games.
Leading the way was rookie defensive end Justin Smith of the Cincinnati Bengals. Smith, the all-time quarterback sacks leader at Missouri, finished the 2001 campaign with a Bengals rookie record 8.5 sacks. That total led the Bengals and earned Smith a $2.5 million bonus over the next five seasons. Smith had 41 total tackles on the year. He also recorded two interceptions.
Former Missouri defensive back Otis Smith will be one of five former Tigers playing in the NFL Playoffs. The 11-year veteran playing for the New England Patroits had a productive season, recording five interceptions and two quarterback sacks. Two of Smith's interceptions were returned for touchdowns.
Missouri products Steve Martin and Rick Lyle performed well on the defensive line for the playoff-bound New York Jets. The duo who played together at Missouri in 1992 and 1993 combined for six quarterbacks for the Jets. Martin had 2.5 sacks and started 15 games. Lyle had 3.5 sacks while playing in all 16 games.
Brock Olivo, Missouri's all-time leading rusher, was once again a force on the special teams units of the Detroit Lions this season. Olivo played in all 16 games and played on all of Detroit's special teams units.
Mike Jones, the 1999 Super Bowl hero for the St. Louis Rams, spent the 2001 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The veteran linebacker who will be inducted into the Missouri Athletics Hall of Fame later this month, appeared in 13 games for the AFC Central Division champion Steelers.
Offensive lineman Craig Heimburger found a home in Buffalo in 2001 with the Buffalo Bills. Heimburger, who spent time with Green Bay and Cincinnati, played in 10 games for the Bills this season.
Defensive back Julian Jones spent the 2001 campaign on the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad.
