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| 1996 Yards per Game (NFL rank) - 1996 Record: 8-8 (third) |
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Rushing | Passing | Total |
| OFFENSE | 82.0 (29) | 209.9 (14) | 291.9 (26) |
| DEFENSE | 109.7 (17) | 229.1 (25) | 338.8 (23) |
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Charging Ahead |
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Kevin Gilbride will be one of three rookie head coaches to begin the 1997 season. In a profession with ever decreasing margin for error, the grace period for Gilbride, the Giants' Jim Fassel and the 49ers' Steve Mariucci will be shorter than ever. But there is some precedent for success (though not much): Since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, 13 of the 114 rookie coaches who began the season took their teams to the playoffs, including Gilbride's predecessor, Bobby Ross.
Rookie Coaches Who Have Led Their Teams to the Playoffs since 1970 |
| Player, 1996 team | Int. | Recov. |
| 1970 | Don McCafferty, Colts | 11-2-1* |
| 1973 | Chuck Knox, Rams | 12-2* |
| 1975 | Ted Marchibroda, Colts | 10-4* |
| 1977 | Red Miller, Broncos | 12-2* |
| 1982 | Ron Meyer, Patriots | 5-4 |
| 1983 | John Robinson, Rams | 9-7 |
| 1989 | Bud Carson, Browns** | 9-6-1* |
| 1989 | George Seifert, 49ers** | 14-2* |
| 1992 | Bill Cowher, Steelers | 11-5* |
| 1992 | Dennis Green, Vikings | 11-5* |
| 1992 | Bobby Ross, Chargers | 11-5* |
| 1994 | Barry Switzer, Cowboys | 12-4* |
| 1995 | Ray Rhodes, Eagles | 10-6 |
| *Won division title **Team had made playoffs in previous season |
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