(March 8, 2005) Many former BYU Cougars -- from players to coaches, from veterans to rookies, and from game one to the Super Bowl -- left their indelible mark on the 2004 NFL season.
Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach Andy Reid, as well as Chad Lewis and Reno Mahe, helped guide the Eagles to its second Super Bowl in franchise history. Lewis ranked second in the NFL in touchdown receptions during the playoffs despite missing the Super Bowl due to an ankle injury.
The following is a list of former BYU players and coaches who contributed to their NFL teams' success during the 2004 NFL season:
Brian Billick (Head Coach, Ravens): Billick, whose Ravens won the Super Bowl in only his second season as Head Coach, guided the Ravens to a 9-7 record during the 2004 season, his sixth at the helm. Billick graduated from BYU, where he earned All-Western Athletic Conference and honorable mention All-America honors in 1976 as a tight end. Billick also served as a graduate assistant coach at BYU under Coach LaVell Edwards during the 1978 season.
Colby Bockwoldt (OLB, Saints): Bockwoldt played in all 16 games as a rookie, recording 46 tackles, including 40 solo tackles. He recovered a fumble and returned it six yards for a touchdown. Bockwoldt also recorded one sack and one pass deflection during the season.
Ryan Denney (DE, Bills): Denney, in his third season with the Bills, played in all 16 games. He recorded 34 tackles, including 15 solo tackles. Denney also registered three sacks, two pass deflections, and forced one fumble during the 2004 campaign.
Ty Detmer (QB, Falcons): Detmer, in his 13th NFL season since winning the Heisman Trophy at BYU, served as one of the backups to superstar quarterback Michael Vick. During the 2004 season, the Falcons advanced to the NFC championship game.
Justin Ena (LB, Titans): In just his third NFL season, Ena played in all 16 games for the second straight year. He recorded 32 tackles, including 25 solo tackles, and had one pass deflection for the Titans.
Travis Hall (DT, Falcons): Hall, a 10 year NFL veteran, has played in at least 11 games in each of the last nine seasons. From his defensive end position, Hall recorded 28 tackles, including 21 solo tackles. He also registered three sacks, recovered a fumble, forced a fumble, and deflected two passes. During the Falcons' postseason run to the NFC championship game, Hall recorded three solo tackles, one sack, and recovered a fumble.
Chris Hoke (NT, Steelers): Hoke, in his fourth season with the Steelers, registered 24 tackles, including 13 solo tackles, and one sack. During the playoffs, he recorded six tackles, including two solo tackles, and one sack during the Steelers' run to the AFC championship game.
Mike Holmgren (Head Coach, Executive VP of Football Operations, Seahawks): Holmgren guided the 2004 NFC West Champion Seahawks to a 9-7 record and a playoff berth in his sixth season as Head Coach of Seattle. From 1982-85, Holmgren served as Quarterbacks Coach at BYU under Coach LaVell Edwards.
Brett Keisel (DE, Steelers): In Keisel's third season with the Steelers he registered nine tackles, including five solo tackles. He also had one solo tackle during the playoffs, as the Steelers advanced to the AFC championship game.
Doug Jolley (TE, Raiders): In only his third NFL season, Jolley started in 13 games and played in all 16 games for the Raiders. For the season, Jolley had 27 receptions for 313 yards, including a long of 34 yards. Jolley also caught two touchdown passes. He has missed only one game during his NFL career.
Chad Lewis (TE, Eagles): In his eighth NFL season, Lewis played in at least 15 games for the fifth straight season. Lewis had 29 receptions for 267 yards, including a long of 21 yards. Lewis also caught three touchdown passes. During the Eagles' run to the Super Bowl, Lewis caught four passes for 20 yards and scored two touchdowns. His two playoff touchdown receptions tied him for second in the NFL.
Reno Mahe (RB, Eagles): In his second season as a versatile all-purpose back for the Eagles, Mahe registered 23 rushing attempts for 91 yards, including a long of 22 yards. He also caught 14 passes for 123 yards, including a long of 30 yards. On special teams, Mahe returned three kickoffs for 44 yards and returned 19 punts for 109 yards, including a long of 25 yards. During the Eagles' march to the Super Bowl, he returned one punt.
Itula Mili (TE, Seahawks): Mili, an eight year NFL veteran, started four games and played in 15 games for the Seahawks. During the 2004 season, Mili had 23 receptions for 240 yards, including a long of 20 yards. He also caught one touchdown pass and returned one kickoff for 12 yards. In the Seahawks' playoff game, Mili recorded six receptions for 98 yards, including a long of 22 yards.
Larry Moore (C, Bengals): In his seventh NFL season, Moore started one game and played in 12 games for the Bengals. From 1999 to 2002, Moore played in all 16 games each of the four seasons and started all 16 games in three of the four seasons.
Rob Morris (MLB, Colts): Morris, a five-year NFL veteran with the Colts, registered 77 tackles, including 53 solo tackles, during the 2004 season. The Colts' middle linebacker also had three sacks, one interception (17 yard return), one pass deflection, and one forced fumble. In the Colts two playoff games, Morris recorded 15 tackles, including seven solo tackles.
Andy Reid (Head Coach, Executive VP of Football Operations, Eagles): Reid guided the 2004 NFC Conference Champion Eagles to their second Super Bowl in franchise history in his sixth season as Head Coach. The Eagles won a team record fourth consecutive Division title and appeared in the NFC Championship game for the fourth consecutive season. The Eagles won a franchise record 13 games. The Eagles swept the NFC East Division for the first time in franchise history and finished with the best record in the NFC for the third straight season. The Eagles also became only the fourth team in NFL history to win a playoff game in five consecutive seasons (only Dallas has done it in six straight seasons). From 1978-81, Reid played tackle and guard at BYU. In addition, Reid entered the coaching ranks as a graduate assistant at BYU under Coach LaVell Edwards in 1982.
John Tait (T, Bears): After five seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, Tait signed a six-year deal with the Bears prior to the 2004 season. Tait started at Tackle in all 13 games he played during the season. During the last five seasons, Tait has started all 76 games in which he has played.