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Fansided

One NFL player you wish never played for your favorite team

By Randy Gurzi

22 Aug 1998: Quarterback Ryan Leaf #16 of the San Diego Chargers standing around talking before the pre-season game against the Indianapolis Colts at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Chargers defeated the Colts 33-3. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squ
22 Aug 1998: Quarterback Ryan Leaf #16 of the San Diego Chargers standing around talking before the pre-season game against the Indianapolis Colts at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Chargers defeated the Colts 33-3. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squ /
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2022 NFL
15 Sep 1996: Wide receiver Alvin Harper of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers moves the ball during a game against the Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos won the game, 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport /

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Alvin Harper, WR

A first-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys back in 1991, Alvin Harper was a perfect compliment to Michael Irvin at wide receiver. While Irvin was the true No. 1 guy who commanded double-teams, Harper was the speedster who could take the top off a defense.

He rose to prominence as they won back-to-back Super Bowls with him averaging 20-yards per reception — including an insane 24.9 yards per catch in 1994. Harper even made a game-changing play in the 1992 NFC Championship Game when he picked up 70-yards on a slant pass which set up the win over the San Francisco 49ers.

But it was after going for 821 yards and scoring eight touchdowns on just 33 receptions in 1994 that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers came calling. The Bucs gave him a massive contract and hoped he could continue to excel as the top receiving option in their offense.

That’s not what happened though as Harper was slowed by injuries and lasted just two seasons in Tampa. He did have 633 yards on 46 receptions in 1995 but then saw the numbers drop to 19 receptions for 289 yards and a single touchdown. In all, he scored just three times for the Bucs.

Harper then spent 1997 in Washington where he had an abysmal two receptions on 20 targets then re-joined Dallas for 1999 but appeared in only two games with no receptions.

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