 However, with the Lions leading by the score of 31–24 with less than a minute to go, he took a pass, which would be a trademark of his career.Sanders earned the Offensive Rookie of the Year award following the season.With such a young core, including the newest offensive picks, and with previous picks on defense, the Lions acquired eventual Pro Bowlers Bennie Blades and Chris Spielman in 1988 along with Jerry Ball in 1987, things were once again looking up for the Lions.