Category Archives: NFL

Birden, JJ

flr95 birden poff92 birden

gday92 birdenCards: ProSet 1992, Gameday 1992, Gameday 1993. Fleer 1995, Playoff 1993, business card.
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o Home
Sent: 10/13     Received: 10/31     (18 days)

A walkon on the Oregon Ducks football team in 1984, JJ was used sparingly until his Junior season, when he caught 20 balls for 257 yards. He’d record 19 more receptions for 399 yards and his first touchdown in his senior season.  Over his 4 years at Oregon, JJ had 45 receptions for 739 yards and a TD.

gday93 birdenBirden was drafted in the 8th round of the 1988 draft by the Cleveland Browns. JJ was shocked to be drafted because he was known primarily as a track man at Oregon.  He’d be injured in camp and spend his entire rookie season on IR. In 1989, he spent time on the Browns, and later the Cowboys practice squads.

It all began to come together in 1990 for JJ. He’d sign with the Chiefs, reuniting him with former Browns head coach Marty Schottenheimer.  Although Birden started no games during the season, he finally got on the field, contributing 15 receptions for 352 yards and 3 TDs.  In fact it wasn’t until 1992 that he finally was able to crack the starting lineup.  1993 would be his best season as a pro, starting all 16 games at receiver. He’d catch 51 balls for 721 yards and 2 TDs. Birden played one more season for the Chiefs in 1994, before signing with the Falcons. JJ played 2 more season for
Atlanta, retiring after the 1996 season.

mem15 birdenpset92 birdenJJ is a fighter through and through. Displaying toughness, grit, and heart, Birden fought uphill to make it on NFL rosters throughout much of his early career. He was also frequently tasked with taking on players that were sometimes 100 lbs or more to block. Since football he has continued to demonstrate this through his commitment to his family and in business. He specializes in Network Marketing

A solid and reliable TTM signer, JJ signed 5 cards for me and threw in a signed business card as well.  Some great cards her of JJ, it’s hard to single out one that I like the best, but the Gameday cards are among my favorite. If you want to read more, you can visit him at his website at www.jjbirden.com .

G/Gs 93/62     Rec 244      Yds 3441    Avg 14.1     Td  17      LG 90t
PR 15    Yds 115     Avg 7.7     Td 0    Lg 22
KR   1     Yds 14        Avg 14.0   Td 0    Lg 14

 

Spencer, Tim

to90 spencerCards: Score 1990, Fleer 1990, Topps 1990
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sent:  9/22  Received: 10/9     (17  days)

Tim Spencer was another one of these unheralded runningbacks from the mid-80s. He had his shining moment as one of the players in the rival United States Football League, then popped up again briefly as a fullback and change of pace back for Marion Butts, Gary Anderson, Lionel James or whomever else was in the lineup.

After finishing second in Ohio State rushing history behind Archie Griffin,  Spencer was drafted by the Chicago Blitz of the USFL where he quietly racked up 300 carries for 1,157 flr90 spenceryards and 6TDs in 1983.  In his second year with the league, he had a career best 17 TDs rushing and 1,212 yards with the Arizona Wranglers. As the league imploded, Spencer continued to run hard, this time for the Memphis Showboats. He’d contribute another 789 yards and 3 TDs.

The Chargers wisely invested an 11th round choice in Spencer in 83. This paid dividends immediately following the disolution of the USFL in 1985.  He’d hop in as a short yardage blocking back rushing for 478 yards and an NFL career high 10 TDs. Tim played for the Chargers through the 1990 season with his best yards from scrimmage season coming in 1989 when he logged 521 yards rushing. At that time Score, Fleer, and Topps all created cards of sco90 spencerTim. Since I did not have his USFL issue- these 3 fit the bill nicely.

Tim has gone into coaching. He joined Ohio State’s staff in 1994 and gained valuable experience on their staff as a runningback coach. He jumped to the NFL level in 2004 with the Bears, holding that position until 2012. He joined the Buccaneers coaching staff in 2014 and remains on their staff as of 2016.

USFL   54       RUSH  725    YDS 3158     AVG  4.4    TD  26  LG  n/a |
REC  72     YDS  1047    AVG  14.5    TD 4       LG n/a

NFL 78/46    RUSH 474    YDS 1792   AVG  3.8    TD 19    LG 24  |
REC   53    YDS  432    AVG 8.2     TD 0    LG 43
KR 6       YDS 97       AVG 16.2       TD 0     LG 21

Frank, Garry

psetwlaf91 gfrank

Card: ProSet WLAF 1991
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o Home
Sent:  5/16    Received: 10/26      (163 days)

Garry Frank was a valued offensive lineman at Mississippi State, where he demonstrated versatility playing center and guard on offense, and nose guard on defense.   Frank was also a distinguished shotput and powerlifting champion.

He’d be selected in the 7th round of the 1988 draft by the Broncos. After being released by Denver, Frank signed with the Atlanta Falcons, but spent his entire season on injured reserve.

In 1991 Frank was selected by the Frankfurt Galaxy of the WLAF during the first round of the offensive line portion of the draft. It was a homecoming of sorts for Garry as he was born in Germany. After the season he’d earn First-team All World League Honors. After the season he signed a free agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, but did not make the squad. He’d play again for the Galaxy in 1992 and return stateside when the league decided to reorganize after the season.

Frank returned to the weight room where he became a force in the weightlifting community setting world records in power lifting.