NFL

Sharpton, Darryl

bo10 dsharptonCard:  Bowman Sterling 2010
Acquired: 2016, EBay

I never did get Darryl Sharpton at an event for the Texans after he cancelled on the Battle Stampede Tour back in 2012. Such a shame. He had some really nice base cards. In the meantime I went ahead and picked up this Bowman Sterling. It’s not bad looking, but the framing device takes up half the card. For all intents and purposes Sharpton could be an offensive lineman in that shot. His hands are also noticeably not present, which makes less of an impact statement.

At 5’11” 235, Sharpton was a bit undersized to be playing linebacker but had made up for it with a solid Senior season playing for the Miami Hurricanes. He racked up 106 tackles, and had an interception and fumble return for touchdowns in 2009, earning second team All-ACC Honors. Darryl was also praised for his ability to play all three positions in the 4-3, solid tackling, and for his great motor against the run.  The Texans felt that he fit something that they were looking for, and selected him in the 4th round of the 2010 draft. He started 6 games and recorded 13 tackles and a sack his rookie season.  The team looking to go in a different direction from Frank Bush, brought in Wade Philips to coach the defense in 2011. He converted the defense to a 3-4 alignment, drafted Brooks Reed, and moved Mario Williams to outside linebacker.  Sharpton had a hard time finding the field, but in 2013 had his best season for the team starting 8 games and recording 55 tackles and 2 forced fumbles.

The Texans opted not to resign Darryl, and he signed as a free agent with the Washington Redskins in 2014.  Sharpton was placed on injured reserve before the end of training camp and was released.  He later started 2 games for the Bears and made 10 tackles.  Darryl signed with the Cardinals in 2015, but confident in their young LB corps, he was cut before they even hit training camp. As of 2016, Darryl is currently a free agent.

NFL

Kruger, Joe

sage13 joekrugerCard: Sage 2013
Acquired: 2015, Target Authentic Autograph Memorablia

The youngest member of the Kruger family (Dave and Paul), whose NFL bloodlines all seem to travel through the Utah Utes, finished his college career with 69 tackles, 9 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and one interception. He opted to skip his Senior season and declare for the draft. He’d be selected in the 7th round of the 2013 draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. Placed on IR, he’d be released in 2014, but quickly in succession find a home with the Chargers, Packers, and Steelers as a practice squad member.

 

NFL

Perry, Michael Dean

sky92 mdperryaprks92 mdperry

Cards: Skybox 1992, Action Packed Rookies 1992, Gameday 1992
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent:  7/1   Received: 10/3   (94 days)

With uncanny quickness off the snap Michael Dean Perry smashed the record books for career sacks (24) at Clemson from his defensive tackle position.  At 6-1, 285, Perry would be considered slightly undersized by today’s standards. Even then he was considered a bit smaller than usual, but Perry turned this to his advantage and wrecked opposing backfields.

sky92 mdperry BBeing drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the 2nd round of the 1988 draft was a blessing to MDP, and he’d quickly endear himself to legions of Browns fans everywhere. In his rookie season, Perry flashed his playmaking skills. Coming in as a situational pass rusher, he logged 25 tackles, 6.0 sacks, recovered 2 fumbles, one of which he rumbled with for a TD.  In 1989, Bud Carson switched the defense to a 4-3 alignment and Perry became a sensation. He’d earn the first of 5 Pro Bowl nominations, and his first of two All-Pro Honors. Michael Dean’s 1990 was so dominating (107 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 2 FF) that talk around Cleveland was that MDP should receive NFL Player of the Year Honors. At one point the fanfare around Perry was so crazy, McDonalds started selling burgers in the Cleveland area called the MDP- which consisted of a double quarterpounder with double bacon. Ugh… Michael continued to play for the Cleveland Browns through the 1994 season.  At that point head coach Bill Belichick was going in another direction on defense, so the team had a mutual parting of ways with Perry.

gday92 mdperryMichael still had some gas in the tank, so he signed with the Denver Broncos in 1995. He’d somehow earn one last Pro Bowl berth in 1996. 1997 was MDP’s final season in the NFL. He’d play primarily for the Broncos, and then the final month of the season with the Chiefs. By then the nicks and cuts had caught up with him and Perry decided to call it a career. While other teams attempted to lure Perry out of retirement, he resisted and sequestered himself to South Carolina.  Of the offensive linemen that he faced over the years, Perry considered Randall McDaniel and Mike Munchak his most difficult opponents.

Since then Michael has invested in a string of Subway sandwich shops.  He is the younger brother of William ‘The Refrigerator’ Perry, who he remains extremely close to. I’ve always found it odd when a player decides to sign his card on the back. Still not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, I was very happy to add this fan favorite to the collection.

G/Gs  148/127          Tac  534             Sac 61.0              Fum  13
Int  0         Yds 0          Avg  -.-           Td 0              Lg -.-

aprks92 mdperry B

Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.