NFL, WLAF

Elway Sr., John “Jack” (1931-2001)

pset91 jackelwaypsetwlaf91 jackelway

Card: ProSet 1991, ProSet WLAF 1991
Acquired: 2014, EBay

Jack had been just about everywhere and had been a coach at every position and level, before the Frankfurt Galaxy called on him to coach the team for the 1991 and 1992 seasons.

He had been coaching since 1953 when he took his first job at Port Angeles High School in Washington. Jack then moved to the college ranks in 1960 with Grays Harbor CC, and Montana in 1967. He’d return to Washington in 1972 and be an assistant with the Washington State Huskies through 1975, before taking over as head coach at Cal State Northridge in 1976. In 1979 Elway became head coach at San Jose State and guided the ’79 and ’81 teams respectively to Pacific Coast Athletic Association titles and top 20 recognition. His efforts culminated in a stint as Stanford’s head coach from 1984-1988.  Jack took his first stab at international football in the Italian league as head coach of the Milan team, and then returned to the United States to work for the New York Jets as a scout in 1990.

Elway was paired with GM Oliver Luck in Frankfurt and put together a strong team in 1991, fielding a 7-3 record and narrowly missing the playoffs. The team finished 3rd in offense and first in defense that season. 1992 saw a disappointing reversal of fortune for the Galaxy, plagued by injuries on offense and drained of talent to other leagues on defense, – Frankfurt plunged to a 3-7 record. The WLAF reorganized after the season, so Jack returned stateside joining the Denver Broncos in their scouting department, retiring after the 1999 season.

In 2001 he’d pass away of a heart attack in Palm Springs, California at the age of 70. Beyond his stints in college and the pro ranks, Elway is also known as father of All Pro Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway.

WLAF    W 10    L  10     T 0        Pct .500

CFL, NFL, University of Texas

Wright, Rodrique ‘Rodzilla’

udut11 r wrightCards: Press Pass 2006, UT Upper Deck 2011
Acquired: 2/16/2013, IP Longhorn Neighborhood Foundation Bowling Tournament

The Longhorns signed Rodrique Wright in 2002 where he saw immediate action playing for Texas in 13 games, starting 9 of them  along the way. The mammoth defensive tackle (6’5″, 315) had 65 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 13 TFL in his Freshman campaign. 2003 shaped out to be Rod’s best season statistically for the Longhorns, with 80 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and 12 TFL. In the game against Baylor that year, Rod posted 1.5 sacks and 11 tackles against the Bears. While statistically his 2004 and 2005 campaigns were not as impressive, he was tabbed 2nd team All-American his Junior season, and finished as a Lombardi Finalist and All-American in his final year at UT.  Wright completed his career at the University of Texas compiling 227 tackles, 17.5 sacks, 42 TFL, 6 FF, and 8 PD.

After his senior season with the Longhorns, it was revealed that Wright suffered from a torn rotator cuff. Despite being one ofpp06 wright the best defensive line prospects coming out of the 2006 draft, Rod faced serious rehabilitation from his debilitating injury. The Miami Dolphins took a flyer on him in the 7th round of the draft. The team placed him on injured reserve and he spent the entire season there. In his second season with Dolphins, he showed that dominance and power that the team was looking for when they drafted him. Spelling time on the line and at defensive end, Rod posted 38 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a pass defensed in 2007 during a brutal season for the Dolphins. Oddly enough, Wright found himself back out of the rotation in 2008, and he was inactive for all 16 games that season. The Dolphins cut him during camp in 2009. He got signed by the Jets in 2010, but was cut a few months later.

Wright quickly resurfaced in the CFL with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and was thrown right into the fire with the team reeling from injuries at defensive tackle. By the time the next season rolled around, Wright had shed 20 pounds to play his position better, due to the demands of the wider field and open offensive system of the CFL. While fans were in love with his potential and his new found sense of direction, Wright was caught in a numbers game in the end, and did not make the squad in 2011. He is currently a free agent.

Rod was at Redd’s Haircutz celebrating the opening of Cory Redding’s new barbershop here in Austin along with Mark Henry and Rod Babers, while I was in the chair getting my haircut. It completely slipped my mind that I had a card of him, but I made up for it the next day at the Neighborhood Longhorn Bowling event when ‘Rodzilla’ showed up there for the Alumni Bowling event. I actually had 3 cards of him, but because he said he had never seen ANY of these cards before and got super excited, I let him have one of them for himself. He was quite thankful and signed the other two for me.

NFL

McBride, Turk

poff05 mcbrideCard: Playoff Contenders 2007
Acquired: Box Breaker 2013, Target Autographed Memorabilia Pack

At 6’2″, 277 Turk McBride was considered a versatile gap player that could handle both defensive end and tackle.  His college statistics were pretty solid playing for the Tennessee Volunteers as well. He registered 73 tackles, 52 assists, and 6.5 sacks over his college career through the 2006 season. McBride solidified his stock with a good combine displaying quickness with his 4.8 40 and a willingness to participate in as many drills as possible to be properly vetted by scouts.

The Kansas City Chiefs used their second round choice in the 2007 draft on Turk and he’d be one of the featured rookies on “Hard Knocks” that season for HBO.  In limited playtime starting 1 game he made 1 sack 11 tackles and a pass defensed. Shifted outside to left defensive end in 2008 McBride started 9 games but injuries ended his campaign after 25 tackles. He’d be cut in 2009, and signed by the Lions, starting 4 games that season, and 8 in 2010. Turk registered a career high 5.0 sacks and 3 forced fumbles in 2010 starting at right defensive end. He’d get some limited playing time with the Saints over the next 2 following seasons starting 2 games in 2011. In 2013 Turk signed with the Chicago Bears with the hope of fitting into their nickle package situations, but a ruptured Achilles ended his season before it began. Currently he is a free agent.

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