NFL

Webb, Richmond “Bam Bam”

pset90 webbsco90 webbaprks90 webbap91 webb

Cards: Pro Set 1990, Action Packed Rookies 1990, Action Packed 1991, Score 1990
Acquired: In Person 5/19, Houston 610 Fan Fest 2013
Pending: TTM, c/o Home 2013

Richmond Webb was a dominating offensive lineman for the Texas A&M Aggies blocking for notable runningback Darren Lewis and quarterback Bucky Richardson. Quick for his 6’7″, 291 lb frame, Webb had been clocked at a 5.09 40 before the draft in 1990, and had seen time at defensive tackle and offensive guard, before assuming his duties at tackle in his senior season. He earned All-Southwest Conference Honors in both 1988 and 1989. With excellent arm extension, and the ability to pull or trap, Webb was coveted by many teams in the hours proceeding the draft.

While Dan Marino had been sacked only 10 times in 318 attempts the previous season, the Dolphins felt that their anemic run game needed some help so with the 9th overall pick of the 1990 draft Miami selected Webb, -the highest rated offensive lineman on the board. The Dolphins then turned around in round two and selected Keith Sims to play guard, further insuring the integrity of the Dolphins line for the next ten years (-drawing some comparison to the duo of Mike Munchak and Bruce Matthews in Houston).

Webb had a dominating rookie season and became the first rookie offensive lineman in the history of the franchise to be elected to the Pro Bowl. In fact, Webb’s performance was so dominant, he earned 1990 AFC Rookie of the Year Honors from the UPI and All Pro Honors. Over his career with the Dolphins Richmond earned AP honors in 5 seasons (1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1995,) and Pro Bowl honors in 7 of them (from 1990-1996). He’d end up playing with the Dolphins through the 2000 season, transitioning from the Don Shula era, through the Jimmy Johnson years, and into the Dave Wannstedt seasons. He’d sign with the Bengals in 2001 but by then injuries began to take their toll on the big man and by 2002 he’d be done in by them. Still he attempted to comeback the following season with the Dolphins, but in the end retired.

Richmond has been inducted into the NFL All 1990s decade team, and in 2006 was honored on the Dolphins Honor Roll for his efforts. At last glance, Webb is retired and living in the Dallas area. He’s dabbled with being an Houston Texans ambassador, and I recently caught up with him at Fan Fest 2013, where he was incredibly jovial and friendly. When he asked me what I wanted him to sign I said, “The sexiest offensive lineman alive?,” which got a great big laugh out of him. He also told me that current A&M quarterback Johnny Manzell, is the man, and can compete at the next level.

G/Gs 184/167

NFL, ufl

Gray, Keith

tnt11-grayCard: TNT UFL 2011
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Home
Sent: 6/22    Received: 6/27   (5 days)

A physical offensive lineman who played collegiality at Connecticut from 2005-2008, Keith Gray was a free agent signee of the Carolina Panthers in 2009, and on the practice squad of the Indianapolis Colts in 2010. He joined the Florida Tuskers of the UFL in 2010, and was then traded to the Hartford Colonials (formerly the New York Sentinels) in exchange for defensive tackle Bryan Save in the league’s first ever trade that year.  With the flexibility to play both guard and center, Gray was a valued contributor to the Colonials offense helping pave the way for the offense led by quarterback Josh McNown, and bruising runningbacks Lorenzo Booker and Andre Dixon. All in all Hartford rolled up 2593 yards in 2010, with 903 of it coming on the ground and an additional 1690 through the air, and a lot of credit up front with their prolific offense should go to the guys in the trenches, like Keith. Things were definitely moving in a positive direction for the team, but the organization as a whole- that being the UFL- was not. Bills had not been paid, and the rent was sky high at the Colonials facility. Head coach Chris Palmer, broke ranks with the league as soon as he could and landed a job back in the NFL as the offensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans. In the meantime, Jerry Glanville was brought in to replace Palmer under much fanfare, but the Colonials, -under the most financial duress, -folded, and Keith was a free agent.

Keith moved to Texas and focused on family life. In the meantime I had tracked him down through Facebook and offered him a card, but I honestly had a lot of things that went off the rails for me personally, along with a player who had agreed to respond to me after I sent him my customs, that never did.  It made me really gun shy about the project. A few weeks ago though I finally buckled down and got back to the UFL and AFL cards that I had done, and with a few extra dollars in my pocket, went ahead and printed a few for my portfolio. I also remembered Keith and my promise and sent him some to keep. In a short 5 days he responded, writing me a touching note discussing about how he was a trading card collector as a kid, thanking me for the cards, how they are a great keepsake, and how they’ve sparked a fire in him to keep going.

For all the Peyton Manning’s and Brett Favre’s I get TTM, it’s these types of responses in the end, that mean more than anything I could ever wish for.

NFL

Irwin, Tim

Card: Score 1990
Acquired: Canton Acquisition 2012

6’7″, 300, Tim Irwin was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the 3rd round of the 1981 draft. He’d ride the bench while learning the finer points of the craft from legendary offensive tackle Ron Yary, pretty much his whole rookie season. It’d be in 1982 that he’d start a really nice run of 181 consecutive starts playing right tackle for the team. Tim played for the Vikings through the 1993 season.  In 1994 he started 6 games for the Buccaneers before finishing his career with 5 more for the Dolphins.

While still playing for the Vikings in 1990, Irwin went back and finished his law degree at his Alma Mater, Tennessee. He is well rounded in many fields of practice and was appointed a juvenile judge in 2005. Tim also has devoted much of his time to Boys & Girls Club sponsorships, and promoting youth football in Tennessee.

G/Gs 201/187

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