NFL, NFLE

Smith, Antonio

Card: Upper Deck Reflections 2004
Acquired: TTM 2009, Texans Blitz

A 5th round pick of the Arizona Cardinals out of Oklahoma State at 6’4″, 282.  After not starting any games his rookie season in 2004, Smith would be penciled in at right defensive end, starting 8 games. He’d make 3 sacks and 16 tackles. His time at defensive end over the next 3 seasons would continue to grow, and he’d have an impact post season helping the Cardinals make their first Super Bowl appearance in 2008.

In 2009 Antonio Smith would sign with the Houston Texans to play opposite Mario Williams in the lineup. In 2 seasons he’s made 8.5 sacks, forced 3 fumbles, and 49 tackles. With the team’s planned conversion to the 3-4 in 2011,  Antonio’s job appears secure as the team hopes he will buy into the new defensive scheme.

G/Gs  93/70      Tac  149     Sac  23.0   Fum 6   Int   0   Yds  0   Avg -.-    Td 0    Lg -.-

NFL

Jeffcoat, Jim

Card: ProSet 1990
Acquired: In Person 1991, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Jim Jeffcoat played 15 seasons in the NFL after being drafted in the first round by the Dallas Cowboys out of Arizona State in 1983. He’d immediately replace Harvey Martin in the lineup and Jeffcoat would pick up where Martin left off, -harassing opposing ball carriers and quarterbacks of the NFC East opposite “Too Tall” Jones. Over 12 seasons with the Cowboys, Jeffcoat became recognized as one of the best finess rushers in the league recording 5 seasons of 10 or more sacks and 5 seasons of 70+ tackles. As time wore on, and with the eventual arrival of Charles Haley, Jim would share time at left defensive end with Tony Tolbert. He’d oddly sign with the Buffalo Bills in 1995, playing 3 more seasons with them before his eventual retirement, after 15 seasons.

Jim’s 102.5 sacks rank him in the career top 25 for the NFL, and while he was nominated in 2008, Jeffcoat has not made the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Considered one of the finest defensive linemen to come out of Arizona State, he was inducted into their hall of fame in 1994. Since retirement Jeffcoat has worked for the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Cougars as a defensive line coach and at the time of this post he was working for the San Jose State Spartans in that same capacity.

G/Gs 227/129    Tac  709       Sac   102.5      Fum   18     Int  2     Yds  91   Avg 45.5  Td 2   Lg 65

 

NFL

Dykes, Hart Lee

Card: Score 1991
Acquired: TTM 1991, Patriots Blitz

Hart Lee Dykes was a beastly athlete as a child, winning the Pass, Punt, Kick Competition and becoming an All Star high school receiver out of Bay City Texas, that was even documented in Sports Illustrated. A highly lauded recruit, Dykes would become the subject of a well documented bidding war between college programs to land him, and the ensuing brouhaha would land him squarely in the middle of a college football corruption scandal.

Surviving the scandal and granted immunity in exchange for his testimony, he’d be drafted by the New England Patriots out of Oklahoma State in 1989. Hart Lee would also be the highest rated wide receiver taken out of this infamously deep draft with the 17th overall pick. (Eric Metcalf was drafted by the Browns three picks ahead of Dykes but as a runningback.) Dykes’ rookie season seemed promising enough, playing in all 16 games and starting 8, lodging 49 receptions for 795 yards and 5 touchdowns, but he’d be overshadowed by fellow rookie Andre Rison in Indianapolis. In 1990, Dykes season appeared to be off to a good start but he’d shatter his kneecap, effectively ending his career. After being placed on injured reserve, he’d attempt  a comeback over the next  season or two, but his situation was only complicated by a bar room altercation with teammate Irving Fryar where Dykes would have his eye socket shattered in the fight.  Shortly before he was cut, I got his autograph on this score 1991 card. At last glance the former Bay City, Texas resident had dabbled in real estate and was in the trucking business.

Well when your name is Hart Lee Dykes, you’ve got to come up with a clever autograph, so it makes perfect sense that he used a heart for his first name in a fun autograph with lots of loops and curves. At the time of his graduation from OSU, Dykes was the All-time leader in the Big 8 for receptions (203) and yards (3171), however sadly still has not been recognized by the school, possibly due to his involvement in OSUs recruitment scandal.

G/Gs  26/18      Rec   83         Yds    1344     Avg  16.2     Td 7     Lg  42
A Dykes highlight film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5DYdc1LYxs

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