Tag Archives: baltimore ravens

Lewis, Jermaine (2)

Upper Deck Houston Texans Inaugural Season 2002, #HT-1

CARD: Upper Deck Houston Texans Inaugural Season 2002
ACQUIRED: 2024, Paid Signing

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Jermaine Lewis played WR at Maryland from 1992-’95.
  • Over his college time with the Terrapins, he amassed 193 receptions for 2932 yards and 21 TDs.
  • Saw a little bit of time in college as a return man with 22 kr for 529 yards, and 24 pr for 288 yards and 2 TDs.
  • Drafted in the 5th round of the 1996 NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens.
  • Clocking in at 5’7″, 183 Lewis became well known as an electrifying punt return man.
  • In 1997, he had 28 punt returns for 437 yards and 2 TDs.
  • His 15.6 yards per return led the NFL.
  • He also had a total of 2025 All-Purpose Yards.
  • In 1998 he had 32 returns for 405 yards and 2 TDs.
  • He led the NFL in returns in ’99, posting 57 for 452.
  • During 2000 he had 36 returns for 578 yards and 2 TDs.
  • His 16.1 yards per punt return led the NFL.
  • Then he clocked a league leading 42 returns for a league leading 519 yards, and a total of 1,623 All-Purpose Yards in 2001.
  • Left exposed in the 2002 Houston Texans Expansion Draft he was selected with their 6th pick.
  • The Texans also used him primarily as a return man.
  • After a season in H-Town, Jermaine finished his career spending his final two seasons in Jacksonville.
  • He finished his career with 10,170 All-Purpose Yards and 6 punt return TDs.

ACCOLADES:

  • All-Pro 1998
  • Pro Bowl 1998, ’01

NOTES:

I was excited when the Texans selected Jermaine Lewis. The team and myself thought he could be an early electric and dynamic playmaker that Houston could use, but it didn’t work out that way.

See Also: Jermaine Lewis

I knew it. That promoter from 2021 was flat out lying to me.

All I had to do was wait around for an additional year and wow, there’s Jermaine Lewis doing another signing for the same price. Sent the card in. No questions asked. And boom- done.

Again if he’s still around: Don’t do business with IPO Sports Marketing.

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Neuheisel, Rick

Topps AAF 2019 Certified, #AU-RNE

CARDS: Topps AAF 2019, Topps AAF 2019 Certified
ACQUIRED: TTM 2019, C/o Home. Private Aquisition, 2022.
SENT: 4/8 RECEIVED: 10/19 (194 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Rick Neuheisel played QB and after his playing days ended became renowned for his offensive coaching system and philosophy.
  • Rick’s storied college career began at UCLA as a walk on in 1979.
  • He eventually got to suit up to hold placekicks, then saw playing time in his Junior and Senior years.
  • In 1983 he was named starter, lost the job to Steve Bono, reclaimed the job after Bono got injured, then went out on top with a win over a Top 5 opponent in the Rose Bowl.
  • Rick signed with the USFL’s San Antonio Gunslingers in 1984, and somehow managed to survive the legendarily cash-strapped franchise through 1985 (sacked a total of 120 times in two seasons).
  • During the 1987 Players’ Strike, he suited up for both the San Diego Chargers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a scab replacement.
  • Returned to UCLA and became a graduate assistant, and later a QB Coach- tutoring future NFL #1 pick Troy Aikman.
  • Served at UCLA through the 1993 season, leaving for greener pastures at Colorado in 1994.
  • Named HC in 1995, and stayed with the Buffs through ’98.
  • Then coached at Washington from 1999-02.
  • Made first stop at the professional level with the Baltimore Ravens, coaching there from 2005-07.
  • Returned to UCLA as HC from 2008-2011.
  • Has an 87-58 (.600) coaching record at the college level.
  • Went into sports studio broadcasting after that.
  • In 2018, Rick joined the Alliance of American Football, coaching with the Arizona Hotshots.
  • Team finished with a 5-3 record and a share of first place in the AAF West.

NOTES:

Neuheisel is well known in coaching circles as a wild card, offensive madman, even adopting ‘The Pistol’ offense at UCLA. He also was an early proponent of the spread offense before it really became en vogue. He’s also got a really interesting coaching tree he’s developing, as well with some of his AAF progeny going on to become successful coaches in their own right.

Initially when the AAF was formed, Mike Martz was tabbed to be HC of Arizona, but when Neuheisel came on board, he wanted to stay close to home- so Rick became HC of the Hotshots and Martz went to SD.

During that ride, Rick was seen as the one coming up with the crazy and wild ideas in the room for the league. Rick even came up with an idea that players would choose their teams instead of the teams doing a territorial draft- sorta like the TV show ‘The Voice’. Apparently Bill Polian didn’t understand or like this, and at one point began to steam, before Charlie Ebersol stepped in and squashed the idea.

When I saw the Hotshots play the Commanders in the league’s final contest, a very, very enthusiastic Rick Neuheisel fan from his Gunslinger days came down in a jersey and helmet during the pregame. Rick was so enthusiastic and excited about it, he invited the fan over the end zone stands and onto the field to meet Rick and talk to the team. It was a very wholesome fan moment.

Rick was one of my early finds from the AAF Topps set. Although it took a bit to get back to me, he did sign it on the back. No harm, no foul. I’d hoped to get his certified autograph before I posted this one, and while I had seen them in the wild, they were for an exorbitant price. Thankfully my friend CFL Fan in Philly came through and offered to fill the rest of my set needs at a really nice price. Rick’s true rookie card- his USFL Gunslingers issue, continues to be a bit overpriced for my tastes, so I was happy to add him on these and close the book on him there.

USFL

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Lytle, Matt (2)

CARDS: Topps 2000, Leaf Rookies & Stars 2000
ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home
SENT: 8/11 RECEIVED: 9/21 (41 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

Matt was easy enough to find online that I shot these last two cards out to him. I absolutely love this Leaf Rookies & Stars card. It’s not just the figurative elements and dynamic pose, but the lighting is really what does it for me in this one. Great card.