Tag Archives: cincinatti bengals

Blake, Jeff “Shake-N-Blake”

flr95 blakeCards: Atomic 2001, Leaf Limited 2000, Fleer 1995, Skybox Premium 1997.
Acquired: IP 2/2/14, Yellow Rose Super Bowl Party

I debated heavily going to this event since it took place at the cabaret that basically ruined my bachelor party, but then I realized that I could turn the tables and take advantage of them. It was aggravating that nobody knew who Jeff Blake was, even though he was advertised for their event. All the women who worked there, even the ones on the phone, and that sat 5 feet from him met me with a curious, “Who?” Still I made my way up to the Yellow Rose, walked in like I owned the place, located Jeff, got his autograph on a few cards, and walked out like a boss -without dropping a dime.

Jeff Blake is definitely an unsung and underrated quarterback since being drafted by the New York Jets in 1992. A 4th round pick, Blake wasn’t really given a chance by the Jets after setting multiple passing records at ECU. Browning Nagle had been handed the keys to the Jets and with Ken O’Brien being forced out, Blake was sky96pr blakean afterthought. In 1993, the team again overlooked him, this time in favor of Boomer Esiason and Nagle. Jeff was cut during 1994, but snatched up by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Jeff stepped in and replaced the immobile David Klingler at quarterback, winning all 3 of the Bengals’ games that year. He’d mature in 1995, starting all 16 games under center for the Bengals and earn his only Pro Bowl berth, after throwing 28 TD passes. Although his 1996 season was almost as impressive, with 24 TDs, Blake was left out of the Pro Bowl mix, due to his team’s slow start. The next two seasons were mired in what seemed to be deja vu for Blake, as he’d do battle again with Boomer Esiason, Neil O’Donnell and finally be forced to hand the keys over to Akili Smith. I can imagine how frustrating it was for Jeff, being supplanted at nearly every stop after being a starter for a season. I can also imagine how frustrated Bengals fans were after he gave them so much hope. The pressure probably was also immense, as the idea of a black quarterback was still a foreign one to many franchises. Blake
washed his hands of Cincinnati and signed with the New Orleans
Saints in 2000.

leaflim00 blakeRejuvenating his career, Blake started the first 11 games and went 7-4, and threw for 2,025 yards and 13 touchdowns, but after breaking his foot, Aaron Brooks beat him out for the job in 2001. Spending virtually all of 2001 on the bench, Jeff became free agent gun for hire in 2002. He’d play for the Ravens, Cardinals, Eagles, and Bears for a season each, retiring after 2006. The closest he came to the Super Bowl was 2004 as a backup for Donovan McNabb. To this day he still wears his NFC Championship ring he earned with the team. I asked what team Blake enjoyed playing for the most, – the Bengals or the Saints, and rather than answer, Blake only flashed the ring. He’s lived in Austin the last 12 years, and his son played at my High School, Austin High. When I told him I had been working out all week  to challenge him to a quarterback contest and rotated my arm, he laughed at me.

Overall these are some pretty decent cards that were released in a dead time in my transition as a fan from the Oilers to the Texans. I didn’t collect any cards, but the Fleer 95 and the
Atomic 2001 are two pretty nice issues. Everybody seems to like or at01 blakehate the Fleer 1995 issue and I seem to be in the minority on this one. I just really like the transition between image and type. There’s just a lot of energy and punch there. The Atomic 2001 is a very nice die cut, and although the blurb on the back is absolutely stupid, talking about Jeff’s ‘atomic arm’ and ‘quantum speed’, the front by far wins with its simplicity and excellent photo.

 

 

 

G/Gs 120/100   Att 3241   Comp 1827    Yds 21711   Pct 56.4    Td 134  Int 99 Rat 78.0
Rush 418   Yds  2027   Avg  4.8     Td  14   Lg 30

Palmer, Paul “Boo Boo”

to88 palmerCards:  Topps 1988, Topps 1989, Topps 1989 Traded, Ultimate WLAF 1992, Ultimate WLAF 1992 Promo, ProSet 1989, ProSet WLAF 1992, Action Packed 1990, Score 1989, Score Supplemental 1989
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent: 5/27   Received:  6/7    (11 days)
Failure: TTM 2013, C/o Temple University

Paul Palmer was a record setting back for the Owls as he singlehandedly put the program in the National spotlight during mid 1980’s. He’d finish as the 1986 Heisman Trophy runner-up to Vinny Testaverde, leading the nation in rushing yards (1,866 yards) and all-purpose yardage (2,633). His improbable 239.4-yard all-purpose average still ranks fifth in college football history, and at the time, Paul’s 349-yards against East Carolina in 1986, was the 4th highest single game rushing yardage in college football history.  When he graduated, Paul had set 23 school records and held every major rushing and all-purpose yardage mark. A unanimous All-American selection that year, he was also named the 1986 East Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Year.  

to89 palmerThe 1987 NFL draft was stacked with amazing runningback talent and recognizable names that were to change the playing field. Among the other names in this draft were: Alonzo Highsmith, Brent Fullwood, DJ Dozier, Terrance Flagler, Christian Okoye, Steve Smith, Jamie Mueller, Timmy Smith, Tommie Agee, Meril Hoge, and even the second stab at Bo Jackson. In hindsight however, most of the names in this group became solid contributors to their position and only situational starters. The Kansas City Chiefs drafted Palmer with the 19th overall pick. He’d be the 4th back to come off the board after Highsmith, Fullwood, and Dozier.  Unlike his predecessors, Palmer was small, speedy, and shifty tailback. The Chiefs then selected powerback Christian Okoye in Round 2. Paul had a pretty solid rookie season. He led the AFC with 38 returns for 938 yards, a gaudy 24.3 return average, and scored a Touchdown in the opener against San Diego, and then later in Week 15 against
the Seahawks.  To illustrate how monumental his achievement was, no Chief had led the AFC in returns since Dave Grayson way back  in 1961, when the Chiefs were known as the Dallas Texans.  In total, Palmer had 1,105 all-purpose yards in 1987.

sco89 palmerThe Chiefs started Paul in 11 games in 1988, using him creatively as a receiver both in the flat and out of the backfield, but Palmer got suspended for conduct detrimental to the team, after he was involved in an argument with coach Frank Gansz’s staff. At the time Paul’s yards from scrimmage were second in the NFL to only Eric Dickerson. He’d be suspended for two games, and return to play, but only marginally. With less of an emphasis on returning kicks, Paul had 53 receptions for 611 yards and 4 TDs, while also contributing for 452 yards and 2 touchdowns. Again, he cracked the 1,000 yard barrier with 1,427 all-purpose yards.  After the season, the Chiefs fired the staff and brought in Marty Schottenheimer, who did not feel that Palmer fit his system.
In 1989, Palmer was cut by the Chiefs and signed with Detroit. Moving to a Run ‘N Shoot format, Detroit hoped to use him in relief of Barry Sanders out of the backfield, or as a receiver, but he was relegated to just being a return man. That’s when Palmer became a part of one of the biggest megatrades in NFL history. With the Cowboys struggling and looking to change things up, they decided to trade Herschel Walker for a bevvy of draft choices and players, to scosup89 palmerthe Minnesota Vikings. The problem was, it left a gaping hole at runningback. No problem there as the Vikings were willing to trade Darrin Nelson to the Cowboys, but Darrin didn’t want to play for the hapless Cowboys and refused to report. Uh oh, we have a problem. So the Cowboys traded Nelson to San Diego, and the Lions traded Paul Palmer to the Cowboys for an 8th round pick.

Palmer’s time with the Cowboys was during a turmoltuous time in the history of the franchise.  Rookie head coach Jimmy Johnson was replacing longtime favorite Tom Landry, and then Paul Palmer was replacing Herschel at runningback. To top things off, the team had a controversy between two equally young and ineffective rookie quarterbacks (at the time) in Troy Aikman and Steve Walsh.  Palmer’s first game in a Cowboy uniform was ironically against his old team- the Kansas City Chiefs. While the Cowboys lost, 38-26, Palmer put on a show rushing for 85 yards and a touchdown on 9 carries, and catching 5 passes for 30 yards and a touchdown.  While the papers lamented the Cowboys’ woeful ways, they were
at least moderately confident that the running game was into89 palmer T the respectable hands of Paul Palmer.

In Week 7 of the season, Dallas was riding into Washington on a 0-6 record. Now the important part of that sentence is that “Dallas was riding INTO Washington.” You see the Cowboys and Redskins had this weird history of beating each other on their opposing home turf. So the Redskins would win in Dallas and the Cowboys…. would find a way to win in Washington.  Palmer had the best game in his NFL career, rushing for 110 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown. (In another stroke of
irony, Paul has revealed in later interviews that he grew up a Redskin fan and cheered against any team that beat the Cowboys. Then he found himself playing for them, which changed his tune.) Paul’s heroics though was overshadowed, by not only the sheer relief that Dallas fandom felt in getting that one win under their belt, but by the fact that it was Steve Walsh, and not Troy Aikman, who was the signal caller that was under center.  The next week Paul had a career high 22 carries against the Cardinals, but the Cowboys would not win again for the remainder of the 1989 season. He’dpset89 palmer UD finish the year with a team leading 446 yards and 2 touchdowns rushing.

Paul was one and done with the Dallas Cowboys, perhaps by the play of his biteless offensive line, (as he failed to gain at least 20 yards in 4 games during the backhalf of the season,) or that the team sat him in the final contest in favor of Broderick Sargent and Daryl Johnston. -You see if he hit 500 yards, the squad would have owed him a bonus. Paul thought nothing of it, and felt he was going to be a part of the turnaround that the team was going to experience. In fact, assistant coach Butch Davis told him so. He’d be left unprotected by the squad after the season. Snubbed by the Cowboys, he signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.  It probably is of no comfort that for Paul’s Cowboy career, he is relegated to being the footnote between Herschel Walker and Emmitt Smith.

In 1990, Palmer looked forward to new scenery with the Bengals, but with a stacked backfield of Ickey Woods, James Brooks, and rookie Harold Green, Palmer failed to make the squad. Palmer was ap90 palmeroften misused by NFL teams at the time. At 5’9″, 180, he was too small to be used as a 3 down back or as a heavy workhorse. His future lied in the field today that is occupied by guys like Darren Sproles- but then with the whole bruhaha that occurred in KC when he got labeled a bad teammate, – odds were just stacked against Paul in the NFL.

In 1991, Paul was eager to prove his critics wrong and get back to playing football, and the fledgling WLAF provided that opportunity for him to get back on solid footing. He was genuinely excited for the league draft.  He wouldn’t have to wait long as the Barcelona Dragons drafted Paul in the first round of the league’s positional draft with the third pick. Head coach Jack Bicknell believed in Paul, and through the 4th game of the season, he ranked 2nd in the WLAF with 319 yards on 76 carries, including a 133 yard effort against Raleigh-Durham. An injured hamstring limited his effectiveness throughout the remainder of the season, but he still helped the team finish at a strong 8-2 and play in World Bowl I  against the London Monarchs. Paul’s performance was strong enough that he’d be ultwlaf92 palmersigned by the Philadelphia Eagles after the season ended, but at training camp, his concerns about playing time were blown out of proportion by the media. He did not make the squad.

Paul enjoyed his time with the Dragons organization and returned to Barcelona in 1992, rushing 88 times for 259 yards. The team won the European Division title but was elimated in the playoffs by the future World Bowl Champion
Sacramento Surge. After the season, the WLAF went on hiatus, not to be seen again, until 1995 , strictly in a European format.

Paul returned to the United States, and was involved in sideline reporting for the Temple Owls from 2001-2004.  He then worked at the High School level, coaching football at Haddon Heights. Palmer proved that you can indeed go home, as he has been welcomed back to Temple to handle color analysis for their radio broadcasts in 2013. Paul absolutely deserves merit into the College Football Hall of Fame, especially in this changing landscape of the NCAA today.  It was revealed many years ago, that in Paul’s senior psetwlaf91 palmerseason at Temple, he took a $5,000 interest-free loan from agent Norby Walters. The Owls were harsh in their punishment, stripping him of 16 school records and forfeiting the team’s six wins from the 1986 season in 1989.  Still Boo Boo is revered by the Temple faithful, and is still considered quite the legend at the college, where you can’t talk about Heisman hopes without bringing up his name.

Palmer had been one of my more frustrating payoffs. After not finding a trace of him on the internet, I threw up a hail mary to Temple, thinking that they might have an alumni association. Unfortunately they sent me back a letter telling me that they didn’t have an alumni department, nor did they know how to locate him. I  then decided to put an all points bulletin out for him through Sportscollectors.net, where a kind collector assisted me in locating a working address for me.  One of my best responses ever, Paul was certainly worth the wait. I only sent him 4 cards, but he actually added 6 additional signed cards!  Of note, one of the cards I had him sign is the rare Ultimate WLAF promo card (with the yellow stripe)ultwlaf92P palmer that was given away at the WLAF games in 1992.  These 10 cards represent every card pro card of his printed during his tenure in the professional ranks.

NFL   41/20    KR  72        Yds 923       Avg 21.4      Td 2      Lg 95t
Rush  270           Yds 1053        Avg  3.9      Td 4      Lg 63
Rec  74      Yds 731      Avg 9.9       Td 4       Lg 71t

WLAF  Rush 181    Yds   617     Avg 3.4      Td 2    Lg 26
Rec 14    Yds 161     Avg  11.5     Td 0    Lg 49
Kr  15    Yds 245    Avg 16.3    Td 0   Lg 27

Jackson, Hue

ultwlaf92 monarchs tpCard: Ultimate WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o the Cincinatti Bengals
Sent: 2/7     Received: 2/18   (11 days)

After a pretty decent stint at quarterback for Pacific during the mid 80s, Hue Jackson immediately stepped into the coaching ranks at his Alma Mater in 1987.  A short stint at Cal State Fullerton allowed Hue to make the jump to the professional coaching ranks in 1991 for the London Monarchs under head coach Larry Kennan. There he did triple duty as special teams, wide receiver, and runningbacks coach. The team was the most explosive offensive unit in the league with a number of offensive players being named to the All-World team that were under Jackson’s guidance. After the Monarchs won World Bowl I Kennan returned stateside to coach for the Colts, putting assistant Ray Willsey in charge. The 1992 season was not so fortuitous for the team, and London ended 1992 on a not so amazing 2-7-1 note. After the season, the WLAF reorganized- not to be seen again until 1995 as a completely European venture.

Returning to the US, Hue began to climb the coaching ranks with stops at Arizona State (1992-1995),  California (1996), and USC (1997-2000), before joining the NFL, with stops on the Redskins (2001-2003), Bengals (2004-2006), Falcons (2007), and Ravens (2008-2009). In 2010, Hue had an impressive run as offensive coordinator of the Raiders. Owner Al Davis took notice and promoted Jackson to head coach in 2011. In the midst of the season, Davis passed away, and the Raiders responded by defeating the Texans in Houston. It’d be the high point for the Raiders, as after a 7-4 start, they’d go 1-4 the rest of the way. Jackson got a raw deal, and after the single season as head coach, the Raiders terminated his contract, preferring a fresh start with new GM Reggie McKenzie. Afterwards Hue returned to the Bengals, where he has remained since, recently taking over in 2014 as offensive coordinator. I wrote the Bengals for his autograph for this set based on his WLAF pedigree. He is in the team picture somewhere- I’m guessing on the left side when he was the coordinator of many hats for the London Monarchs.

NFL   W 8    L  8     Pct .500