Tag Archives: cleveland browns

NFL, usfl

Gossett, Jeff

Cards: Score 1990, Topps 1991
Acquired: In Person 1990,1991, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Jeff Gossett led a very long, consistent, and productive NFL career which actually started back in 1980 after he failed to make the roster of the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent. He’d sign with the Chiefs and be their punter from 1981 to 1982, and then become a journeyman playing for the Browns for a season before hopping over to the USFL. Gossett would play for the Chicago Blitz in 1984, and the Portland Breakers in 1985, then back to the Browns later in 1985 to play for the Browns through 1987. He’d punt for the Oilers as well that year and then finally find a permanent home with the Los Angeles Raiders. Jeff would be named to the Pro Bowl (AP as well) in 1991, and play with the Raiders through their transition back to Oakland in 1996 for a total of 140 games with the Silver and Black. A solid punter, Gossett averaged 44.2 yards a punt in 1991, and 43.9 yards in 1994. Only in 2 out of 16 seasons did Jeff average below 40 yards a punt. Well represented in Tecmo Bowl history, he’d make an appearance in both Tecmo SuperBowl and Tecmo SuperBowl Final Edition, and his 982 punts would rank top 20 upon retirement.

G/Gs 212       Punts 982      Yds 40569       Avg 41.3        Lg  65       Blk  4

AFL, College Football HoF, NFL

MacPherson, Dick (1930-2017)

Card: ProSet 1991
Acquired: TTM 1992, Patriots Blitz

Syracuse Orangeman coaching legend Dick MacPherson was hired to fix the woeful Patriots. (Somebody had to do it.) He’d field a surprisingly competitive team in 1991 but the team would regress in 1992 and he’d be fired at season’s end after an 8-24 record. Fear not though, this is when Patriots’ lore gets good as the next coach hired was Bill Parcells.

Coach MacPherson though should be remembered though, rightfully so, for his work at the college level, which started way back in 1958 with the University of Illinois. He’d make stops at the University of Massachusetts, Cincinnati, and Maryland before going to the pros as an assistant with the Denver Broncos of the AFL from 1967-1970. He’d return to coach at Massachusetts from 1971-1977, then off to the Browns for the next 3 seasons to coach linebackers.

In 1980 Dickey Mac would make his mark taking over for the Orangemen at Syracuse turning the college sports program around. He’d coach there for the next 10 years before 2 final years with the Patriots, and retire. His cumulative college record was 111-73-5. MacPherson was inducted into the CFHoF in 2009 and he provides commentary on the Syracuse Orangemen radio network.

EPITAPH:

8/8/2017- Dick MacPherson passed away at the age of 86, surrounded by friends and family in Syracuse, NY.

NFL, WLAF

Elkins, Mike


Card: Proset WLAF 1991
Acquired: In Person 1992, Houston Oilers Training Camp

Mike Elkins went to Wake Forest, where he raised the Demon Deacons from the dead. His impressive play allowed him to parlay his game into the 34th pick, (near the top of the second round) for the Kansas City Chiefs. The 1989 draft was an incredible draft, and Elkins was thought to perhaps be the quarterback of the future for the team. He’d be the second quarterback taken off the board after Troy Aikman (who went #1 overall), but after Aikman, the only names that came off the board that year that was worth mentioning at quarterback was Detroit quarterback Rodney Peete and San Diego draftee Billy Joe Tolliver. In fact, combining all the statistics of the quarterbacks in that draft, does not even come close to Aikman’s final numbers. In essence this draft- despite the names that came out had one Super Bowl winning quarterback and two journeymen. That is really it.

Elkins was the consensus number two by scouts, with his strong arm, quick release, and intelligence that impressed the scouts. Yet the view of him that emerged was of a raw talent from a small school, and an enthusiastic kid who toiled in two different offensive schemes—pro-style, followed by the option—during the four seasons he played at Wake. Elkins attempted 2 passes in his NFL career throwing one for a pick. He would be cut after the 1990 season.

He’d sign with the WLAF playing for the Sacramento Surge in 1991 in a quarterback rotation with Ben Bennett. Mike had a relatively decent season for the team throwing for 13 touchdowns on 312 attempts. This would be the highlight of his professional football career. After his lone season in the WLAF, Elkins signed with the Cleveland Browns where he played 1 season, before the Oilers signed him in 1992 where I got his autograph on his WLAF card at training camp. He never attempted another pass in the NFL.

Although not drafted in the 1st round, many consider Elkins’ career a bust because of his lofty rating behind Troy Aikman and his high second round card. Elkins at last glance since football has a small band and lives in Central Texas.

Att 312   Comp 153   Yds 2068   Pct 49%
Td 13     Int 13     Rat 67.1   Lg  60t