Tag Archives: kansas city chiefs

NFL, WLAF

Valerio, Joe

Cards: StarPics 1991, Wild Card WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o www.joe73.com
Sent: 8/27/10    Received: 8/18/11  (356 days)

Originally selected by the Chiefs in the 2nd round of the 1991 draft along with Harvey Williams (1st) and Tim Barnett (3rd) Joe Valerio was a small school product out of Pennsylvania that made waves at the combine with his 6-5, 292 frame. A two time NCAA I-AA All-American he’d be allocated by the Chiefs to the WLAF for the 1992 season.

The Chiefs -pleased with the progress of linebacker Tracy Simien, felt that Joe would be a good fit in the World League. He’d get valuable starting time with the Birmingham Fire, under head coach Chan Gailey, blocking for quarterback Mike Norseth and runningback Elroy Harris that season as the team made the playoffs with a 7-2-1 record. After the league was reorganized in 1992 he’d return to the Chiefs and start 3 games that season.  Valerio would remain on the line of the Chiefs as a valuable back up through 1995, before signing with the St. Louis Rams in 1996, and retiring after that season. Throughout his career he’d play every position on the offensive line, including tight end.  He’d also make 4 receptions for 7 yards and 4 touchdowns on tackle eligible plays for the Chiefs, (-all from Joe Montana which is the most that Montana threw to any lineman).

Since then Joe has gone into motivational speaking through Gridiron Concepts. He’s also a manager for Wells Fargo, coaches, and works avidly on his foundation. A popular member of the Kansas City Chiefs, Valerio also did radio and tv for a stint. I sent off for his autograph through his website at joe73.com last year, and gave up after about 6 months, so I was really pleased to open up an envelope and find these two cards autographed for me, in just a shade under a year.

NFL

Crockett, Donald “Ray”

Cards: GameDay 1992, Action Packed 1992
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Home
Sent: 6/23   Received: 7/1 (8 days)

Ray Crockett is another in a long line of defensive players that came from the University of Baylor in Waco, Texas. For some reason, Baylor always had the luck of having some immense talent with Mike Singletary, Robert Blackmon, Thomas Everett, Santana Dotson, James Francis, and Vann McElroy all being drafted and having some great playing careers during the 80s and 90s.

Originally a 4th round pick of the Detroit Lions during the deep 1989 draft, Ray didn’t get much playing time in the starting lineup his rookie season. In 1990, he’d make three interceptions starting opposite Leroy Irvin. Solidifying the secondary in 1991, Crockett became a feared defender during the final years of the last Lions’ playoff runs. He’d make 6 picks and return one 96 yards for a touchdown against the Cowboys.

In 1994 Ray signed with the Denver Broncos. As teams would throw to the other side of the field avoiding Ray, his statistics suffered, but he’d continue to provide blanket coverage against unfortunate receivers.  In 1998 and 1999, as a member of the Broncos Ray won Super Bowl titles with the franchise. Over his time with the Broncos, Ray logged 17 picks and a touchdown. After a nice season in 2000, in which he had 4 interceptions and a touchdown, Ray signed as a free agent with the rival Kansas City Chiefs for the 2001 season.  He’d wrap up his career in 2002 with his 35th and 36 pick.  Crockett over his career was also a fearsome corner blitzer, and was the career leader (surpassed by Rhonde Barber) at the position with 15.5 career sacks at his retirement in 2002.

Since retirement Ray has done a variety of things. Touched by the paralysis of his friend and teammate Mike Utley, Ray’s participated on Morgan Spurloch’s show “30 Days”,   spending 30 days in a wheelchair focusing on the everyday challenges that physically challenged people deal with in their lives. Ray has also done some game show work as well and currently lives outside of Dallas, Texas.

I got these two cards signed by Ray in no time flat. This Action Packed 1992 card is an exceptional photo with great lighting and focus and it’s among my favorite of the set.

G/Gs 214/174      Tac 802      Sac  15.5   Fum 9   Int 36     Yds 460      Avg 12.7       Td 3    Lg  96t

NFL

Richardson, John “Bucky”


Card: Star Pics 1992, SkyBox 1992, GameDay 1992, ProSet 1992.
Acquired: In Person, Houston Oilers Training Camp 1992. TTM 2011, C/o Home
Sent: 7/5    Received: 7/14   (9 days)

John “Bucky” Richardson was a scrappy quarterback from Texas A&M in the dying days of the Southwestern Conference who did almost as much damage with his legs as he did with his passing arm. He finished his career as the SWC All-time leading rusher for quarterbacks with 2095 yards, and just had a knack for winning, finishing with a 24-6-1 record,  2 SWC Championships and 2 bowl games victories, in the Cotton and the Holiday Bowl.

The Houston Oilers would make the surprising grab in the 8th round of the 1992 draft and take Bucky with the 220th pick. (Brad Johnson went 7 picks later to the Vikings, but as of this date, no member of the 1992 draft has been enshrined.)

An immediate fan favorite due to the proximity of A&M, Richardson unseated Houston 3rd string quarterback Reggie Slack for the position and rode the bench squarely behind Warren Moon and Cody Carlson. Bucky was a great athlete and with a ‘do it all’ mentality, even contributing on special teams for the Oilers. At training camp demand for his autograph even rivaled that of Warren Moon, but I would manage to get his autograph on this really nice Star Pics 1992 card.

After the Oilers collapsed again the playoffs in 1993, owner Bud Adams made good on his threats and dismantled the Oilers, starting by trading quarterback Warren Moon to Minnesota. With Moon gone, Carlson was the defacto starter to begin the 1994 season, but fans began clamoring for Richardson during the preseason after his memorable last second Herculaneum heroics against the Dallas Cowboys. Carlson’s career in the meantime took a bad turn and injuries sidelined him for the majority of the season, leaving the starting job firmly in the hands of 3rd year pro Richardson.

While fans were overjoyed hoping to see the same heroics from Bucky that they had seen during the preseason, he would not be given any luxury to learn on the job as the team completely collapsed. He’d step in throw for 203 yards and 3 touchdowns in an opening loss to the Colts,  but after misfires in the following weeks, Carlson stepped back in only briefly, before Richardson would split time with Billy Joe Tolliver for the remainder of 1994. Although Richardson was good as a change of pace quarterback, he finished with a 1-3 record as a starter for the team- with his lone victory coming in the 24-10 season finale win over the New York Jets.

With Jeff Fisher now in place as the Oilers coach, Richardson was allowed to leave via free agency at the conclusion of the season. The Dallas Cowboys signed Richardson in 1995, converting him to fullback but he would not see any playing time. He’d be on the move again in 1996 as Bucky signed with the Chiefs, ironically beating the Cowboys again in the preseason at quarterback. He’d finish his career sitting on the bench in Kansas City.

Since football Bucky has retired to Houston where he’s still remembered fondly by the A&M faithful for his playing days in the SWC. He also runs a water treatment facility and coaches little league football. I sent off for the Skybox, ProSet, and GameDay autographs last month, and received a response in under 10 days.

The GameDay card is an odd card with 4 players occupying the image. Of note this is probably the only card that exists for the trio of Davis, Dafney or Brown in their Oilers uniforms. Unfortunately none of them made the squad and Dafney and Davis would become journeymen, respectively at their positions. The ProSet 1992 Series 2 card is quite garish. Bad design, bad logo change, and don’t you think they could’ve gotten a photo of Bucky with his helmet on in action? -Unfortunately this is when ProSet really started cutting corners.  This Skybox one though is really nice, even though they sacrifice promoting the company on the card front. Exceptional framing, especially with Bucky silhouetted against the word “ROOKIE”. By far my favorite of the group, outside of the Star Pics offering.

G/Gs  16/4     Att  185    Comp  97     Yds  1257   Pct  52.5
Td   6    Int   6     Rat  71.4  |
Rush  33     Yds  225   Avg  6.8    Td 1    Lg 18