Tag Archives: New York Jets

NFL

Shuler, Mickey

pset89-mshuler ap90-mshulerCards: ProSet 1989, Action Packed 1990
Acquired: TTM 2016, C/o Home
Sent:  11/15    Received: 11/26   (11 days)

The Jets have had some glory days, but largely have been rebuilding since winning Super Bowl III- or at least that’s the joke some fans sarcastically say.  They had a nice run in the late 80s with things coming together offensively with guys like Freeman McNeil, Al Toon, and Mickey Shuler leading the way.

Mickey Shuler redefined the tight end position for the New York Jets.  Originally drafted in the 3rd round of the 1978 draft out of Penn State, he set franchise records for the position with 76 receptions in 1985. A wily receiver, and solid blocker, Shuler had a nice, rare combination of speed, hands, and size that allowed him to earn 2 Pro Bowl berths and finish as the Jets second all-time leading catcher with 438 receptions in 102 starts.  Rib and knee injuries ended Shuler’s 1989 campaign early, which contributed to his release after the season.  At the time of his departure, he had a streak of 86 straight games with a reception. Mickey signed as a free agent with the Eagles, playing two seasons with Philadelphia retiring after the 1991 season.

ap90-mshuler-bI had been looking for Shuler for sometime. I have vague recollections of him appearing on a daytime talk show  during the 80s to educate women about football, but even at a young age, it was obvious to me that the women had eyes for Mickey and his slick Magnum PI-esque mustache.  Luckily before the end of his career he had some great cards come out from different manufacturers than Topps. Among my favorite I really enjoyed these two entries from ProSet and Action Packed. He also had some ignominious cards in 1990 that showcased him in his Eagles gear, but they all beat the profile/ on the sidelines shots that so punctuated Topps portfolio during that era.

Mickey lives back in Maryland, where he is very active in his community.  His son, Mickey Jr, eventually followed in his footsteps to Penn State at TE and into the NFL.  He signed these two cards for me and told me to “Keep the Faith!”, in regards to my hope that the Jets will return to eventual glory.

G/GS  180/107    REC  462     YDS  5100     AVG 11.0    TD 37      LG  51

College Football HoF, NFL

Lyons, Marty

to84 lyonsto89 lyons
Cards: 1989 Topps, 1984 Topps
Acquired: Canton Acquisition, 2012

Marty Lyons was a man-machine in the middle for many years for the New York Jets. Although considered a terror along the line and well respected by opposing offenses, Lyons numbers have not garnered him a Hall of Fame nomination. Lyons was the 14th player taken in the 1979 draft and joined with (fellow draftee) Mark Gastineau, Joe Klecko, and Abdul Salaam to form the famed “New York Sack Exchange”.

Originally a member of the University of Alabama from 1975-1978, Lyons racked up 202 tackles, 20 sacks, and 6 fumbles while playing for the Crimson Tide. In his final year there, he earned consensus All-American Honors, and is considered one of the finest defensive linemen of his era. While considered a beast on the field, pummeling opponents and taking no prisoners, Lyons has received immense attention for his work at large for the community and giving, winning the NFL Man of the Year Award in 1984. He currently runs his own foundation, which is pushing near 30 years of service.

Over 12 seasons with the Jets, Lyons helped the franchise reach a level of respectability during the 80s playing defensive tackle, and occasionally kicking outside to defensive end. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 1982 and 1983 as an alternate while the team saw its first playoff berth since the days of Joe Namath in 1982, reaching the AFC Championship against Dan Marino and the Dolphins. They’d again return to the playoffs again in 1983 and 1985. In 1988 Lyons was named defensive captain of the team.

Since retirement, Lyons has been named to the College Football Hall of Fame (2011) and 5 other local and state Hall of Fames as well for his efforts on and off the field. In addition to his duties for the Marty Lyons Foundation, he has also been a color commentator for Jets radio.

G/Gs  147/135      Tac   n/a     Sac  29    Fum 8
Int  0        Yds 0        Avg -.-     Td 0        Lg -.-

 

 

CFL, NFL

McKnight, Joe (1988-2016)

do10e mcknightCard: Donruss Elite 2010
Acquired: 2014 BB, Target Autograph Memorabilia

Joe McKnight was a multipurpose athlete who was a star in his native state of Louisiana. Recruited by LSU, but later signed with USC, McKnight was an incredibly hyped machine.  (He was even touted as a Heisman candidate as early as 2009, but he and USC would not live up to those expectations.) As questions arose about McKnight possibly taking dollars under the table, he declared for the NFL draft in 2010. He finished his Junior season with 1,014 yards, and a robust 6.2 yards per carry. Due to his 6’0″, 198 frame, teams questioned his ability to run in between the tackles and nab extra yards after contact -however they praised his second level deceptive speed and his overall athletic potential.

During the 2010 draft, the Jets traded up with Carolina to nab McKnight with a 4th round pick. The Panthers in return, received both the Jets pick in the 4th and 6th rounds respectively. During his time in the pros Joe hasn’t made much in roads as a change of pace back, but has been consistent as a return man, finishing with nearly identical statistics in 2011 and 2012. His first kick off return for a touchdown was a team record 107 yards against the Baltimore Ravens in 2011, and then later in 2012 a 100 yarder against the Houston Texans.  The NFL has a limited shelf life for return men, and after the Jets bulked up at RB depth and concussion and migrane issues sidelined Joe during the preseason, McKnight was the headliner of the Jets cuts in 2013. In January of 2014 the Chiefs signed McKnight to a futures contract where he hoped to jump start his career.

Starting for the injured Jamaal Charles in Week 3, McKnight piled up 6 receptions for 64 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 carry for 3 yards, but ruptured an Achilles tendon, ending his 2014 season after just that one impressive contest.

He played in the CFL in 2016 for both the Edmonton Eskimos and Saskatchewan Roughriders, rushing for 150 yards on 17 carries in his only start.

UPDATE – On Thursday, December 1st 2016, Joe McKnight was murdered. He was shot to death by another driver suffering from road rage.  Based on news reports McKnight was not the aggressor, and he died on the scene, at the incident.