Tag Archives: oakland raiders

NFL

McDaniel, Terry

pset91 mcdaniel

Cards: ProSet 1991, ProSet 1990
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o Work
Sent:  8/13  Received: 9/5  (24 days)

A first round draft choice in 1988 out of Tennessee by the then Los Angeles Raiders, Terry McDaniel was originally a track man and sprinter in college with reputed 4.3 speed that earned All-American Honors in 1988.  He moved from WR to DB during his Sophomore campaign at Tennessee and displayed a natural and fluid ability to blanket receivers.  Terry adjusted quickly to the pro game, but broke his leg in the second game of his rookie season in LA.  At that time he was the first Raider rookie to start the season opener in the secondary over the last 17 years. He returned in 1989 and pulled pset90 mcdanieldown 3 interceptions. In 1990 McDaniel started the season on the sidelines, but came off the bench in the opener to key team’s victory over the Denver Broncos.  A dominating man to man cover back, McDaniel paired with Lionel Washington to make teams fear the Raiders secondary. Terry matured and from 1992 to 1996 he earned Pro Bowl honors. His best season perhaps came in 1994, when he recorded 7 interceptions  for 103 yards and 2 TDs to go along with 3 fumble recoveries. Terry played for the Raiders through the 1997 season, before playing 9 final contests on the Seahawks in 1998. Always dangerous, McDaniel had 8 career touchdowns playing defense, with 6 on interceptions and 2 on fumble recoveries.

Another member of Tecmo Superbowl, McDaniel’s speed and ball hawking skills were well represented by the game. Writing him care of the church ministry he works for, he signed my cards and refused my donation. He inscribed these two cards with a Bible verse from Proverbs 3: 5-6.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

G/Gs   152/137          Tac  N/a       Sac  3.0         Fum  5
Int   35       Yds 667        Avg 19.1        Td   6         Lg  67

NFL

Murray, Latavius ‘Tay Train’

sageHIT13 LMurray

Card: Sage HIT 2013
Acquired: 2015, Target Autograph Memorabilia

Latavius Murray is a prospect as intriguing as his name suggests. At 6’3″, 230, he can run the 40 4.38 seconds but he tumbled to the 6th round of the 2013 draft.  Due to a perceived lack of experience, Tay Train rarely saw the ball, carrying a grand total of 307 times, thanks in part to the presence of UCF quarterback Blake Bortles, who rightfully saw the bulk of the action. In his senior season Murray finished with 1,106 rushing yards and 19 total touchdowns.

His rookie season in 2013 ultimately ended in disappointment as injuries sidelined him for the majority of the year. He was then buried on the depth chart behind Maurice Jones-Drew and Darren McFadden. It’d be in week 11 that Murray finally got his chance to shine on the NFL stage. He finished the 2014 season with 82 carries for 424 yards (5.2 ypc) and 2 TDs.

Latavius was considered a sleeper pick in many fantasy leagues entering the 2015 season. I attempted to snag him in my league fantasy draft but missed out by two picks. He ended up having a solid campaign, rushing for over a 1,000 yards to go along with, 6 TDs, and 42 receptions.  His best game came against the New York Jets in which he rushed for 113 yards on 20 carries, to pace the Raiders to a 34-20 victory.

NFL, ufl

Washington, Lionel

pset91 lwashingtonCards: ProSet 1991, Fleer 1990
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o Work
Sent:  8/10    Received: 8/20    (10 days)

A fourth round pick of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1983, during the darker days of the franchise- Lionel Washington went on to have sterling career for the Cards, Raiders, and Broncos over 15 seasons. A solid DB for the Tulane Green Wave, and a four-year letterman for the Wave from 1979-82, Washington helped Tulane to 26 wins and appearances in the Liberty Bowl (1979) and Hall of Fame Bowl (1980) during his career.

flr90 lwashingtonWashington spent the next 4 seasons in St. Louis. His rookie season was impressive, as he recorded 8 interceptions, 67 tackles, and a fumble, in only 8 games, but perhaps playing in the shadow of St. Louis’ mediocrity and lack of national exposure, didn’t win him the defensive rookie of the year award.  After the 1986 season, Washington was traded to the Los Angeles Raiders. There he’d go on to endear himself to fans in one of the most formidable secondaries alongside guys like Eddie Anderson, Stacey Toran, Vann McElroy, Mike Haynes, and Terry McDaniel. He’d be enshrined in Tecmo Super Bowl lore in 1991 with one of the most feared defensive backfields. It was not uncommon to intercept 2-3 passes a game or return one for a long TD with that secondary. In 1989 Washington had 3 picks and a 3 fumble recoveries for 2 TDs. Thanks to the advent of true free agency in 1993, the Raiders ran out and signed Kansas City rival CB Albert Lewis.  Washington lost his starting job to him and signed with the Denver Broncos in 1995. After a two season stint, Washington returned to the Raiders for one final season before retirement.

A venerable coach, Lionel has coached extensively at the professional level with the Packers (1999-2008), Raiders (2009-2010), and Virginia Destroyers (UFL 2011).  As of 2015, he’s returned home to Tulane where he’s not only the defensive backs coach, but the co-defensive coordinator.

Lionel Washington’s 1991 ProSet card (and the 1992 ProSet Platinum) are some of the reasons why I really appreciated ProSet’s choice of photography. The above shot is just perfect, and it illustrates why the landscape card made its reappearance in 1991. To top it off, Washington has an elegant autograph, that perfectly encompasses his number into a swoosh that curves back upon the W.

G/Gs  204/164      Tac  N/a       Sac 1.0       Fum 7
Int  37     Yds 418       Avg  11.3      TD 4     Lg 48t