Tag Archives: Seattle Seahawks

NFL

Warren, Chris

aprks90 warrenCard: Action Packed Rookies 1990
Acquired: Paid Signing 2014, Sportscollectors.net

Chris Warren doesn’t pop up much, and the underrated and unheralded back was on my list. One of the last cards I got in those Action Packed Rookies packs I’d buy at 7-11, this is a very solid picture of Warren. He eluded me when he joined the Cowboys blocking for Emmitt Smith at Cowboys’ Training Camp in Austin, but I kept the card all those years. When the paid event came up, I thought I might as well knock him off my list.

Chris Warren started at UVA but finished his college career at Ferrum College, a tiny Division III school in Virginia. After putting up solid numbers for the Panthers, Warren was drafted in the 4th round of the 1990 draft by the Seahawks. Seattle had recently lost career leading rusher Curt Warner to free agency, and with JL Williams not getting any younger, Warren was a good fit for the team returning kicks and getting spot duty when he could. In 1992, Warren recorded his first of 4 1,000 yard seasons for the Seahawks. In 1994 he ran for a career high 1,545 yards on 333 carries. He also logged a career high with 323 yards receiving. Chris played for the Seahawks through 1997. In his final season with the team he recorded a career high 45 receptions, but with him now recording back to back 800 yard seasons,  Warren was not viewed as a feature back anymore- at least for the money Seattle was willing to pay him.

Warren signed as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys in 1998. He spotted Emmitt at runningback while blocking up front for him over the next 2 and a half seasons. Warren played one final game for the Philadelphia Eagles retiring after the 2000 season. His son in 2014 recently signed a letter of intent to play for the Texas Longhorns.

G/Gs 162/91      Rush  1791      Yds  7696   Avg  4.3    Td 52     Lg  52
Rec 273    Yds 1935    Avg 7.1      Td 5    Lg76

NFL

Pritchard, Mike

stpics91 pritchardscosup91 pritchard
Cards: Score Supplemental 1991, Action Packed Rookies 1991, Star Pics 1991, GameDay 1992.
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent:  3/10    Received: 6/16    (98 days)

When Mike Pritchard hit the field for the Colorado Buffalos he was a virtuouso on offense, displaying excellent athetic prowess playing runningback, wingback, tailback, and wide receiver on offense.  He’d also handle some kick return duties as well along the way. He’d finish his career for the Buffs, with 47 receptions for 1241 yards, and 10 touchdowns, along with 30 kick returns for 693 yards. Despite playing only one full season at wide receiver, Pritchard finished 3rd in school history in career receptions and 2nd in touchdowns. An All-Big 8 1st team selection and team MVP in 1990, Mike had 28 catches for 733 yards and 6 touchdowns. He also stood in for Eric Bieniemy one game and surprised the Volunteers rushing for 217 yards.

gday92 pritchardMike’s versatility and speed were attractive to NFL personnel. Jerry Glanville‘s Run ‘N Gun offense took him in the 1st round of the NFL draft with the 13th pick in 1991. Mike had 624 yards and 2 TDs in 50 receptions in a respectable rookie campaign.  He’d then have 2 70+ catch seasons back to back in 1992 (77, career high) and 1993 (74).

Expected to make a big free agent splash, Pritchard joined the Broncos in 1994, but injuries limited him to just 3 games. He’d return in 1995, starting 13 games and posting 33 receptions for 441 yards and 2 TDs, ending his tour with Denver.

aprks91 pritchardMike joined the Seattle Seahawks in 1996 reviving his career. Pritchard’s 1997 campaign resulted in 843 yards and 2 TDs- his best since 1992. In 1998, Mike went deep again for 742 yards on 58 receptions. After the 1999 season, he’d retire just eking a bit over 5,000 career receiving yards.

As of 2014, Pritchard lives in Nevada. He does play by play for ESPN and does color commentating for Nevada-Las Vegas Football games.

G/Gs 127/94    Rec 422     Yds  5187     Avg  12.3     Td  26    Lg 61

 

 

 

NFL, University of Texas

Gray, Jerry “Jed”

utud11 grayCards: Upper Deck 2011, Upper Deck 2011 NCAA, Pro Set 1989, Pro Set 1990 Pro Bowl, Pro Set 1992.
Acquired: 2015, Box Break. TTM 2015, C/o The Minnesota Vikings
Sent: 1/9/15    Received: 4/17/15  (98 days)
Failure: TTM 2010, C/o Home

Another elusive Ram is off my list, as I was finally able to secure UT great Jerry Gray.  With a slew of really good cards and moments in Jerry’s career I wished to immortalize with an autograph,  I settled on four of them, but Jerry kindly added an extra. Despite my earlier failure, Gray remains a fairly dependable signer in the TTM circuit.

utud11 gray AAJerry Gray is considered one of the greatest defensive backs in the history of the University of Texas playing there from 1982 to 1984. His 16 career interceptions is ranked third on the all-time list, while his 7 interceptions in a season during 1984 is good for second all-time at the institution.  Gray was also a devastating hitter and sure handed tackler, recording 297 career tackles while playing at safety.  A rare physical specimen, Jerry was 6’1″, 185, and ran the 40 in  4.4 flat. Even more impressive was his track numbers that emphasized his long distance speed.

pset89 grayThe Los Angeles Rams selected Gray in the first round of the 1985 draft at slot number 21.  Although the San Antonio Gunslingers held Gray’s territorial rights in the USFL, they did not make a pitch to him.  Head Coach John Robinson moved Gray to left cornerback, and Jerry played on special teams as well- something that he readily accepted and enjoyed.

It wouldn’t be until his second season in the league that Jerry became regarded as a dangerous ballhawk. He’d start all 16 games and record a career high 8 interceptions for 101 yards.  As Gray began to let his presence be known as a force to be reckoned with in the NFC West, teams began avoiding him with regularity, but that would not stop him from being selected to 4 straight Pro Bowl appearances.

pset90 gray PBIt’d be in the 1990 Pro Bowl that I perhaps most fondly remember Jerry. After a fine 1989 campaign, when he recorded 6 interceptions for 48 yards and a TD, Jerry earned his final Pro Bowl nod. Pro Bowls over the last 20 years have become an increasingly boring affair, however this one in particular was keyed by defense and an exciting last minute rally by the AFC.  Gray keyed the NFC defensive effort with 6 tackles, and an interception that he returned for a Pro Bowl record 54 yards and a TD. Jerry earned the 1990 Pro Bowl MVP award for his efforts in a 27-21 win.

Before Jerry could continue his meteoric rise, Gray blew out his left knee and had to get arthroscopic surgery during the 1990 preseason. He’d start in 12 games that season, but not make an interception. Sensing a need for new blood at the position and having previous ornery salary negotiations with Gray, the Rams picked Todd Lyght in the first round of the 1991 draft. The writing was on the wall, and after a particularly bad game against the Falcons that season, Gray was replaced in the lineup.  Still Jerry managed to start 9 games, intercepting 3 passes for 83 yards and a TD.

pset92 grayJerry headlined the Free Agent lineup that hit the market in 1992. The Houston Oilers and Gray quickly came to terms. Jerry was excited to play for the Oilers as he had wanted to do so for a long time because of his ties to Texas and the chance to play for a perennial playoff contender. Jerry had a solid season for the Oilers at right corner with 6 interceptions for 24 yards and 2 forced fumbles. Following the Oilers loss in the playoffs versus the Buffalo Bills, owner Bud Adams elected to clean out the defensive staff. In came Buddy Ryan, who overnight quietly cut longtime defensive lineman Doug Smith and Jerry Gray.  Jerry signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, quietly retiring after the 1993 season.

Jerry has been an exceptional coach at the pro and college level. He has been linked as a finalist to many head coaching jobs including ones in Tampa Bay and Washington. At one point Jerry was destined to return to the Longhorns as their defensive coordinator, but left the college at the altar for the Seattle Seahawks. As of 2015, Jerry is the defensive backs coach of the Minnesota Vikings. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2013.

Jerry Rice once said that Jerry Gray was the defensive back that gave him the most trouble over the years, and Gray is also well represented in Tecmo Super Bowl where his merchant speed makes interceptions come easy. Gray’s nickname ‘Jed’ is a reference to the Beverly Hillbillies TV show, that he was a big fan of.

G/Gs  134/103    Tac  N/a    Sac N/a     Fum  9
Int  28      Yds  374      Avg  13.4    TD  3    Lg 59t