Tag Archives: star pics 1992

NFL

Israel, Steve

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Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1992, Classic 1992, Star Pics 1992, Skybox 1992
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Home
Sent: 10/31   Received: 12/17  (49 days)

Steve Israel played college ball at Pittsburgh and set the world on fire his senior season when he recorded 6 interceptions, returning one of them for a touchdown.  With Jerry Gray signing with the Houston Oilers in 1992, the Rams were in the market for another defensive back. After recently being exposed with regularity by the 49ers receiving corps, Los Angeles needed to keep the arms war going by adding fresh blood to the back four. The Rams selected Steve with the second overall pick of the second round. A speed merchant, Steve started 12 games in 1993, but otherwise was used primarily as the Rams nickle back throughout his 3 year tenure with Los Angeles.  During the Summer he’d be waived by the team, but picked up shortly there after by the 49ers, who needing depth at the position after a recent spate of injuries hit the squad.  He’d make his first career interception against the Atlanta Falcons in 1996.  In 1997, Steve signed with the New England Patriots and play there for another 3 seasons. Steve marked his best season as a pro in ’98 recording 3 interceptions and 2 sacks in 7 starts.  He’d play one final season in New Orleans in 2001 before retiring during camp in 2002 with the Carolina Panthers.  Currently Steve lives in North Carolina and does commentary for ESPNU.

The Bible scripture is from Proverbs 16:3- “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

 

G/Gs  102/38      Tac 249        Sac 4    Fum 4    Int  5      Yds  16      Avg  3.2     Td 0       Lg 12

NFL

Vincent, Troy

spics92 vincentaprks92 vincent

Card: Star Pics 1992, Action Packed Rookies 1992
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Love Thy Neighbor
Sent:   Received:   (days)*
Donation: $5 per card

Troy was one of the top defensive backs out of the 1992 class. At Wisconsin, the former Badger finished his career as a runner up for the Jim Thorpe Award, a 1st Team All-American, and the school’s all-time punt yardage leader.  With rumors of him going as high as #5 to the Green Bay Packers, Vincent was on the up and up in the hours before the draft.  Although the Packers took equally impressive Terrell Buckley off the board with their pick, Vincent didn’t fall far as the Miami Dolphins were there to scoop him up with the 7th overall pick.  He immediately was slotted into the lineup in the team’s retooled defensive backfield that was competing in an arms race with the dominant division leading Buffalo Bills wide receiver corps.

Turning in a strong rookie season, Troy finished with 2 picks for 47 yards, 77 tackles and a forced fumble, earning All-Rookie Team honors. Although a solid DB, it wouldn’t be until 1994 that Vincent really made a splash- with a 5 pick season and a spectacular 79 yard return for a touchdown against the Chiefs. Then in the following season Vincent had 5 more interceptions, including a 2 pick performance against the Jets, one which he returned for a touchdown as well. With big bucks free agency in session, Troy left the Dolphins in 1996 destined for the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Eagles were in a similar circumstance with the Dallas Cowboys, and eager to stay up with them, needing a lockdown opposite Bobby Taylor to replace recently departed blue chipper Eric Allen. Vincent fit the bill of what they direly needed. Troy played the majority of his career for the City of Brotherly Love. There he went on to perhaps have his greatest success, rattling off a string of successive Pro Bowl appearances (1999-2003), led the NFL in interceptions (7- 1999), and earned an AP nomination for his 2002 season.

In 2004, Vincent signed with the Buffalo Bills where he was moved to free safety. The move allowed him to extend his career another 3 seasons. A brief stint in Washington brought him back to Buffalo during 2006, and he’d retire after the season having logged some 15 seasons.

Troy has immersed himself in charity operations through his “Love Thy Neighbor” campaign and has been involved in the NFLPA for many years. When Gene Upshaw retired, Troy’s name was indeed among the rumored candidates for the job. Vincent has also received some support for the HoF but due to the lack of glamour statistics associated with the position, Vincent has not made it past the semi-finals.

G/Gs 207/200    Tac 738    Sac 5.5    Fum 12  Int 47   Yds 711   Avg      Td 3     Lg 90t

NFL

Harris, Corey “Snake”

Card: Star Pics 1992
Acquired: In Person 1992, Houston Oilers Training Camp
Pending: GameDay 1992, Skybox Impact 1992

Corey Harris was a do it all athlete coming out of Vanderbilt, where he played wingback, flanker and returned both kicks and punts for the Commodores.  He’d be named first team SEC in 1991, with 1103 yards rushing on 229 carries. A super athlete with great agility, the Oilers would take the speedster in the 3rd round and move him to wide receiver/ kick returner, where he was expected to compete in 1992. After a pretty impressive preseason in which he had a kick return for a touchdown, Harris would be mysteriously released after a poor week 4 showing against the Bengals, (that had no affect on the Oilers victory).

He’d be signed by Green Bay and immediately start returning kicks in week 5, holding the job with the Packers through 1995, leading the NFL in kick return average  in 1993 with a 30.1 average.  In 1995, Snake would sign with the Seahawks, and they’d convert him to cornerback to go along with his kick return duties. He’d make his first 3 interceptions that season starting his first full 16 game slate. Harris would play for the ‘Hawks through 1996 and then play with Miami for one largely unremarkable season.

It’d be in 1997 that Corey became a member of the Baltimore Ravens and the team he is perhaps best remembered playing for. The Ravens decided that Harris would be best suited for safety and in addition to his kick returning abilities, he would shine with 35 returns for 965 yards and a touchdown, and also return one pick for a touchdown against New Orleans in Week 12. He’d continue to provide valuable depth for the Ravens, and win a SuperBowl ring after the 2000 season.  He’d start the whole slate of 16 games in 2001, and then sign via free agency with the Detroit Lions, where he’d finish his career after the 2003 season.

I called Corey over by his nickname, which he was really surprised by because he said most fans didn’t know that. Nicknamed ‘Snake’, I’d assume it was because of his uncanny ability to set up blockers, dodge in and out of traffic, and play the screen. A really nice guy, I remember when he saw his card he got really excited as I think that it was the first one he had seen. I was always glued to the TV when he returned kicks, and was really mad when the Oilers cut him. In retrospect I think if the Oilers really knew what to do with him, Harris would have been a valuable asset to the team.

I recently found a few cards of Corey’s that I had that I always wanted to get signed, and sent out to him last month.

G/Gs  183/92      Kr 238           Yds 5528        Avg  23.2    Td 1   Lg 95t   |
Tac 490    Sac 6.5     Fum 9     Int 11      Yds 137    Avg  12.4    Td 1      Lg 49