Tag Archives: tampa bay buccaneers

Tupa, Tom ‘Two Point Tupa’

pset90_ttupapset91_ttupa
Cards: Proset 1990, Proset 1991, Fleer 1990
Acquired: TTM 2016, C/o Home
Sent:  4/7      Received: 4/15    (8 days)

Tom Tupa was selected in the 3rd round of the 1988 draft by the then Phoenix Cardinals out of Ohio State. Unbeknownst to even the Cardinals, the franchise was at the beginning of a long search to find an answer at quarterback to replace long time quarterback Neil Lomax– whose career quickly declined after 1988, due to injury and an arthritic hip. After Lomax’s sudden departure left Phoenix in a lurch in 1989, the Cardinals staffed a platoon at quarterback with Gary Hogeboom, Timm Rosenbach, and Tom sharing the workload. Tom threw for 973 yards and 3 TDs- to 9 interceptions, while suiting up for 14 contests.  He also got to showcase his impressive skills as a punter filling in for injured starter Rich Camarillo in a pinch. After not seeing any playtime in 1990, Tom spent one final season in Phoenix. He’d win 4 games in 11 starts and throw for a career high 2053 yards and 6 TDs.

1991 led to a short stay in Indianapolis for Tom. Afterwards he bolted for Cleveland. He spent the next three seasons with the Browns. It’d be in 1994 that Tom finally made a rare positional move from quarterback to punter. One could also argue at this point, that Tom had become the best emergency quarterback in the NFL. In 1996, Tupa signed with the New England Patriots and punted for them through the 1998 season.

In 1999, Tom had his finest season as a pro playing for the New York Jets. He’d earn Pro Bowl and All Pro Honors after the season punting 81 times for 3659 yards. Tupa played for the Jets through the 2001 season, before playing for the Buccaneers for 2002 and 2003.  His final season came in 2004 with the Redskins – a year in which Tom set career highs for punts (103) and yards (4544), earning him an invitation as a Pro Bowl alternate.

In a small bit of trivia, Tom is known as ‘Two Point Tupa’, for scoring the league’s first 2 point conversion, and repeating it two more times later in the season.

Tom as of 2016 was a coach at a local high school in Ohio. He signed these 3 cards for me in a bit over a week. ProSet had a major soft spot for Tom and I wasn’t really sure why, covering him in their 1990 and 1991 entries. Notably Score and Topps didn’t make early first or second year cards of Tom.  Fleer 1990 was the company’s first foray back into the football card market in many years. The set was novel looking enough, with nice action shots, but the design of the card itself did not age well with the abstract metal football logo, and the random team helmet just sort of haphazardly thrown on there.

G/GS 220/13     ATT 504      COMP 259       YDS  3430       PCT  51.5%
TD 12       INT  25       RAT 60.5
RUSH 53      YDS 187     AVG 3.5     TD 1       LG   17
P  873      YDS  37862      AVG  43.4        LG  73

Boston, David

Card: Topps 2002
Acquired: Future Considerations, 2016

At Ohio State, Boston was head and shoulders above the competition. He set school records as a receiver, and his 1998 was among the best single season marks in Buckeye history (85 catches, 1435 yards and 13 TDs.  After 3 years at Ohio State, Boston decided to declare for the 1999 NFL draft.  The 1999 draft was pretty star studded.  David was the second receiver taken off the board overall (behind Torry Holt) with the 8th pick overall by the Arizona Cardinals.

After a not so convincing rookie season (40 receptions, 473 yards, 2 TDs in 8 starts), David really took off in 2000. He put up 71 receptions for 1156 yards and 7 TDs. He followed his second season in the NFL with a dominant 2001 campaign earning his only probowl and All-Pro Nomination with 98 receptions for 1598 yards and 8 TDs. He’d be the second youngest receiver ever to break the 1,500 yard plateau. Before he could continue his career march towards stardom further, he blew out his knee after 8 games. The tragedy of it is, that David has really worked on becoming not only more disciplined as a player with his routes, but also disciplined mentally- not drawing the unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and the self-destructive behavior that plagued him early in his career. It was also a contract year…

Arizona couldn’t match San Diego’s offer to David Boston- who had become so lean and mean looking, he should’ve been playing tight end or linebacker instead of wide receiver. The guy was a walking 8 pack with 21-inch biceps! The Chargers deal was a mega contract at $47 million over 7 years.  Who knows why things didn’t workout in San Diego, but the Chargers jettisoned him just after one season (70 catches for 900 yards, and 7 TDs) in 2003. It has been rumored that the Chargers didn’t like David’s work ethic or his attitude- but regardless, he was traded to the Dolphins in 2004, in the midst of a spate of legal issues.

Boston was ready for a clean start in Miami, but then was suspended for 4 games because of steroids, and soon thereafter he tore some knee ligaments ending his season.  He returned to play briefly in 2005, but tore his knee ligaments again. In 2006 he joined the Buccaneers, however before the season began he was arrested for a DUI and GHB. Tampa quickly cut him.  David attempted to resurrect his career in 2008 in the CFL with the Toronto Argonauts, but a stress fracture in his foot ended his career after just one game.

Lance hit up a boat show from what I remember and David Boston along with a few other random players were at this event. I had always wanted Boston on a card or two. His history as a physical specimen and his subsequent burnout of the league has always fascinated me.

G/GS 75/61    REC  315     YDS  4699    AVG  14.9    TD 25    LG 70T

Johnson, Keyshawn

mem johnson SIItem: Sports Illustrated, January 19, 1999
Acquired: Future Considerations, 2015

Lance came through with this one and gave me a copy of a Sports Illustrated autographed by none other than Keyshawn Johnson. I am neither a fan of EBay purchases or autographed magazines, but I won’t look this gift horse in the mouth. At the time he also gave me a certified Billy Sims autographed card as well. I always give extras whenever I can to friends in a pay it forward maneuver, so it’s always nice to get something back in return.

Keshawn Johnson came off the board #1 overall (first time since Irving Fryar, 1987) in the wide receiver deep 1996 draft. Selected by the New York Jets, Johnson recorded his first two 1,000+ yard seasons in 1998 and 1999, earning him ProBowl berths in both years. He’d be traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2000, and have the best season of his career in 2001, when he posted 106 receptions for 1266 yards, earning his 3rd and final Pro Bowl berth. Keshawn posted his last 1,000 yard season and won the Super Bowl in 2002.  He was traded to the Cowboys in 2004, narrowly missing the 1,000 yard mark at the end of the year.  Johnson played one final season in 2006 with the Panthers, retiring after the season.

Post playing days, Keshawn has been an in studio analyst and was the first celebrity voted out of Dancing With the Stars -17th Season.

G/Gs 167/162    Rec 814    Yds 10571      Avg 13.0      TD 64      LG 76