Category Archives: Arena

Arena, NFL, XFL

Sabb, Dwayne “Big Saab”

Card: StarPics 1992
Acquired: Patriots Blitz 1993

Drafted out of tiny New Hampshire in the 5th round of the 1992 draft by the New England Patriots to play linebacker, Dwayne Sabb has had quite an interesting and lively career. He’d play for the Patriots initially through the 1996 season. A good backup for the team, he’d start 24 games over 5 seasons making 7 sacks, 3 picks, 92 tackles and 3 fumbles. After he left New England he’d sign with the Chargers for the 1997 season, but not make the squad. In 1998 he signed with Buffalo and had the same result.

Sabb would sit out a few seasons until the XFL arrived. He’d sign with the New York/New Jersey Hitmen in 2001 and would be one of the league’s leaders in sacks before it folded at the end of the season. He’d finish the season with 26 tackles and 4 sacks for the team. Dwayne afterwards would spend the remainder of his career in the Arena leagues playing fullback and linebacker for the New Jersey Gladiators in 2001 and 2002. After a moderately successful time there, he’d play one season for the Buffalo Destroyers (2003) and Philadelphia Soul in 2004 before retiring.

Arena, NFL

Nagle, Browning

Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1991, Action Packed Rookies 1992, Pro Set Platinum 1992, GameDay 1992
Acquired: In Person 1993, CGA Youth Golf Tournament

“And with the 34th pick in the 1991 NFL draft, The New York Jets select: Browning Nagle, Quarterback, Louisville.”  Perhaps most notably known as the pick right after Brett Favre, Browning Nagle comes from a long line of NFL drafted quarterbacks from Louisville, KY. The team went quarterback surprisingly, (despite a glaring need for defense,) enchanted by Nagle’s strength and velocity on the ball. After a quiet rookie season on the bench learning the ropes behind Ken O’Brien, Nagle would step into the starting lineup for the Jets in 1992. In 14 games he’d throw 7 touchdowns and for 2280 yards, but he’d turn the ball over 29 times (12 fumbles and 17 interceptions). When Boomer Esiason arrived the following season Nagle headed back to the bench where after the 1993 season I’d meet him at the CGA Youth Golf Tournament and get his autograph. In 1994, he’d sign with the Colts and finish out his 1995 and 1996 on the Falcons.  After sitting out 1997 and 1998 Nagle would play two seasons in the Arena leagues, for the Predators (1999) and Buffalo Destroyers (2000) before retiring from football. His two seasons in the AFL were pretty good in respect to his NFL work. (553 att, 303 comp, 54.8%, 4120 yards, 74 td, 18 int, 98.6 rat)

In one of my fonder moments on the first day of the CGA Youth Golf Tournament in 1993,  I met Billy Joe Tolliver, Browning Nagle and Steve Bartkowski on the course. They liked my likenesses I drew of them so much they signed everything I had of them. We talked football for a few minutes and I rode around on the course with them for a hole. Since football, Nagle has been working at Medtronic as a senior marketing manager and is extremely active in the celebrity golf tournament network. Below are his NFL stats.

G/Gs 24/14     Att 437    Comp 213   Yds 2489   Pct 48.7%    Td 8   Int 20    Rat 53.5  Lg 51

Arena, NFL

Dixon, James

Card: Action Packed 1990
Acquired: In person, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp 1990

I think James Dixon was the first Action Packed card I ever got autographed.  After being cut by the Detroit Lions in the preseason, James would be a savvy free agent find by Jimmy Johnson. Originally from the University of Houston in 1989, Dixon was a  speedy special teams player and kick returner.

His rookie season was a great start as James 47 returns led the NFL in 1990, while his 1181 yards would rank 3rd. Dixon’s return numbers in fact were the highest seen by a Dallas Cowboy since the merger. He’d also chock in a 97 yard touchdown. Dixon was the Cowboys primary long bomb threat, averaging just below 20 yards a catch on 477 yards receiving. He’d have 2 TDs receiving, including a 75 yard bomb. These would all be career highs as his return yardage and receiving statistics would slip until 1991 when he only suited up for 7 games. It’d be enough for him to make the cut for Tecmo Super Bowl.

James later resurfaced in the Arena leagues in 1994 playing for Fort Worth. He’d make 9 td grabs on 405 yards.

G/Gs 22/1   Rec  26  Yds 503   Avg 19.3   Td   2   Lg 75t |
KR 101   Yds  2315   Avg 22.9   Td 1    Lg 97t