Category Archives: NFL

NFL

James, Lionel “Little Train” (1962-2022)

Cards: ProSet 1989, Topps 1989
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Home
Sent: 4/5   Received: 4/16  (11 days)

 

Lionel James was one of the smallest players to don football pads in the NFL, measuring up at a tiny 5’6″, 172. The running mate to Bo Jackson in Auburn’s wishbone, James was a virtuoso, who had soft hands, speed, and great vision, playing runningback and returning kicks for the Tigers.

Lionel was chosen by the San Diego Chargers in the 5th round of the 1984 draft, where he fit right into the offense run by Dan Fouts and coached by guru Don Coryell. A devastating returner, Little Train had 1488 yards from scrimmage his rookie year, with a league leading 959 yards coming on 43 kick returns. He also had 30 PR and a 58 yard touchdown. In his second season, (1985) the team officially committed him to running back, where he was part of a 3 headed monster with Tim Spencer and Gary Anderson.

James had a monstrous 1985, setting the then NFL record for yards from scrimmage with 2535 yards, while also setting the then NFL record for most yards receiving for a runningback with 1027. Little Train’s 516 yards rushing also led the team and in a game against the Raiders, he fell only 28 yards short of Billy Cannon‘s 373 all purpose yards in a single game, (set in 1962).  

As injuries finally caught up to Lionel in 1986, his all purpose yards slid to 806 in 1986, but he rebounded in 1987 with another 1136, in only 12 games. James played one final season in 1988, tallying 606 yards from scrimmage, but the wear and tear had caught up to him, and by the time the 1989 season rolled around, his career was over after really only 5 seasons.

G/Gs 67/22   Rush 231    Yds  1062    Avg 4.6   Td 4    Lg 56
Rec  209    Yds  2278    Avg 10.9    Td 10    Lg 67
PR 124   Yds 1193    Avg 9.6    Td 2    Lg 81t
KR 99    Yds 2094    Avg 21.2  Td 0   Lg 55

UPDATE 2/25/22- Lionel James passed away after a battle with a lengthy illness. He was 59.

NFL

Alt, John

Card: Fleer 1990
Acquired: Canton Acquisition 2012

John Alt was a first round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1984 draft out of the University of Iowa. Through and through, one of the most solid drafts of the professional era, Alt was the second offensive lineman taken off the board, after overall #2 pick Dean Steinkuhler.  He’d be penciled in at tackle, and over the next 3 seasons, John edged his way into full time starting duty for the team. By 1987, Alt was a fixture on the blindside of the Chiefs quarterback corps where he remained for the entirety of his career. An equally adept pass and run blocker, John helped clear the way for Christian Okoye to lead the NFL in rushing during the 1989 season, and earned AP Honors in 1990 and 1991. John also holds a share of the team record for most playoff appearances with 10. Finally neck, back, and knee injuries took its toll on Alt’s career and he’d retire after the ’96 season.

Originally a tight end upon his arrival at Iowa, he outgrew the position, and bulked up to 275 by his senior season. It all paid off as he earned AP All-American and Big 10 Honors for his play.  In 2002, the Chiefs inducted him into their Hall of Fame. Unable to escape the lure of the sport, he’s back coaching offensive line at the high school level in Minnesota.

G/Gs  179/149

Arena, NFL

Ridgeway, Dante

Card: Topps Premium 2005
Acuired: 4/9/12, Target Authentic Memorabilia Autograph Edition

A dangerous receiver for tiny Ball State, Ridgeway set school records for receptions (105) and yards (1,399) in a season. Dante finished with 238 receptions, for 3,030 yards, and 22 touchdowns in a mere 35 games. He elected to forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft in 2005. Despite running a blazing 4.36 40, at 5’11”, 212 he was considered a bit undersized. Also playing in the MAC didn’t earn him any points with scouts. The St. Louis Rams pulled the trigger on Ridgeway during the 6th round.

Inexplicably, a month after signing a 3 year contract with the Rams, the team would cut Dante in August of 2005. A short stint on the Bengals landed Ridgeway on the roster of the Jets, from 05 to 06, and then the Saints from 06 to 07.  After joining again the off-season roster of the Jets in 2007- Dante returned to the Saints from 2007-2008. He’d contribute primarily as a special teamer, or rarely suit up.  2009 led Ridgeway to the Peoria Pirates of the AFL, and then quickly to the Chicago Rush in 2010.

Topps never seems to top itself, creating some of the worst cards on the market. Even their autograph cards are foul. Who creates an autograph card and then puts the word ‘Common’ on it?