Category Archives: NFL

CFL, NFL

Armstrong, Derick

Card: Playoff Contenders 2004
Acquired: 2012, Target Authentic Memorabilia Autograph Edition

After graduating from Arkansas-Monticelo, Derick Armstrong wanted to continue his football career, so he packed his bags and went to play in the CFL for the Edmonton Eskimos in 2001. After a solid 2002, when he put up 1104 yards in 18 games, the Houston Texans would sign him in 2003 to a free agent contract. He’d have his best season in 2005 connecting with David Carr for 29 receptions, 415 yards, and a TD. After a disastrous 2005 for the Texans, Armstrong decided to return to the CFL. Playing for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Armstrong played 4 seasons for them, recording back to back 1,000+ yard seasons in 2007 and 2008. Designated the team’s franchise ‘Import Player’ Armstrong refused to play. Winnipeg benched Derick and then cut him in 2010. Derick played one final season splitting time between the Lions with the Eskimos in 2010. Armstrong is a two time CFL All Star, earning honors in 2002 and 2007.

 

NFL

Bickett, Duane

Cards: Topps 1988, Score 1990, Upper Deck 1990
Acquired: Canton Acquisition 2012

Duane Bickett played collegiately for USC at linebacker. He’d be taken off the board with the 3rd overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts in 1985 by then coach Rod Dowhower. After a supurb rookie campaign Bickett was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, recording 141 tackles, 6 sacks, and a fumble recovery at right outside linebacker. A man mountain at 6-5, 250, Bickett had a knack for always finding the ball in the backfield and shedding would be blockers. He was considered one of the most complete linebackers of his day. An incredibly slow start the following season (1986), by the team ushered in a new era under head coach Ron Meyer, but that didn’t stop Duane from recording a career high 144 tackles. (In fact Duane recorded 7 straight seasons of 100 or more tackles when all was said and done.)  His 1987 season sparked his only Pro Bowl berth, as he notched 8 sacks, 2 FF, and 113 tackles. Indianapolis began to slide backwards and despite Duane’s solid play, the team hit bottom by 1991 with a 1-15 record. Still Duane put up respectable numbers (5 sacks, 125 tackles), but by then his numbers were largely ignored outside of Indy.  Ted Marchibroda returned as head coach of the team the following season. As Bickett’s numbers finally dipped under the century mark in tackles in 92 (89) and 93 (97), Duane would be allowed to test the free agent waters in 1994. The Colts simply couldn’t afford to keep Bickett any longer.

The lifetime Colt ended up in Seattle in 1994, as he wanted to play on the West Coast closer to California, but Bickett only started 1 game recording 7 tackles playing second fiddle to Rufus Porter. Again in 1995 he came off the bench for the Seahawks and recorded 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery and 5 tackles.  Duane signed with the Carolina Panthers after the season, and recorded 2 sacks and 7 tackles but persistent back and foot problems had been creeping up on Duane so he decided to retire after the ’95 season.

Duane is considered one of the first ‘true’ Indianapolis Colts, since the team had played its tenure in Baltimore since its inception. He is also the only Colt to win defensive rookie of the year honors. Bickett is also notable for his appearance in both Tecmo Bowl and Tecmo Super Bowl for two woeful Colts teams. Duane had quite the equipment manager’s nightmare quirk, as he frequently requested up to 3 uniforms on game day so he could choose the one that matched his current mood and perfectionist style of play.

Duane is apparently an art enthusiast (especially impressionism) who enjoys his time visiting museums. He currently lives in Southern California and is a regular donor to his former High School in Glendale, California.

G/Gs 173/138   Tac 1071   Sac 53    Fum 9    |
Int  9      Yds 46     Avg  5.0    Lg 14

College Football HoF, NFL

Jackson, Keith “Boomer Sooner”

Cards: ProSet 1990, Action Packed Rookies Update 1992, GameDay 1992, Action Packed All Madden Team 1990.
Acquired: TTM 2012, C/o P.A.R.K.*
Sent: 8/28        Received: 9/10  (12 days)
*Autograph Fee $5 per card.

Keith Jackson was the highest rated tight end off the board in 1988 after a prolific career for the University of Oklahoma. A complete package at the position, Jackson had soft hands, and just about the right size, speed, and blocking ability to handle just about every duty assigned to him. Over his career at Oklahoma he racked up 1407 yards on 62 receptions- a whopping 23.7 yards per catch. He’d earn the appropriate nickname ‘Boomer Sooner’ from his teammates for his penchant to show up in big games, making big plays, leading the Oklahoma Sooners to a National Championship in 1986. During the National Championship game against Penn State, Keith caught a spectacular 71 yard touchdown pass.

He was selected in the first round of the 1988 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. Buddy Ryan, who was head coach of the time eschewed receivers, but loved the all around ability of Jackson and quickly put him to work.


It didn’t take long for Keith to become a fan favorite of the Eagles and Randall Cunningham, as he set the team mark for yards by a rookie with 869, to go along with 80 catches, and 6 touchdowns earning Keith his first Pro Bowl and AP nods. In a final accolade that season he won NFC Rookie of the Year Honors. 1988 was his best season statistically, but by no means did it represent the end of his career, as both in 89 and 90, he’d also be named AP and to the Pro Bowl for his solid seasons with 63 and 50 receptions respectively. After catching 49 balls his final season with the Eagles in 1991, Keith signed with the Miami Dolphins in 1992.

With the dawn of Free Agency and the Dolphins looking to add new weapons for Dan Marino, Keith quickly stepped right into the starting lineup for Miami, staying there for 3 seasons. Along the way Jackson scored 18 touchdowns on 146 receptions. Another ProBowl was in store for him in 1992, with 594 yards and 5 touchdowns. Keith moved on to the Green Bay Packers and became a nice redzone target for quarterback Brett Favre. Although his 1995 season was marred by injury, Keith recovered in time for 1996 scoring 10 touchdowns on 40 receptions. This earned Keith his final Pro Bowl nomination and culminated in the team’s victory over the New England Patriots in SuperBowl XXXI. He’d retire after the season.

Keith is a player who really hasn’t gotten his due, as he has never been considered for the Hall of Fame. Although the passing game has mutated into what it is today with tight ends that behave like wide receivers, Keith was an anomaly out of time. One surely wonders what sort of damage he would have done if he was playing during the current pass happy era of the NFL. Surely he would have posted some gaudy stats if things were different. Still when you look at the final count, in 9 seasons he was a 6 time Pro Bowler on 3 different teams, and a 3 time All Pro from his 3 seasons in Philadelphia. I had been long interested in adding Keith to my collection- as far back as 2009, but kept kicking the can down the road on this one. Wish I had sent out for this one sooner as it was a lighting fast reply c/o his charity P.A.R.K. He does color commentary on the radio currently for the Razorbacks, and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001.

I really liked all these cards. Pro Set actually liked the 1990 card they produced so much that they used it frequently for promotion. I can see why with the way the light perfectly hits Keith’s pads, lighting up the green in contrast to the black background. It provides quite a silhouette. I was never really a fan of the ‘All Madden Team’ Action Packed cards that were produced, although this shot in particular is a good one. The GameDay 1992 cards were superior and unique cards, and along with the Action Packed, made great cards to get autographed due to their look.
G/Gs 129/105     Rec 441    Yds 5283    Avg 12.0    Td 49    Lg 73t