Category Archives: NFL

NFL

Smith, Vinson

CARDS: Fleer 1992, Pacific 1992, Topps Stadium Club 1992
ACQUIRED: TTM 2025, C/o Home
SENT: 2/19 RECEIVED: 3/3 (12 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Vinson Smith started his college career as a DL at East Carolina.
  • It wasn’t until he was a junior that Vinson was converted to ILB.
  • He finished his college career with 294 total tackles, 4 picks, and 2 fumble recoveries.
  • Undrafted he joined the Atlanta Falcons in ’88 as a free agent, but spent most of the season battling injuries.
  • Spent the entire 1989 season on IR with the Steelers.
  • Signed as a Plan B free agent with the Cowboys in 1990.
  • As the starting WLB, posted 71 tackles and 3 QB pressures in ’91.
  • Had 69 total tackles and 1 sack and 2 fumble recoveries in ’92.
  • Traded to Chicago in 1993 along with Barry Minter.
  • Recorded 111 total tackles and 4 sacks in 1995.
  • Returned to the Cowboys in 1997 and was a key backup to all 3 LB positions.
  • Joined the New Orleans Saints in ’98 where he again contributed as a backup and special teamer.
  • Retired after the 1999 season.

ACCOLADES:

  • ECU Pirates HOF

NOTES:

Vinson was another one of these Cowboys from my childhood at St. Edwards I never got at training camp. When he popped up on my radar I sent these cards out immediately. I’ve held onto the Fleer 1992 card for some 30+ years…

NFL

Dwight, Tim

CARDS: Atomic 2002, Upper Deck MVP 2002
ACQUIRED: TTM 2024, C/o Home
SENT: 1/2/24 RECEIVED: 2/3/24 (32 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Tim Dwight played college ball at Iowa from 1994-’97.
  • A speedy wide receiver and return man, Dwight did it all for the Hawkeyes.
  • Most dangerous as a return man, in both ’96 and ’97 he led the conference in punt return yards, average, and TD.
  • Dwight finished his college career with 4589 all-purpose yards and 32 total TDs.
  • Fourth round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 1998.
  • Led NFL with 20.9 yards per reception in 1999 on just 32 catches.
  • Traded to the San Diego Chargers in 2001 as part of the Michael Vick trade.
  • Over 4 seasons caught 62 passes for 1169 yards and 11 TDs, and had 3,895 all purpose yards.
  • Spent the 2005 season with the New England Patriots.
  • Signed with the Jets in ’05, but spent the final month of the season on IR.
  • Played for the Raiders in his final season in 2007.

ACCOLADES:

  • PFWA All Rookie Team
  • National High School hall of Fame 2025
  • University of Iowa Athletic Hall of Fame

NOTES:

Tim is a kind philanthropist and has a foundation named in his honor that grants scholarships to kids in need.

NFL

Thompson, Darrell (2)

CARDS: Topps 1990, Score 1990, Score Supplemental 1990, Action Packed 1990, Action Packed 1991, Fleer Update 1990
ACQUIRED: TTM 2025, C/o Home
SENT: 2/27 REFCEIVED: 3/12 (13 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

So way, way back in 1992 or so when I got his autograph through the Packers, Darrell signed my cards with a D—— T——-. That’s it! It was pretty uninspiring.

When I unpacked the cards and started looking at the autographs online, I noticed that Darrell was a voracious signer, and that he was signing his full autograph- which is a lot better than his original. So over the years, I kicked the tires on mailing out a few more cards to him to get autographed. That was probably 15-ish years ago?

I always wanted to get the Action Packed 1990 Rookies card replaced, so I tossed that in along with a few others. He not only signed the cards, he also wrote a really nice note- saying that he’d try harder <in regards to the autograph this time around>.