Category Archives: NFL

NFL

Mills, John Henry

flr97ult millsCard: Fleer 1997
Acquired: 11/23/2012, Fiterman Autograph Event

John Henry Mills was Houston’s utility player during the dying days of Oilers before the team’s early exile to Tennessee. Mills’ played tight end in college for Wake Forest, and certainly his drafting by the Oilers in the 5th round of the 1993 draft raised some eyebrows. The Oilers had become a Run ‘N Shoot franchise full-time under the direction of Jack Pardee, but after their historic meltdowns in the playoffs, media and ownership were quick to suggest that the reason the Oilers couldn’t close out games was because they didn’t have a tight end. It sounds a bit moronic, (because forget the fact you could just bring in an extra tackle every once in a while,) but ownership decreed that Pardee loosen the reins on the Run ‘N Shoot a bit to include a TE or blocking back in their lineup.  John Henry was there to fill that gap, and finished his career at Wake Forest as the college’s acclaimed premier receiver at tight end. His 1,652 yards and 142 receptions were a school record for the position and he earned first team ACC honors from 1990-1992.

It’d be with the Oilers he’d earn a roster spot by being cheap for the team and willing to do anything to make the squad. In fact he was fast enough to stand in at returner in his rookie and sophomore seasons. He could’ve been content to have sat there as the Oilers’ ‘token TE’ but instead he made waves at camp by being tried out at every position possible by the team.At 6’0″, 226, his size, speed, and motor, allowed him to be slotted in at FB, LB, or TE, but it’d be on special teams that the team valued him the most.   As a gunner on punts, Mills liked to blend in with the downfield traffic after breaking from his position next to the snapper, then burst out toward the ballcarrier.  In 1994 and 1995 John Henry was named to the Pro Bowl on special teams as an alternate for Steve Tasker and then earn the starting Pro Bowl nod as a special teams gunner in 1996.  Mills moved on to Oakland in 1997, playing there through the 1998 season and then signed with the Vikings in 1999, making 3 catches for 30 yards, (all career highs) and retired after the season.

G/Gs 100/1      Ret 26   Yds 512     Avg 19.7     Td  0   lg 37
Rec  4   Yds  34    Avg 8.5    Td  0    Lg  14
Tac 14     Fum 4       Sac       Int 0    Yds  0   Avg  -.-   Td 0   Lg -.-

 

 

NFL, University of Texas

Speyrer, Charles “Cotton”

utud11 speyrerCards: UT Upper Deck 2011, UT Upper Deck 2011 Memorable Moments, UT Upper Deck 2011 Icons
Acquired: TTM 2012, C/o Home
Sent: 12/10     Received: 12/13  (3 days)

Playing split end for the Texas Longhorns during the advent of the Wishbone under head coach Darrell Royal, Cotton Speyrer was witness to, and a part of integral moments in Texas football history during the late 60s.  Speyrer was an All-American in 1969 and 1970 and All-SWC in 1969. He led the team in receiving in 1968 and 1969 catching passes from quarterback James Street. In the wishbone, it was block first, catch second for the wide receiver corps. On occasion when the run game didn’t work for the Longhorns, they’d put it in the air to Cotton and the receiving corps. During the 1969 Cotton Bowl versus Notre Dame, Cotton had 161 yards receiving and caught two touchdowns in a 21-17 win. He just had this habit of showing up big, in the big games that counted. During his time with the Longhorns, the team won 30 games straight, en route to two National Championships.
utud11 MM 86 passAfter playing for the Longhorns through 1970, Cotton was taken in the second round of the 1971 draft by the Washington Redskins. He did make the roster of the team, but was traded to the Baltimore Colts later in the year for Roy Jefferson. It was through no fault of his own though because, head coach George Allen preferred older, seasoned veterans, versus young, fresh, rookie talent. He’d break his arm in 1971 before he even took the field for the Colts. Speyrer’s rookie season was essentially 1972, where he was used at receiver and later at returner. His best season came in 1973, returning 17 kickoffs for 496 yards (29.2 average) and a 101 yard touchdown against the Bills.  He’d also makeutud11 speyrer icons 17 receptions for 311 yards and 4 touchdowns for the squad that year, and throw a 54 yard TD on a trick play against the Jets. Cotton played another season for the Colts, and then was traded back to the Redskins in 1975.  Unable to make the ‘Skins roster, Cotton was signed by the Dolphins and played on special teams, where he retired in 1976.  He moved back to the Austin area, and has been involved in numerous charitable activities, golf tournaments, and Longhorn reunions.

Speyer marks the fastest response I have ever gotten from an autograph request, at a speedy 3 days.

G/Gs  36/0        Rec  34         Yds    575     Avg 15.7        Td  5      Lg  47
Kr  39      Yds  1035       Avg  26.5         Td 1      Lg 101t
Pr 8      Yds 54     Avg 5.4      Td 0     Lg 18

NFL

Meggett, Davin

Card: Sage/ Hit Low 2012
Acquired: 2012, Box Breaker

Davin Meggett was a powerful 4 year runningback at the University of Maryland.  A Doak Walker 2011 dark horse candidate before his Senior season, Meggett averaged 74.7 yards per game. He was also dependable in the receiving game, recording 17 catches in his last year.  Before that he split time in a crowded and talented backfield.  A small-ish back at 5-9, with a strong frame (218 lbs), Davin finished his career ranked 7th on the school’s All-Time rushing list with 2,411 yards. He has great vision, thrives running between the tackles, and his short stature allows him to hide behind the line efficiently before making his cut.  This made Meggett an intriguing prospect that many scouts have likened to Jacquizz Rodgers of Oregon State.

He is expected to contribute to a team as a stout, short yardage back who provides a change of pace out of the backfield. Going unselected in the 2012 draft, Meggett signed a free agent contract with the Houston Texans and spent a good deal of the season on the team’s practice squad. He was cut at the end of November and later picked up by the Colts who placed Davin on their practice squad.