Category Archives: NFL

CFL, NFL

Aldridge, Anthony “Quick-Six”

Card: Bowman Sterling 2008
Acquired: 2012, Target Authentic Autograph Memorabilia

Anthony Aldridge was originally recruited as a wide receiver to the University of Houston in 2005, but coaches liked the potential that “Quick-Six” displayed at runningback and put him to work there. In 2006, he posted an incredible 959 yards on 95 attempts, an NCAA record 10.1 rush per attempt. Taking over fulltime in 2007, Anthony went to work posting 1,597 yards, 6.2 YPC, and 16 touchdowns. A curiosity to the NFL due to his size, at 5’9″, 175 lbs, it was assumed that he could not shoulder the workhorse load needed for a full 16 game schedule. The Broncos signed Aldridge to a free agent contract in 2008 as a scatback. After spending the entire 2008 season on IR, the Broncos waived him in 2009. Both the Redskins and Texans entertained Quick-Six that season, before he landed on the roster of the Redskins in 2010 as a WR. Anthony later moved on to the Canadian Football League signing with the Toronto Argonauts as a practice squad member, but was released in November of that year. Currently Anthony is a free agent.

NFL, usfl

Hull, Kent (1961-2011)

Card: Bowman 1992
Acquired: Canton Acquisition 2012

Kent Hull flew under the NFL radar after he graduated from Mississippi State in 1983, but the New Jersey Generals of the USFL would be waiting to swoop him up. He’d block up front for Herschel Walker and Maurice Carthon, paving their way to 1,000+ yard seasons each in 1984, and then blocking for quarterback Doug Flutie in 1985. When the USFL ran into financial trouble the Generals and Houston Gamblers were merged. Jim Kelly was to be his quarterback with wide receiver Ricky Sanders, and coach Jack Pardee running the show in the prolific Run ‘N Shoot, but the league collapsed before it could take the field again.

Kelly and Hull were almost immediately reunited in Buffalo and both became instant starters helping to energize a once woeful Bills team. Buffalo quickly assembled talent and marched into the playoffs with their Hurry Up Offense. With the final piece assembled in 1989 in the form of future Hall of Fame runningback Thurman Thomas, the Bills reached the Superbowl an unprecedented 4 times during the 1990s. During that span Kent started 121 straight games at center, from 1986-1993, and retired after the 1996 season.

In addition to his 3 ProBowl appearances, Hull was named to the Bills’ 50th Anniversary All-Time team in 2009, and inducted into the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame in 2002. Jim Kelly called him one of the finest players that he ever played with and his best friend. Considered a smart tactician, Hull called plays for the line and also was a team captain for 7 seasons.  Kent Hull passed away at home on October 18th, 2011 and is survived by his wife and two children.

NFL, University of Texas

Dawson, Doug

Cards: UT Upper Deck 2011, Topps Stadium Club 1993
Acquired: TTM 2012, C/o Work
Sent: 7/9      Received: 8/7  (29 days)

Doug Dawson was an acclaimed lineman at the University of Texas where he received All-American Honors. At 6’2″, 288, he graded out extremely well as both a run and pass blocker, and displayed the versatility and intelligence to play guard and center.  Dawson was taken in round 2 with the 45th pick by the then St. Louis Cardinals. He’d almost immediately be tabbed by the team as a starter and by all accounts appeared to be a steal for the team. Doug started 15 games in 1984, and 16 in ’85, before a calamitous knee injury ended his career 1 game into the 1986 season- or so we all though.

Dawson thought his playing days were over, but the desire was always there to play. Over the next few years he took up insurance, but medical technology made a huge jump during that period, and his doctors were confident they could rebuild Dawson and medically clear him to play again. Doug was given a tryout by his hometown Houston Oilers. The Oilers were particularly deep on the line, with Hall of Famers Mike Munchak and Bruce Matthews manning the front along with Dean Steinkuhuler, Jay Pennison, and David Williams. Don Maggs and Erik Norgard also were waiting in the wings to get on the field at the drop of a hat, but somehow, Doug with his versatility, veteran presence, (and probably affordability), won a spot on the roster with the team after essentially a 4 year layoff. Despite his heroic comeback (-even starting a game for the Oilers during the 1990 season,) Doug was snubbed for comeback player of the year honors in favor of Ottis Anderson.

In 1991 Doug returned to full form in the run ‘n shoot offense, blocking for Warren Moon full time. The running game also slowly picked up steam during his tenure with the team, culminating with 1,000 yard seasons for Lorenzo White in 1992, and Gary Brown in 1993.  Doug enjoyed some of my favorite seasons as an Oiler, helping to raise the AFC Central Division Championship banner in 1991 and 1993 in Houston. He played one final season for the Browns in 1994 and retired.

I never found a card of Doug, even though I was aware of him when they signed him. Since he was drafted in 1984, Topps was the only brand on the market, and although he was a second round choice who did make an impact on the Cardinals squad, he was still playing in a siberian wasteland. Last year I was happy to find him in a box of the University of Texas Upper Deck cards and noted him for a short list. I wrote him courtesy of his business, Dawson Financial Services, – a catalyst for customers to manage, clarify, and plan towards their financial goals. I was really happy to get a response, but surprised as Doug apparently read my letter that mentioned that I couldn’t find any cards of him until 2011, and touchingly included the Stadium Club 1993 card autographed as well in his response.