Category Archives: NFL

NFL

Manning, Danieal




Cards: Leaf Rookies & Stars 2006, Upper Deck 2006.
Acquired: In Person 2012, 1300 The Zone Texans Draft Party

With Danieal Manning’s autographs on these two cards, I officially went over 1,000 autographs on cards. He jokingly balked at signing the cards originally when I produced them stating, ” Aww, man these are Bears cards! I thought you were a real fan!” I then produced these additional photos, which he was more than happy to sign and then did an about face on these cards telling me it was just a joke. He was able to tell me exactly where these photos were from, and the “Shhhh…” is from the Baltimore after he made a pick. He also was cool enough to take a photo with me as well.

Manning dominated at the college level for tiny Abilene Christian. In 3 years there, he compiled 159 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 11 interceptions for 99 yards. In 2003 alone he’d record six of those picks, putting him on the national radar. Danieal, earned two All-American Selections in 2004 and 2005 for the Wildcats. A dangerous return man with breathtaking speed, Manning recorded 6 special teams touchdowns.

He’d hop to the NFL for the 2006 draft and the Bears took Danieal with the 42nd pick that year.  Manning created quite a stir, as fans weren’t expecting him to be as talented at returning kicks as the dynamic Devin Hester, but they were in for a surprise, when Danieal did full-time duties in 2008. He’d return 36 kick offs for 1070 yards and a touchdown. His whopping 29.7 yard average led the NFL and he’d be named All-Pro after the season, despite starting only half the season. A strong pass defender and run enforcer, Manning made 9 picks, and 32 pass defensed in 6 seasons with Chicago from the Free Safety position to go along with 324 tackles and 7 forced fumbles. He’d get lost in the shuffle of Chicago’s defense in 2010 by breaking his foot, and was allowed to leave as a free agent for 2011 after rejecting an extension.

The Houston Texans were remaking their NFL history making worst pass defense in history from 2010. After being rebuffed by N’Mandi Asomugha, the Texans decided to go with a 1-2 combo of signing Johnathan Joseph from Cincinnati and Danieal Manning from Chicago. Manning and Joseph provided the Texans with an excellent combo for Wade Phillips to reshore Houston’s porous defensive alignment.

Initially I was still sore about the team allowing vocal defensive leader Bernard Pollard go. He really came in and contributed to the team in 2009, but had just a subpar 2010, exposed in Frank Bush‘s defensive scheme. It didn’t take long for Manning to make an impression on the defense for me, and I knew they were in good hands with him protecting the backside.

Starting 13 games in 2011, Manning recorded 52 tackles, 2 picks and a fumble recovery. Houston recorded a remarkable turn around on defense, moving from 4th most points allowed for 4th least points allowed. Manning also performed kickoff return duties with 13 KR for 356 yards and a 27.4 yard average.

I had to really fight to get to the 1300 the Zone event downtown this time. It was the first event I had attended something in the Warehouse District in some time. The area has changed quite a lot. Dotted with expensive parking lots and shoddy attendant rules and prices, it was frustrating, but in the end worth it. I found a lot that charged 5 bucks and after getting change was able to jog a block to the event with about 30 minutes to go. Rod Babers greeted me at the door with a big smile and when he yelled out my name, all the fans in the room looked at me. It was odd being surrounded by all these old and new Texans fans. I had gotten used to cheering on the Texans during their darker days alone at restaurants, biting my tongue and savoring the small victories. Now it appears everybody wants a piece. Everybody has been a fan since day one. I’m not going to chide them. It’s nice to have a team that people like now, and I hope the Texans can keep up the positive vibes and good seasons to establish some brand loyalty with them. This event was a great start.

 

 

Arena, CFL, NFL, WLAF

Parker, Carl


Cards:  ProSet WLAF 1991, Wild Card WLAF 1992, Ultimate WLAF 1992.
Acquired: TTM 2012, C/o home.
Sent: 6/11   Received: 6/26   (15 days)
Failure: TTM 2010, C/o Home RTS

Carl Parker was a standout receiver for Vanderbilt. The problem is Vandy is a doormat for many of the major football programs. Still over his three years with the Commodores, Parker totaled 118 catches and 1712 yards, including 42 passes for a 19.2 YPC and 12 touchdowns as a Senior. Carl signed with the Bengals in 1988 and was with them through 1989, before briefly catching on with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL in 1990. The Sacramento Surge of the WLAF drafted him in the 4th round of the 1991 positional draft in the 6th slot.

Quarterback Mike Elkins bonded with Carl quickly, and of the 13 touchdowns Elkins threw, Carl caught eight of them- good for second in the league. In fact, Carl caught touchdown passes in the last 7 contests, highlighted by his 2TD performance in the team’s upset of Frankfurt during the season finale. Parker received All-WLAF Second team honors, as the league’s 3rd leading receiver in both catches (52) and in yards receiving (801).  He also had 3 100+ yard receiving games, including 136 in a loss to London, and caught at least 1 ball in every game of the season.  Parker also did double duty on punt returns, ranking 4th in the league with an 8.5 yard average on 15 returns.

Carl returned for the 1992 season to Sacramento. It was a new team and a new attitude on offense, infused by journeyman David Archer at quarterback and future CFL All Stars, Eddie Brown and Mike Pringle on offense.  Carl had another good season with numbers worthy of being a number one on many teams, finishing 1992 with 42 receptions, for 657 yards, and 6 touchdowns. While the numbers weren’t as good as ’91, Parker helped the Surge raise the World Bowl trophy over their heads at the end of the season with their victory over the Orlando Thunder. The league though sought to restructure after the season, and the CFL admitted in the rival Surge and Riders. The Surge were rechristened the Gold Miners and Carl picked up a final season with them in the CFL. Carl played last for the first incarnation of the Albany Firebirds of the Arena Football League before finally hanging up his cleats.

WLAF Rec 94    Yds 1458   Avg  15.5   Td 14   Lg 48
Pr  15    Yds 127   Avg 8.5   Td 0   Lg 15

NFL

Walls, Everson


Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1990, Score 1989
Acquired: In Person 6/15/2012, Burnet Feed BBQ Store.

Probably one of the greatest free agent acquisitions in the history of the NFL at cornerback, Everson Walls has held the NFL interception title 3 times over his career, and played for the Cowboys, Giants, and Browns.  He earned All-Pro Honors in 1982, 1983, and 1985, and is tied for the NFL record for most interceptions in cumulative Pro Bowl appearances. After a meritous career with the Cowboys from 1981-1989, Jimmy Johnson left him unprotected in Plan B after the team’s 1-15 disastrous season. He’d sign Plan B with the Giants in 1990- leaving the Cowboys after recording 649 tackles, 44 interceptions, and 3 fumble recoveries.

The Giants moved Walls to Free Safety to replace departed Terry Kinard, and Everson responded by notching 5 more picks en route to the team’s Super Bowl XXV victory.  He’d also register his first pick for a touchdown against division rival Washington that year. Another season with the team and 4 interceptions in 1991, saw him split time in 1992 between the Giants and Browns with 3 picks. He’d retire after 14 seasons with the Browns in 1993.

Despite having so many accolades and being named to the Cowboys 25th Anniversary Team, the NFL 1980s team, Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame, Grambling Hall of Legends, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, and the Tom Landry Award, -the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor and the NFL Hall of Fame elude him to this day. I think it is an absolute crime that Walls is not at least in the Ring of Honor as he was one of the most complete defensive backs during his tenure in Dallas. Some say it was because of the 49ers Dwight Clark made that grab over him in the Championship Game, while others say it is because of his acrimonious hold outs, but I tend to believe that the NFL overlooks the corner position, if you are not as flashy or noisy as people like Deion Sanders.

Walls wrote a book in 2009, (“A Gift for Ron”,) chronicling his life and detailing his decision to donate his kidney to save his best friend and teammate on the Cowboys’, Ron Springs life. To me that’s worth it alone to demonstrate Everson’s humanity and compassion, emphasizing a trait that all members of the Hall of Fame should strive for.  He spends a lot of time on the road donating his time to charity, and works on TV and radio where he is immensely respected for his knowledge and understanding of the sport.

I had just joined the Texas Autograph Club, when I looked at the upcoming events and spotted a post about Everson appearing at a BBQ joint in Burnet, Tx -which is right down the road from me.  I unpacked some cards and grabbed my friend Josh and went to meet him. While the signing fee was stiff, it was totally worth it, as the money was going to help out the Burnet kids football team. Everson told me that first he’d like to be put into the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor, and then poked fun at the Giants card in front of the kids who were there that we were helping out.

G/Gs 186/171    Tac N/a     Sac  3     Fum 5        Int  57      Yds   504      Avg  8.8         Td  1     Lg  40