Category Archives: NFL

NFL

Smith, Rod (DB)

Card: Star Pics 1992
Acquired: TTM 1993, Patriots Blitz

I got Rod’s autograph as part of a blitz of the New England Patriots back in the early 90s. He signed the card and put “Go Irish!” on it.  Drafted in the second round of the 1992 draft, Rod was a bit undersized at 5’11”, but made up for it with his explosive hitting and speed. A track man, Smith possessed great closing speed and was once clocked at 6.35 in the 55.  During his time with the Irish, Smith even took some time in starting 7 games at strong safety, but would see his time in the NFL at corner. He made one pick his rookie year for the Patsies in 1992, and 2 in 1994, playing mainly on special-teams.

In 1995, Rod was left exposed by the Patriots and was selected by the Carolina Panthers in their expansion draft. He was the Panthers’ first selection. Smith would sign with the Vikings in 1996, but quickly returned to the Panthers during that season. He’d make 2 interceptions in 1998 and finish out the season with the Packers where he retired after the season.

Since retiring, Smith has done some charity work, was the President of the Alumni Chapter of NFL players in the Carolina area, and recently appeared at a NASCAR Track Walk event as the Grand Marshall in 2011.

(Rod Smith from Notre Dame is not to be confused with the CB with the same name drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1st round during the 80s or the WR drafted by the Denver Broncos in 1994.)

G/Gs  102/27     Tac 225    Sac 1.5    Fum 1   Int 5     Yds  53    Avg  10.6     Td 0     Lg 43

NFL, WLAF

Maggio, Kirk

Card: ProSet WLAF 1991
Acquired: In Person 1992, San Antonio Riders v. Birmingham Fire

After leading the Pac-10 in punting, Kirk Maggio would be drafted by the  Green Bay Packers in the 12th round of the 1990 draft, but was be cut during the preseason by them as well as the Saints. He was quickly drafted in the second round of the positional draft of 1991 by the Birmingham Fire of the WLAF. Notably, during the 1991 season he’d fake a punt and complete a pass to runningback Ken Bell for 65 yards and a touchdown.  By season’s end, Kirk’s 41.9 yard average was third in the league and his net average of 36.0 led the WLAF. He’d also manage to drop 20 kicks behind the 20 yard line. Kirk would be rewarded for his efforts by being named second team All World League that year.

Maggio returned to the Fire for 1992, and punted roughly half as many times as 1991. He’d still manage to check in with a 41.9 yard average and a booming 60 yard kick and a 34.3 net average but did not finish among the top three in any category. I’d get his autograph after the Riders finally beat the Fire in San Marcos in 1992. It was an extremely humid night game, and he like many players were kind enough to sign cards as the teams left the field.

This is a great card, and Pro Set did a great job of really making even this punter’s card look exciting, but note the vacant stands in the background underlining the WLAF’s financial and perception woes in the United States that would lead to the league being folded after the 1992 season.

Since the WLAF, Kirk has moved back to his home state of Maryland and put his design degree from UCLA to good work.  He has become quite a good painter, especially of sports figures and NFL players. You can visit his website at: http://paintingsbymaggio.com/.

G/Gs 20/20   P 95   Yds 3965   Avg 41.9   Lg 60    Blk 0

NFL

Carlson, Cody “Commander Cody”

Card: Upper Deck 1992
Acquired: In Person 1993, Houston Oilers Training Camp
Pending: Failure 2010, C/o Home

Cody Carlson was one of the most prolific passers coming out of Baylor University in Waco, Texas during the mid 80s when the team was watchable during its heyday in the Southwestern Conference. Cody would own virtually all of the passing records of the Bears before leaving in 1987. He was selected out of the 3rd round of the 1987 draft to compete with incumbent starter Warren Moon. (Most people do not remember that Warren during his early tenure with the Oilers, had a contentious relationship with then head coach Jerry Glanville and that Moon’s touchdown to interception ratio was pretty atrocious.)  Initially as a competitor, Cody wanted to start, but as Moon became entrenched as the starter, Carlson turned his focus towards being prepared for when the Oilers needed him to step up.

It would be with the 1987 season that Warren would finally get his numbers under control, and Carlson would peg down the backup job behind Moon but would not play in a game that season. In 1988 Cody would get to start 5 games. He’d perform well, leading the team to a 3-2 record in relief for the injured Moon. His 3 wins would be critical in helping the team reach the playoffs that season. In 1989 Cody would play primarily mop up duty in 6 games attempting 31 passes.  In 1990 Carlson playing against Pittsburgh during the season finale calmly guided the team on 22/29 passing, 247 yards, and 3 touchdowns in the team’s 34-14 victory. The game would allow the team to make the playoffs again, and although the Oilers would get rocked the next week against the Bengals in the playoffs, Carlson would return as Warren Moon’s insurance policy in 1991.  In 1992 Carlson would play in 11 games in relief of Warren, throwing for career highs in yards (1710) and touchdowns (9), including a Thanksgiving game against the Detroit Lions where he threw for 338 yards and a touchdown.  Once again due to the combined quarterbacking of Moon and Carlson- the Oilers would make the playoffs.  In the offseason, the team failed to trade Cody to Detroit for Andre Ware, so Bud instead re-upped Carlson’s contract. In 1993, Cody got his chance to start while Moon was struggling, but after an impressive start against New England, Cody was injured, -and Moon played lights out the rest of the season. Owner Bud Adams threw the gauntlet however- stating the team would be broken up after the season, (despite the team winning its second division title and making the playoffs for the last 5 seasons) and he did just that by trading Warren Moon to Minnesota after Houston lost another heart breaker in the playoffs.

Cody became the starter in 1994, but he’d separated his shoulder in the first game. He would not return till game 4. He’d beat the Bengals, but against the Steelers the next week be injured again blowing out his knee. Carlson’s injury it turned out was a career ender. As frustration mounted in Houston, and Moon continued to succeed (now in Minnesota) Carlson unfairly became the target of criticism, because minus the disastrous 1994 season- Carlson had a sparkling 10-4 record as a starter.  After the team bounced to a 1-9 record, head coach Jack Pardee resigned, and interim head coach Jeff Fisher decided he was going in a new direction at quarterback and with the offense- thus signaling the end to the Commander’s career by 1995 when the team told him that he couldn’t play anymore because of his knee.

Among the stranger things, Joseph R. Gannascoli (who played the gay mobster in “The Sopranos”) claims that Cody Carlson is who brought Gannascoli to acting, as he was a heavy gambler and lost a $60k bet on the Oilers/ Steelers game that Carlson started back in 1990. The loss forced Gannascoli to sell his restaurant and move to Los Angeles to pursue acting.  Since football Cody has written a book or two and resides in Austin, Texas. I wrote him last year and sent him a few cards and gave him a recommendation on a great Mexican restaurant in town, but he has not responded to my request. I was pretty disappointed and kept delaying this post hoping that I’d get a reply- since I am a huge Oilers fan.

G/Gs   45/19      Att   659      Comp  370     Yds  4469      Pct   56.1
Td  21    Int   28      Rat  70.0