Category Archives: NFL

NFL

Pearson, Preston

Card: Topps 1978
Acquired: In Person 1993, South Austin Card Convention

Preston Pearson was considered ahead of his time. One of the first 3rd down scatback specialists, Pearson was originally a 12th round choice of the Baltimore Colts back in 1967. What is more amazing is that he was drafted based on his athletic skill, since he never played a down of college football at the University of Illinois.  Preston would play through 1969 with the Colts primarily as a kick returner.  In 1968 he’d return 15 kicks for 527 yards and 2 touchdowns and his 35.1 yard return average for the season is 6th all time. Preston before departing from Baltimore would play in Super Bowl III when the Colts lost to the Jets.

In 1970, Preston would sign with the Steelers.  During his tenure he’d see a career high in rushing with 605 yards rushing in 1972 and 4 touchdowns in 1974. He’d appear in SuperBowl IX with the Steelers, before signing with the Dallas Cowboys and appeared in Super Bowl XII and XIII. Over the latter half of his career the Cowboys would utilize Pearson in more of the 3rd down back role. He’d lodge career highs in receptions (47) and yards receiving (535) during his tenure with Dallas retiring after the 1980 season, finishing his career with 9841 yards from scrimmage. Among his more odd accomplishments is the fact he played for Don Shula, Tom Landry and Chuck Noll. Preston is the president of Pro-Style Associates.

G/Gp  176/N/a        Rush  941      Yds 3609      Avg  3.8     Td  13       Lg  53   |
Rec 254     Yds 3095      Avg 12.2       Td 17       Lg 61
KR  114             Yds  2801              Avg  24.6              Td  2             Lg   102


 

NFL

Irvin, Leroy

Cards: Pacific 1991, ProSet 1989
Acquired: In Person 2011, Christian Okoye Foundation Camp

I had 3-4 of Leroy’s cards sitting in my box to send out, so when I went to the Foundation Camp hosted by Christian Okoye  and Leroy showed up, I recognized him immediately from the cards I had of him. Hedging my bets, I just packed all the boxes of cards the night before I left to go to the camp, so I was able to easily track down Leroy’s cards in the box I had.  I watched him conduct defensive back drills with the kids, while he slightly embarrassed his son who was there in attendance also as a participant. The other players also heckled him, because apparently he’s quite the ladies man.

After practice was over the players signed autographs for the kids. Leroy was kind enough to ink these two cards for me. He was impressed that I had a card with him in his Detroit Lions uniform, as he played there for one season in 1990 at the end of his career. When asked by another fan which team was better, Leroy quickly responded that he played for the Los Angeles Rams for 8 seasons, so he was sure that  the Rams were the better franchise, than playing for the Lions for that single season.

A speedster out of Kansas, Leroy Irvin was drafted  in the the 3rd round of the 1980 draft by the Los Angeles Rams. The team would stick him at cornerback and also at punt returner. In 1981, he set the NFL record for most punt return yards in a single game with 204 yards against the Atlanta Falcons. Leroy would lead the league with 615 in punt return yards, a 13.4 yard average, and 3 punt returns for touchdowns- earning All Pro honors. He’d follow it up again with AP honors in 1982.

Irvin would be incorporated more in the secondary in 1983 and he’d start over 10 games for the first time in his career at cornerback. In 1985 and 1986 Irvin would be named to the Pro Bowl, and also earn AP honors for the latter.  With the addition of Jerry Gray in 1985, Irvin and Gray would form one of the best cornerback duos in the league. Irvin would play with the Rams through the 1989 season, signing Plan B with the Lions in 1990, where he’d finish his career and retire.  Unfortunately for the makers of the game, they were not aware of Irvin’s tremendous speed or previous seasons, hence the gods of Tecmo Bowl, looked poorly upon Irvin and made him one of the worst starting defensive backs in the game.

Besides playing football and coaching Leroy has been working in the mortgage industry and also started his own line of NFL merchandise.

G/Gs  159/123      Tac   N/a       Sac 1.5    Fum 18    Int  35   Yds 676    Avg 19.3     Td 5    lg 81t   |

Pr 147           Yds 1457        Avg  9.9      Td 4    lg  84t

 

NFL

Carrier, Mark (WR)


Cards: ProSet 1989, Score 1989, ProSet 1990 PB
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Home
Sent: 4/26    Received:  5/16  (20 days)

The Buccaneers drafted Mark Carrier out of Nicholls State at the top of the 3rd round, to pair him up with overall #1 pick Vinny Testaverde in 1987. A solid pickup by Tampa, Carrier would start hitting his stride by 1988, making 57 receptions for 970 yards and 5 touchdowns. He’d follow up his sophomore campaign with career highs across the board, with 86 receptions for 1422 yards and 9 touchdowns. Mark would be named to the ProBowl and All Pro after the 1989 season. He’d continue to play for the Buccaneers through 1992, and then join Vinny Testaverde in Cleveland via free agency in 1993.  As of 2011, he remains the franchise’s all-time leader in career receiving yardage with 5,018.

At the conclusion of the 1994 season, Carrier would be drafted by the Carolina Panthers in their expansion draft with the 32nd pick.  He’d begin anew in Carolina, making 66 receptions for 1002 yards and 3 touchdowns for the Panthers in the 1995 season paired up with Steve Beuerlein. Mark would follow this up with a 58 reception season for 808 yards, however by 1997 injuries would begin to limit his playing time, and after starting only 1 game over the 1998 season, Mark would retire.

Mark is a voracious TTM signer and is currently enjoys coaching Pee Wee football in the Tampa area. He also appeared in Tecmo Super Bowl for the Buccanneers, and in Tecmo Super Bowl III Final Edition for the Carolina Panthers. Mark (wide receiver, 1987 draft) is not to be confused with the defensive back by the same name drafted by the Chicago Bears drafted in 1990.

G/Gs  177/139     Rec   569     Yds  8763    Avg   15.4     Td  48    Lg 78