Category Archives: NFL

NFL

Jones, Jimmie


Card: Score 1990
Acquired: In Person 1991, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Jimmie Jones was another one of Jimmy Johnson‘s Miami Hurricane connections in Dallas. Knowing what he was getting from Jones, Johnson snatched up the defensive lineman in the 3rd round of the 1990 draft. At 6’4″, 285- he had great height, but needed to put on a bit of weight if he wanted to be an every down lineman; However utilized situationally as a speed rusher- Jones was ideally suited for what the Cowboys were doing. Jones would also contribute along the line on special teams. His rookie season was strong. Jimmie would finish with 7.5 sacks and 60 tackles starting in 6 games at left defensive tackle. Following that up in 1991, he’d add 2 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries in 6 games shifted to right defensive tackle making room for fellow Hurricane Russell Maryland. In 1992 and 93 he’d continue his tear as a speed rusher, making a total of 10.5 more sacks despite being deployed in a rotation with other linemen. During SuperBowl XXVII, Jones would not record a single tackle, but would recover 2 fumbles, scoring a touchdown on one of them. The 2 fumble recoveries would tie a SuperBowl record.

Jimmie would capitalize on his Super Bowl performance and be signed by the Los Angeles Rams in 1994, where he was finally given a starting role next to Sean Gilbert. He’d respond by making 10.5 sacks in 44 starts for the team, but was released in 1997 as salary cap casualty. In Jones’ twilight, he would finish out his career with the Eagles in 1998, in the role that made him a star with the Cowboys- as a situational pass rusher making 2.5 sacks.

Jimmie Jones is not to be confused with the defensive end by the same name, but a different era, playing for the Jets and Redskins from 1969-1973.

G/Gs 121/60      Tac 248      Sac  32      Fum 2       Int  0      Yds 0    Avg -.-    Td 0    Lg -.-

NFL

Brown, Vincent

Card: Topps Stadium Club 1992
Acquired: TTM 1993, Patriots Blitz

The Patriots often found and groomed exceptional linebackers for their 3-4 front. Vincent Brown was no exception. A second round pick in 1988 out of Mississippi Valley State (Jerry Rice’s, Ashley Ambrose’s and Deacon Jones’ alma matter), Brown started 3 games his rookie season and made 35 tackles. Prized for his ability to play inside or outside linebacker, Vincent would move to RILB in 1989 and make 4 sacks and 78 tackles in 10 games. He’d get his first AP nomination in 1991 when he raked in 117 tackles and 2 FF.  In 1992 Vincent would top his banner season by returning a fumble and an interception for a touchdown that season while making 103 tackles after he was moved to LILB working alongside Johnny Rembert, Andre Tippett, and Chris Singleton. He’d continue to anchor down the position for the remainder of his career, and make his final AP appearance in 1993 after he made 158 tackles and an interception. Of note, Brown would be the first player on the Patriots ever named as a ‘transitional player’ after Plan B was ended. In 1994 and 1995 he wouldn’t make AP again- despite making 3 and 4 picks respectively in those two seasons. He’d retire after the 1995 season with 737 tackles in 123 games and was voted to the Patriots’ Team of the Century and the Patriots All-1990s Team.  He currently coaches linebackers at the University of Virginia.

G/Gs 123/105      Tac 737     Sac 16.5     Fum 6    Int 10      Yds  95    Avg 9.5     Td 1   lg  49t

NFL

Smith, Jimmy “Silk”

Cards: Star Pics 1992, ProSet 1992
Acquired: Dallas Cowboys Training Camp 1992
See Also: Jimmy Smith Lightning

Another one of these great autograph stories was Jimmy Smith out of tiny Jackson State University. His rookie Star Pics 1992 card I had extensive player information on the back, down to things like nicknames, so when I saw players, I was sure to initiate contact with them by calling them by that nick. Jimmy was seeing the trainers along with Ricky Blake and a few other players in training camp and Josh and I had shrewdly decided to camp our spot in autograph alley throughout the whole morning practice. We recognized Smith so I erroneously called him ‘Slick’. When he signed my cards and told me his nickname was silk,  -we looked at the back of his card, to which I admitted I was wrong . We had a good laugh at my expense, so he was sure to add in his nickname with parenthesis so I could get it right. (He was a rare 2 card signer.)

Jimmy was a second round choice of the Dallas Cowboys, who were looking for that special slot receiver to go with Alvin Harper and Michael Irvin. Smith would find himself on injured reserve from a broken leg in 1992 and a freak appendectomy in 1993.  The team would become impatient with him and cut Smith in 1994 over the fault of the appendectomy Smith had sustained. The Eagles would immediately claim him off of waivers but he would not make the roster of the squad. For all points and purposes- Jimmy Smith’s career was dead on arrival after 3 seasons, -but Jimmy’s mom would not be deterred.

On a whim, Tom Coughlin coach of the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars would give Jimmy a final shot because his mother sent a highlight tape for Coach Coughlin to look at. Smith’s first season with the Jags in 1995 was more like a rookie season for him as he had never seen the field playing for the Cowboys. He’d quietly earn 288 yards and 22 receptions, scoring his first 3 touchdowns of his career. In 1996 however, Silk would burst onto the NFL scene with his first of 7 consecutive 1,000 yard seasons. Injury would slow Smith down in 2003 where he’d only notch 800 yards, but he’d return to form for his final two seasons in 2004 and 2005 with 1,000 yards in each season for the Jaguars. A devastating combo when paired with Keenan McCardell, Smith as the career leader in yards and touchdowns for the Jaguar franchise. His 12,000+ yards ranked him 10th all time at retirement. So much for a guy who was cut by the Cowboys out of spite over medical issues… From 1997-2001 Jimmy would be named to the ProBowl and in 1999 he’d lead the NFL in receptions with 116 (6th in NFL history at the time).

Jimmy from time to time has had some issues with drugs, and with the backlog of wide receivers now waiting to get into the Hall has not made it easier for him to find himself anywhere near the final ballot. He currently resides in Florida and works in radio.  I’ll probably make another loop around later to get Jimmy as I have another card or two of his I’d love to get signed.

G/Gs 178/150   Rec  862      Yds  12287       Avg  14.3      Td 67      Lg  75T