Category Archives: NFL

NFL, usfl

James, Craig

Card: Topps 1985
Acquired: In Person 1994, Houston Oilers Training Camp

Craig James went to Southern Methodist University back in the 1980s and was the running mate to Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson where they formed the “Pony Express”. He’d be drafted by the Washington Federals of the USFL and play there from 1983-1984 rushing for 823 yards and 4 touchdowns but would be released unceremoniously as the Federals were financially insolvent. Craig would sign with the New England Patriots in 1984, (who drafted him shrewdly in the 8th round in 1983,) where he’d go on to be named offensive player of the year in 1985 going to both the Pro Bowl and the Super Bowl that season; However, he’d be dominated by the Chicago Bears holding him to 1 yard on 5 carries. James would earn the nickname in some circles of “The Last Great White Hope” being the last white running back to run for 1000 yards (until that streak was broken in 2010 by Peyton Hillis).  James notably played runningback in 1984 and then fullback from 1985 on to his quiet retirement in 1988 due to injuries.

James’ career since football has been just as busy. Despite the dissolution of the SWC that he set conference records in, James’ legacy has grown a substantial amount. He has been able to parlay his personality and playing career into broadcasting where he remains to this day handling college and pro games on the radio and television.

G/Gs 52/33   Att 585  Yds 2469   Td 11  Lg 73t  |
Rec 81    Yds 819   Avg 10.1   Td 2   Lg 90t

NFL, Super Bowl MVP

Martin, Harvey “Too Mean” (1950-2001)

Card: ProSet 1990, Topps 1977
Acquired: In Person 1991,1993 Dallas Cowboys Training Camp, Autograph Signing

Drafted in the 3rd round of the 1973 draft by the Dallas Cowboys Harvey Martin was a powerful member of the famed ‘Doomsday Defense’ and made 8 sacks out of the gate as a rookie that season. Nicknamed ‘Too Mean’ by his teammates to go along with ‘Too Tall’ Jones, Martin had a 20 sack season in 1977, was NFL defensive MVP, and was co-mvp of SuperBowl XII with defensive tackle Randy White. A member of the All 1970s team, Harvey was an embattled individual who dealt with drug, domestic and financial issues throughout and after his career ended in 1983. He also was named to the Pro Bowl and was first or second team AP 4 times over his career. Upon his retirement he held the team record for career sacks with 114.

I’d get his autograph in 1991 packing former players at training camp. He’d curiously sign his card with only his garbled initials. Josh and I looked at each other so disappointedly thinking that Harvey had just ruined this card with his half-assed signature. Later we’d go to an autograph signing where there was Drew, Preston, Harvey and a few other players that were just charging 5 bucks a signature and we would get his full signature this time.  He’d continue to battle his inner demons post retirement, and occasionally do commentary for wrestling circuits such as the WWF and WCC but sadly in 2001, Harvey passed away from Pancreatic Cancer at the age of 51. At this time Martin is the only player who is a Super Bowl MVP who is deceased and is also of a slim minority who have won the award and not been inducted into the NFL HoF.

G/Gs 158/71     Tac N/a     Sac 114    Fum 6   Int 2   Yds 7     Avg 3.5    Td  0

NFL

George, Jeff


Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1992, ProSet 1990, Score Supplemental 1990, Action Packed Rookies 1990, Special Insert
Acquired: TTM 1992, Colts Blitz, In Person 1997, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp, TTM 2011, C/o home
Sent: 2/14   Received: 2/26  (12 days)

I sent out for Jeff’s autograph as part of the Colts Blitz in 1992, where he managed to stamp my cards and send me a special insert autograph. The ink pooled and the stamp was really bad on my Action Packed Rookies and ProSet card. I was not happy about it, but put them in my collection anyway. Years later I’d get his autograph on a card at Cowboys training camp in 1997 when he was with the Raiders. I decided in 2010 to send out for him. He always had some killer cards that I liked and I heard he was an exceptional TTM signer. I decided to send Action Packed Rookies 1990, ProSet 1990, and a Score Supplemental 1990 for him to sign.  George had some great cards, (Fleer 1990 and Score 1990 were also some great looking finalists) and it was a really hard decision on what to send but I was just happy to get these cards signed that looked like black eyes in my collection for so long in such a short amount of time. He also included another special insert card, which was exactly the same as the one picture above from 1992, validating that it was indeed a print.
With a cannon for an arm Jeff George is one of the most prolific passers to come out of the University of Illinois. Almost coming out of nowhere in to lead the class of 1990, George had the Colts salivating to get him. The problem was, the Falcons held the #1 overall pick. Led by crafty coach Jerry Glanville, he and his staff exploited Indianapolis’ interest in George and fleeced the Colts, getting T Chris Hinton, WR Andre Rison, and the Colts #1 pick in 1991 all in exchange for the rights to draft Jeff George #1 in 1990.  The hype machine worked as the Falcons had Hinton and Rison as building blocks to propel them back into the playoffs for the first time in almost 10 years. The Colts felt they were one player away with the deal and while things looked optimistic early with George under center- everything else went backwards.  His rookie season was actually quite good, as Jeff threw for 16 TDs, 13 Int and 2100 yards; However, playoff pressure continued to mount over the next 3 seasons. In 1991, the team collapsed to a 1-15 record. While George would remain consistent, with injuries and holdouts piling up on Eric Dickerson at runningback, teams began to key heavily on Jeff. -He was sacked a league leading 56 times. 1992, would be an injury plagued year for George. I remember against the Oilers, that season, George did not start due to injury. The Oilers dismantled Colts quarterback Jack Trudeau. Forced to start  Tom Tupa for the remainder of the contest- the Oilers then knocked him out of the game. George came in under center on the last series and on the first snap- unprovoked- Sean Jones came across the line offsides and dropped George. George got up woozy and this is basically how the last 3 seasons went in Indy for the maligned quarterback. Despite throwing 7 touchdowns to 15 interceptions, George appeared to be on his way up and the team finished 6-4 with him under center starting 10 games battling injuries in 1992. 1993 would return the team to a the downward slide, and by season’s end George would be the black sheep of Indianapolis. Once the heralded savior of hometown Indianapolis- George was rode out in the middle of the night in 1994 in a trade- ironically to the team that sold the Colts the bill of goods in the first place- the Atlanta Falcons.

The Falcons era of George’s career was impressive. Jeff was allowed to blossom into a gunslinger in the Red Gun offense under coaching guru June Jones.  He’d have a breakout season with career highs in nearly all his passer categories in 1994. It appeared as though a change of scenery was all Jeff needed. In 1995 he’d top his previous season’s numbers. It would be his second season in a row with 500+ attempts and a qb rating of 89.5. Unfortunately in 1996 George and Jones had a nasty exchange on the sidelines that was caught on camera. Jones reacted by benching George for the remainder of the season- something that Jones in retrospect has come to acknowledge may have been a mistake. From there George garnered an unfortunate moniker as a cancer. He’d be dealt to the Raiders in 1997 where he again got the chance to redeem himself.

Al Davis loves himself his speed. He also loves gunslingers- and George fit this bill to the T.  Embraced by the Raiders George came out and had one of his finest seasons leading the league with 3917 yards passing, 29 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, a 91.2 qb rating, but was sacked again a league leading 58 times. He’d throw 500 or more attempts for the 3rd time in his career. I’d get his autograph in training camp that season where he signed my Action Packed 1992 card. A cool guy, he signed stacks of cards for fans. 1998 would be an injury plagued season for George, and he’d be bounced after the season.

He’d sign a free agent contract with the Vikings in 1999 and again reinvent himself under Dennis Green with another fine season, throwing 23 touchdowns and a gaudy 14.7 yards per throw (to up and coming wide receiver Randy Moss) in 10 games.  He’d sign with the Redskins the following year as a backup, but would see starting time through the season as starter Brad Johnson would either be injured or ineffective. In 2000, he’d be named the defacto starter under new head coach Marty Schottenheimer, but only lasted 2 weeks in Marty’s more play action oriented offense- thus beginning the journeyman phase of George’s career.

In 2002, after sitting out nearly a year and a half- there’d be a Jeff George sighting in Seattle as an emergency quarterback. He’d show up again in 2004 as a backup in Chicago and in Oakland again in 2006- (reunited with Randy Moss) but never see playing time in any stop.

George has not officially retired, and at this time remains in ‘playing shape’, ready to take the reins up to play quarterback at the ripe age of 42.  I suggested to him playing a season in the UFL to prove his worth to a team but did not receive a response from him. He continues to make occasional radio and TV appearances, and has from time to time received attention from the league in tryouts but has been unable to secure a roster spot on a team.  In the meantime he remains active with his charity for women’s awareness for breast cancer and has made an appearance on Spikes “Pros Versus Joes” . Below are his statistics and a few videos on George, including an amazing workout circa 2009.

G/Gs  131/124    Att  3967     Comp 2298    Yds  27602      Pct  57.9       Td  154     Int  113    Rat 80.4    Lg 85

Jeff George Workout 2009 (!!!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrnXYypoURU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLd0D9jqak4&feature=related

Details, reactions, ramifications of the Jeff George Trade
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d80211ac3/Top-Ten-Draft-Trades-Jeff-George

Jeff George tribute video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBCeryax-mQ