Category Archives: NFL

NFL

Atwater, Steve “Smiling Assassin”


pac91 atwaterpset89 atwater


Cards: ProSet 1991 AP, Pacific 1991, ProSet 1989
Acquired:  TTM 2011, C/o Home
Sent: 1/13      Received:  3/13   (43 days)

Steve Atwater was a dangerous, hard hitting safety who quickly defined the role during the late 80s and 90s, (when great safeties roamed the Earth unencumbered by the more liberal passing rules and hitting restrictions that now restrict the defensive game) and is the all-time leader in interceptions at Arkansas. Drafted in the first round of the stellar 1989 draft over other talent because of his leadership qualities, Atwater was quickly inserted into the starting lineup beside Dennis Smith by new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips who employed him near the line of scrimmage to enforce the run.  Steve would validate his selection by making 124 tackles and 3 interceptions finishing second behind Derrick Thomas for Defensive ROY honors that season.  Over the next 9 seasons for the Broncos Atwater would become a lock for the Pro Bowl and as an All Pro (1990-1996, 1998) for his solid play and tackling. Steve would make a career high 5 interceptions in 1991 and won two Superbowl rings with the Broncos in 1997 and 1998. However in 1999, Steve would be a salary cap casualty and play one final injury marred finale for the New York Jets.  In retrospect, Atwater has left astounding tackle numbers on the table for a safety. Another unsung hero who should be in the HoF, Steve has never gotten his due- perhaps because he plays at such an unglamorous position.

Since retirement, Atwater has been bestowed many honors including: Being named to the All-Decade team of the 90s, the Broncos Hall of Fame, the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, and the Razorback All-Century Team.  It was really tough to choose which cards to send as there were some nice cards of Atwater’s hitting but I settled on these showcase cards.  I had heard that Atwater was a wonderful respondent TTM with fans and I was not disappointed receiving these back in a bit over 40 days personalizing them to me as well.

G/Gs  167/166        Tac  1074      Sac  5.0    Fum 6     Int 24     Yds 408     Avg  17.0    Td 1    Lg  68

NFL

Kasay, John

Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1991, SkyBox 1992
Acquired: TTM 1993, C/o Seattle Seahawks

One of only 2 kickers drafted in the 1991 NFL draft, John Kasay was taken in the 4th round by the Seattle Seahawks. Despite playing for some offensively anemic teams of the Seahawks back in the early 1990’s Kasay managed to lead the team in scoring for the first four seasons of his career, but at the eve of the 1995 free agency period he was left on the block, and the expansion Carolina Panthers made their move and snapped him up.  He’d finish his Seahawk career 82/105 on field goals.

John would move on to the Panthers where as of 2011, he is the only member of the 1991 draft still playing and also the only member of the expansion Carolina Panthers still active. (In fact no members of the Jaguars or Texans expansion teams remain on their rosters.)   Kasay’s career is all the more remarkable one, in an age where kickers have become highly disposable, and this is due to his longevity, affordability, and consistency- key for any kicker to possess.  Among kickers, Kasay’s tenure with one team is only second to Jason Hanson (Detroit, 1992). In 1996, he set the NFL record with 37 field goals (a record since broken) and went to the Pro Bowl.  In 2002 his season would be lost to injury after 2 games, but would recover by the following season. 2008 would see John lead the NFL in extra points with 46, and at the grand old age of 41 is the 3rd leading active scorer (8th overall) in the league with 1823 points.

G/Gp   285/285     Xpa 535       Xpm 524         Fga 529        Fgm 433            Pct   81.9%

NFL

Casey, James

Cards: Upper Deck 2009 Star Rookies
Acquired: TTM, Texans Blitz 2009
See Also: Casey, James (2) 

The Texans take tight ends like they are going out of style. After a holdout of ProBowl tightend Owen Daniels, the Texans went to the draft in 2009 took not one but 2 tight ends. James Casey went to hometown Rice where he played under the shadow of the Houston Texans. James had an amazing senior season as a h-back making a mind boggling 111 receptions (10th all time) and 57 carries. He’d parlay that effort into a 5th round choice from the Houston Texans where he’d immediately become a media darling.  He’s had some flashes of brilliance in the preseason, but with 4-5 tight ends on the roster, he’s only received a limited number of touches in 2 seasons.

A really popular local product, James has some really nice cards. I hope to be able to get a few more of his autographed in the future.

G/Gs 31/4      Rec   14     Yds  162   Avg 11.6     Td 0    Lg 33