Category Archives: NFL

NFL

Jackson, Steve

Cards: Score 1991, Playoff 1992, Star Pics 1991, ProSet 1991
Acquired: In Person 1991, 1992, Houston Oilers Training Camp.  TTM 2010, C/o The Washington Redskins
Sent: 3/26/10    Received: 1/26/2011  (324 days)

So far, Steve Jackson takes the prize for the longest wait now at a whopping 324 days (not that I don’t have ones pending that have been out there longer at the moment); However, well worth the wait I’d say. Part of my Oiler blitz of cards I sent out in 2010, I’ve got to say the former members of the squad have been highly responsive with 11 out of 16 from that blitz have responded now. Jackson’s Playoff card remains one of my favorite. With bright colors and a definite contrast between the players it just makes them pop off the background.

Steve Jackson was one of the Oilers ‘Young Guns’ drafted in 1991 when the team went gangbusters for defensive backs in that draft. Taken in the 3rd round out of Perdue, Jackson was an excellent man to man defender, with good size, speed, and among his best attributes- not afraid to tackle. (Steve reminded me a lot of recently retired Oiler defensive back and Autograph Hall of Fame member Steve Brown.)  Jackson felt like the happy middle between Mike Dumas and Darryll Lewis taking a completely different path than the two other Young Guns.

Starting only two games his rookie season Steve would play backup to Dishman and Lewis, making 34 tackles a sack and 2 fumble recoveries. It was impressive enough that by 1993, Jackson would start 12 games for the Houston Oilers on their last good squad and playoff run. He’d make 5 interceptions and 55 tackles. In 1994 he’d also serve as secondary kick returner for the team returning 14 kicks for 285 yards. After the season he’d return to the bench providing valuable depth starting 11 games over the next 6 seasons. Jackson would also win the team’s comeback player of the year award in 1998 after he returned from a ruptured tendon making 72 tackles. He’d transition with the franchise to Tennesee and appearing in the Traitor’s SuperBowl in 1999 and would retire.

Jackson headed over to Buffalo and served as safeties coach for the team from 2001-2003. Jackson thereafter joined the Redskins after the conclusion of the 2003 season, and has served in the same capacity for them as the Bills for the last 7 seasons with distinction.

G/Gs  118/26     Tac  280    Sac  9   Fum  4     Int 13        Yds 74       Avg  5.6     Td  1        Lg  22

NFL

Russell, Derek

Card: StarPics 1991
Acquired: In Person 1995, Houston Oilers Training Camp

Speedy track and field athlete Derek Russell was originally drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 1991 draft out of the University of Arkansas. His rookie season would be respectable enough as he’d pull in 21 catches for a whopping 15.7 yard average. He’d make his first touchdown grab in week 3 against the Chiefs, helping the Broncos win 19-16. In 1992, Derek would be less of a factor making only 12 receptions and suiting up for 11 games. He’d rebound in 1993 to lock in a career highs with 44 catches, 719 yards, and 3 touchdowns. Although 1994 would still have him grab 25 catches, Russell be made a free agent at the end of the season. Derek would sign with the Oilers in 1995, where I’d get his autograph at training camp that year.  He’d play with the Oilers through 1997 making 70 catches for 883 yards and 3 touchdowns.

G/Gs  88/48     Rec 172   Yds 2401    Avg 14.1     Td 8     Lg  57

AFL, College Football HoF, NFL

MacPherson, Dick (1930-2017)

Card: ProSet 1991
Acquired: TTM 1992, Patriots Blitz

Syracuse Orangeman coaching legend Dick MacPherson was hired to fix the woeful Patriots. (Somebody had to do it.) He’d field a surprisingly competitive team in 1991 but the team would regress in 1992 and he’d be fired at season’s end after an 8-24 record. Fear not though, this is when Patriots’ lore gets good as the next coach hired was Bill Parcells.

Coach MacPherson though should be remembered though, rightfully so, for his work at the college level, which started way back in 1958 with the University of Illinois. He’d make stops at the University of Massachusetts, Cincinnati, and Maryland before going to the pros as an assistant with the Denver Broncos of the AFL from 1967-1970. He’d return to coach at Massachusetts from 1971-1977, then off to the Browns for the next 3 seasons to coach linebackers.

In 1980 Dickey Mac would make his mark taking over for the Orangemen at Syracuse turning the college sports program around. He’d coach there for the next 10 years before 2 final years with the Patriots, and retire. His cumulative college record was 111-73-5. MacPherson was inducted into the CFHoF in 2009 and he provides commentary on the Syracuse Orangemen radio network.

EPITAPH:

8/8/2017- Dick MacPherson passed away at the age of 86, surrounded by friends and family in Syracuse, NY.