Category Archives: NFL

NFL

McGlockton, Chester (1969-2011)

Card: Action Packed Rookies 1992
Acquired: In Person 1997, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Before there was Albert Haynesworth, there was Chester McGlockton…  A man-mountain at 6-3, 334, McGlockton would be drafted in the first round by the Los Angeles Raiders with the 16th overall pick in 1991. After his rookie season where he only played 10 games,  Chester’s 1992 was nothing short of dominant with 7 sacks, 78 tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception. It would be the start of 3 straight All Pro and Pro Bowl nominations for the defensive tackle. He’d continue to dominate, making a career high 9.5 sacks in 1993. He’d follow this up with great performances in 1994, 1995 and 1996.  Well Chester got embroiled in a contract dispute with the Raiders in 1997. He’d attend training camp in that season, but frustrated with his contract with the Raiders Chester would openly proclaim how he was going to be on the Chiefs next season. When the Raiders showed up at Cowboys camp that season, he even told me as he was signing his Raiders card how he should be in a Chiefs uniform on the card. After a less inspired 1997, where Chester would still get a Pro Bowl nod, he cashed in for big money signing with Kansas City in 1998. Oddly the team shifted him to defensive end but the move would not pan out. He’d be shelved after 10 games with back problems.  They’d shift him back inside for 1999 and 2000 where he made 4.5 sacks the latter season, and sign with the Broncos at the conclusion of the season. McGlocton would play for the Broncos in 2001 and 2002, and as a reserve for the Jets in 2003 before retiring.

Since football, Chester has gotten involved in coaching, briefly working at the University of Tennessee as an intern and at Chabot College before joining Stanford’s defensive staff as a defensive line coach in 2010.  He has effectively changed his life after discovering coaching, and although he suffered a malaise of injuries that he still feels the everyday effects of, and getting lapband surgery in 2008, Chester is working in the career he loves most -coaching football.

G/Gs  179/151       Tac 555          Sac 51      Fum 14     Int 4     Yds 66     Avg  16.5     Td 0    lg 30

UPDATE 11/30/11-  Chester McGlocton passed away early Wednesday morning reportedly from a heart attack. He was 42.

NFL

Robinson, Eddie

Cards: GameDay 1992, StarPics 1992
Acquired:In Person, Houston Oilers Training Camp 1992, 1995

Alabama has a great and wonderful legacy of linebackers and Eddie Robinson, well he went to Alabama State so he played under the shadow of this colossus. Undeterred, Robinson would excel playing for the Hornets and parlay his tremendous career there into a second round choice by the Oilers. The Oilers were looking for new blood at linebacker and Robinson was a competent and versatile fit for the team. The 1992 draft was not a strong draft by any regards outside of the first round, but the team made the most of their selections- especially with Eddie, who was a shrewd selection by the team. Although never making the ProBowl during his tenure, Robinson was consistent and his longevity would allow him also to endure for 11 seasons at linebacker. He was also adequate in coverage, replacing the venerable Johnny Meads at linebacker. Robinson would sign with the Jaguars in 1996. He’d start on defense for the Jaguars when they’d make their first two playoff runs in the then AFC Central. Eddie would soon thereafter resign with the Oilers- who were then the Tennessee Oilers under defensive coordinator and now head coach Jeff Fisher. He’d play for the team as it changed its name to the Tennessee Titans and made a SuperBowl run in 1999 and through 2001. Robinson would play one final season for the Bills in 2002 and retire. The GameDay card here is a really superior card as it really frames his figure well in the long portrait style. Its a shame that the football card market imploded the way it did because the Action Packed and GameDay cards were really a unique foray into trading cards.

G/Gs 175/164     Tac 805    Sac 23  Fum 6    Int 6   Yds 94    Avg 15.6    Td 1   Lg 49t

NFL

Wright, Alexander “Ace”

Cards: ProSet 1993, Action Packed Rookies 1990
Acquired: In Person 1991, 1993, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Alexander Wright was a track and field speedster who tested one of the faster speeds at the combine in 1990. The Dallas Cowboys looking for a compliment to Michael Irvin took Wright in the 2nd round from Auburn. His gaudy 23.6 yards a reception set a school record. Ace would make a splash for the return game, virtually replacing James Dixon in the lineup but not really leave a lasting impression at receiver where despite his speed and leaping ability – had nothing but alligator arms when it came to making the catch.

He’d play 3 seasons in Dallas and then be traded to the Los Angeles Raiders in 1992. Al Davis makes no secret that he’s enamored with speed, and watching Alexander Wright at training camp play for the Cowboys those years in Austin probably just made him salivate. Ace would sit on the bench for the majority of the season. It didn’t help that the Raiders had quarterback problems but along the way the speedster would still catch a 41 yard strike for a touchdown. 1993 would be his most productive season with 4 touchdowns and 27 grabs, while 1994 he’d average 18.4 yards  a catch. He’d finish his last two seasons on the St. Louis Rams, playing 11 games over two seasons, being immortalized on both Tecmo Super Bowl with the Cowboys and Tecmo Super Bowl Final Edition on the Rams.  Ace was a 2 time NFL’s fastest man winner and as of 2010 still holds the longest kick return in team history with a 102 yard return for the Cowboys.

I got Alex’s autograph at Dallas Cowboys Training Camp. One of my most comically bad moments in autograph collecting history occurred with him and Max Montoya. As Max passed down the line in what was commonly known as ‘autograph alley’ I was coaching another kid on how to get autographs. Max gave me his autograph but passed by the other kid who kept holding out his card.. for Dallas wide receiver Alexander Wright. I told the kid, “That’s not Max Montoya,” but Alex heard me, and embarrasingly took offense thinking that I was making a racial comment. Ace Wright obviously didn’t want to sign my card- or Max Montoya’s for that matter either. Since football Alexander has been active in coaching and currently is in northwestern Texas.

G/Gs  86/44     Rec  101   Yds  1597     Avg  15.8     Td   10   Lg  76T  |
Kr 79    Yds   1681    Avg   21.3   Td  2     Lg  102T