Category Archives: NFL

NFL

Robinson, John (1935-2022)

Cards: Proset 1990, ProSet 1991
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Home
Sent: 5/5   Received 5/18 (13 days)

Probably best known for his work at the college level with 2 stints at USC, I prefer to remember for his days with the Los Angeles Rams, Eric Dickerson, Jim Everett, and the years in which the Rams were the only challenge to the 49ers in the NFC race.  A solid proponent of the ground game, Robinson is considered an offensive mastermind.

He began his career shortly after he graduated from Oregon where he played end in 1958. As an assistant he’d stay with the college from 1960- 1971. In 1972 he joined John McKay at USC where Robinson served as offensive coordinator through 1974. 1975 would see Robinson reunited with his boyhood friend John Madden in the NFL at Oakland coaching runningbacks. He’d stay there one season before returning to USC to take over as head coach for recently departed McKay (who left to become head coach of the expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers).

After a successful tenure at USC and 3 Rose Bowl appearances, it did not take long for another NFL franchise to take notice of John Robinson’s accomplishments, and in 1983 the Los Angeles Rams would snag him. John turned around a disastrous 1982 franchise, and coached the team to the playoffs the following season. He’d continue to build winners, as the team would in fact make the playoffs in 4 consecutive seasons. The Rams started as an offensive ground juggernaut under Eric Dickerson, and then mutated under Jim Everett and Ernie Zampese into a pass happy machine. John would also steward the team under both the Eric Dickerson trade and the Jim Everett trade. His career record ended in the NFL at 75-68, but its a misleading number as the majority of his losses came in back to back double digit seasons at the end of his time in the NFL.

In the rugged NFC West, John’s teams won 2 division franchises and qualified for the playoffs in 6 of his 9 seasons playing against the hated 49ers twice a year. His teams went to the NFC championship twice during his tenure, losing to the Bears in 1985 and the 49ers in 1989.  After a rough 1991, Robinson would be released from his contract with the Rams. At the time of his dismissal he had the most wins in franchise history at 79 and as of 2011, he still remains the franchise’s winningest coach. Also of note is that Robinson is 2-0 coaching in the Pro Bowl.

Robinson took a year off but returned to coaching at USC in 1993. He’d turn the college program around and build a remarkable team. In his five years with USC he’d lead the Trojans back to 3 more bowl game wins. In 1999 John took over at UNLV and was quickly promoted to Athletic Director in 2002. He resigned after the 2004 season.


John then did double duty as an occasional commentator for the Sports USA Radio Network and also as defensive coordinator for San Marcos High School. In 2009 he was named to the College football Hall of Fame.

I was having a hard time getting a response from Rams initially with a failure from Greg Bell, and no response from Kevin Greene, Jerry Gray, Henry Ellard, Flipper Anderson, or Roman Phifer for that matter- so I was surprised that the last 3 I sent for, Robert Delpino, Jim Everett, and John Robinson, quickly responded to my requests.

Once again 2 more nice cards from Pro Set here. At the time they were the only card set that made head coach cards, and while the left one has John bundled up in what looks like Buffalo in a stylish starter jacket from the era I always wanted in a portrait format, the Pro Set 1991 card has him in a landscape shot- something that was considered cutting edge for the time.

Many card vendors filed suit after this and it became quite en vogue for a few years afterwards. Of note the right one appears to be a night shot, and the lens required to make this beautiful photo must have been fairly expensive, however the landscape shot to me just feels like something that ProSet did for novelty sake.

G 154       W 79      L   74     T 0       Pct  .516

CFL, NFL, usfl

Ellis, Ricky “Hollywood”

Card: BK 2009
Acquired: In Person 2011, Christian Okoye Foundation Skills Clinic

I met Ricky at the Christian Okoye Foundation Skills Camp in 2011. He was running drills with kids and giving them pep talks on life. Keenly aware possibly of the value and rarity of his card from the Topps 1985 USFL set, he had his own card printed that he gave to the kids. As I was wandering around taking photos of the different drills and kids, I was able to finagle a card and autograph off of him. We talked at length about NCAA corruption and how the history of the franchises he had played for had been erased.
When one kid refused to play as a ‘skin’ when the boys played were scrimmaging, the child came over to sit on the bleachers to pout with his father. Ricky noticed that the boy was not playing and literally came over to drag him back in. The child went ahead and scored a touchdown and made an interception during the scrimmage. An excitable and electric personality, it’s no surprise that Ellis is President of NFL Alumni Association in Southern California.

After graduating from Cal State Fullerton, Ricky would be signed by the British Columbia Lions of the CFL in 1978.  He’d then make the jump to the USFL. Ricky would play in the USFL in 1983, where he’d establish himself as one of future NFL Hall of Famer Steve Young‘s primary targets on the Los Angeles Express.  During the 1983 season, he’d make 69 receptions for 719 yards and 6 touchdowns. In 1984, Ricky would make 25 receptions for 191 yards and a touchdown.  Among Ricky’s fondest memories of playing in the USFL was after a game against Bobby Hebert‘s Michigan Panthers, they’d head south to face the Tampa Bay Bandits, but were given a week off in between games. He spent the whole week jet skiing and started the game against the Bandits with sore hamstrings. Before the USFL imploded Ricky signed with the Houston Oilers and retired after the 1985 season.  He also at some point also played for the Seattle Seahawks.

As Ricky and I talked he lamented about how his history was being erased. The Astrodome and the Oilers were gone, Kingdome in Seattle imploded and the jerseys changed, the USFL of course long gone, and his college killing the football program there because of costs. After his NFL career Ricky has also spent time teaching, being a motivational speaker and a parole agent.

Below are Ricky’s USFL statistics:

GP 36    Rec 94     Yds  907     Avg   9.6     Td  7

 

NFL

Craig, Roger

Cards: Pro Set 1991, Score 1990, Action Packed Rookies 1991
Acquired:  TTM 1993, C/o The Minnesota Vikings
See Also: Roger Craig (2)

Drafted by the 49ers out of Nebraska in the 2nd round of the 1983 draft, Roger Craig originally played fullback. Probably one of the most balanced runningbacks of the late modern era, Roger was a good runner, great pass blocker, and an amazing receiver. In 1985 he was named to his first Pro Bowl after leading the NFL with 92 receptions- the only time a fullback has ever done that, and also in that same season he became the first player to rush and receive over 1000 yards in the same season. In 1987, Roger moved to runningback, and was named to the ProBowl again and became the first player to be named to the ProBowl as both a runningback and a fullback. The following season Craig would lead the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 2036 yards, and win ProBowl and AP honors. He’d also win offensive player of the year honors. 1989 would be Craig’s last impact 1000 yard season, and by 1990 injuries would begin to shorten his career.

In 1991, Craig would sign with Ronnie Lott via Plan B to the Los Angeles Raiders starting 13 games. He’d leave again in 1992 and play his final 2 season for the Minnesota Vikings, where I got his autograph in 1993 on these 3 cards.  Roger is a perennial winner amazingly playing in the playoffs all 13 seasons of his career and was elected to the All 1980s NFL team. Another player who has gotten the shaft from the HoF, Roger Craig has not been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, despite having 3 SuperBowl rings and over 13000 yards from scrimmage.

If you want Roger’s autograph, it’s a 5-15 dollar charge per card now for it typically TTM. He’s a great signer however, and I’ve heard of fans sending him 5 or 6 cards for the fee and him having no problem signing that. At a later date when I have a job, and money, -Roger is on my short list to reconnect to.

G/Gs 165/133     Rush  1991         Yds  8189       Avg   4.1   Td   56    Lg  71    |
Rec  566    Yds 4911    Avg  8.7    Td  17      Lg  73