Category Archives: NFL

NFL, WLAF

Maggio, Kirk

Card: ProSet WLAF 1991
Acquired: In Person 1992, San Antonio Riders v. Birmingham Fire

After leading the Pac-10 in punting, Kirk Maggio would be drafted by the  Green Bay Packers in the 12th round of the 1990 draft, but was be cut during the preseason by them as well as the Saints. He was quickly drafted in the second round of the positional draft of 1991 by the Birmingham Fire of the WLAF. Notably, during the 1991 season he’d fake a punt and complete a pass to runningback Ken Bell for 65 yards and a touchdown.  By season’s end, Kirk’s 41.9 yard average was third in the league and his net average of 36.0 led the WLAF. He’d also manage to drop 20 kicks behind the 20 yard line. Kirk would be rewarded for his efforts by being named second team All World League that year.

Maggio returned to the Fire for 1992, and punted roughly half as many times as 1991. He’d still manage to check in with a 41.9 yard average and a booming 60 yard kick and a 34.3 net average but did not finish among the top three in any category. I’d get his autograph after the Riders finally beat the Fire in San Marcos in 1992. It was an extremely humid night game, and he like many players were kind enough to sign cards as the teams left the field.

This is a great card, and Pro Set did a great job of really making even this punter’s card look exciting, but note the vacant stands in the background underlining the WLAF’s financial and perception woes in the United States that would lead to the league being folded after the 1992 season.

Since the WLAF, Kirk has moved back to his home state of Maryland and put his design degree from UCLA to good work.  He has become quite a good painter, especially of sports figures and NFL players. You can visit his website at: http://paintingsbymaggio.com/.

G/Gs 20/20   P 95   Yds 3965   Avg 41.9   Lg 60    Blk 0

NFL

Carlson, Cody “Commander Cody”

Card: Upper Deck 1992
Acquired: In Person 1993, Houston Oilers Training Camp
Pending: Failure 2010, C/o Home

Cody Carlson was one of the most prolific passers coming out of Baylor University in Waco, Texas during the mid 80s when the team was watchable during its heyday in the Southwestern Conference. Cody would own virtually all of the passing records of the Bears before leaving in 1987. He was selected out of the 3rd round of the 1987 draft to compete with incumbent starter Warren Moon. (Most people do not remember that Warren during his early tenure with the Oilers, had a contentious relationship with then head coach Jerry Glanville and that Moon’s touchdown to interception ratio was pretty atrocious.)  Initially as a competitor, Cody wanted to start, but as Moon became entrenched as the starter, Carlson turned his focus towards being prepared for when the Oilers needed him to step up.

It would be with the 1987 season that Warren would finally get his numbers under control, and Carlson would peg down the backup job behind Moon but would not play in a game that season. In 1988 Cody would get to start 5 games. He’d perform well, leading the team to a 3-2 record in relief for the injured Moon. His 3 wins would be critical in helping the team reach the playoffs that season. In 1989 Cody would play primarily mop up duty in 6 games attempting 31 passes.  In 1990 Carlson playing against Pittsburgh during the season finale calmly guided the team on 22/29 passing, 247 yards, and 3 touchdowns in the team’s 34-14 victory. The game would allow the team to make the playoffs again, and although the Oilers would get rocked the next week against the Bengals in the playoffs, Carlson would return as Warren Moon’s insurance policy in 1991.  In 1992 Carlson would play in 11 games in relief of Warren, throwing for career highs in yards (1710) and touchdowns (9), including a Thanksgiving game against the Detroit Lions where he threw for 338 yards and a touchdown.  Once again due to the combined quarterbacking of Moon and Carlson- the Oilers would make the playoffs.  In the offseason, the team failed to trade Cody to Detroit for Andre Ware, so Bud instead re-upped Carlson’s contract. In 1993, Cody got his chance to start while Moon was struggling, but after an impressive start against New England, Cody was injured, -and Moon played lights out the rest of the season. Owner Bud Adams threw the gauntlet however- stating the team would be broken up after the season, (despite the team winning its second division title and making the playoffs for the last 5 seasons) and he did just that by trading Warren Moon to Minnesota after Houston lost another heart breaker in the playoffs.

Cody became the starter in 1994, but he’d separated his shoulder in the first game. He would not return till game 4. He’d beat the Bengals, but against the Steelers the next week be injured again blowing out his knee. Carlson’s injury it turned out was a career ender. As frustration mounted in Houston, and Moon continued to succeed (now in Minnesota) Carlson unfairly became the target of criticism, because minus the disastrous 1994 season- Carlson had a sparkling 10-4 record as a starter.  After the team bounced to a 1-9 record, head coach Jack Pardee resigned, and interim head coach Jeff Fisher decided he was going in a new direction at quarterback and with the offense- thus signaling the end to the Commander’s career by 1995 when the team told him that he couldn’t play anymore because of his knee.

Among the stranger things, Joseph R. Gannascoli (who played the gay mobster in “The Sopranos”) claims that Cody Carlson is who brought Gannascoli to acting, as he was a heavy gambler and lost a $60k bet on the Oilers/ Steelers game that Carlson started back in 1990. The loss forced Gannascoli to sell his restaurant and move to Los Angeles to pursue acting.  Since football Cody has written a book or two and resides in Austin, Texas. I wrote him last year and sent him a few cards and gave him a recommendation on a great Mexican restaurant in town, but he has not responded to my request. I was pretty disappointed and kept delaying this post hoping that I’d get a reply- since I am a huge Oilers fan.

G/Gs   45/19      Att   659      Comp  370     Yds  4469      Pct   56.1
Td  21    Int   28      Rat  70.0

 

NFL

Pollard, Bernard “Bonecrusher”

Card: Upper Deck Rookie Debut 2006
Acquired: Texans Blitz 2009

Bernard Pollard was originally drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round of  the 2006 draft. A straight inline safety and incredible hitter, Pollard was nicknamed “Bonecrusher” by his teammates at Purdue. The name would follow him to the pros where he’d be involved in ending the seasons of two different New England Patriots. With a brutal blow he’d end Tom Brady’s season in 2008 as a member of  the Chiefs, and in 2009 Bernard, playing for the Texans, would be pursuing Wes Welker, when a freak injury would strike Welker sidelining him for 9 months. Although not responsible for the injury, Pollard would still be viewed by many Patriots’ faithful as the culprit.  Pollard is a special teams beast- blocking 3 punts in one season with the Chiefs, and 1 for the Texans in 2010. He was also the leading tackler for the Chiefs in 2008.

Strangely in 2009 he’d be cut by the Chiefs without explanation, but the Texans – a team in desperate need for defensive help in the secondary claimed him off of waivers. He’d be reunited with his secondary coach David Gibbs and be immediately inserted at the starting strong safety position. Bernard would help turn the Texans around defensively where in 13 games he’d get 102 tackles, 4 interceptions and 2 defensive touchdowns. 2010 would see a reversal of fortune for the defense, and although Pollard would establish himself as a vocal team leader, the secondary would collapse and Gibbs and defensive coordinator Frank Bush would be fired. With the addition of new coordinator Wade Phillips and the conversion to the 3-4 defense upcoming Bonecrusher’s future in Houston became extremely cloudy.

Bernard is what is referred to as a ‘straight in-line’ or ‘box’ safety, much in the vein of Roy Williams of Dallas/Cincinnati. Pollard is an exceptional run defender, (something that I love,) but needs help in the secondary when playing the pass. With the demands of the game changing for secondary, and especially at safety, hip fluidity and the ability to turn and cut is now at a premium for the position with offensive passing games in high gear. I do like Bernard a lot and I hoped he would be able to stick around with the team, but the Texans did not tender him in for the 2011 season, and allowed him to test the free agent waters. He currently plays for the Baltimore Ravens.

Here is a highlight video of Pollard from 2009: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYgl5NnpdAs

G/Gs   76/59    Tac  326      Sac 5      Fum 7      Int 7     Yds 144    Avg 20.5      Td 1