NFL, WLAF

Lynn, Mike (1936-2012)

pset91_mlynnCard: ProSet 1991 WLAF insert
Acquired: 2016,  EBay
Failure: TTM 2012, C/o Home

Mike Lynn had passed literally within a few days of me sending him a request for an autograph. I received back my letter with the card unsigned with a note stating that he had passed away shortly thereafter. It took me some 4 years to track down this card on EBay. It is hard to imagine why anyone would forge this autograph, being that Lynn was not an in demand player, so I am fairly safe to assume that this autograph is probably authentic.

Mike Lynn was a member of the NFL Board that oversaw the WLAF when it first got off the ground.  He took over as President/CEO from Tex Schramm in 1990 and served as a de facto commissioner of sorts (parallel to what Paul Tagliabue was in the NFL) through the 1991 season. Lynn presided over the league during the first WLAF Draft, and subsequent season. Initially there was much buzz surrounding the league, and there was a gentle understanding from the NFL that it was going to take time to grow the fanbase and talent pool.  After the first broadcast games, things seemed good. There were even press releases touting that the league was going to expand by possibly 2-4 teams after the season, but like with many leagues there were growing pains to be encountered. The WLAF’s luster wore off quickly, as the league’s attendance levels and TV ratings slid. Internally the NFL’s 26 owners and the WLAF’s chief funder, expected a quicker turn around on profit.  Lynn did a good job riding out the quiet storm and kept the WLAF ship steady through the full season. A month after World Bowl I, Mike resigned to focus more on the internal power struggle that was occurring within the Minnesota Vikings.

Lynn is recognized by longtime Vikings fans as the General Manager and trading partner that was fleeced by the Cowboys during the Herschel Walker trade.  Believing that the Vikings were merely a blue chip runningback away from winning the SuperBowl, he sent a bevvy of picks and players to Dallas in 1990 for Walker. While Walker didn’t pan out the way the Vikings hoped, the Cowboys used the ammo acquired from the trade to propel them into the Super Bowl spotlight for roughly the next 10 years. It is unfortunate that Lynn is remembered for the Walker trade, when he was such an influential and intelligent power broker and sports negotiator, which included putting down an internal revolt in the Vikings power structure by buying out feuding owners shares.

Lynn had retired from the power structure of the Vikings in 1992 and lived quietly in Memphis before he passed away in 2012.

NFL

Manning, Archie

udlgd97 amanning
Card: Upper Deck Legends 1997
Acquired: 2015, C/o Home
Sent:   10/13  Received: 10/30  (17 days)
Failure: 2014, C/o Home

Archie Manning’s legacy has been somewhat embellished and romanticized over the years, thanks partly in part to the successes of his pro quarterback sons Peyton and Eli who have achieved Super Bowl success over their long careers.  While Manning played during the prime of the notorious ‘Dead Ball Era’, surrounded frequently by a misfit cast of players, he himself only had 2 seasons in his career where he threw more TDs to interceptions, while also posting a woeful 35-101-3 career record as a starting quarterback.  It should be noted that he led the NFL in attempts (448) and completions (230) in 1972, and earned Pro Bowl nominations in both 1978 and 1979.  His best season came at the expense at his team’s record in 1980. He’d throw for 3,716 yards and 23 TDs on 509 attempts, as the Saints stunk it up to a 1-15 record. One would think that somebody like Bobby Herbert might have made the cut over Manning, but it’s understandable that Archie’s sheer numbers and character are what endears him to this set.

During the 1982 season, the New Orleans Saints parted ways with Archie, trading him to the Houston Oilers for offensive lineman Leon Gray. He’d play there for roughly 16 games before being traded to the Minnesota Vikings with Dave Casper during the 1983 season, in exchange for two 1984 draft choices.  After the 1984 season, Manning retired. His journeyman years with the Oilers and Vikings are viewed much like other players who are associated only with their original long tenured franchise and are largely ignored.

Manning’s true strength is his character. Despite playing for some horrid teams, he was always well respected by teammates and foes alike around the league.  Through 2015, Archie has been a long time commentator on Saints games, and is a solid TTM bet. For some reason however I failed on my first attempt, and upon completion of my second try- it was slightly smudged. With Archie’s autograph in hand, the family trifecta of Archie, Eli, and Peyton has also been completed.

G/Gs 151/139   ATT 3642   COMP 2011    YDS 23911   PCT 55.2%
TD 125    INT  173       RAT 67.1
RUSH  384   YDS 2197     AVG 5.7     TD 18    LG 27

NFL

Smith, Kolby

tofi10 kol smithCard: Topps Finest 2007
Acquired: 2013, Target Autograph Memorabilia

Kolby Smith is one of those players who is faster in pads than he looks. He finished his college career at Louisville with 1698 yards on 288 carries as primarily a part time starter. Running a 4.5 at the combine, Kolby was taken in the 5th round of the 2007 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, who were looking for new blood behind Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson.  He’d get into the lineup sooner than anyone expected after the sudden retirement of Holmes and injuries to Johnson. Listed as a fullback, he’d finish 2007 with 112 caries for 407 yards and 2 TDs .  Smith contributed in 2008 with 100 yards on 35 carries, and 10 receptions for 52 yards.  An ankle injury claimed the end of Kolby’s 2009 season and he’d be waived in 2010. Both the Broncos and Jaguars took speculative looks at him, claiming Smith off of waivers, however he’d not see the regular team roster for either squad.

Kolby has already decided to leap into coaching, where he worked at Arkansas in 2012 as a General Assistant, and 2013 at Western Kentucky University as the runningbacks coach.

G/GS 27/9   RUSH 162     YDS  540    AVG 3.3   TD 3     LG 19
REC  34     YDS 209    AVG 6.1    TD 0        LG   17

Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.