CFL, NFL, WLAF

White, Robb

wcwlaf92 whiteCard: Wild Card WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent: 8/7     Received:  8/16   (9 days)
Failure: 2011, C/o Work

Originally hailing from Amberdeen, South Dakota, homegrown Robb White went collegiality to South Dakota University. By the time he left the Coyotes, Robb would become one of the best defensive tackles to play at the college. Starting the final 25 games over his career with the team, Robb was a two-time All-North Central Conference selection both in 1986 and 1987. He finished his career at the college with 206 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries, 15 sacks, and 18 tackles for loss.

Robb went undrafted but was signed by the Washington Redskins in 1988,  finishing the season on the roster of the New York Giants. He’d remain with the Giants through the 1989 season, and be signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1991. As part of the NFL Enhancement Program allocating players to the WLAF, Robb joined the San Antonio Riders for the 1992 season. A member of quite a formidable front, he teamed up with Willie Fears, Chris Thienamen, and Dick Chapura to control the trenches in the Riders 3-4 defense.  He’d make  4 sacks for the team that season. With the CFL inheriting most of the talent from the WLAF after the World League’s suspension, Robb went on to play for the Sacramento Gold Miners from 1993 to 1994.

Robb has worked in the fluid lubrication industry for some time, and I had been chasing him as members of the Riders franchise take precedence in my WLAF searches.  The first time I found him, there was no response so I assumed he had moved on, and it was back to the drawing board. After a few years I picked up a new Meiselman and shot him out a letter at his home address. Robb kindly responded in under a month, thanking me for bringing back those wonderful memories, and enclosed a business card. Robb was inducted into the University of South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2005.

NFL 25/1   Tac n/a    Sac 2.5   Fum 0
Int 0     Yds 0     Avg -.-      Td 0      Lg -.-

WLAF         Tac  n/a    Sac 4.0  Fum 0
Int 0     Yds 0     Avg -.-      Td 0      Lg -.-

CFL  18       Tac 33    Sac 2   Fum  n/a
Int 0    Yds 0     Avg -.-      Td 0      Lg -.-

NFL

Martin, Kareem

leaf12 kmartinCard: Leaf Draft 2014
Acquired: Box Breaker, 2014

Kareem was considered one of the nation’s top defensive end talents entering the 2014 draft. At North Carolina, the Tar Heel had 11.5 sacks (8th) and was an imposing force against the run (23rd).  For his efforts he was an All-ACC First Team selection.

Martin’s combine really showcased what a physical specimen and athlete he is posessing the frame and straight speed that many teams look for. His size allows him to kick inside on passing downs, while his impressive arm and leg strength compensate for his lack of fluidity tackling ball carriers. He was also a tempting prospect as a left end in a 4-3 alignment.  The Arizona Cardinals drafted Martin in the 3rd round of the 2014 draft.  He was penciled in at defensive end, and made 8 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble that season in the Cardinals’ stout defensive line rotation.

College Football HoF, NFL

Lyons, Marty

to84 lyonsto89 lyons
Cards: 1989 Topps, 1984 Topps
Acquired: Canton Acquisition, 2012

Marty Lyons was a man-machine in the middle for many years for the New York Jets. Although considered a terror along the line and well respected by opposing offenses, Lyons numbers have not garnered him a Hall of Fame nomination. Lyons was the 14th player taken in the 1979 draft and joined with (fellow draftee) Mark Gastineau, Joe Klecko, and Abdul Salaam to form the famed “New York Sack Exchange”.

Originally a member of the University of Alabama from 1975-1978, Lyons racked up 202 tackles, 20 sacks, and 6 fumbles while playing for the Crimson Tide. In his final year there, he earned consensus All-American Honors, and is considered one of the finest defensive linemen of his era. While considered a beast on the field, pummeling opponents and taking no prisoners, Lyons has received immense attention for his work at large for the community and giving, winning the NFL Man of the Year Award in 1984. He currently runs his own foundation, which is pushing near 30 years of service.

Over 12 seasons with the Jets, Lyons helped the franchise reach a level of respectability during the 80s playing defensive tackle, and occasionally kicking outside to defensive end. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 1982 and 1983 as an alternate while the team saw its first playoff berth since the days of Joe Namath in 1982, reaching the AFC Championship against Dan Marino and the Dolphins. They’d again return to the playoffs again in 1983 and 1985. In 1988 Lyons was named defensive captain of the team.

Since retirement, Lyons has been named to the College Football Hall of Fame (2011) and 5 other local and state Hall of Fames as well for his efforts on and off the field. In addition to his duties for the Marty Lyons Foundation, he has also been a color commentator for Jets radio.

G/Gs  147/135      Tac   n/a     Sac  29    Fum 8
Int  0        Yds 0        Avg -.-     Td 0        Lg -.-

 

 

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