NFL

Lyght, Todd

aprks91 lyght pset91 lyght

Cards: Pro Set 1991, Action Packed Rookies 1991
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o The Philadelphia Eagles
Sent:   5/9    Received: 6/7    (29 days)

A first team All-American at Notre Dame in 1990, Todd Lyght had 49 tackles and 2 picks playing corner- eventhough he missed 2 games due to a hamstring injury. A quality cover man (4.45 40) who is also an enforcer in run support, teams avoided Lyght after his 1989 season for the Golden Domers when he intercepted 8 passes. Todd also is a valued member of special teams, returning his first punt 53 yards for a touchdown.  The Los Angeles Rams were reeling from being burned by the 49ers and drafted Lyght with the 5th pick in 1991.

It wasn’t until 1994 that Todd actually was able to play a full 16 slate for the Rams. As the Rams moved to St. Louis, Lyght’s numbers really picked up.  He’d record 22 interceptions over the next 5 seasons. In 1999 the Rams won the SuperBowl and Todd had the best numbers of his career. He’d have 6 interceptions for 112 yards, 2.5 sacks, 54 tackles and a forced fumble. Todd signed with the Lions in 2001 and played there through the 2002 season.

Lyght has been working his way up the coaching ranks for about the last 10 years or so. He got his first really big break getting hired on board at Oregon as an intern defensive coach for the Ducks in 2011. Todd followed Oregon head coach Chip Kelly to the Philadelphia Eagles, joining their staff in 2013.

G/Gs  175/167     Tac 725    Sac 6   Fum 6   Int 37   Yds 462   Avg      Td 4     Lg 59t

 

Arena

King, Micah

tntafl14 mkingCard: TNT AFL 2014
Acquired: In Person, 5/3/2014 Talons vs. Barnstormers.

As a rookie in 2010 for the Iowa Barnstormers, Micah recorded 41.5 tackles and 4 sacks.  He’d sign with the Spokane Shock the following year, and tally 40 tackles and 2.5 sacks. King joined the San Antonio Talons in 2013 and collected 15 tackles and 2 sacks. Valued for his versatility, Micah has the skill set to play defensive end, linebacker, or fullback for the Talons. After the team’s contest versus the Barnstormers, King had his leg in a boot. Before I even approached him, a woman came up and started pestering me for any cards I had of him. -It turned out it was his mother, and she was so happy that he had a card. I explained that cards to me are a great way for a player to communicate to fans, to say that they have really made it to the professional level. They were very happy and thankful for the gift. Micah really liked the pose I had of him and said it was the best action shot yet. He asked me what side he should sign it on, and I told him to put it all over the front.

NFL, usfl

Gray, Mel (WR/KR)

ap92 mgrayCards: Fleer 1995, Action Packed 1992, ProSet 1990
Acquired: Paid Signing 2014, c/o Texas Autograph Club
Sent:      Received: 2/12

Mel Gray is an impossible respondent to get through the mail, so I jumped at the chance to get him through a paid signing on these 3 cards.  He’s always remained near the top of my list to get TTM due to his lack of respect from HoF voters. Gray along with guys like Eric Metcalf are truly electric players who ground up yardage as dangerous return specialists, daring other teams to punt and kick away from them or converted the critical 3rd down motioning out of the backfield and catching a short pass, dodging a few would be tacklers, and turning it into a 12 yard gain.

I most remember Mel Gray from his days on the Detroit Lions, the twilight days of the Houston Oilers, and as a multifaceted talent on Tecmo Super Bowl. The game really nailed him, allowing you to shift Gray from wide receiver to runningback without blinking an eye.

sky92 mgrayMel’s playing days started at Purdue where he was a star at runningback and wide receiver for the Boilermakers. He’d earn Big 10 honors and several All-American Honors during his time there as their featured back. Mel made the transition to the USFL in 1984 for the LA Express, and then was later traded to the Oklahoma Outlaws. After the league folded, Mel Gray was selected in the NFL Supplemental Draft of USFL and CFL players. Selected by the New Orleans Saints, Mel burst on to the scene with a 27.9 kick off return average and a 101 yard TD against the 49ers in his second game in 1986. Gray led the league with a 14.7 yard punt return average in 1987, and scored on his first TD on a punt return the following year. He hopped Plan B to Detroit in 1989.

Gray earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 1990 and 1991 as he led the league in multiple categories. He’d return to the Pro Bowl in 1992, and earn AP and Pro Bowl honors a last time in 1994. His 1994 season was one of the best in NFL history, as Gray returned 45 kicks for 1276 yards (28.4 average) and 3 touchdowns. In 1995, Mel cashed in and signed as a free agent with the Houston Oilers, flr95 graya move at the time I lauded, but really didn’t pan out. The Oilers hadn’t really had a marquee name work out as a returner in quite some time, and at the age of 34, I’m not sure really what the Oilers envisioned for Mel to do, in retrospect other than return kicks. In 1997 Gray made the transition to Tennessee with the team, but was cut midway through the season saving the team $200k.  He finished the year with the Eagles, and retired.  At the time Mel had the most career yards kick returning in NFL history, tied for the lead for career TDs on kick returns – since surpassed. Still Mel clings on to his record for being the oldest player to score a KR TD in NFL history (33). As a pure specialist, Mel may never get his due from the Pro Football HoF, but he still ranks among the most memorable players ever to return the rock.

G/Gs  169/2    Rush 19    Yds 99      Avg 5.2     Td  1       Lg 14
Rec  13    Yds 164     Avg 12.6     Td 0     Lg  38
KR 421     Yds 10250        Avg   24.3     Td  6    Lg  102t
PR   252    Yds 2753     Avg  10.9      Td 3    Lg 80

 

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