NFL

Ford, Jason

Hit11 JFordCard: Leaf Rookies 2012
Acquired: 2013, Target Autograph Memorabilia

Jason Ford was a beast coming out of High School ranking in the Top 50 nationally among runningbacks. He chose Illinois over a strong push from fellow Big 10 schools Minnesota and Wisconsin. While never rushing for 1,000 yards, and splitting time with Mikel Leshore, Ford finished his 4 year career at Illinois in 2012 with 1970 yards and 27 touchdowns- 16th on the school’s all time rushing list.  With a nose for the endzone and first downs, Jason is a stout (251 lb), downhill runner, with good hands, evidenced by his 46 receptions. He’s definitely a bam back that you bring in for those goal line and short yardage situations.

Ford was expected to be a late round pick in the 2012 draft, but due to an April 2011 arrest for driving with a suspended license, and allowing himself to be ineligible for the bowl game this past season because of academics, Jason’s stock took a blow. Jason signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a free agent after the draft. In camp the team was worried about Rashad Mendenhall’s recovery from a season ending injury from 2011, and was trying out new blood. Jason got his chance in the team’s second preseason game, a Monday Night contest against the Indianapolis Colts. The bruiser rushed 8 times for 42 yards, prompting the commentators to remark how he looked like the second coming of Jerome Bettis. During the game, Jason pulled his hamstring and sat out the 3rd contest. The Steelers cut him after finally coming to terms with  WR Mike Wallace.  Currently, he’s a free agent, but I think he’d make a great fit for the AFL as a fullback.

 

CFL, NFL, WLAF

Woodson, Shawn

pset91wlaf woodsonCard: ProSet WLAF 1991
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Work
Sent:  1/29   Received: 2/8  (10 days)

Shawn Woodson played linebacker for tiny James Madison University from 1985 to 1988. He finished his career at the I-AA school with 341 tackles and 15 sacks, and as a senior earned second team All-American Honors. Shawn was tabbed by the Minnesota Vikings in the 12th round of the monstrous 1989 NFL draft. Although he didn’t make the roster, he signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL, and saw action in one game. Released in the preseason again by the Vikings the following year, Woodson was then taken by the Raleigh-Durham Skyhawks in the second round of the linebacker portion of the 1991 WLAF draft. He’d room with defensive stalwarts Jon Carter and Patrick McGuirk while with the Skyhawks.

The Skyhawks set a record for futility going 0-10 that season, -translating to the defensive unit getting plenty of time on the field. Woodson was second on the team with 3.5 sacks, 65 tackles, and 3 quarterback hurries. After the season, the Skyhawks were disbursed by the league- perhaps mercifully.

He’s married now with 2 kids and lives in Virginia, where he owns a PostNet location. Google came to the rescue again, as Shawn has a pretty unique name and university combination, helping me knock out another member of the elusive Skyhawks brand.

Tac 65            Sac 3.5         Fum 0         Int 0      Yds 0     Avg -.-       Td 0        Lg -.-

NFL

Howard, Erik

s&s92 howard sco91 howard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cards: Stars & Stripes 1992, Score 1991
Acquired: 2012, Canton Acquisition

Erik Howard was an unheralded nose tackle for the Giants 3-4 defense that plugged up the middle rushing lanes. He demonstrated the versatility, speed, motor, and size to actually play all three down linemen positions. A second round pick of the Giants in 1986, Erik split time backing up Jim Burt, winning the Super Bowl after his rookie season. He started his first full season in 1989, recording 5.5 sacks, 1 FF, and a career high 69 tackles. Howard earned his only Pro Bowl nod for his 1990 efforts, with 3 sacks and 67 tackles. He’d win his second Super Bowl title following the season against the Buffalo Bills. Erik played with the Giants through the 1994 season, when he had a career high 6.5 sacks playing defensive tackle. He left via free agency in 1995 for the Jets and retired there following the 1996 season.

G/Gs 139/95   Tac 377    Sac 33     Fum 2     Int 0    Yds 0    Avg -.-  Td 0    Lg -.-

 

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