NFL, University of Texas

Redding, Cory “C-Red”

poff03 reddingleaf03r&s reddingCards: Score 2007, Bowman 2003, Leaf Rookies & Stars 2003, Playoff Prestige 2003
Acquired: In Person 2/15/13,  Redd’s Haircutz

An impact linebacker at the high school level, Cory Redding was the recruit that all the colleges wanted. In the end he became the linchpin to Mack Brown‘s 1999 recruiting class at the University of Texas.  He’d earn a mountain of accolades, including Big 12 rookie of the year, posting 26 tackles, 2 sacks, and 13 special teams stops. As each year progressed with the Longhorns, the awards and watch lists for Cory increased. In 2000, he was honorable mention All-Big 12, with 52 tackles, 17 TFL, and 6.5 sacks, starting at defensive end. In 2001, Cory was tabbed for 2nd Team All- American and first team Big 12 with 57 tackles, 5 sacks and 14 TFL. The 2002 season was the culmination of it all, when he was the first Texas Lombardi finalist since Tony DeGrate. He finished the season as 1st Team All-American with 76 tackles, 8.5 sacks and 24 TFL.

sco07 reddingSurprisingly, C-Red was not drafted until the 3rd round of the 2003 Draft by the Detroit Lions. He didn’t get into the starting lineup until the following season. Redding strung together 66 consecutive starts from defensive end, and then later kicked inside to tackle for the Lions. His best season came in 2006, when Cory recorded 39 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 8 sacks. He was rewarded with a generous contract by the Lions who made him team captain and the highest paid defensive tackle in the league.By 2008 injuries ended C-Red’s streak, as groin and knee injuries placed him on injured reserve in December of that season. Needing to free up some cap space and fix their team, the Lions traded Cory to the Seattle Seahawks in 2009 in exchange for LB Julian Peterson and a 5th round pick. Starting 3 games that season, Redding had 2 sacks, 18 tackles, and 2 FF. Left unprotected, he’d sign with the Baltimore Ravens and have some memorable situations showing up at the right time in big games, starting 22 games over the next two seasons and recording 7.5 sacks and 60 tackles. After the 2011 season, (much to my chagrin,) he’d play his final season for the Indianapolis Colts.

bow03 reddingI had gotten word on the radio of Cory’s new shop opening up in Austin off of 1300 the Zone. I then checked out his Twitter feed to confirm and then ordered the cards I needed since I hadn’t been able to find any the last time I visited the card shop. He apparently comes from a family that loves to cut hair, and he grew up around that environment, so going into the clipping business seems like quite a natural fit for the former defensive tackle. C-Red’s shop handles all the old fashioned trimmings and cuts, but also does the warm towel treatments and flat razor shaves- something I enjoyed immensely. Cory was really nice and engaging with fans. It did start off slowly, but as the 5 O’clock hour approached, things seemed to be extremely happening. I could tell he was very excited about the whole thing. He was more than happy to sign a few cards and take a photo with me.  When I asked him why he didn’t respond to my twitter question, he told me that “He doesn’t talk to people who wear masks.” He and I then shared a laugh about it since in my profile picture I do have a mask on. There were a few Longhorns who showed up including Rod Babers, Rodrique Wright, and Mark Henry “The Strongest Man in the World”. I briefly had a stare down with Mark- and quickly lost.

redd'sI later saw Cory again at the Austin Longhorn Youth Foundation’s Bowling tournament the next day. He smiled and told me I was looking dapper with my new haircut.  All in all a very good experience meeting Cory and well worth taking the small amount of time off from work to see him open his shop. You can visit his barber shop’s web portal at: http://www.reddshaircutz.com.

 

 

G/Gs  145/114       Tac  263    Sac  27.5    Fum 10      Int  1    Yds 0   Avg 0.0  Td 0  Lg 0

 

NFL

Reed, Jake

Cards: Score 1991, Score 1991 Supplemental, Star Pics 1991
Acquired: TTM 2012, C/o Home
Sent: 5/6      Recieved: 12/3   (206 days)

A third-round choice in the 1991 draft by the Minnesota Vikings, Jake Reed is considered a part of the Herschel Walker trade as he was part of the future picks that switched hands in order to get the deal done between the Cowboys and Vikings. Originally a ‘wingback’ from Grambling- there was a lot of intrigue surrounding Reed and how he’d fit into a Pro style offense. (A wingback lines up directly next to a down lineman and then moves in motion staying upright and a step back at the other end of the line, to make catches, block, or rush with the ball. Probably the most famous wingback was Jim Thorpe. It certainly is a throwback position and is rarely used these days.)  Jake had all the measurables and work ethic, but not the experience at receiver, playing there sparingly over his college career; However, with Cris Carter and Anthony Carter on the outside, the Vikings could afford to be patient.

It wasn’t until 1994, with the retirement of AC culminating with the team’s trade for Warren Moon that allowed Reed to finally take flight. He’d post 4 straight 1,100+ yard seasons for the Vikings, and Jake (85) paired alongside Cris Carter (122) set an NFL record for receiver duos with 207 catches. Reed became a dangerous verticle threat averaging a career high 18.3 yards per reception in  1996. Oddly over this period Reed never got the respect he deserved, and never was named to the Pro Bowl. In 1998, injuries and new receiver Randy Moss took their toll on Reed’s production. After the 1999 season, he’d sign with the New Orleans Saints. One and done with the Saints in 2000, Reed again returned to Minnesota, as a valued backup. He’d come off the bench and make 27 receptions for 309 yards and a touchdown. Oddly Jake then turned around and signed again with the New Orleans Saints in 2002, making 3 touchdowns on 21 receptions to call it a career.

Jake enjoys coaching, and was briefly the owner of the Frisco Thunder, an indoor football team of the Intense Football League in 2007.  In 2012 Reed was inducted into the Grambling Hall of Fame. Reed was a first-team All-SWAC honoree in 1989 (2nd team) and 1990, leading all Grambling receivers as a senior with 954 yards and a 20-yard average per catch. Jake was honored to be one a select few players from Grambling to be invited to the Senior Bowl in 1990 as well. Reed also is still a Vikings fan through and through.

I really liked the Score ’91 and the Star Pics of Reed in his Grambling uniform. The photo of him on the Score card makes Reed almost look like a superhero, the way he bursts off of the page. There was a ProSet card, that I completely forgot about, and it was a great card and photo of him, but ah well. Reed is another player that I had found through SotL (before it went to a news feed format,) that I had been trying to track down. It did take a while but I was happy to get these three back in a bit over 200 days.

G/Gs 155/90   Rec  450   Yds  6999   Avg  15.6    Td  36    Lg 82t

University of Texas

Street, James (1948-2013)

Cards: UT UD 2011, UT UD 2011 Monumental Moments 12/6/69, UT UD 2011 Monumental Moments 1/1/70, UT UD 11 All-Time Alumni.
Acquired: TTM 2012, C/o Home
Sent: 7/10    Recieved: 11/28   (172 days)

Longview, Texas’ very own James Street was the quarterback at the center of the University of Texas’ dynasty during the late 60’s. When Darrell Royal put  James Street in to pilot the wishbone offense during the 3rd game of the 1968 season, he had no idea how well Street would play.  James went on to lead the team in passing in both 1968 and ’69, and back to back SWC titles in those years. In 1969 he led
the team in total offense, and was named team MVP. That season was magical for Street.  As co-captain, he earned All-SWC honors, and won two critical and hard fought contests to claim to claim the National Title.

The first was a Dec 6 contest against the Arkansas Razorbacks. The ‘Backs and the Longhorns had a long and bloodied history that rivaled at some point that of the one between the Longhorns and Sooners. As Texas ramped up its football program under Darrell Royal, the rivalry grew between the two teams. Billed as the “Game of the Century” or the “Big Shootout”, #1 Texas and #2 Arkansas met at
Razorback Stadium. Even President Nixon showed up. Texas had handed Arkansas its only loss of the season the previous year and the Razorbacks wanted revenge. The Longhorns were unable to adjust early on to the suffocating ‘Backs defense and through out 3 quarters, it looked like Arkansas was going to win, up 14-0 going into the 4th quarter, but all James Street needed against the highly regarded ‘Backs defense, was that one quarter. To start the fourth, Street darted into the endzone for the TD, then converted the 2 point conversion by diving in to make it 14-8.  After the Longhorns stopped the Razorbacks with an interception in the endzone, the Longhorns dive stalled and facing a 4th and 3 in their own territory they decided to go for it. Calling the Right 53 Veer Pass, Street executed it marvelously throwing into double coverage into the arms of Randy Peschel. It was good enough to set up the tying touchdown and go ahead extra point. Texas won the game 15-14 and set up the final showdown with Notre Dame.

On January 1st, 1970, Notre Dame decided to meet UT in the Cotton Bowl for the National Championship (-after undefeated Penn State declined). Carrying a 19 game winning streak into the game, UT was still battle worn from its previous epic contest almost a month ago against Arkansas. Spotting Joe Theisman and Notre Dame a 10-0 lead, Texas began to really put it back together in the second half. Down 3, with 7 minutes to play, UT mounted a historic drive, converting 2 fourth down attempts on 17 plays.  Street himself completed an incredibly clutch pass to Cotton Spreyer setting the team up at the 2 yard line. They’d get the go ahead score and win the game 21-17 to claim the National Title. While Street didn’t have the greatest game, he led the Longhorns on 3 70+ yard drives. The game also served as the Texas’ program’s 500th. After the game LBJ stopped in to congratulate James Street and the Longhorns.

Back then players didn’t immediately go into the NFL, and it looked like Street’s destiny lied in baseball. An excellent pitcher James went 29-8 with a 1.86 ERA for the Longhorns, and even played in the farm system the previous year for the Boulder Collegians. An arm injury changed everything for James at the College World Series in 1970.  He’s gone into business since then, and formed The James Street Group, which gives financial advice to people receiving structured settlements. In 1999, Street was inducted into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame, and the Texas Hall of Fame in 2000.

Another one I had almost given up on, 5 months was just enough to get me a bit nervous. I really liked the photos on these cards. The player card of Street looks great. I think the framing on the imagery is great, and I am grateful that they used a color shot. The classy Monumental Moments, well- I really like the gold one which was a limited numbered card -was dead on. It’s a great shot of Street before 53 Veer. The second one, is not so great, but it catches what seems to almost be a candid or tender moment between James and Coach Royal amid the fanfare of the contest between the Longhorns and the Irish. James returned the check I sent, and I hope he took my advice and had lunch up at El Patio over under the shadow of ‘The Drag’.

James Street passed away on Monday, September 30th 2013 of a heart attack at the age of 65.

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