NFL

Wright, Alexander “Ace”

Cards: ProSet 1993, Action Packed Rookies 1990
Acquired: In Person 1991, 1993, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Alexander Wright was a track and field speedster who tested one of the faster speeds at the combine in 1990. The Dallas Cowboys looking for a compliment to Michael Irvin took Wright in the 2nd round from Auburn. His gaudy 23.6 yards a reception set a school record. Ace would make a splash for the return game, virtually replacing James Dixon in the lineup but not really leave a lasting impression at receiver where despite his speed and leaping ability – had nothing but alligator arms when it came to making the catch.

He’d play 3 seasons in Dallas and then be traded to the Los Angeles Raiders in 1992. Al Davis makes no secret that he’s enamored with speed, and watching Alexander Wright at training camp play for the Cowboys those years in Austin probably just made him salivate. Ace would sit on the bench for the majority of the season. It didn’t help that the Raiders had quarterback problems but along the way the speedster would still catch a 41 yard strike for a touchdown. 1993 would be his most productive season with 4 touchdowns and 27 grabs, while 1994 he’d average 18.4 yards  a catch. He’d finish his last two seasons on the St. Louis Rams, playing 11 games over two seasons, being immortalized on both Tecmo Super Bowl with the Cowboys and Tecmo Super Bowl Final Edition on the Rams.  Ace was a 2 time NFL’s fastest man winner and as of 2010 still holds the longest kick return in team history with a 102 yard return for the Cowboys.

I got Alex’s autograph at Dallas Cowboys Training Camp. One of my most comically bad moments in autograph collecting history occurred with him and Max Montoya. As Max passed down the line in what was commonly known as ‘autograph alley’ I was coaching another kid on how to get autographs. Max gave me his autograph but passed by the other kid who kept holding out his card.. for Dallas wide receiver Alexander Wright. I told the kid, “That’s not Max Montoya,” but Alex heard me, and embarrasingly took offense thinking that I was making a racial comment. Ace Wright obviously didn’t want to sign my card- or Max Montoya’s for that matter either. Since football Alexander has been active in coaching and currently is in northwestern Texas.

G/Gs  86/44     Rec  101   Yds  1597     Avg  15.8     Td   10   Lg  76T  |
Kr 79    Yds   1681    Avg   21.3   Td  2     Lg  102T

NFL

Chandler, Chris

Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1990, Score 1989
Acquired: In Person, CGA Youth Golf Tournament 1993, Houston Oilers Training Camp 1995

To label Chris Chandler a jouneyman quarterback would be both an accurate assessment but bring the wrong connotation about a player who enjoyed a renassaince over  his career once he had shrugged off the entrapments of cellar dweller football. Probably the greatest problem Chandler experienced over his career was a severe issue with durability and up and down play. Despite these issues, Chris was able to hang around for 17 seasons and posted a 67-85 record as a starter.

Originally the quarterback of the future for the Colts when they drafted him in the 3rd round of the 1988 draft, Chris was buried under the depth chart and by 1990 (with the arrival of Jeff George) sent packing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who were looking for a new direction after the Vinny Testaverde experiment ended. The Bucs would get taken by the Colts for a 1st round choice for him and name Chris starter immediately- but his tenure in Tampa was largely forgettable, lasting 1 and 1/2 seasons before he was cut. Chandler would then bounce around the league as a backup, for both the Cardinals and the then Los Angeles Rams.

In 1995 Chris would get the starting nod with the vagabond Houston Oilers under Jeff Fisher. He was brought in as insurance by the team and to tutor the young quarterback of the future Steve McNair. Chandler played well enough to keep the starting job that year under wraps, (even posting a perfect passing rating in one game against the Bengals,) but by 1996 surrendered the job to 1st round draft choice Steve McNair. It was the right move by the team, and ended up being the right move for Chandler- who would be traded to the Atlanta Falcons for a reasonable 4th round pick.

Chris’ rebirth would continue with the Atlanta Falcons in the most improbable way under head coach Dan Reeves. Amazingly in 1997 and the following year Chandler would post his best seasons, go to the Pro Bowl and lead the Atlanta Falcons to their only Super Bowl appearance in 1998, but after failing to reach the big dance- again frustration mounted, and the Falcons drafted Michael Vick. Chandler would again find himself in the same situation he was with on the Oilers- as a lame duck. This would essentially end Chris’ time with the Falcons by 2002 and he would be left exposed for the Houston Texans Expansion draft however not be selected. He’d sign with the Bears that season and be back up for 2 more years, before playing briefly for the St. Louis Rams and then retire in 2004.

An avid golfer I got Chris’ autograph at the CGA Youth Golf Tournament back in 1993, and then again at training camp when he played for the Oilers in 1995.  Another one of these football players- turned golfers Chandler is apparently quite good on the links. He has also recently taken up coaching as well to pass the time. Among Chandler’s NFL legacies is the only player to throw for a perfect passer rating in a game and a 0 in another, started for a record 8 NFL teams and threw a touchdown for a record 7 NFL franchises. Certainly Chris defined and deserves the NFL journeyman label- but with it he gave a level of respect and dignity to it.

G/Gs  180/152   Att 4005   Comp 2328    Yds 28484    Pct 58.1     Td 170   Int 146    Rat 79.1

NFL, WLAF

Norgard, Erik

Card: Wild Card Wlaf 1992
Acquired: TTM 2010, C/o Home
Sent: 8/27  Received: 12/16 (105 days)

Young offensive lineman Erik Norgard was signed by the Houston Oilers as a free agent in 1989. A gem in the rough, at 6-1, 290, Norgard posessed the size, strength, and mobility, to play any position on the line in the Oilers’ run ‘n shoot offense. After he sat out his whole rookie season due to injury, Norgard was assigned by the team to the World League Allocation draft for 1992.

The San Antonio Riders stuck him right into the starting lineup and he’d play at guard blocking for Ivory Lee Brown. It paid off as Brown would lead the league in rushing yardage behind Erik and the team plowed ahead to a 7-3 record.

After the dissolution of the WLAF in 1992, Norgard returned to the Oilers, starting four games in 1993, and seven in 1994, before returning to being a key backup offensive lineman for the team. He’d move with the team to Tennessee in 1997 and play there through 1998. In 1999 he’d sign with the New York Jets and retire soon thereafter.  Over 9 seasons and 108 contests,  Erik caught 2 tackle eligible touchdowns, and started 12 games in the NFL.

 

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