NFL

Harvey, Derrick

Card:  Score 2009 Inscriptions
Acquired: 2010, Box Breaker

I really like the 2009 Score football card design and decided to buy a small box of the cards when they were on clearance at a local toy store for 10 bucks. I was surprised to find an authenticated autograph inside from Jacksonville defensive end Derrick Harvey. I also realized that Jacksonville was probably the last team that I didn’t have an autograph from.  Strange oddity of note is that the Houston Oilers were the first team that the Jaguars beat, and the Jaguars were the first team the Texans beat on the road.

The BCS National Championship Defensive MVP, Harvey had some nice measurables coming out of college from Florida. The 6’5″, 252 lb defensive end ran a 4.67-78  at private workouts and was the 3rd defensive end drafted in the top ten of the 2008 draft. The team had an ornery negotiation with Derrick, and they drug on for an unusually long period of time. He would be the last first round choice to sign- with a 33 day hold out, also setting a franchise mark for that dubious honor. Derrick has suffered unfairly at the hands of the media and fans who were angry about the team trading up to get him, and quickly labeled him a bust.

Considered to be a project, Derrick in his rookie season would only start 9 games, but would grab 3.5 sacks an interception and finally had to bulk up as a stand up LB and DE as well in the Jaguars 3-4 defense. In 2009, Harvey would start all 16 games having a decent sophomore season with 57 total tackles improving on his rookie totals, (which made him the highest rated defensive end against the run from the 2008 draft.)  He would be one of the few bright spots on the Jacksonville defense. The Jaguars responded by changing defensive line coaches and continuing to surround Harvey with more defensive line talent from the 2010 draft and free agency and hope for more production out of their young star.

Games 34    Tac 78      Sac  5.5    FF  0     Int  1   Yds 0   Avg -.-  Td 0

CFL, NFL, usfl

Jones, June

Card: Topps 1978
Acquired: TTM 2010, C/o SMU
Sent:  1/13  Recieved: 2/1  (26 days)

A member of the Mouse Davis coaching tree, June Jones is considered a quarterback guru and offensive innovator and his teams typically employ a spread offense or Run ‘N Shoot variant. After playing in 3 different offensive systems and 3 different colleges, June would be drafted by the Atlanta Falcons out of Portland State where he played from 1977 to 1981. He’d then briefly play in the CFL for the Toronto Argonauts. Jones quickly moved into coaching, working under Jack Pardee and Mouse Davis as the wide receivers coach for the USFL Houston Gamblers, and then into the CFL coaching with the Ottawa Rough Riders. In 1987, June was hired by Jerry Glanville to coach Warren Moon as the quarterbacks coach in Houston and then with Detroit under offensive coordinator Mouse Davis. After this stint he would follow Glanville to Atlanta where he’d install the Run ‘N Shoot offense. Later he’d replace Glanville as head coach of the Falcons. June guided the team to the playoffs before a meltdown with quarterback Jeff  George that was infamously caught on tape. The rift caused both of them to get released. Jones then worked for Kevin Gilbride briefly on the Chargers staff, before returing to the college ranks as head coach for the University of Hawaii. He turned a winless team around to a 9-4 bowl bound team in what is considered to be the fastest turn around in NCAA football history. By 2006 he was the winningest coach in Hawaii history and finished his career there in 2007 at 76-41. In 2008 Jones decided to leave Hawaii to coach perennial doormat SMU turning that franchise around in two seasons and leading them to their first bowl game in many years. Posted below are his college coaching statistics.

Wins 85   Losses 57  Ties 0

NFL

Camarillo, Rich

Card: ProSet 1990 LL
Acquired: In Person, Houston Oilers Training Camp 1994

Rich Camarillo is a great example of the lack of respect for the special teams, notably punters and kickers. One of the most decorated punters of my golden age of football, Rich’s history started like any other typical special teamer- as a free agent. Camarillo was originally picked up by the New England Patriots in 1981 where he’d play for the next seven seasons and in Super Bowl XX. In Super Bowl XX he’d set then Super Bowl records for net yardage and longest punt, but the Patriots would be clobbered by the Chicago Bears 46-10.  In 1988, Rich played one anonymous season for the Rams and then hopped over to the Cardinal organization for the next 5 seasons, where he’d really make his mark.

With free agency in full swing, in 1994 Camarillo would join the Oilers (replacing Greg Montgomery,)  playing for them through 1995, and then one final season for the Oakland Raiders in 1997. Over Rich’s career he’d be named to the Probowl 5 times in 1983, 1989, 1991, 1992, and 1993. In 1992, he’d gain All Pro honors and lead the NFL in 1989 in punting with a 43.4 yard average. Camarillo over his 16 year career would played more than 200 games, and garnered over 40,000 punting yards.  His 39.6 net yard average in a season still stands as record and his 44.5 yards per punt remains the highest playoff average in history.

Although Camarillo had a fine career, there’s probably little chance that he gets into the Hall of Fame, with Ray Guy (who is considered to be an exemplary example of amazing punters) not enshrined after almost 30 years. Rich for his part has remained busy since retirement coaching in the Little League World Series recently embracing his life as a full-time father, golfer, and NFL Alumni. Camarillo is also a member of the NFL All 90s team, the New England Patriots 50th Anniversary team, and still holds many of the team’s records as well.

Games 205   Punts  1027     Yds  43895    Avg 42.7      Lg  76   Blk 6

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