Tag Archives: action packed rookies 1992

NFL

Pickens, Carl

CARDS: Action Packed Rookies 1992, Gameday 1992
ACQUIRED: Private Signing, 2023
FAILURE: TTM 2013, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Carl Pickens finished NCAA career at Tennessee with 109 catches for 1875 yards and 13 TDs.
  • Selected in the first round of the 1992 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.
  • Led all NFL rookies with 26 catches and had a Bengal record 95 yard punt return for a TD.
  • Had first 1,000 yard season in 1994, with 71 catches for 1,127 yards and 11 TDs.
  • In ’95 had best season as a pro with 99 catches for 1234 yards and a league leading 17 TDs.
  • ’96 was another banner season with 100 catches for 1,180 yards and 12 TDs.
  • Had final 1,000 yard season in ’98 posting 1,023 yards and 82 catches.
  • Played final season for the Titans in 2000, starting 6 contests.
1992 Action Packed Rookies, #25

ACCOLADES:

  • 1992 Offensive Rookie of the Year
  • Pro Bowl 1995-’96
  • NFL Leader in TD receptions (1995)

NOTES:

Carl Pickens just flat out doesn’t sign through the mail. I mean he’s like a career 0% signer- and a lot of people have tried- myself included. I saw that he signed something TTM in 2013 and gave it a shot. That request that looked like a success disappeared- and I probably got buried under the guy who sent out 10 cards. That being said, he didn’t sign.

Gotta say I jumped when I saw he was doing a paid signing, so I popped these two out. The promoter had difficulty securing him but on the second attempt Pickens came around to sign for him. I don’t know what I was expecting but his autograph is pretty pedestrian- though I might have to do one or two more if he ever pops up again.

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College Football HoF, NFL, Pro Football HoF, Super Bowl MVP

Aikman, Troy (2)

Skybox Impact 1992, #232 Action Packed Rookies & Stars 1992, #72

CARDS: Action Packed Rookies & Stars 1992, Skybox 1992
ACQUIRED: In Person, 2022

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

It’s been a long 30 years plus since I got Troy Aikman on a card so to get him on not one- but two cards, left me quite elated. I had seen that he was in town promoting his new beer line, Eight, and was kicking myself that I missed out on a previous event that he was involved in. Serendipitous timing led Aikman back to the area again, and I pounced when I saw that he was appearing literally 5-10 miles from my house at a local strip of bars.

It was a great event, as I caught up with my cohorts Jeff and Mark. I hadn’t seen Jeff since before the pandemic, and this was his first in person event since then. We sat around and tried out Eight beer. It was actually pretty good!

Soon thereafter Troy appeared behind the bar and began tossing out beers and handing out pints. I narrowly missed catching one of them, and then he started signing memorabilia in earnest. After I pushed Jeff into the crowd, he signed a mini for Jeff and then my Action Packed card- a dire set need. We bit our nails until Mark got his- the very last person on the first bar he visited.

We decided to take a shot at the second bar for another autograph. and after the same set up, came away with the same results. I was scratching my head between 3 different cards, but in the end decided to go with the Impact card. As he was signing the card, he smiled and stared directly into my eyes. I took it as quite genuine, but also as a warning to not try to press for three.

NFL

Skrepenak, Greg

Gameday 1992, #92

Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1992, Star Pics 1992, Gameday 1992
Acquired: TTM 2020, C/o Home
Sent: 10/14/20 Received: 7/12/21 (271 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Highly regarded OL out of the University of Michigan, played for the Wolverines from 1987- 91, starting 48 consecutive contests.

  • Over that period he was an offensive captain and a finalist for both the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award as a Senior.

  • Selected near the top of Round 2 by then then Los Angeles Raiders in 1992 who started him at tackle.

  • Played for the Raiders through 1995, however suffered from a variety of injuries and disagreements with the coaching staffs.

  • Signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Carolina Panthers where he saw a renaissance blocking for the franchise in 1996-97 at guard.

  • Rejoined the Raiders in 99 but was released in camp and subsequently retired.

  • Played in 68 games, starting 56 contests.

Action Packed Rookies 1992, #12 Star Pics 1992, #37

ACCOLADES:

  • Michigan Wolverines All-Century Team

  • Carolina Panthers All-Time Team

NOTES:

Great cards here of Greg. It took a lot of digging to find his address but after cross referencing a few sources, and researching his success percentage, I decided to give him a shot on these cards. I rarely get the chance to shoot out Star Pics cards, so this one was a special treat to get back after an extended wait. I love how he signed his Action Packed card in between his two hands. Great placement there.