Tag Archives: Arizona Cardinals

NFL

Word, Barry

pset90 bword pset91 bword cpotyCards: ProSet 1990, ProSet 1991 CPotY, Score Supplemental 1990, GameDay 1992, Action Packed 1991.
Acquired: 2016, Philadelphia Exchange Paid Signing

Barry Word was a surprising comeback story. Out of football for over a year and working for a telephone company in Virginia, Word was called up by the Chiefs to attend camp in 1990. He not only made the squad, Word made a potent one two punch with Christian Okoye. Possessing a similar downhill running style to the Nigerian Nightmare, Barry had 204 carries for 1015 yards and 4 TDs- netting himself NFL Comeback Player of the Year Honors.

sco90sup bwordBarry was originally a 3rd round pick by the New Orleans Saints out of Virginia in 1985. Over his 4 year career for the Cavaliers, Word rushed 405 times for 2257 yards, and 17 TDs. The problem is that Barry tested positive for Marijuana at the combine. The Saints didn’t have a problem with that. They had a problem with the conspiracy to distribute cocaine that he got busted for. The Saints let him go, but retained his rights, while Barry bode his time in ap91 bwordprison.

Word returned to the Saints in 1987.  He suited up for 12 games, and started 1 contest rushing 36 times for 133 yards and 2 TDs.  The Saints were knee deep at runningback however, and in 1988, Barry just suited up for only 2 games. He’d spend the entire 1989 season out of football.

With Barry’s comeback complete, he’d play for Kansas City in 1991 gday92 bwordand 1992. He’d be an excellent insurance policy for Okoye in the meantime. In 1993, Barry was traded to the Vikings.  He’d start 8 games for Minnesota, rushing for 458 yards and 2 TDs on 142 carries. Word then signed with the Arizona Cardinals for the ’94 season, but did not see any action.

He’d retire and has been a difficult find through the mail. I decided to do a paid signing for the enigmatic back through the Philadelphia Connection. The price was so reasonable I was able to get 5 cards signed by him. Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but Barry Word’s autograph is one of the worst I’ve seen in a while. It’s up there with George Zimmer from Men’s Wearhouse with just the ‘B’ and the ‘W’ being legible. The rest is well- there at least. Some great cards however of Barry graced his short lived career. Of them the ProSet 1990 is quite dynamic, and briefly during the short lived heyday of the card boom, along with its Score counterpart were valuable cards. It’s a shame that speculation and over production killed the market so badly its never completely recovered.

G/GS 72/26     Rush 705      Yds 2897     Avg 4.1      Td 16     Lg 53
Rec 30        Yds 280        Avg 9.3        Td 0       Lg 27

NFL

Sharpton, Darryl

bo10 dsharptonCard:  Bowman Sterling 2010
Acquired: 2016, EBay

I never did get Darryl Sharpton at an event for the Texans after he cancelled on the Battle Stampede Tour back in 2012. Such a shame. He had some really nice base cards. In the meantime I went ahead and picked up this Bowman Sterling. It’s not bad looking, but the framing device takes up half the card. For all intents and purposes Sharpton could be an offensive lineman in that shot. His hands are also noticeably not present, which makes less of an impact statement.

At 5’11” 235, Sharpton was a bit undersized to be playing linebacker but had made up for it with a solid Senior season playing for the Miami Hurricanes. He racked up 106 tackles, and had an interception and fumble return for touchdowns in 2009, earning second team All-ACC Honors. Darryl was also praised for his ability to play all three positions in the 4-3, solid tackling, and for his great motor against the run.  The Texans felt that he fit something that they were looking for, and selected him in the 4th round of the 2010 draft. He started 6 games and recorded 13 tackles and a sack his rookie season.  The team looking to go in a different direction from Frank Bush, brought in Wade Philips to coach the defense in 2011. He converted the defense to a 3-4 alignment, drafted Brooks Reed, and moved Mario Williams to outside linebacker.  Sharpton had a hard time finding the field, but in 2013 had his best season for the team starting 8 games and recording 55 tackles and 2 forced fumbles.

The Texans opted not to resign Darryl, and he signed as a free agent with the Washington Redskins in 2014.  Sharpton was placed on injured reserve before the end of training camp and was released.  He later started 2 games for the Bears and made 10 tackles.  Darryl signed with the Cardinals in 2015, but confident in their young LB corps, he was cut before they even hit training camp. As of 2016, Darryl is currently a free agent.

NFL

Schroeder, Jay ‘Schraider’

pset89 jschroeder sco89 jschroeder

Cards: ProSet 1989, Score 1989, Action Packed 1991, SkyBox 1992
Acquired:  TTM 2016, C/o Home
Sent: 1/29    Received:  2/6   (8  days)

Jay Schroeder had a solid career at UCLA but decided to pursue baseball instead. After kicking the tires around in the minor leagues, Schroeder declared for the NFL draft in 1984. He’d be selected by the Washington Redskins in the 3rd round and ride the bench behind Joe Theismann.  After a grizzly injury to Theismann ended his career prematurely, Schroeder stepped in and threw for a franchise high 4106 yards in 1986. He’d earn his only Pro Bowl appearance after the season. Jay had a really nice touch on the long bomb. This was ap91 jschroederevidenced by him leading the league in yards gained per pass completion- a feat he’d accomplish 3 separate times over his career.

He’d separate his shoulder in the season opener in 1987, and consequently lose his starting job to veteran Doug Williams who had the hot hand at the time. Schroeder asked for a trade and the Redskins acquiesced, trading him and some conditional draft picks to the Raiders in exchange for Jim Lachey.

sky92 jschroederJay played his next 5 seasons for the Raiders. His best season came in 1990 when he led LA to the AFC Championship game agains the Buffalo Bills. The team posted a 12-4 record and he threw 19 touchdowns to only 9 interceptions. In 1991 the Raiders drafted Todd Marinovich to eventually replace Jay.  By 1993 Jay was allowed to bolt from the Raiders, where he signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, starting 3 games as David Klingler‘s backup. The following year he’d hop over to the Arizona Cardinals and split snaps under center with both Steve Beuerlein and Jim McMahon, posting a 5-3 record.

After the season Jay retired. A solid signer, as of 2016, he’s a coach at the high school level and signed these 4 cards for me lightning fast.

G/GS  118/99       ATT 2808     COMP 1426     YDS 20063      PCT 50.8%
TD  114    INT 108      RAT  71.7

RUSH  242      YDS 761        AVG 3.1      TD 5      LG 31