Tag Archives: Arizona Cardinals

NFL

Williams, James ‘JD’ (1990 DB)

pset90 jdwilliamsCards: ProSet 1990, Score 1990, Action Packed Rookies 1990
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o Work
Sent:  8/10    Received: 8/21   (11 days)

sco90 jdwilliamsFormer walk-on James ‘JD’ Williams was a standout defensive back from Fresno State, who boasted great measurables due in part to his track numbers. He ran the 100 meters in 10.58 seconds (4.29 40), had a triple jump of over 53 feet, and a vertical leap of 39 inches. JD also had some accolades and stats to go with it, earning First team All-Big West Conference selections as both a Junior and a Senior- his only two years as a starter.  He had 9 pass deflections, 58 tackles, and 4 sacks in 1989. Williams was also a dangerous special teams contributor, blocking 6 punts in 1988 (NCAA Division I-AA Record). With a smooth backpedal, solid tackling, and a natural bump and run defender, Williams shot up the draft charts that year.
aprks90 jwilliamsThe Buffalo Bills picked JD with the 16th selection of the 1990 Draft. He’d be the second defender off the board and the first cornerback overall. (Outside of safety Mark Carrier, this proved to be a poor draft overall for the secondary with only safety LeRoy Butler and corner Eric Davis even making ProBowl appearances.) Williams admittedly was not prepared for the rigors and competition at the NFL level.  JD was allowed to wear the hallowed #31 jersey that the Bills had retired to: ‘memorialize the spirit of the fan’… or something corny like that.  (Williams wore 31 in college.) He joined the Bills at the right time, providing much needed depth for the team to reach 4 consecutive Super Bowls.
aprks90 jwilliams BIn 1995 JD signed with the Arizona Cardinals, but in a twist of fate, he broke both of his ankles. It was his best season as a pro. He was never the same. Williams spent one season after that in San Francisco, and retired after the 1996 season.

From there Williams decided to finish his degree, and somewhere along the way got back into coaching. He’s been working at the college level for sometime now as a defensive backs coach with stops at Cal Poly, San Jose State, Fresno State, California, Washington and currently (as of 2015) at UNLV.

G/Gs 70/35      Tac 133        Sac 0        Fum 1
Int 11       Yds 74         Avg 6.7      Td  0        Lg  29

NFL

Baxter, Jarrod

bow02 jbaxter
Cards: Bowman 2002
Acquired: 2014, Albany Acquisition

When the expansion Texans were making their moves in 2002, it was plainly obvious to me that the Texans were going to draft Baxter (- the highest rated fullback that year) coming out of college from New Mexico at the top of round 5. Why? Because back then when the NFL conducted its annual draft, (that it continually tinkers with,) day 1 were rounds 1-4, and day 2 were rounds 5-7.  Baxter clocked in at an impressive 6′ 1″, 245, and in Chris Palmer’s offense, he liked a traditional strong fullback leading the way. He’d play in the Texans’ 19-10 opening victory over the Dallas Cowboys, and start an additional 9 games that season. Baxter was held back by the team to protect quarterback David Carr, with the team’s anemic offensive line situation. He’d score his first – and only professional touchdown in a 17-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans, on a 14 yard reception. 2003 was wiped due to injury, but Jarrod came back for 2004, suiting up for 8 contests. Baxter signed with the Arizona Cardinals in 2005 and again saw action in 8 contests, retiring after the season. Baxter has found his way into coaching since then and as of 2014, is a coach in the Houston area school district.

G/Gs 32/13     Rush 9      Yds 15       Avg  1.7      Td   0     Lg 6         |    Rec  7    Yds 40    Avg 5.7      Td   1       Lg  14t

NFL, WLAF

Brown, Ivory Lee (2)

phomem ibrownCard: Wild Card WLAF 1992
Acquired: IP 2015, Adrian Peterson Day, Palestine,Tx.
See Also:  Ivory Lee Brown
Failure:  TTM 2011, C/o Home

I had tried- and failed to acquire the bell cow of the Riders offense TTM a few years ago.  Knowing that Ivory Lee Brown was Adrian Peterson‘s uncle, I hoped to track him down at the Peterson event.

wcwlaf92 ibrownI got Adrian early, but Ivory arrived in style- late. There were intermittent downpours in which I’d get soaked, and then dry out long enough to baste, but it was totally worth it. Ivory was really nice and gave me his autograph on this card and photo that I had.  He’s the same giant man mountain- maybe a bit more reticent and quiet from his playing days; However, he flashed that clever smile when I asked him about his gaudy yards per carry from his college days at Arkansas Pine Bluff. He also very much liked when I brought up how he was the World League’s leading rusher in 1992.

The photo he signed was from a set given away in Central Texas’ HEB Super Markets promoting the Riders 1992 season. The 1992 Wild Card WLAF card was the only issued card that featured him in a San Antonio Riders uniform. I got it many years after the league disbanded and had him pen the card at the event.

From what I understand, he still lives in the Palestine area.