Tag Archives: Atlanta Falcons

NFL, WLAF

Barnes, Lew ‘Little Lew’

Cards: Ultimate WLAF 1992, Wild Card WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2017, C/o Home
Sent: 8/9   Received: 9/9  (30 days)

Lew Barnes was an Oregon Duck during his college days from 1983 to 1985. A consistent receiver with blazing speed, Barnes posted 117 receptions for 2048 yards, a 17.5 yards per reception average, and 18 TDs over his time in Eugene. Lew is notable, as he was the only Oregon All-American named on offense between 1971 and 2007.  At the time of his graduation Barnes was the Ducks all-time leading receiver.  He was drafted in the 5th round of the 1986 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears.

The Bears, well, they were hard on their receivers and the Super Bowl Champions were through and through a running team. Lew faced an uphill battle making the squad, but was fortunate. As starting return man Dennis McKinnon underwent his 3rd knee operation- the Bears needed a punt return man and it just so happened that Barnes fit the bill. Lewis made the best of his single season in Chicago. He led the league with 57 punt returns (482 yards), and returned a kickoff 85 yards for a TD.  Barnes broke his left leg during the preseason in 1987 and spent the entire year on IR. The following year in 1988, he got cut during the preseason- only a few days after a 97 yard kickoff return TD got called back over a questionable illegal block against the Cowboys. While the Bears really liked Barnes, he got caught in a numbers game, especially with rookie wide receiver 1st round pick Wendell Davis in camp.

Barnes quickly landed a job with the Falcons, reuniting him with former Duck QB Chris Miller. He’d play in 13 games, and post solid numbers again on punt returns, with 34 for 307 yards, including a 68 yarder, but not see any time at receiver.  He’d then play 2 games in 1989 with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Lew decided to play for the WLAF in 1992.  He’d be selected by the Frankfurt Galaxy.  During his lone season with the franchise, Lew led the team in yards from scrimmage. He’d be 3rd in receptions with 24, but second in yards with 402 and a guady 16.7 YPC. Lew also was counted on for special teams duty, posting 198 yards on 10 kick returns, and 46 yards on 11 punt returns. He’d help the franchise win the division and reach the playoffs for the first time in history, before the league went on hiatus.

Lew had two spectacular action shots from Ultimate and Wild Card. Being that the Galaxy did not play ever in San Antonio, I never was even able to attempt to get any members of the franchise. With his place in Oregon and NFL history, I thought Lew would be easier to locate, but nobody had a whiff of him at all. It took me quite a few years, but after cross referencing a lot of data on Spokeo, I was able to find an address I was confident in and take a shot. He responded and wrote me a very nice note. With excellent cursive penmanship, he thanked me for writing him, and told me that he too had a great-great relative in his past that had my full name, and we could possibly be… related? Small world!

NFL 16/0     REC 4           YDS 54      AVG 13.5     TD 0    LG 14
KR   9       YDS 236        AVG 26.2      TD 1      LG 85t
PR 93      YDS 830        AVG 8.9         TD 0      LG 68

WLAF  REC 24   YDS  402  AVG 16.7    TD 3    LG 86t
KR  10     YDS   198       AVG 19.8      TD 0     LG 33
PR  11     YDS  46           AVG 4.1          TD 0    LG 12

NFL, WLAF

Pritchett, Wes

Card: Wild Card WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2017, C/o Work
Sent: 3/24      Received: 4/1     (8 days)

The Fighting Irish had quite the linebacking corps from back in the day. During their prominent title runs of the late 1980s, the group had Frank Stams, Michael Stonebreaker, and Wes Pritchett manning the platoon. Called ‘The Three Amigos’, Pritchett was the black hole in the middle that soaked up targets and tackles. During his Senior campaign in 1988, he led the team in tackles with 112.

Wes was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the 6th round of the prolific 1989 draft. He’d later suit up for 3 contests for the Atlanta Falcons in 1991.  The New York- New Jersey Knights then selected Wes during the 1992 WLAF Supplemental Draft.  He’d see action during the season recording a sack and an interception for 19 yards.

As of 2017, Pritchett lives in the Atlanta area where he runs a very successful financial securities group.

NFL

Griswold, Darion ‘Big Griz’

sage16 dgriswold
Card: Sage 2016
Acquired: 2016, Box Breaker

Darion Griswold passes the eyeball test clocking in at 6’5″, 255 which despite his anemic statistics make him an intriguing prospect. Another one of these basketball to tight end players Griswold is considered a project for many teams. Although he has the frame and hands, Big Griz is not considered a refined run blocker, nor an immediate threat off the line, as he is still perfecting his route trees.

His athletic skills alone have qualified Griswold as a late round selection in the 2016 draft.  After the 2016 NFL Draft Darion signed with the Indianapolis Colts. He’d be cut with an undisclosed injury settlement before the preseason began. In 2017 he signed a futures contract with the Atlanta Falcons, but again was cut with an injury settlement before the regular season began.