Tag Archives: buffalo bills

CFL, NFL

Ferguson, Joe

Cards: Topps 1982, ProSet Legends 1991
Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o Home
Sent: 2/2 Received: 2/9 (7 days)

Joe Ferguson was the QB for the Bills who owned nearly all the franchise record books before Jim Kelly shattered them over the next 10 years.

A Southwest Conference Alum with the Arkansas Razorbacks from 1970 to 1972, Joe competed 327 of 611 passes for 4431 yards to 24 TDs and 32 interceptions- shattering many of the passing records at the school, and earned the Liberty Bowl MVP award in 1971. He was drafted in the 3rd round of the 1973 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. The team pressed him into service immediately, where he posted 3 winning seasons in a row. Ferguson played ball during the dead ball era. Regardless he led the league in a variety of categories including TDs (25, 1975), attempts (1977, 457), yards (1977, 2803), and interceptions (1977, 24. 1982, 16). In 1976 he started 7 games and threw 9 touchdowns to just 1 interception for a 90 QB rating.

With the arrival of Jim Kelly in 1985, Joe began the journeyman phase of his career. He’d play 2 seasons for the Lions as a backup, starting 5 games and posting a 2-3 record. Afterwards he’d play 3 more non-descript seasons for the Bucs (1988-1989) and the Indianapolis Colts (1990).

Joe went into coaching after his playing career wrapped up and saw stints at Louisiana Tech and Arkansas.

Perhaps most intriguing was when he joined the CFL and was the QB coach for the San Antonio Goldminers in 1995. After an injury befell starting QB David Archer, head coach Kay Stephenson needed somebody who was familiar with his offensive system. Enter backup Joe Ferguson for one final season. An ironman of football, Joe started at one point 103 consecutive games, and played 16 seasons.

Joe has also been inducted into numerous Arkansas Sports Hall of Fames, All-Century Teams, and All-Decade Teams. He also has a spot in the Bills Ring of Honor.

I loved these Legends cards made by Pro Set in 1991. I had never gotten this one when I pulled packs as a kid so I was doubly surprised when I originally saw this Corning masterpiece. Joe is a great signer, so I had been kicking the can down the road the past few years before I decided to pull the trigger on this one, and he responded in no time flat.

G/GsATTCPDYDSPCTTDINTRAT
186/171451923692981752.419620968.4
NFL

Little, Greg (WR)

Card: Upper Deck College Legends 2011
Acquired: Box Breaker, 2019

A second round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2011, Greg Little was a talented basketball and football player from North Carolina. While playing for the Tarheels at runningback and receiver from 2007-2009 he posted 1,774 yards from scrimmage. Greg had his best year in 2009 when he posted 62 receptions for 724 yards and 5 TDs.

Little had a solid rookie year for Cleveland with 61 catches for 709 yards and 2 TDs, but his number declined in subsequent years. After hauling in 41 receptions for 465 yards and 2 TDs in 13 starts during 2013, he’d be released in the offseason. After a quick stop in Oakland, Greg was on and off the roster of the Bengals through 2015, posting 6 catches in 6 games. He then was in camp with the Bills (2016) and Cardinals (2018). As of 2019 Greg is considered an active NFL Free Agent.

I never really understood why Greg didn’t manage to latch on with the Browns. His career seemed very bright with them. Then when you look closer at his stats, you realize he rarely caught more than 50% of his targets- an increasingly modern important measurement of receiver’s hands.

This is a great card with clear, strong shadows, and vibrant colors. The autograph, while big- well… It’s a ‘G’ that looks like a hatchet and an ‘L’. That’s it… Not really inspiring -more than reckless looking.


AAF, NFL, XFL

Moore, Sterling

Card: Topps AAF 2019
Acquired: IP 2019, San Antonio Commanders v The Arizona Hotshots

Lost in the JUCO shuffle to SMU, cornerback Sterling Moore went undrafted in the 2011 NFL Draft.

He’d sign with the Oakland Raiders, and then end up on the roster of the Patriots that year. Called up to active play from the practice squad, Sterling helped New England in a pinch make the Super Bowl that year. Sterling returned to the practice squad in 2012, but was snapped up by the Dallas Cowboys. Sterling again saw some emergency time over the next year or so before earning a role as the team’s nickelback. In 2015, Moore signed with the Bucs, and saw a mix of playing time starting at corner and also as the nickelback, starting 8 contests. After a quick pitstop with the Bills, Sterling spent the next year and a half with the New Orleans Saints. He’d start a career high 12 games, recording 2 picks, 56 total tackles, and 13 pass deflections in 2016. Sterling signed with the Detroit Lions in 2018, but did not make the squad.

Moore joined the Arizona Hotshots of the Alliance in early 2019. He’d record 7 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble and 23 total tackles in 8 starts.

Sterling came over during warmups when he realized I had a card and signed this one for me. After the Commanders game ended, I gave him one to keep which he really appreciated.

That’d be the last game in AAF history, but Sterling was later selected in the 2019 XFL draft by the Seattle Dragons during the defensive back portion, with their final overall pick.