Tag Archives: buffalo bills

NFL

Jackson, Steve (2) (DB)

to94 sjacksonCards: Topps Stadium Club 1994, Topps 1994, GameDay 1994
Acquired: IP 7/11/15, Houston Oilers 25th Anniversary Party
See Also: Steve Jackson

All smiles from Steve Jackson, the matridee of the Houston Oilers 25th Anniversary Party and president of Steve Jackson Foundation as everything for the event seemed to go off perfectly. Dapperly dressed in a plaid jacket, Steve was incredibly friendly, even going so far as to invite any and all Houston Oilers fans to the afterparty at Prospect Park. Once I finally got to him, he was more than happy to sign all these cards for me.

gday94 jacksonHe knew I was a true fan when I talked to him about the Oilers 10-3 win over the San Fransisco 49ers at Candlestick Park in 1993. It was the first time in over 10 years the 49ers had been held without a TD in their home stadium. Jackson would seal the deal, picking Steve Young off in the endzone as TE Brent Jones committed a flagrant facemask to try to get Jackson to drop the ball.

Jackson also knew exactly what moment the Topps 1994 took place as well, telling me that if they had instant replay back then in 1993, this play would have sealed the game against the Chiefs in the playoffs. Still Steve managed to pick off Joe Montana as well, but the Oilers fell 28-20. A valuable and impressive special teams contributor, Steve played with the Oilers through their transition to Tennessee, and has since spent time coaching at the pro ranks.

tosc94 sjacksonAt the time of the production of these cards, I was completely out of the market. Both of the Topps relesases (base Topps and Stadium Club) are daring in presentation, but garish by today’s standards. The Stadium Club entry is a complete departure from their previous entries. Abandoning the style completely that distinguished Stadium Club from other entries, I’m not really sure if it had a positive impact on sales.  The Topps 1994 base card with its rounded design is a nice departure from the angular designs that Topps settled into there over the last 15 years or so, but the type feels completely out of place, with the formal script and the square sans serif occupying the same space so near eachother. Again nothing but good things to say about Gameday. The card lets the picture do most of the talking and keeps everything neatly at the bottom.

NFL

Hughes Jr., Jerry

sco10 hughesCards: Score 2010
Acquired: IP, Aaron Williams Lone Star Showcase 2015

So I went to the local card shop to find a card of Jerry Hughes Jr off of his short card list, only to have been beaten there by a friend who was also going to the event. Kindly enough he offered me this Score 2010- a set that is thoroughly unappreciated, and a nice transition from the well designed Score 2009.  Hughes was approachable enough, and signed every card that was placed in front of him with a huge smile. We talked briefly about the Bills, and I told him that Rex Ryan has me the most excited about the franchise since the 90s. We then confirmed the mantra that, “You gotta believe,” with big Kool-Aid sharing smiles.

Hughes has always been battling uphill for respect, despite his natural athleticism and production. Jerry was shifted to defensive end when he arrived at TCU in 2006.  It’d be  in 2008 when Jerry settled in, with 52 TT, 19.5 TFL, 15 Sacks, and 2 interceptions- one of which he returned for a TD. He returned to TCU for his Senior season and again had a banner year with 58 TT, 16.5 TFL, and 11.5 sacks.  The Colts made Jerry the first Horned Frog to be Drafted in the first round since LT, with the 31st overall pick in 2010.

Jerry didn’t play that much for the Colts over his first three seasons. The Colts liked to use their defensive ends as tweeners, and had him set up at OLB. In 2013, he was traded to the Buffalo Bills. With that chapter closed of his career, Hughes had 5 sacks and 31 tackles in 3 seasons with the Colts.

Given the opportunity to play with the Bills was just what Jerry needed. The change of atmosphere allowed him to blossom into a solid pass rusher alongside Mario Williams. In 2013, Jerry had 10 sacks, 32 tackles, and 2 forced fumbles, playing in all 16 games.  Allowed to start all 16 games, Jerry had 36 tackles, 10 sacks, and a pick for 18 yards that he returned for a TD against the Cleveland Browns, in 2014.

 

NFL

Barnett, Oliver

aprks90 barnettCard: Action Packed Rookies 1990
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o Home
Sent: 8/6        Received: 8/15   (9 days)

Jerry Glanville drafted Barnett in the third round of the 1990 draft. The defensive lineman had experience playing across the line but it looked like Glanville penciled him in at defensive end.  A physical specimen and gym rat, Barnett set the Kentucky Wildcats combined weightlifting record (850 squatting) with 1,685 lbs. He finished his career at Kentucky with 212 solo tackles, 1 fumble recovery, and a school record 26 sacks- which was not bested until 2015.

Glanville was hot out of Houston, and after orchestrating the Jeff George trade that netted him Chris Hinton and Andre Rison, and a few first round choices, the Falcons developed in a hurry.  Barnett was a depth play by the team, as you could never have enough fresh bodies playing on the line in a 3-4 set up.  Barnett was an enigma to scouts because they felt that he never completely played up to his potential.

Oliver had a serviceable and respectable career in the NFL.  His best season arguably came in 1991, when he recorded 47 tackles, 1 sack, and recovered a fumble that he returned for 75 yards for a TD.  In 1992 he started a career high 7 games recording 54 tackles. In 1993, Barnett signed with the Bills, playing 2 seasons for Buffalo, before finishing out his career in 1996 with the San Francisco 49ers.

In 2013, Barnett was inducted into the Kentucky Wildcat Hall of Fame.

G/Gs  85/18     Tac 177    Sac 5.0      Fum  1
Int   0    Yds 0     Avg -.-    Td 0