Tag Archives: carolina panthers expansion draft

NFL

Trudeau, Jack (2)

CARD: Fleer 1990
ACQUIRED: Ebay, 2024
FAILURE: TTM 2020, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

ACCOLADES:

  • Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame

NOTES:

In 2021, Jack suffered a series of strokes as a result of high blood pressure and CTE. He’s been working hard since them to regain his mobility and sight back. Only in his early 60s, Jack requires fulltime nursing care as he is unable to conduct normal everyday activities. His family has rallied around him to help raise funds to assist him.

You can visit and give money to his gofundme page at:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/medical-assistance-for-the-jack-trudeau-family

#jackstrong

NFL

Williams, Gerald

CARDS: Proset 1991, Fleer 1990, Proset 1990
ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Home
SENT: 3/27 RECEIVED: 4/20 (24 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Gerald Williams played DT for the Auburn Tigers from 1982-’85.
  • The big man posted 123 total tackles 8 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks in 1984.
  • He’d earn consensus All-SEC honors in ’85, with 86 total tackles, 6 tackles for loss, and 9 sacks.
  • A second round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1986 where the team employed him at NT in their 3-4 alignment.
  • In 1990 he led the Steelers with 6 sacks- recording 5 of them over the final 5 contests of the season.
  • Considered the Steelers best lineman during that era, he led the down linemen in tackles from 1989-92.
  • He’d move out to left defensive end in 1993, but a knee injury ended his campaign after 8 contests.
  • Left exposed by the Steelers during the expansion draft in 1995, Gerald was selected by the Carolina Panthers.
  • He’d play for the franchise at RDE for about 2 and a half seasons.
  • In 1997 he’d be cut after 5 games and finish his career on the roster of the Packers.

NOTES:

One of the great unheralded nose tackles of his era, Gerald is one of those players who brought his lunch pail to every contest. He’s dabbled in coaching and front office work since his retirement.

NFL

Fox, Mike (DL)

Card: Action Packed Rookies 1990
Acquired: 2018, Paid Signing

At defensive tackle, Mike Fox could come alive and take over a game during his college days. A dominant defender, Fox was considered one of the best defensive linemen  to ever play for West Virginia. He had his best year in his Senior campaign, when he had 71 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks earning him Honorable Mention All-American.

He’d be selected in the second round by the New York Giants, who decided that his massive frame (6’6″, 272) was a good fit for their 3-4 alignment. They thought he had the versatility to play both defensive end and nose.  The Giants were pretty stacked with Erik Howard and Leonard Marshall, but were always looking for up and coming talent. Mike played sparingly his rookie year, but won Super Bowl XXV as a member of the team.

Mike’s best year with the Giants came as a full time starter in 1993. Playing at right defensive end he had 32 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 1 fumble recovery. He’d play with New York through 1994, and then was selected by the Carolina Panthers during their expansion draft. He had his best season as a pro for the expansion Panthers in 1995, posting 42 tackles, and 4.5 sacks in 16 starts. Over the next 3 additional seasons, injuries would catch up with Mike and hamper his productivity. The Panthers left him exposed for the Cleveland Browns Expansion Draft in 1999 but he’d go unselected. Soon thereafter he’d be cut and retired.

Mike seldom signs through the mail, so to get him on a cheap paid signing didn’t really ruffle my feathers too much. His autograph is pretty pedestrian, but the card is really nice. Thankfully he signed it on the front and not in that tiny autograph box on the back.

G/GS 133/84    TAC 198    SAC 17.0    FUM 4
INT 0     YDS 0       AVG -.-    TD 0    LG -.-