Tag Archives: Carolina Panthers

NFL

Carrier, Mark (WR)


Cards: ProSet 1989, Score 1989, ProSet 1990 PB
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Home
Sent: 4/26    Received:  5/16  (20 days)

The Buccaneers drafted Mark Carrier out of Nicholls State at the top of the 3rd round, to pair him up with overall #1 pick Vinny Testaverde in 1987. A solid pickup by Tampa, Carrier would start hitting his stride by 1988, making 57 receptions for 970 yards and 5 touchdowns. He’d follow up his sophomore campaign with career highs across the board, with 86 receptions for 1422 yards and 9 touchdowns. Mark would be named to the ProBowl and All Pro after the 1989 season. He’d continue to play for the Buccaneers through 1992, and then join Vinny Testaverde in Cleveland via free agency in 1993.  As of 2011, he remains the franchise’s all-time leader in career receiving yardage with 5,018.

At the conclusion of the 1994 season, Carrier would be drafted by the Carolina Panthers in their expansion draft with the 32nd pick.  He’d begin anew in Carolina, making 66 receptions for 1002 yards and 3 touchdowns for the Panthers in the 1995 season paired up with Steve Beuerlein. Mark would follow this up with a 58 reception season for 808 yards, however by 1997 injuries would begin to limit his playing time, and after starting only 1 game over the 1998 season, Mark would retire.

Mark is a voracious TTM signer and is currently enjoys coaching Pee Wee football in the Tampa area. He also appeared in Tecmo Super Bowl for the Buccanneers, and in Tecmo Super Bowl III Final Edition for the Carolina Panthers. Mark (wide receiver, 1987 draft) is not to be confused with the defensive back by the same name drafted by the Chicago Bears drafted in 1990.

G/Gs  177/139     Rec   569     Yds  8763    Avg   15.4     Td  48    Lg 78

NFL

Lathon, Lamar

Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1990, Action Packed 1992, SkyBox 1992
Acquired: In Person 1992, 1993, 1994, Houston Oilers Training Camp
Failure: TTM 2010, C/o Home

Lamar Lathon was a fearsome linebacker who came through the University of Houston in the waning days of the Southwest Conference. Lamar was a devastating force in 1988, but his 1989 was ended by a car accident. He’d recover in time for the 1990 draft and along with fellow Houston Cougar Andre Ware – Lamar would be drafted in the first round. Lamar was a target of Jimmy Johnson and the Cowboys, but Lathon ended up the first draft choice of Houston Oilers head coach Jack Pardee who insisted he’d beef up the defensive side of the front with his athletic ability. Lamar would suffer a setback and pretty much his 1990 season would be a wash as he needed arthroscopic knee surgery. Many pundits immediately labeled him ‘a bust’, but Lamar would prove them all aprk90 la lathonwrong with his dominant 1991 season. I have two fond memories of his time in Houston. The first was against Cincinnati in Riverfront Stadium. The Bengals always had the Oilers number at home, but the Oilers would come out and crush the Bengals from the opening whistle. To seal the victory Lamar would have a critical interception he’d return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. He’d also slam the door on Sammie Smith‘s career with a forced fumble he recovered at the 1 yard line against the Dolphins. Later on in the season the Oilers would play host to the Cowboys in overtime when Lamar stripped Emmitt Smith (fellow 1990 draftee) of the football. The Oilers were able to drive the other direction and score the game winning field goal. (Josh never forgave me for that game.)  Lamar would play for the team through 1994 (at outside linebacker and defensive end) until Jack Pardee was fired as coach. With Jeff Fisher in place- the Oilers would go in a different direction and Lathon would sign with the Carolina Panthers in 1995.

He’d have his best statistical years since 1991 with the Panthers, as Dom Capers 3-4 blitzing defenses really suited Lamar’s speed. ap91 la lathonHe’d rack up 8 sacks in 1995 and in 1996 have 13.5, and was named to the Pro Bowl. He’d play only two games in 1998 and then retire from a fractured right knee and was released. In 2001 he attempted a comeback (citing a burning desire to play) and had tryouts and physicals with the Cowboys, Colts, and 49ers, and Giants but was not signed by any squad. Since football Lamar has dealt with some setbacks and minor run-ins with the law.

I really wanted to get Lamar’s autograph (on his Score and ProSet 1990 Rookie cards as they look downright intimidating), but have not heard back from him. I’ll probably try him again once I get a good address or a confirmation of a recent success.

G/Gs 115/92      Tac  414       Sac 37.5     Fum 8
Int  4     Yds 78    Avg 19.4      Td   1     Lg  52t

NFL

Kasay, John

Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1991, SkyBox 1992
Acquired: TTM 1993, C/o Seattle Seahawks

One of only 2 kickers drafted in the 1991 NFL draft, John Kasay was taken in the 4th round by the Seattle Seahawks. Despite playing for some offensively anemic teams of the Seahawks back in the early 1990’s Kasay managed to lead the team in scoring for the first four seasons of his career, but at the eve of the 1995 free agency period he was left on the block, and the expansion Carolina Panthers made their move and snapped him up.  He’d finish his Seahawk career 82/105 on field goals.

John would move on to the Panthers where as of 2011, he is the only member of the 1991 draft still playing and also the only member of the expansion Carolina Panthers still active. (In fact no members of the Jaguars or Texans expansion teams remain on their rosters.)   Kasay’s career is all the more remarkable one, in an age where kickers have become highly disposable, and this is due to his longevity, affordability, and consistency- key for any kicker to possess.  Among kickers, Kasay’s tenure with one team is only second to Jason Hanson (Detroit, 1992). In 1996, he set the NFL record with 37 field goals (a record since broken) and went to the Pro Bowl.  In 2002 his season would be lost to injury after 2 games, but would recover by the following season. 2008 would see John lead the NFL in extra points with 46, and at the grand old age of 41 is the 3rd leading active scorer (8th overall) in the league with 1823 points.

G/Gp   285/285     Xpa 535       Xpm 524         Fga 529        Fgm 433            Pct   81.9%