Tag Archives: chicago bears

NFL

Mirer, Rick

Card: Pinnacle 1995
Acquired: Canton Acquisition 2012

Rick Mirer was a record setting quarterback for Notre Dame who virtually rewrote all the record books during his time there. The much ballyhooed quarterback was selected second in the 1993 draft behind equally touted quarterback Drew Bledsoe. Bill Walsh before the draft even called Rick, “The next Joe Montana”. While it became obvious early that Bledsoe would play in an almost workmanlike fashion for the Patriots, Mirer set the world on fire his rookie season starting all 16 games and setting rookie passer records for attempts (486), completions (274) and  yards (2833). He also demonstrated a knack for finding the endzone with his legs, scoring 3 touchdowns on 343 yards rushing.  

The first sign of trouble was that Mirer was coached only on a handful of plays each game. If he couldn’t find an open receiver, he was instructed to do what he saw was best or tuck it in and run, and at first it appeared that the horserace between Bledsoe and Mirer was too close to call. Over the next three seasons, the Seahawks struggled mightily on offense, so in 1997 they opted to trade Mirer and a 4th rounder to Chicago for the Bears first round draft choice.

The Bears anointed Mirer the starter immediately in Chicago, but Mirer had a fatal flaw that teams had now caught onto. Mirer favored throwing to the right side of the field. Teams regularly stacked defenses to the right against him.  He threw 6 picks to zero touchdowns in his only season in the windy city. He requested to be cut by the team after the season, and found himself on the offseason roster of the Packers behind Brett Favre. The Packers then traded him to the Jets who were thin at quarterback after an injury to Vinny Testaverde. Rick got his first sustainable time under center really since he played for Seattle putting up a bit over 1000 yards and 5 touchdowns, posting a 2-4 record.

Steve Mariucci brought Mirer then to San Fransisco in 2000. He played respectably in mop up time behind Jeff Garcia throwing for a touchdown and 126 yards.  Again Rick moved, this time across the bay to Oakland in 2002. He’d see his last time under center in 2003 for the Raiders throwing for 1,263 yards and 3 touchdowns, before signing with the Lions in 2004 and retiring soon thereafter. 

Rick has spent his time after football coaching Pop Warner and owns a winery (Mirror Wine Company) in Napa, Florida.

G/Gs  80/68     Att  2043    Comp 1088    Yds  11969    Pct   53.3    Td 50     Int  76   Rat 63.5 |
Rush  242   Yds   1130     Avg  4.7    Td  9   Lg 33

College Football HoF, IFL, NFL, University of Texas

McMichael, Steve “Mongo” (2)

Card: UT UD 2011
Acquired: C/o Home, 2012
Sent:       Received: 7/14  (days)
See also: Steve McMichael “Mongo” 

Steve McMichael and Ray Childress were my favorite defensive linemen when I was a kid, so to meet both of them during my younger years was quite a treat to me. I had already gotten back around to Ray, and had been looking for a good excuse to write Steve again, so when the University of Texas Upper Deck 2011 set came out, I thought I had the best justification to do so, and put 3 cards in the mail. Well, I’m guessing Steve didn’t have his UT Upper Deck All American card or his All Time Alumni card as he kept those. Still the fact that he signed his base set card, was what I really wanted most, so to just get only one back from him was fine by me.

McMichael gained notoriety while playing with the Bears for having a penchant to come up with big plays when they mattered. He also started 101 straight games at defensive tackle. Mike Ditka called McMichael the toughest player he ever coached.  Now let me stress that again… Mike Ditka called him that.  He’d later go on to enjoy a strong wrestling career in the WWF and WCW as Mongo. I even saw him live at the Erwin Center in Austin where fans who remembered were happy to see him. Steve was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010.  He currently does radio for the pregame show of the Bears outside of Chicago and is head coach of the Chicago Slaughter of the Indoor Football League.

NFL

Manning, Danieal




Cards: Leaf Rookies & Stars 2006, Upper Deck 2006.
Acquired: In Person 2012, 1300 The Zone Texans Draft Party

With Danieal Manning’s autographs on these two cards, I officially went over 1,000 autographs on cards. He jokingly balked at signing the cards originally when I produced them stating, ” Aww, man these are Bears cards! I thought you were a real fan!” I then produced these additional photos, which he was more than happy to sign and then did an about face on these cards telling me it was just a joke. He was able to tell me exactly where these photos were from, and the “Shhhh…” is from the Baltimore after he made a pick. He also was cool enough to take a photo with me as well.

Manning dominated at the college level for tiny Abilene Christian. In 3 years there, he compiled 159 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 11 interceptions for 99 yards. In 2003 alone he’d record six of those picks, putting him on the national radar. Danieal, earned two All-American Selections in 2004 and 2005 for the Wildcats. A dangerous return man with breathtaking speed, Manning recorded 6 special teams touchdowns.

He’d hop to the NFL for the 2006 draft and the Bears took Danieal with the 42nd pick that year.  Manning created quite a stir, as fans weren’t expecting him to be as talented at returning kicks as the dynamic Devin Hester, but they were in for a surprise, when Danieal did full-time duties in 2008. He’d return 36 kick offs for 1070 yards and a touchdown. His whopping 29.7 yard average led the NFL and he’d be named All-Pro after the season, despite starting only half the season. A strong pass defender and run enforcer, Manning made 9 picks, and 32 pass defensed in 6 seasons with Chicago from the Free Safety position to go along with 324 tackles and 7 forced fumbles. He’d get lost in the shuffle of Chicago’s defense in 2010 by breaking his foot, and was allowed to leave as a free agent for 2011 after rejecting an extension.

The Houston Texans were remaking their NFL history making worst pass defense in history from 2010. After being rebuffed by N’Mandi Asomugha, the Texans decided to go with a 1-2 combo of signing Johnathan Joseph from Cincinnati and Danieal Manning from Chicago. Manning and Joseph provided the Texans with an excellent combo for Wade Phillips to reshore Houston’s porous defensive alignment.

Initially I was still sore about the team allowing vocal defensive leader Bernard Pollard go. He really came in and contributed to the team in 2009, but had just a subpar 2010, exposed in Frank Bush‘s defensive scheme. It didn’t take long for Manning to make an impression on the defense for me, and I knew they were in good hands with him protecting the backside.

Starting 13 games in 2011, Manning recorded 52 tackles, 2 picks and a fumble recovery. Houston recorded a remarkable turn around on defense, moving from 4th most points allowed for 4th least points allowed. Manning also performed kickoff return duties with 13 KR for 356 yards and a 27.4 yard average.

I had to really fight to get to the 1300 the Zone event downtown this time. It was the first event I had attended something in the Warehouse District in some time. The area has changed quite a lot. Dotted with expensive parking lots and shoddy attendant rules and prices, it was frustrating, but in the end worth it. I found a lot that charged 5 bucks and after getting change was able to jog a block to the event with about 30 minutes to go. Rod Babers greeted me at the door with a big smile and when he yelled out my name, all the fans in the room looked at me. It was odd being surrounded by all these old and new Texans fans. I had gotten used to cheering on the Texans during their darker days alone at restaurants, biting my tongue and savoring the small victories. Now it appears everybody wants a piece. Everybody has been a fan since day one. I’m not going to chide them. It’s nice to have a team that people like now, and I hope the Texans can keep up the positive vibes and good seasons to establish some brand loyalty with them. This event was a great start.