Pro Set 1992, #127Pro Set 1989, #55Topps 1990 1000 Yard Club, #12Pro Set 1990 Pro Bowl, #336
CARDS: Topps 1990 1000 Yard Club, Pro Set 1990 Pro Bowl, Pro Set 1992, Pro Set 1989 ACQUIRED: TTM 2024, C/o Home SENT: 1/23 RECEIVED: 2/5 (13 days)* * Fee enclosed
With an outstanding selection, I felt it was appropriate to finish up on James’ cards I still needed. The Pro Set 1989 is an easy one to pick out, but recently I’ve gotten more interested in the much maligned Topps 1990 set. The 1000 Yard Club subset runs a bit over 30 deep if I remember correctly. It really stands out from the base set with its yellow border, glossy front, and an action shot on the front.
I’ve been building up slowly on the Pro Set 1990 Pro Bowl set, with a fair amount more of the AFC squad completed. It’s nothing that I’m truly actively trying to get, but I’m sort of falling into.
Neil Rackers was a kicker for the Fightin’ Illini from 1996-’99.
Over that period he was 96.3% on XP (77/80) and 68% (34/50) on FGs, scoring 179 points.
Selected in the 6th round of the 2000 NFL Draft.
After a rocky rookie season, he settled in kicking 17 FGs in 2001, and 15 in 2002.
He’d join the Arizona Cardinals in 2003.
In 2004, he hit 22/29 field goals, including a league long 55 yarder.
In that game against the Seahawks, he hit two other field goals of 50+ yards tying the single game NFL record held by Morten Anderson.
Then he went on to hit an improbable 31 straight field goals.
During the 2005 season, set the NFL record with 40 field goals in a season (42 attempts).
He again led the league in attempts in 2006 with 37 (28 FGM).
In 2010, Rackers was allowed to test free agency and decided to play for the Texans.
He’d provide great stability at the position after the departure of Kris Brown– who’d been with the team since its inception.
Rackers posted 27 FGs in 2010, and 32 in 2011.
Tied a franchise long 57 yard field goal in 2010 (since surpassed).
ACCOLADES:
All Pro 2005
Pro Bowl 2005
Golden Toe Award 2005
NOTES:
Incredibly underrated over his career, I must admit I was disappointed when the Texans opted not to sign him, in favor of drafting ‘Beercan’ Randy Bullock in 2012.
Rackers was also a head hunter- A rare trait among kickers. From time to time he was known to dish out some jarring hits. I seem to remember some odd fact that he’s the the NFL record holder for career special teams tackles by a kicker.
My old friend Erik, told me stories about chugging beers in the parking lot at NRG with Neil, saying he’s a real cool dude so I had to get him eventually. I was a bit disappointed. I think this Adrenalyn card was the only Texans card they made of Neil. I love how Rackers’ autograph incorporates the goal posts into it.
XPA
XPM
PCT
FGA
FGM
PCT
LG
PTS
378
372
98.4%
330
264
80.0%
57
1164
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
