Tag Archives: cleveland browns

NFL

McCormack, Mike (1930-2013)

CARD: Upper Deck Legends 1997
ACQUIRED: EBay, 2021

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Played college football for the University of Kansas from 1947-50.
  • Selected by the New York Yanks in the 3rd round of the 1951 NFL Draft.
  • Team moved to Dallas in 1952 and became the Texans.
  • Conscripted into the US Army and served in Korea through ’54.
  • Became free agent upon return, after franchise folded.
  • Joined the Cleveland Browns that year initially playing on the defensive line.
  • In ’55 moved to offensive line, blocking up front for HOFer Jim Brown.
  • Became the most dominant lineman of the era, completely neutralizing HOF defenders.
  • Retired in ’62 and jumped straight into coaching.
  • After working the All-Star college game circuit, became an assistant coach with the Redskins in 1965, working there through ’72.
  • Joined rival Eagles as head coach in ’73.
  • Compiled a 16-25-1 record as head coach over 3 seasons.
  • Worked with the Bengals from ’76-’79 as an assistant coach.
  • Compiled a 9-23 record as HC of the Baltimore Colts over the next two years.
  • Spent one year as HC of the Seahawks in ’82 winning 4 games and losing 3.
  • Moved into the general manager role in 1982, helping build the Seahawks into a contender in the AFC West, through ’89.
  • Served as the Panthers first GM from 1993-97.

ACCOLADES:

  • Cleveland Browns Ring of Honor
  • Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor
  • Pro Bowl 1951, ’56, ’57, ’60-’62
  • All-Pro 1954-’62
  • Pro Football Hall of Fame

EPITAPH:

Passed away in 2012 of heart failure at the age of 83.

WLTPCT
29511.363
NFL

McCardell, Keenan ‘Thunder’ (2)

Playoff Contenders 2001, #40
Upper Deck 1997, #65

CARDS: Atomic 2001, Playoff Contenders 2001, Upper Deck 1997
ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o The Minnesota Vikings
FAILURE: TTM 2022, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

I had been wanting to get a few more Jaguars’ players autographs, and with very few of them who signed I thought I’d loop back and get Keenan, since I’d never gotten him TTM. Since I met him way back in 2012 or 2013 at Houston Fan Fest, I had developed a passing interest in Atomic and Playoff Contenders sets. The die cut gimmick with the large logo really got me, and the autographs look great on it so, it’s slowly become my 2001 favorite.

The Unknown Commodity card from Upper Deck was selected because it’s very much a card that emulated the zeitgeist of the era. Over the top large lettering as the background with an image on top of it. I mean, it’s not bad. Certainly catches the eye, but at the same time, feels dated and makes you smirk a bit.

McCardell has been enjoying a surge through the coaching ranks. After a stop at Maryland as the WR coach, as of 2022 he’s with the Minnesota Vikings in the same capacity.

NFL, NFLE

Niklos, J.R.

VGF 2005

CARD: VGF 2005
ACQUIRED: 2022, Private Purchase

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Solid athlete started career as a DB for Ohio State in 1997 and 98.
  • Transferred to Western Illinois and was moved to TE by coaches who said he reminded him of Marv Cook.
  • Playing for the Leathernecks from 99-01, broke school receiving records.
  • At pro day as FB ran a 4.5 40 and was nicknamed ‘The Fastest Fullback in the NFL’, by then head coach Mike Martz.
  • Undrafted in 2002, was signed to the active roster of the Rams off of the Seahawks as a TE
  • Spent a total of 4 seasons with the Rams, joining the Frankfurt Galaxy in 2005 playing RB.
  • After league folded following the 2007 campaign, Niklos saw time with the Raiders (2005-06), Cleveland Browns (2007-08), and was briefly on IR with the Chiefs before deciding to hang up the cleats.
  • As of 2023, runs a sports performance business in Illinois.

NOTES:

A special bonus card thrown in when I purchased the remaining AAF sets I needed, I really get a kick out of these ‘deep cuts’ like JR Niklos.

NFLE

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