Card: StarPics 1991
Acquired: In Person 1995, Houston Oilers Training Camp
Speedy track and field athlete Derek Russell was originally drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 1991 draft out of the University of Arkansas. His rookie season would be respectable enough as he’d pull in 21 catches for a whopping 15.7 yard average. He’d make his first touchdown grab in week 3 against the Chiefs, helping the Broncos win 19-16. In 1992, Derek would be less of a factor making only 12 receptions and suiting up for 11 games. He’d rebound in 1993 to lock in a career highs with 44 catches, 719 yards, and 3 touchdowns. Although 1994 would still have him grab 25 catches, Russell be made a free agent at the end of the season. Derek would sign with the Oilers in 1995, where I’d get his autograph at training camp that year. He’d play with the Oilers through 1997 making 70 catches for 883 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Syracuse Orangeman coaching legend Dick MacPherson was hired to fix the woeful Patriots. (Somebody had to do it.) He’d field a surprisingly competitive team in 1991 but the team would regress in 1992 and he’d be fired at season’s end after an 8-24 record. Fear not though, this is when Patriots’ lore gets good as the next coach hired was Bill Parcells.
Coach MacPherson though should be remembered though, rightfully so, for his work at the college level, which started way back in 1958 with the University of Illinois. He’d make stops at the University of Massachusetts, Cincinnati, and Maryland before going to the pros as an assistant with the Denver Broncos of the AFL from 1967-1970. He’d return to coach at Massachusetts from 1971-1977, then off to the Browns for the next 3 seasons to coach linebackers.
In 1980 Dickey Mac would make his mark taking over for the Orangemen at Syracuse turning the college sports program around. He’d coach there for the next 10 years before 2 final years with the Patriots, and retire. His cumulative college record was 111-73-5. MacPherson was inducted into the CFHoF in 2009 and he provides commentary on the Syracuse Orangemen radio network.
EPITAPH:
8/8/2017- Dick MacPherson passed away at the age of 86, surrounded by friends and family in Syracuse, NY.
Card: StarPics 1991
Acquired: In Person 1991, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp
The heir to Chris Miller for the Oregon Ducks, Bill Musgrave enjoyed an excellent college playing career. With a logger jam at quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, Musgrave would not make the team roster after being drafted by them in 4th round of the 1991 draft. He’d sign with the San Fransisco 49ers and he’d post a 71 quarterback rating throwing 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. He’d stay with the 49ers through 1994 and then sign with the Denver Broncos staying there through the 1996 season. Bill jumped almost immediately into coaching where he has remained since, working a season a piece for the Raiders and Eagles, and two for the Panthers. Musgrave returned back to the college ranks in 2001 tutoring future Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub at UVA. Again he’d surface in the pros with the Jaguars for the next two seasons through 2004 and the Redskins for 2005. Musgrave later spent the most time with the Atlanta Falcons from 2006 – 2010, -later signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2011 to be offensive coordinator. Musgrave experienced his first offensive play calling with the Eagles and Ray Rhodes, so he probably is a member of the Rhodes’ coaching tree.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
