Tag Archives: green bay packers

NFL

Beebe, Don

pac91 beebeCards: Pacific 1991, Pro Set 1989, Topps 1990.
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Home
Sent: 1/7       Received: 1/25  (18 days)

Don Beebe is a wide receiver best known for his Super Bowl moment, (during his stint with the Buffalo Bills,) when he swatted a football out of Dallas Cowboys Leon Lett’s embarrassed hands in Super Bowl XXVII.

Don sorta came out of nowhere, playing only two years of college football for Western Illinois (1987) and then at Chadron State (1988). While playing at Chadron, Don had 49 receptions for 906 yards and 13 touchdowns. With his breathtaking speed, Beebe averaged 18.5 yards per catch, and 25 yards per kick return, taking an additional ball to the house. His performance for the Eagles earned him Little All-America second team honors, and an invite to the NFL combine. He wowed the scouts there with his incredible speed, leaping, and work ethic, translating his efforts to a 3rd round pick of the Buffalo Bills in the deep 1989 draft. (In fact, it was so pset89 beebesurprising, that Pro Set struggled to find a photo of  Don settling for this granulated photo of him on his rookie prospect card.)

Don made his first catch against the Houston Oilers- a 63 yard barn burning touchdown. He then repeated the effort with another 63 yarder against the Dolphins that next month. He’d finish his rookie season with 17 receptions for 317 yards, an 18.5 yard average, and those 2 touchdowns. Occasionally Beebe got some time at returner his rookie season, posting an 85 yard kickoff return against the Falcons. His 1990 season was marred by injury and sitting behind incumbents Andre Reed and James Lofton didn’t help. Still he managed 11 catches for 221 yards and a touchdown. 1991 was a great season for Beebe, as he’d record a career high 6 touchdowns on 32 receptions. Through 1994 Beebe was pretty automatic to lock in for 30+ receptions recording a career high 40 in that final season with the Bills.

In 1995 the expansion Carolina Panthers were building their roster, and offered Beebe a free agent contract. While he played to90 beebesparingly that single season in Carolina making just 14 receptions for 152 yards, the team boasted a decent receiving corps led by Mark Carrier, Willie Green, and Eric Guliford. Don was cut after the season.

Don’s final two seasons were spent at Lambeau as a member of the Green Bay Packers. Returning to form in 1996, with Brett Favre at the helm, Beebe recorded 39 receptions for a career high 699 yards and 4 touchdowns, in 6 starts. Also after his Superbowl heartbreaking stint in Buffalo, Don finally got his ring in after the season. He’d play one final season in 1997 and retire. It is of note that in 5 out of his 9 seasons, Beebe caught a long pass greater than 60 yards.

A well rounded and respected member of the NFL community, Don is the maestro of operations for “The House of Speed”. He also coaches high school football, and has written a book about his journey to the NFL titled: “Six Rings from Nowhere”. Don suffered numerous hits over his playing career including a frightening one against Browns safety Felix Wright during the NFL Playoffs where he landed on his head (Pro Set 1990 card). Beebe has suffered numerous concussions over his playing time in the NFL and is one of the major names lending credence to the current concussion related lawsuit.

G/Gs  116/51      Rec 219     Yds 3416      Avg 15.6     Td 23      Lg 80t
Kr 81     Yds  1735     Avg 21.4     Td 1    Lg 90t

 

NFL

Hayward, Casey

Card: Leaf Rookies 2012
Acquired: 2012, Box Breaker

Casey Hayward played at Vanderbilt, where he got plenty of opportunities to shine on the defensive side of the ball, since he played in the SEC. Hayward proved that he could run with the big dogs primary receiver week in and week out of his time with the Commodores.  During his senior season at Vandy in 2011, Casey recorded 62 tackles and 7 picks, pushing his career total to 14 interceptions at the school.  A very instinctive player, he reads and diagnoses plays quickly, and has a good jam off the line of scrimmage for physical receivers.  Hayward is good in coverage, and not afraid to lay down a hit. His strength lies in man to man coverage, but Casey needs to refine his reaction technique and timing in zone coverage.

After running a 4.53 40, the Packers nabbed Hayward in the 2nd round of the 2012 NFL draft. It was an impressive debut for Casey last year as he nabbed 6 interceptions, defended 21 passes, forced a fumble, and recorded 40 tackles for the Pack all while platooning cornerback with Tramon Williams and Sam Shields. He earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month honors in October 2012, and was named to the All-Rookie team after the season. Casey finished the year 3rd in voting for NFL Rookie of the Year honors.

NFL

Epps, Phil

Card: Score 1989 Speedburner
Acquired: Canton Acquisition 2012

Phil Epps was actually on the roster of the Jets in the twilight of his career when this card came out in 1989, and due to print timing this card still showcased him in his Packers duds.

Phil was a world class sprinter and decathlete at TCU,  running a reputed 4.25 40 yard dash, the 60 in 6.07, (good enough for 9th fastest in the world,) and the 200 meters at 20.1.  Originally a flanker at TCU the tiny Phil Epps was a shade over 5’10”, 160, and was surprised to receive notice that he’d been drafted by the Pack. A track coach told him about it, and then informed him that his career was going to be in track, not in football. Undaunted Phil went to camp with the Packers and set his mind to making the roster.

Epps joined the Packers during the days of Jefferson and Lofton. He was able to come along quickly, especially aided by his speed and willingness to contribute where he could. Phil spent time at punt returner and really made an impact by his second season, returning a punt 90 yards for a touchdown. He was also a long bomb threat every time he touched the ball, averaging over 15 yards a reception in 5 out of his 7 seasons.  Epps best season was in 1985, recording 683 yards on 44 receptions and 3 touchdowns. After injuries and a holdout in 1988 claimed most of his season, he spent the next season on the roster of the Jets briefly before retiring. He currently lives in Grand Prarie, Texas, and makes it up to a Packers game once or twice a year.

G/Gs 95/45   Rec 200   Yds 2992      Avg 15.0       Td 14        Lg   63
Rush 11     Yds  135      Avg 12.3      Td 1     Lg  34
Kr 34          Yds 686      Avg  20.2    Td  0     Lg 48
Pr 100       Yds 819      Avg  8.2        Td 1      Lg   90t