Tag Archives: Houston Oilers

NFL, usfl

Gray, Mel (WR/KR)

ap92 mgrayCards: Fleer 1995, Action Packed 1992, ProSet 1990
Acquired: Paid Signing 2014, c/o Texas Autograph Club
Sent:      Received: 2/12

Mel Gray is an impossible respondent to get through the mail, so I jumped at the chance to get him through a paid signing on these 3 cards.  He’s always remained near the top of my list to get TTM due to his lack of respect from HoF voters. Gray along with guys like Eric Metcalf are truly electric players who ground up yardage as dangerous return specialists, daring other teams to punt and kick away from them or converted the critical 3rd down motioning out of the backfield and catching a short pass, dodging a few would be tacklers, and turning it into a 12 yard gain.

I most remember Mel Gray from his days on the Detroit Lions, the twilight days of the Houston Oilers, and as a multifaceted talent on Tecmo Super Bowl. The game really nailed him, allowing you to shift Gray from wide receiver to runningback without blinking an eye.

sky92 mgrayMel’s playing days started at Purdue where he was a star at runningback and wide receiver for the Boilermakers. He’d earn Big 10 honors and several All-American Honors during his time there as their featured back. Mel made the transition to the USFL in 1984 for the LA Express, and then was later traded to the Oklahoma Outlaws. After the league folded, Mel Gray was selected in the NFL Supplemental Draft of USFL and CFL players. Selected by the New Orleans Saints, Mel burst on to the scene with a 27.9 kick off return average and a 101 yard TD against the 49ers in his second game in 1986. Gray led the league with a 14.7 yard punt return average in 1987, and scored on his first TD on a punt return the following year. He hopped Plan B to Detroit in 1989.

Gray earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 1990 and 1991 as he led the league in multiple categories. He’d return to the Pro Bowl in 1992, and earn AP and Pro Bowl honors a last time in 1994. His 1994 season was one of the best in NFL history, as Gray returned 45 kicks for 1276 yards (28.4 average) and 3 touchdowns. In 1995, Mel cashed in and signed as a free agent with the Houston Oilers, flr95 graya move at the time I lauded, but really didn’t pan out. The Oilers hadn’t really had a marquee name work out as a returner in quite some time, and at the age of 34, I’m not sure really what the Oilers envisioned for Mel to do, in retrospect other than return kicks. In 1997 Gray made the transition to Tennessee with the team, but was cut midway through the season saving the team $200k.  He finished the year with the Eagles, and retired.  At the time Mel had the most career yards kick returning in NFL history, tied for the lead for career TDs on kick returns – since surpassed. Still Mel clings on to his record for being the oldest player to score a KR TD in NFL history (33). As a pure specialist, Mel may never get his due from the Pro Football HoF, but he still ranks among the most memorable players ever to return the rock.

G/Gs  169/2    Rush 19    Yds 99      Avg 5.2     Td  1       Lg 14
Rec  13    Yds 164     Avg 12.6     Td 0     Lg  38
KR 421     Yds 10250        Avg   24.3     Td  6    Lg  102t
PR   252    Yds 2753     Avg  10.9      Td 3    Lg 80

 

College Football HoF, Heisman Trophy Winner, NFL, Pro Football HoF, University of Texas

Campbell, Earl “Tyler Rose” (3)

mem campbell 2Photo Memorabilia
Acquired: IP 2013, GMC Texas Tour November
See Also: Earl Campbell, Earl Campbell (2) “The Tyler Rose”

Well Earl Campbell puts the saying, “You can’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”, to the test with this autographed photo. While I was happy to once again get Earl on something I would have been a bit happier if it was on a card. I had even ordered a couple thinking I might have a chance at getting him, but when I arrived at the event, the promoters and handlers for the event made it clear he was only going to sign the stock photo memorabilia. Still when Earl was chauffeured up in his signature black GMC with a handicapped placard I couldn’t help but feel slightly sorry for the guy. He’s been through a heckuva lot, and people just keep heaping more on him, in addition to treating him like a demigod. A woman in front of me said he had a responsibility to sign autographs, and basically make people happy because of his celebrityship. I really disagreed and tried to be more diplomatic about it. We are all human after all.

IMAG0531When Earl emerged from the passenger side of the vehicle, I’m sure many fans were surprised to see what condition their hero of lore was in. (It’s hard to live in an information vacuum, but it’s much easier if you are only a casual fan of sports and did not see the 30-30 ESPN presentation on him.)  Earl was clearly using a walker, and had to be helped to the table.  While I had heard differing tales of his stubbornness at events, such as when he only signed “E Campbell” at the Fan Fest in 2012, or how he both refuses to allow for personal photos with him or outside personal items now at non-paid signings, Earl for the most part seemed in good spirits. While I was not going to poke the bear, I noticed that on a few larger families of autograph seekers at the beginning, he simply penned “Earl”.

First his legs. Now his hands. As the line coiled through the queue and out into the street, I realized how thankful and fortunate I should be to even get an autograph. A few people who were there went up and complained to his hapless son about how they had driven from here or there and wanted to get Earl’s autograph on some sort of memorabilia they had packed, but they really had no excuse, especially after receiving a charity autograph from a Texas and NFL great, clearly doing this out of the kindness of his heart and for some pocket change.

Again, the GMC event was very mechanical. When I said to Earl: “Luv’ Ya HOUSTON OILER Blu’ “, he was too busy talking and smiling at his handlers, that were interfering with the whole mystique of the event. I doubt he even heard me.  It was a poignant end to an uneven event.

 

NFL

Donnalley, Kevin

spics91 donnalleyCards: ProSet 1991, Score 1991, Star Pics 1991
Acquired:  TTM 2013, C/o  Home
Sent: 12/16     Received: 1/6   ( days)

The Houston Oilers drafted  Kevin Donnalley in the 3rd round of the 1991 draft. The team liked his size and versatility, where he joined fellow rookie John Flannery on the line. A prized drive blocker, Donnalley’s scouting report notes his great size, frame, and a good understanding of blocking angles and techniques. The Oilers felt that Kevin’s work ethic obviously outweighed his lack of experience and questions about his upper body strength. In the meantime the team felt they could groom him at tackle behind Don Maggs.

After starting inside at guard due to injuries decimating the line, Donnalley shifted outside to LT for the 1993 season, starting 6 contests. In 1994, Kevin was moved to right guard, – the position he’d play for the remainder of his time in the league.  Offensive systems and coaches changed, and even though the team went through salary cap hell in 1994, Donnalley remained with the franchise through pset91 donnalley1996 and its departure to Tennessee, playing with the Tennessee Oilers through 1997. He’d sign as a free agent with the Miami Dolphins in 1998, and later the Carolina Panthers in 2001.

It’d be with the Panthers that Donnalley probably is remembered best, paving the way for Stephen Davis at running back and blocking for quarterback Jake Delhome, during the team’s Super Bowl run in 2003, setting franchise records for fewest sacks allowed and total team rushing yards. After the Panthers improbable run, Donnalley retired, stating simply that, “I’m very tired” in 2004.

Kevin has been involved in coaching, public speaking, and spends time working for charities and foundations. A reliable signer, he signed these 3 cards in under a month’s time. The 1991 draft turned out to be a solid one for the Oilers as they were able to nab a lot of depth and future starters. It’s a shame that they had rolled against the salary cap, evidenced as many of their key players such as Kevin, departed to greater glory in other places.

sco91 donnalleyG/Gs  193/144