Tag Archives: Houston Oilers

NFL

Camarillo, Rich

Card: ProSet 1990 LL
Acquired: In Person, Houston Oilers Training Camp 1994

Rich Camarillo is a great example of the lack of respect for the special teams, notably punters and kickers. One of the most decorated punters of my golden age of football, Rich’s history started like any other typical special teamer- as a free agent. Camarillo was originally picked up by the New England Patriots in 1981 where he’d play for the next seven seasons and in Super Bowl XX. In Super Bowl XX he’d set then Super Bowl records for net yardage and longest punt, but the Patriots would be clobbered by the Chicago Bears 46-10.  In 1988, Rich played one anonymous season for the Rams and then hopped over to the Cardinal organization for the next 5 seasons, where he’d really make his mark.

With free agency in full swing, in 1994 Camarillo would join the Oilers (replacing Greg Montgomery,)  playing for them through 1995, and then one final season for the Oakland Raiders in 1997. Over Rich’s career he’d be named to the Probowl 5 times in 1983, 1989, 1991, 1992, and 1993. In 1992, he’d gain All Pro honors and lead the NFL in 1989 in punting with a 43.4 yard average. Camarillo over his 16 year career would played more than 200 games, and garnered over 40,000 punting yards.  His 39.6 net yard average in a season still stands as record and his 44.5 yards per punt remains the highest playoff average in history.

Although Camarillo had a fine career, there’s probably little chance that he gets into the Hall of Fame, with Ray Guy (who is considered to be an exemplary example of amazing punters) not enshrined after almost 30 years. Rich for his part has remained busy since retirement coaching in the Little League World Series recently embracing his life as a full-time father, golfer, and NFL Alumni. Camarillo is also a member of the NFL All 90s team, the New England Patriots 50th Anniversary team, and still holds many of the team’s records as well.

Games 205   Punts  1027     Yds  43895    Avg 42.7      Lg  76   Blk 6

NFL

Hopkins, Brad

Card: Classic 1993
Acquired: In Person, Houston Oilers training camp 1993

A nice little piece of trivia about the Herschel Walker trade was that it was so far reaching and the picks were traded around from team to team that Brad Hopkins who’s career lasted until 2006 was considered a by product of it. The Oilers offensive line was beginning to show signs of age, and with Dean Steinkuhler‘s retirement at RT in 1991, the team had a dire need to shore up the offensive line. Brad Hopkins was drafted by the Houston Oilers in the first round of the 1993 draft. The choice was panned because of its relative lack of glamour and because Brad was the 3rd offensive tackle taken in the top 15. Hopkins went on to start 11 games that season and gain all rookie honors in 1993- the final year of Houston’s dominance in the AFC Central and the beginning of the fall of the Oiler franchise. After an all too familiar collapse in the playoffs against the Chiefs in the post-season, owner Bud Adams began to disassemble the Oilers by trading Warren Moon to Minnesota.  The team would slide to an embarrassing 2-14 record in 1994. Hopkins witnessed the fall of the franchise even further as Adams was rebuffed by the city of Houston for a new stadium called the ‘Bud Dome’.  He then quickly announced plans to move the team to the city of Nashville. In the midst of all this Hopkins started all 16 games for the first time in 1995.  He continued this streak through 1998 while the team moved from the cavernous Astrodome to Memphis, Tennessee, and the Oilers drafted both Steve McNair and Eddie George. In 1999 he’d start all 16 games again, while the Oilers completed their move to Nashville and the team changed its name to Tennessee Titans. The team went to the Superbowl that season, in the battle of traitorous owners as Tennessee lost to St. Louis. Hopkins went to the ProBowl in 2000, and also be named All Pro, blocking up front for George.

He retired in 2006 as the ‘final’ Houston Oiler still on the team roster (as McNair signed with the Baltimore Ravens). Hopkins was once memorably quoted when a correlative statistic came out that showed that NFL players were more prone to domestic violence than other sports as saying, “I’m not going to go home and trap block my wife.”

I got Brad’s autograph in 1993 while he was still a rookie at Houston Oilers training camp. Looking back I probably would have treasured his autograph more knowing he’d be the last HOUSTON Oiler.

Arena, CFL, NFL, WLAF

Pease, Brent

Cards: Proset 1991, Wild Card WLAF 1992.
Acquired: TTM 2010, C/o Boise State University
Sent:  4/28    Received: 5/13  (15 days)

Small town Brent Pease was born in Moscow, Idaho, and was a starting quarterback for the Montana Grizzlies. In 1987, he was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the 11th round, but did not make the final roster. He was quickly picked up by the Houston Oilers and started 3 games during the NFL strike that year going a respectable 2-1 and throwing for 3 touchdowns.  After the strike shortened season, Pease would earn his roster spot but would quickly get bumped to 3rd string after a disastrous 1988 campaign that saw him post a 0 quarterback rating. Still he’d contribute to the Oilers, replacing punter Greg Montgomery during the season as holder for Tony Zendejas‘ kicks. In 1989 would sign with the Miami Dolphins and then he’d see time in the CFL in 1990, where he was signed by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and finally come back to the Chicago Bears that year. He’d be drafted in the inaugural WLAF allocation draft by the Birmingham Fire in 1991, where he’d play for a season before going to the New York- New Jersey Knights in 1992.

In the WLAF for the Fire, he played well enough to steward the team to the playoffs until he was replaced by Eric Jones in the lineup. He’d then get bumped around in the quarterback shuffle in New York behind Reggie Slack and Doug Pedersen in 1992. Pease would then play for the Cincinnati Rockers of the AFL in 1993 and then retire.

Since football Pease has jumped into coaching where he has quickly climbed the college ranks. Returning to his alma matter Montana he grew quickly into the offensive coordinator job helping the college establish itself as one of the stronger passing programs at the I-AA level. After brief stints at Northern Arizona,  Kentucky, and Baylor, where all the teams offenses experienced prolific growth under his tutelage. Brent would return to his home state of Idaho where he currently serves as assistant head coach and wide receivers coach.

Utilizing the power of the internet, I located Brent quite quickly and sent off to him after I found his cards. Brent’s name has generated a lot of buzz as Boise State has remained a stalwart contender over the last few years and numerous internet reports have been linking Pease to college head coaching jobs around the country.

Games N/a   Att  210  Comp  99   Pct  47.1%   Yds 1076
Td 5   Int  9   Rat 52.8