Tag Archives: indianapolis colts

CFL, NFL

Davis, Anthony “A-Train”

Card: Upper Deck Signatures 2005
Acquired: 2012, Target Authentic Autograph Memorabilia

A ‘slasher-back’ with a deceptive burst, Anthony Davis was a sensational runningback in college for Wisconsin. During his Freshman year in 2001, Davis’ 1466 yards ranked only behind Ron Dayne, Tony Dorsett, Herschel Walker, and Alex Smith (Pitt), while his 10 100 yard plus games were an NCAA Freshman record. For an encore in ’02 he had 300 carries for 1555 yards and 13 TDs. His 119.6 YPG was ranked only behind Willis McGahee and Steven Jackson. Already though, nagging ankle and knee injuries began to set in 2003. He would however finish with 116 carries for 682 yards and 7 touchdowns. Again in 2004, Davis missed 5 contests due to a deep thigh bruise and a fractured orbital socket, but he still managed 201 carries for 973 yards and 11 touchdowns. At the time of his graduation, Anthony’s yards and total touchdowns placed him second on the school’s rushing list, only behind Ron Dayne and Billy Marek.

His draft stock was really hurt by injuries. It also didn’t help that Davis had a small frame at 5′ 7″, 205lb- he was considered more of a 3rd down specialist in the league, and the 908 carries didn’t help either (even though he just fumbled once in his career). Still the Colts had him tabbed on their board and liked something about him, grabbing him near the bottom of the 7th round of the 2005 NFL draft. He would make it all the way through training camp- seeing the turk in the final cuts. Despite this, he was signed back to the practice squad later in the season as the Colts were plagued by injuries to their RB corps. He’d jump over to the Canadian Football League in 2006, signing with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL. Davis played 2 seasons for Hamilton, carrying the ball 86 times for 457 yards and a TD. Near the end of 2007, Anthony was traded to the Toronto Argonauts in exchange for Yo Murphy, but was released in 2008.

Anthony’s other passion has always been teaching. He has been sighted at Loras College in Dubuque, IA, where he is currently Director of Inter-Cultural programs for the Hawks.

NFL

Meggett, Davin

Card: Sage/ Hit Low 2012
Acquired: 2012, Box Breaker

Davin Meggett was a powerful 4 year runningback at the University of Maryland.  A Doak Walker 2011 dark horse candidate before his Senior season, Meggett averaged 74.7 yards per game. He was also dependable in the receiving game, recording 17 catches in his last year.  Before that he split time in a crowded and talented backfield.  A small-ish back at 5-9, with a strong frame (218 lbs), Davin finished his career ranked 7th on the school’s All-Time rushing list with 2,411 yards. He has great vision, thrives running between the tackles, and his short stature allows him to hide behind the line efficiently before making his cut.  This made Meggett an intriguing prospect that many scouts have likened to Jacquizz Rodgers of Oregon State.

He is expected to contribute to a team as a stout, short yardage back who provides a change of pace out of the backfield. Going unselected in the 2012 draft, Meggett signed a free agent contract with the Houston Texans and spent a good deal of the season on the team’s practice squad. He was cut at the end of November and later picked up by the Colts who placed Davin on their practice squad.

NFL

Bickett, Duane

Cards: Topps 1988, Score 1990, Upper Deck 1990
Acquired: Canton Acquisition 2012

Duane Bickett played collegiately for USC at linebacker. He’d be taken off the board with the 3rd overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts in 1985 by then coach Rod Dowhower. After a supurb rookie campaign Bickett was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, recording 141 tackles, 6 sacks, and a fumble recovery at right outside linebacker. A man mountain at 6-5, 250, Bickett had a knack for always finding the ball in the backfield and shedding would be blockers. He was considered one of the most complete linebackers of his day. An incredibly slow start the following season (1986), by the team ushered in a new era under head coach Ron Meyer, but that didn’t stop Duane from recording a career high 144 tackles. (In fact Duane recorded 7 straight seasons of 100 or more tackles when all was said and done.)  His 1987 season sparked his only Pro Bowl berth, as he notched 8 sacks, 2 FF, and 113 tackles. Indianapolis began to slide backwards and despite Duane’s solid play, the team hit bottom by 1991 with a 1-15 record. Still Duane put up respectable numbers (5 sacks, 125 tackles), but by then his numbers were largely ignored outside of Indy.  Ted Marchibroda returned as head coach of the team the following season. As Bickett’s numbers finally dipped under the century mark in tackles in 92 (89) and 93 (97), Duane would be allowed to test the free agent waters in 1994. The Colts simply couldn’t afford to keep Bickett any longer.

The lifetime Colt ended up in Seattle in 1994, as he wanted to play on the West Coast closer to California, but Bickett only started 1 game recording 7 tackles playing second fiddle to Rufus Porter. Again in 1995 he came off the bench for the Seahawks and recorded 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery and 5 tackles.  Duane signed with the Carolina Panthers after the season, and recorded 2 sacks and 7 tackles but persistent back and foot problems had been creeping up on Duane so he decided to retire after the ’95 season.

Duane is considered one of the first ‘true’ Indianapolis Colts, since the team had played its tenure in Baltimore since its inception. He is also the only Colt to win defensive rookie of the year honors. Bickett is also notable for his appearance in both Tecmo Bowl and Tecmo Super Bowl for two woeful Colts teams. Duane had quite the equipment manager’s nightmare quirk, as he frequently requested up to 3 uniforms on game day so he could choose the one that matched his current mood and perfectionist style of play.

Duane is apparently an art enthusiast (especially impressionism) who enjoys his time visiting museums. He currently lives in Southern California and is a regular donor to his former High School in Glendale, California.

G/Gs 173/138   Tac 1071   Sac 53    Fum 9    |
Int  9      Yds 46     Avg  5.0    Lg 14