Tag Archives: Jacksonville Jaguars

NFL

Bates, Bill

Cards: ProSet 1989, Fleer 1990, Score 1989
Acquired: In Person 1990, 1992, 1997, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Bill Bates is a special player and is one of those players of Dallas Cowboys lore. Undrafted out of Tennessee in 1983, he’d sign a free agent contract with Tom Landry’s Cowboys, where Bates excelled as a fan favorite and a special teams commando.. Undersized and considered slow, Bates had a heart and a motor that made up for both of those shortcomings. His ability to get down the field and uncannily make the jarring hit on the returner was so unbelievable that the NFL basically created a special teamer’s slot in the Pro Bowl just for him. He was named AP and to the Pro Bowl in 1984.  Bill early in his career was also utilized well on safety blitzes as he made 9 sacks over his first two seasons. He had a career high 4 interceptions in 1985 and a career high 124 tackles in 1988 from his strong safety position. With a new coach on board (Jimmy Johnson) in 1989 there was some fear that Bates would be cut. Instead he found himself back on special teams again where he remained a key backup with the team through 2 Superbowl victories and retirement after the 1997 season.

Bill has remained quite active since retirement and has spent time as an assistant coach with the Jags and at the high school level. He’s been a motivational speaker, penned his own autobiography and owns a ranch outside of Dallas. -And of course Bill Bates remains a Cowboys spokesperson.

G/Gs 217/47    Tac 667      Sac 18      Fum 7     Int 14    Yds 122     Avg 8.7     Td 0      lg 29

NFL

Cornish IV, Frank (1968-2008)

Card: ProSet 1990
Acquired: In Person 1992, Dallas Cowboys training camp

Following an outstanding career at UCLA, the Chargers in the 1990 draft took Frank Cornish in the 6th round. A well rounded blocker and great locker room presence, Cornish would play with the Chargers through the 1991 season, before being traded to the Dallas Cowboys in 1992. I had literally heard he was traded and remembered that I had a card of him and just stuffed it into my assortment. From what I remember he was there the next day. Cornish would then block for Cowboys runningback Emmitt Smith over the next season or two providing valuable depth for two seasons earning rings in SuperBowl XXVII and XXVIII. Frank would then head over to the Minnesota Vikings for 7 games after being relased in 1994 and then would then sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars during their innaugural season and play in 3 games in 1995, -finally finishing with the Eagles in 2 final games in 1996 before retiring. He’d appear in a grand total of 69 regular season games.

In his post NFL career Cornish had become a stockbroker working for Wachovia Securities in Southlake, Tx and was involved in numerous charities. Frank had some financial issues after his playing career ended, but still managed to persevere through it all.  Sadly and suddenly on August 22 of 2008, Frank passed away in his sleep of heart disease at the age of 40. He is survived by his wife and 5 children and the city dedicated a park to his honor at Town Square.

NFL

Harvey, Derrick

Card:  Score 2009 Inscriptions
Acquired: 2010, Box Breaker

I really like the 2009 Score football card design and decided to buy a small box of the cards when they were on clearance at a local toy store for 10 bucks. I was surprised to find an authenticated autograph inside from Jacksonville defensive end Derrick Harvey. I also realized that Jacksonville was probably the last team that I didn’t have an autograph from.  Strange oddity of note is that the Houston Oilers were the first team that the Jaguars beat, and the Jaguars were the first team the Texans beat on the road.

The BCS National Championship Defensive MVP, Harvey had some nice measurables coming out of college from Florida. The 6’5″, 252 lb defensive end ran a 4.67-78  at private workouts and was the 3rd defensive end drafted in the top ten of the 2008 draft. The team had an ornery negotiation with Derrick, and they drug on for an unusually long period of time. He would be the last first round choice to sign- with a 33 day hold out, also setting a franchise mark for that dubious honor. Derrick has suffered unfairly at the hands of the media and fans who were angry about the team trading up to get him, and quickly labeled him a bust.

Considered to be a project, Derrick in his rookie season would only start 9 games, but would grab 3.5 sacks an interception and finally had to bulk up as a stand up LB and DE as well in the Jaguars 3-4 defense. In 2009, Harvey would start all 16 games having a decent sophomore season with 57 total tackles improving on his rookie totals, (which made him the highest rated defensive end against the run from the 2008 draft.)  He would be one of the few bright spots on the Jacksonville defense. The Jaguars responded by changing defensive line coaches and continuing to surround Harvey with more defensive line talent from the 2010 draft and free agency and hope for more production out of their young star.

Games 34    Tac 78      Sac  5.5    FF  0     Int  1   Yds 0   Avg -.-  Td 0