Tag Archives: Los Angeles Raiders

NFL

Beuerlein, Steve

Cards: Action Packed 1992, Fleer 1990, ProSet 1990, ProSet 1992, ProSet Power 1992, Score 1989, Score 1990, Topps 1992, Upper Deck 1992.
Acquired: In Person, 1991-1992 Dallas Cowboys Training Camp. In Person, CGA Youth Golf Tournament 1993.

Steve defines accessibility and patience. When I went to Cowboys training camp, I found myself struggling to find new cards to purchase of Steve because he was a tireless signer who would autograph hundreds of cards after practice. Beuerlein was one of the better backups that the Cowboys had, and probably is the one of the better journeyman quarterbacks in NFL history.  A streaky passer,  Steve had his ups and downs, typically suiting up as second fiddle for around half his career.  He would go on to play or start for 6 teams over a 17 seasons including the Raiders, Cowboys, Cardinals, Jaguars, Panthers, and Broncos. Of small note, Steve was the first quarterback of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Steve would go to his only Pro Bowl in 1999 playing then for the Panthers, throwing for 36 touchdowns that year where he appeared out of nowhere, and stood a good chance of being MVP that year- if not for a certain somebody named Kurt Warner. He then disappeared under the radar again in 2000 but put up respectable numbers. Beuerlein signed with the Broncos and played back up behind Jake Plummer through 2003, but elected to resign with the Panthers on a one day contract so that he could retire with them. Since retirement Steve has taken up NFL broadcasting and is an avid golfer.

G 147      Att  1894       Comp 3328         Yds  24046
Td 147        Int 112          Rat 80.3

NFL, Pro Football HoF

Lofton, James


Cards: Pinnacle 1992, SkyBox 1992.
Acquired: In person, Dallas Cowboys training camp  1994.
See Also: James Lofton (2)

In one of my more infamous moments of autograph collecting, James Lofton had signed as an interim coach with the Los Angeles Raiders in 1994 and was in Austin to scrimmage the Cowboys. Knowing that I would probably only get one shot at the wide receiver I got the prime spot in the autograph alleyway that players had to walk up to get to the field, and then waited. When the players arrived, I unfolded the cardboard sign I had with me that stated,”WILL WORK FOR JAMES LOFTON’S AUTOGRAPH”.  Every player who got off the bus chuckled at me and then when James got off, (while he was being ribbed by his teammates,) walked over, smiled and gave me his autograph on the two cards here.

A player whose career literally spanned three decades of football (70’s, 80’s & 90’s) and one of only a few players to score a TD in each era, Lofton was a 8 time Pro Bowler, and a 4 time All Pro for the Packers and Bills. (Drew Hill scored in each era one game sooner for the honor of doing it first.)  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003, Lofton played Packers, Raiders, Bills, Rams and Eagles, during his career retiring at the age of 38. Lofton has coached in the NFL with both the Chargers and Raiders, and as of 2010  serves on Westwood One Radio’s Sunday Night Football broadcasts.

G 233      Rec 764    Yards 14004      Avg 18.3       Lg 80        TD 75

NFL, Pro Football HoF

Dickerson, Eric

Cards: Pro Set 1989, Pro Set 1991
Acquired: In Person, Cowboys Training Camp 1992
See Also: Eric Dickerson (2)

Back in the days of the Los Angeles Raiders, I would actually get excited when I heard they signed somebody like Eric, because I knew that player would be at the Cowboys training camp later that year.  I don’t think I missed a day at Cowboys training camp that summer, and I never wanted to miss an opportunity to double my chances when the Raiders came to town. Eric was much maligned in the media by now because of frequent contract disputes with the Colts over the last year or two but he was more than generous signing 2 cards for me during camp that year.

Dickerson would play 11 seasons in the NFL for the Rams, Colts, Raiders and Falcons.  A spectacular runner at SMU where he formed the “Pony Express” with Craig James, Dickerson was drafted by the LA Rams in 1983 and went on to set rookie records across the board, and finished as the ROY that year. In his second year, Dickerson established the record for most rushing yards in a season with 2,105.

In ’87 he was traded to the Colts where he continued his streak of 1,000 yard seasons playing until he signed with the Raiders in ’92, and finished with a brief stint in ’93 with the Falcons. Eric’s career totals included: 6 pro bowl selections, 5 first team all pros, named 1980s all decade team, 1986 offensive player of the year, having his number retired by the Rams, and elected to the HOF in 1999.  Post football Dickerson has been both a sideline reporter for Monday Night Football and also on KCBS in LA.

GM 146          ATT 2,996           YDS 13,259         AVG 4.4        TD 90