Tag Archives: los angeles rams

NFL

Easley, Dominique

Card: Sage 2014
Acquired: 2016, Box Breaker

Dominique Easley played college ball for the Florida Gators from 2010 to 2013. An impressive defensive line talent Easley posted 72 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks, but has been plagued by injuries (most troubling) to his ACL. He’d be selected by the New England Patriots with the 29th pick of the 2014 NFL draft to be groomed as Big Vince Wilfork’s eventual replacement on the line. After playing sparingly, he’d be placed on IR to end his rookie season with 9 tackles, a sack, and a pick. In 2015, Wilfork departed for greener pastures leaving Easley squarely in the rotation, but once again Easley frustratingly finished the season on IR, after just 15 tackles and 2 sacks. He’d be cut by the team in 2016.

Passing through waivers, Dominique signed a contract with the Los Angeles Rams. The bet paid off as he had a solid season worked into the defensive line rotation. He’d post a career high 35 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. Easley resigned with the Rams in 2017, but tore his ACL again in camp ending his season before it began.

NFL

Pastorini, Dan (2)

Cards: Topps 1975, Topps 1977
Acquired: TTM 2018, C/o Home
Sent: 1/10/18       Received: 1/20/18    (10 days)
See Also: Pastorini, Dan

How time flies… It’s been roughly 5 years since I got Dan Pastorini at the Houston Fan Fest in 2012. I traded away one of my cards to a fan who didn’t bring anything for him at the event and buoyed by Dan’s very interesting book, I decided to give him a through the mail shot. It’s amazing that these cards are 40+ years old now. Dan really didn’t have any action shots in the card family, primarily because the vast majority of his cards were released under the Topps label. Still his 1975 issue with something between a scowl and a glance is a pretty nice card. He lives in Houston, and makes frequent appearances at Houston Oiler themed events. In addition, Dan remains busy in racing and high speed motor events.

NFL

Green, Gaston

Cards: GameDay 1992, Score 1989
Acquired: TTM 2017, C/o Home
Sent: 12/31/17 Received: 1/12/18 (12 days)

At the time of his graduation from UCLA, Gaston Green stood atop the Bruins’ career rushing charts with 3,731 yards. After trading Eric Dickerson, John Robinson was looking to reload the Rams offense. The Rams had other needs as well, but when the #1 back in the draft plops in your lap at #14, you take him. There were quite a few recognizable names in the 1988 NFL Draft. The most notable name was Thurman Thomas, selected near the top of Round 2. John Stephens, taken a few picks after Gaston, won the 1988 Rookie of the Year Honors. Other names that rounded out this group were: Lorenzo White, Ickey Woods, Brad Muster, Craig Heyward, and Lars Tate. With the surprise emergence of afterthought Greg Bell in LA, Gaston played sparingly for the Rams, biding his time primarily on special teams. After 3 seasons behind Bell, Cleveland Gary, Robert Delpino, and Marcus Dupree– Gaston was traded by the Rams to Denver in 1991.

The Broncos were a run first squad as well. It was good timing as starter Bobby Humphrey was holding out. Gaston took over as starter and didn’t look back. He had his best season as a pro posting 1,037 yards on 261 carries, and 4 touchdowns, earning Green his only Pro Bowl appearance. In 1992, he had 648 yards on 161 carries. After the season he signed with the Los Angeles Raiders, but opted to retire instead. It really worked out best this way for Gaston, as he retired before he was 30 with his health still intact.

Great cards of Gaston. In fact, nearly all the card images of Green from his playing days are amazing. It was really tough to choose between his GameDay, Action Packed, Score, and ProSet entries, but these two were among my favorites. I have a box that I keep of players that I really want and when Gaston popped up, I dashed a letter out the door to him the next day.

G/GS 58/28       Rush 551      Yds 2136      Avg 3.9      TD 6      LG 67t
Rec 32      Yds 232      Avg 7.3       Td 1      Lg 33
Kr 47      Yds 981       Avg 20.9      Td 1      Lg 99t