Tag Archives: los angeles rams

NFL

Stams, Frank

pset89 stamspset90 stams

Cards: ProSet 1989, ProSet 1990
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o Home
Sent:   12/9         Received:  12/18           (9 days)

A high motor outside linebacker and defensive end out of Notre Dame,  Frank Stams originally started as a fullback for the Fighting Irish. They’d convert him over to LB where he’d be named MVP of the Fiesta Bowl in 1989. In his Senior year, Frank was named first-team All-American as he led the team with 7 sacks and finished 5th on the team with 51 tackles.

The Los Angeles Rams tabbed Frank in the second round of the 1989 draft. He’d be thrust into the starting lineup as injuries decimated the Rams linebacking corps. Stams beat out Fred Strickland at ILB in 1990 and finished second in tackles with 78 in 13 games.  Stams battled injuries most of 91, and then signed with the Browns in 1992. He’d play with the franchise through 4 games into the 1995 season and a final game with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Stams lives in the Cleveland area and is an ambassador for the team.

G/Gs  82/31    TAC 178       SAC  2.0      FUM  1
INT  1      YDS 20      AVG 20.0      TD   0     LG  20

CFL, NFL, University of Texas

Worster, Steve ‘Big Woo’ (1949-2022)

Cards: UT UD 2011 National Champions 1970, UT UD 2011 ATA, UT UD 2011 Icons, UT UD 2011 NCAA AA.
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o Home. Trade 2015.
Sent: 3/16    Received: 3/27  (11 days)

Bruising fullback Steve ‘Woo-Woo’ Worster was part of a devastating backfield that included  such talent as Chris Gilbert, Jim Bertelsen and Ted Koy. To accommodate all of those skill players, Coach Darrell Royal implemented the Wishbone system at the University of Texas.

While at UT Worster ran all over opposing defenses, running for 806 yards on 161 carries, and chipping in 13 TDs in 1968. In ’69 Steve had 136 carries and 9 TDs. It’d be in 1970 that he had his true signature year, leading the Longhorns to the National Championship. During that season, Big Woo galloped 160 times for a career high 898 yards, a 5.6 yard per carry average, and 14 TDs. Over his time at UT, Worster was a 3 time SWC champion, a 2 time All-American, and a 2 time National Champion (1969, 1970). His cumulative totals were 457 carries for 2,353 yards, a 5.1 yard per carry average,  36 touchdowns, and  11 receptions for 113 yards.

Steve was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the 4th round of the 1971 draft, but did not play for the team.  Unable to agree on a contract, Steve headed North to the CFL and joined the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, but after 4 games he grew disenchanted with the game and decided to leave the game behind.

He returned to Texas, completed his degree, and got into sales. He’s currently retired and lives outside of Beaumont.

Thanks to Zevonfan on Sportscollectors I was able to find an address for him. He signed every card I had of him, minus his UT Upper Deck 2011 base card. On it was a note indicating that the photo from the front of the card was not his. The photo was of Jim Bertelsen and not of Worster and is considered an unreported error card.

A few months after that Zevon on SCN proposed a trade with me.   He really, really wanted a Haywood Jeffires from my collection and  in exchange he dangled the Worster base set card I needed. (The problem is, no matter how many I get of Jeffires, it’s become this bizzare tradition that I treasure.) Well luckily enough I ran into him at the Oilers 25th Anniversary Party, where he signed everything I had.  This allowed me to consummate the trade, thus allowing me to knock out a potentially difficult Worster card off my list.

EPITAPH:

On 8/13/22 Steve passed away at the age of 73, after battling health problems over the past few years.

NFL, University of Texas

Gray, Jerry “Jed”

utud11 grayCards: Upper Deck 2011, Upper Deck 2011 NCAA, Pro Set 1989, Pro Set 1990 Pro Bowl, Pro Set 1992.
Acquired: 2015, Box Break. TTM 2015, C/o The Minnesota Vikings
Sent: 1/9/15    Received: 4/17/15  (98 days)
Failure: TTM 2010, C/o Home

Another elusive Ram is off my list, as I was finally able to secure UT great Jerry Gray.  With a slew of really good cards and moments in Jerry’s career I wished to immortalize with an autograph,  I settled on four of them, but Jerry kindly added an extra. Despite my earlier failure, Gray remains a fairly dependable signer in the TTM circuit.

utud11 gray AAJerry Gray is considered one of the greatest defensive backs in the history of the University of Texas playing there from 1982 to 1984. His 16 career interceptions is ranked third on the all-time list, while his 7 interceptions in a season during 1984 is good for second all-time at the institution.  Gray was also a devastating hitter and sure handed tackler, recording 297 career tackles while playing at safety.  A rare physical specimen, Jerry was 6’1″, 185, and ran the 40 in  4.4 flat. Even more impressive was his track numbers that emphasized his long distance speed.

pset89 grayThe Los Angeles Rams selected Gray in the first round of the 1985 draft at slot number 21.  Although the San Antonio Gunslingers held Gray’s territorial rights in the USFL, they did not make a pitch to him.  Head Coach John Robinson moved Gray to left cornerback, and Jerry played on special teams as well- something that he readily accepted and enjoyed.

It wouldn’t be until his second season in the league that Jerry became regarded as a dangerous ballhawk. He’d start all 16 games and record a career high 8 interceptions for 101 yards.  As Gray began to let his presence be known as a force to be reckoned with in the NFC West, teams began avoiding him with regularity, but that would not stop him from being selected to 4 straight Pro Bowl appearances.

pset90 gray PBIt’d be in the 1990 Pro Bowl that I perhaps most fondly remember Jerry. After a fine 1989 campaign, when he recorded 6 interceptions for 48 yards and a TD, Jerry earned his final Pro Bowl nod. Pro Bowls over the last 20 years have become an increasingly boring affair, however this one in particular was keyed by defense and an exciting last minute rally by the AFC.  Gray keyed the NFC defensive effort with 6 tackles, and an interception that he returned for a Pro Bowl record 54 yards and a TD. Jerry earned the 1990 Pro Bowl MVP award for his efforts in a 27-21 win.

Before Jerry could continue his meteoric rise, Gray blew out his left knee and had to get arthroscopic surgery during the 1990 preseason. He’d start in 12 games that season, but not make an interception. Sensing a need for new blood at the position and having previous ornery salary negotiations with Gray, the Rams picked Todd Lyght in the first round of the 1991 draft. The writing was on the wall, and after a particularly bad game against the Falcons that season, Gray was replaced in the lineup.  Still Jerry managed to start 9 games, intercepting 3 passes for 83 yards and a TD.

pset92 grayJerry headlined the Free Agent lineup that hit the market in 1992. The Houston Oilers and Gray quickly came to terms. Jerry was excited to play for the Oilers as he had wanted to do so for a long time because of his ties to Texas and the chance to play for a perennial playoff contender. Jerry had a solid season for the Oilers at right corner with 6 interceptions for 24 yards and 2 forced fumbles. Following the Oilers loss in the playoffs versus the Buffalo Bills, owner Bud Adams elected to clean out the defensive staff. In came Buddy Ryan, who overnight quietly cut longtime defensive lineman Doug Smith and Jerry Gray.  Jerry signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, quietly retiring after the 1993 season.

Jerry has been an exceptional coach at the pro and college level. He has been linked as a finalist to many head coaching jobs including ones in Tampa Bay and Washington. At one point Jerry was destined to return to the Longhorns as their defensive coordinator, but left the college at the altar for the Seattle Seahawks. As of 2015, Jerry is the defensive backs coach of the Minnesota Vikings. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2013.

Jerry Rice once said that Jerry Gray was the defensive back that gave him the most trouble over the years, and Gray is also well represented in Tecmo Super Bowl where his merchant speed makes interceptions come easy. Gray’s nickname ‘Jed’ is a reference to the Beverly Hillbillies TV show, that he was a big fan of.

G/Gs  134/103    Tac  N/a    Sac N/a     Fum  9
Int  28      Yds  374      Avg  13.4    TD  3    Lg 59t