Tag Archives: New England Patriots

NFL, University of Texas

Sims, Kenneth “Special K”

sco90 ksimsCards: Score 1990, Fleer 1990.
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent: 3/10    Received: 4/8  (29 days)

Kenneth Sims spent his ‘apprentice years’ learning the defensive tackle rotating in behind Steve McMichael and then exploded onto the national scene in his Junior season, racking up 131 tackles for the University of Texas. He was an all All-American at the university in his Senior year, winning the Lombardi Award, and finishing as a runner up (8th) for the Heisman Trophy. He’d average 12 tackles a game over his career for the Longhorns.

Ken parlayed his amazing performance at the University of Texas into being the overall #1 pick of the 1982 draft. At 6’5″, 291 Ken certainly posessed the size and athleticism to anchor the defensive line in the 3-4 alignment for the New England Patriots. The Patriots felt they could kick him outside to play left defensive end. (Ironically McMichael also had a short stint with the Patriots after being drafted by them out of UT as well, but was cut and went on to greater glory for the Chicago Bears.) Sims career unfortunately flr90 ksimswould be marred by injury, and only played 1 full 16 game slate in 1984 recording 96 tackles. During the Patriots improbable 1985 Super Bowl run (XX), Ken had perhaps his finest season, finishing with 5.5 sacks, 65 tackles, and 2 fumble recoveries in 13 games, but injuries during the 1983, 1986, and 1988 seasons, wiped out nearly 3 full seasons of play. He’d retire after the 1989 season back to the Austin area where he’s begun dabbling in sports radio. Ken is an avid Longhorn sports fan and has spent time at the University studying sports management.

G/Gs 74/64    Tac  364   Sac 17    Fum 5   Int  0   Yds  0     Avg -.-    Td 0     Lg -.-

 

NFL

Johnson, Ted (2)

ud99 t johnsonsky97 t johnson

Cards: Skybox Metal Universe 1997, Upper Deck 1999
Acquired: In Person 5/19, 610 Houston Fan Fest 2013
See Also: Ted Johnson

Ted Johnson was one of the first guys out of the gate in 2013 at Fan Fest. Surprisingly he had a decently busy line, but he still managed to sign 2 cards for me. We talked briefly again about the concussions lawsuit and where it is at. I told him that I thought that the responsibility that the NFL has taken in education is a snow job to avoid responsibility for their previous behavior (as in acting like they didn’t know concussions were bad). After I told him that I was taught to tackle with the ‘bike’ or (label) of the helmet, Ted talked to me about it at lengths, and how the NFL just can’t change player behavior and instinct overnight. He told me that enforcement will be also difficult to enforce by officials, and cited his already borderline illegal behavior of how when he played, his bread and butter move was to fly in and tag the offensive lineman with the top of his helmet underneath the chin.

Nice cards here. I like the Skybox Metal card and the Upper Deck a lot. Solid designs with different approaches. Thankfully the Patriots didn’t stick with that hideous uniform with the shoulder decals much longer beyond these years.

Really disappointed in 610 Sports Radio Houston as they decided not to hold FanFest in 2014, and went with ‘ManFest’ instead -A mysogynistic dinosaur name to go along with ham fisted events with second string players and no inferred autograph event. While they said they were trying to stray away from the previous set ups of simply padding fans autograph collections, I disagree as I found my interactions from previous FanFest events with players to be animated and interesting.

NFL

Israel, Steve

sky92 israelspics92 israrelcla92 israelaprks92 israel

Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1992, Classic 1992, Star Pics 1992, Skybox 1992
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Home
Sent: 10/31   Received: 12/17  (49 days)

Steve Israel played college ball at Pittsburgh and set the world on fire his senior season when he recorded 6 interceptions, returning one of them for a touchdown.  With Jerry Gray signing with the Houston Oilers in 1992, the Rams were in the market for another defensive back. After recently being exposed with regularity by the 49ers receiving corps, Los Angeles needed to keep the arms war going by adding fresh blood to the back four. The Rams selected Steve with the second overall pick of the second round. A speed merchant, Steve started 12 games in 1993, but otherwise was used primarily as the Rams nickle back throughout his 3 year tenure with Los Angeles.  During the Summer he’d be waived by the team, but picked up shortly there after by the 49ers, who needing depth at the position after a recent spate of injuries hit the squad.  He’d make his first career interception against the Atlanta Falcons in 1996.  In 1997, Steve signed with the New England Patriots and play there for another 3 seasons. Steve marked his best season as a pro in ’98 recording 3 interceptions and 2 sacks in 7 starts.  He’d play one final season in New Orleans in 2001 before retiring during camp in 2002 with the Carolina Panthers.  Currently Steve lives in North Carolina and does commentary for ESPNU.

The Bible scripture is from Proverbs 16:3- “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

 

G/Gs  102/38      Tac 249        Sac 4    Fum 4    Int  5      Yds  16      Avg  3.2     Td 0       Lg 12