Tag Archives: New England Patriots

NFL

Williams, Brent

Cards: Action Packed 1990, SkyBox 1992
Acquired: TTM 1991, 1992, Patriots Blitz

Defensive lineman Brent Williams was drafted in the 7th round of the 1986 draft by the New England Patriots out of the University of Toldeo. He’d be a nice budget buy for the Patsies, playing 8 seasons for them primarily in the team’s 3-4 alignment at defensive end and some spot time at nose. His rookie season would be a strong one, making 7 sacks, 4 fumble recoveries and 73 tackles.  He’d continue to make an impact for the team along the line, making a career high 8 sacks in both 1988 and 1989. Williams would play for the Patriots through 1993 as he’d see a heavy role as a back up in his final season. Brent would sign with the Seahawks in 1994, playing with them through the 1995 season making 38 tackles, 2 sacks and 2 fumbles.  In 1996 Williams would play with the Jets in a backup capacity suiting up for 5 games and retired at the conclusion of the season.

Since football Brent Williams has applied his degree in business administration going into the financial arena, working as a Financial Advisor with a good portion of his clients being former NFL players. He’s spent time working in Pop Warner football and girl’s basketball, and cheers the Patriots on to this day.

G/Gp  147/120       Tac  472       Sac 45.5      Fum  12     Int 0      Yds 0    Avg -.-    Td  0   Lg -.-

 

NFL

Brown, Vincent

Card: Topps Stadium Club 1992
Acquired: TTM 1993, Patriots Blitz

The Patriots often found and groomed exceptional linebackers for their 3-4 front. Vincent Brown was no exception. A second round pick in 1988 out of Mississippi Valley State (Jerry Rice’s, Ashley Ambrose’s and Deacon Jones’ alma matter), Brown started 3 games his rookie season and made 35 tackles. Prized for his ability to play inside or outside linebacker, Vincent would move to RILB in 1989 and make 4 sacks and 78 tackles in 10 games. He’d get his first AP nomination in 1991 when he raked in 117 tackles and 2 FF.  In 1992 Vincent would top his banner season by returning a fumble and an interception for a touchdown that season while making 103 tackles after he was moved to LILB working alongside Johnny Rembert, Andre Tippett, and Chris Singleton. He’d continue to anchor down the position for the remainder of his career, and make his final AP appearance in 1993 after he made 158 tackles and an interception. Of note, Brown would be the first player on the Patriots ever named as a ‘transitional player’ after Plan B was ended. In 1994 and 1995 he wouldn’t make AP again- despite making 3 and 4 picks respectively in those two seasons. He’d retire after the 1995 season with 737 tackles in 123 games and was voted to the Patriots’ Team of the Century and the Patriots All-1990s Team.  He currently coaches linebackers at the University of Virginia.

G/Gs 123/105      Tac 737     Sac 16.5     Fum 6    Int 10      Yds  95    Avg 9.5     Td 1   lg  49t

NFL

Millen, Hugh

Cards: GameDay 1992, ProSet 1991
Acquired: TTM 1992, Patriots Blitz, In Person 1993, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Hugh was a veteran journeyman whose best years as a quarterback came playing for the New England Patriots for Dick MacPherson during the early 90s. Millen was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams out of Washington in the 3rd round of the 1986 draft. After breaking his ankle in training camp he became an unlucky casualty of the Jim Everett trade the next season. For the next two seasons, Millen would back up oft injured Chris Miller in Atlanta, starting 3 games and picking up some garbage time. Heading Plan B to New England in 1991 and 1992, he’d share time with Tom Hodson and Scott Zolak as starting quarterback of the team. His most notable game was when the team upset the Oilers on the weekend of ‘Babygate’ throwing to Greg McMurtry in the final minutes of the game. With the team’s collapse again in 1993, Millen would be traded to the Cowboys and the Patriots would select Drew Bledsoe.  He wouldn’t play in a game, but would sign my Game Day card in camp that season- as he would be released with the signing of Bernie Kosar. With Aikman, Kosar, and Jason Garrett, Hugh was once again expendable and would sign with the Dolphins. In 1994, Hugh would sign with the Denver Broncos where he’d finish out his career over the next two seasons backing up John Elway. For the 1996 season he’d sign with the New Orleans Saints but would not make the roster of the team and retire. He currently lives in Washington.

GameDay really had a nice card set when they came out in 1992. Its unique design coupled with innovative Photoshop masks to desaturate the background,  leave the players firmly in the focus of the image. Well tracked type, does not cloud the picture plane and helps activate the white space outside of the image area. When I got signatures on GameDay cards it was because most of them had a certain “whoa” factor that really caught my eye.

G/Gs  40/25      Att 928     Comp 560     Yds 6440    Pct 60.3      Td 22    Int 35     Rat  73.5