Tag Archives: New England Patriots

NFL

Turner, Kevin (1969-2016)

Card: Star Pics 1992
Acquired: In Person, 1995. Philadelphia Eagles Training Camp

Fullback Kevin Turner while at Alabama would block for not only for 1000 yard back Bobby Humphrey but also Alabama great Siran Stacy. Drafted by the New England Patriots in the 3rd round of the 1992 draft, Kevin Turner was the prototypical fullback. In his career in New England, Turner on occasion spurred big plays and rightfully became a fan favorite. In 1993 he lateraled a ball to teammate Leonard Russell that Russell would take 72 yards to paydirt, and later in that season Kevin rumbled 49 yards to set up the winning score versus the Browns. In 1994, Kevin caught the game winning pass in overtime against the Minnesota Vikings which spurred the Patriots on a 7 game winning streak to make the playoffs. He’d play for the Patriots for 3 seasons before joining the Philadelphia Eagles as a restricted free agent. Turner became a fan favorite for the Eagles as well- due in part to his blue collar attitude and efficiency. A hard nosed blocker and occasional receiver out of the backfield he’d play with the Eagles an additional 5 seasons before retiring after his 8th season due to cervical stenosis (narrowing of the spinal column,) and the crippling injuries he had suffered earlier in his career.

Since his retirement, Turner has had multiple surgeries to remove parts of his spinal column,  and tragically in 2010 Turner was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease which is rumored to be linked to concussions. The NFL has attempted to take a more assertive approach to concussions but still lags behind in its treatment and veteran assistance.

Games  58      Att  160   Yds 635    Avg 4.0     Td  1     Lg  45
Rec 236      Yds 2015      Avg  8.5      Td 10     Lg 41

UPDATE 3/24/16: Kevin passed away today in hospice care, surrounded and loved by his family and friends. The cause of his death was Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

CFL, College Football HoF, Heisman Trophy Winner, NFL, ufl, usfl

Flutie, Doug

Cards: All World CFL 1991, Score 1989
Acquired: TTM 1992, C/o CFL

Doug Flutie is a player who has seemed to have an amazing amount of luck and heart follow him to every stop along the way in football. A heartwarming story, Flutie was considered well undersized to be a quarterback in the NFL after a storied career at Boston College where he threw a hail mary against the University of Miami in 1984 and won the Heisman Trophy that year.

Originally drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the 11th round of the NFL draft, Flutie opted to sign on with the USFL’s New Jersey Generals. In 1986 he signed with the Chicago Bears and then was on board with the Patriots, where got the starting duty in 1988. Unable to keep the starting job he was cut in 1990 where he signed with the British Columbia Lions of the CFL in 1990. The wide open fields of the CFL allowed Flutie to flourish and polish his game. Doug was a quarterback who kept teams honest with his feet and was an avid scrambler. Flutie became the ‘Michael Jordan’ of the CFL, setting the record for yards in a season with 6619 yards, touchdowns with 48, and was named the most outstanding player of the CFL a record 6 times.  Doug won the Grey Cup MVP with the Calgary Stampeders and Toronto Argonauts (twice and back to back). Returning with a vengeance to the NFL in 1998 to the Buffalo Bills, he was named comeback player of the year and took the team to the playoffs and named to the Pro Bowl, but Doug didn’t ever win the respect of management, as he was replaced by de facto starter Rob Johnson, who had returned from a season long injury. The quarterback controversy continued well into 1999, where Doug went 4-1 and Johnson went 4-7. In 2000, Doug was unceremoniously cut by the Bills and signed with the Chargers in 2001, who were reeling from the Ryan Leaf days. He would stay on board to tutor a young Drew Brees when he was drafted in 2002 and played sparingly for the team through 2005. With gas still in the tank, Flutie signed with the New England Patriots in 2005 to back up Tom Brady and retired at the beginning of the 2006 preseason.

Flutie has a variety of age related records to his accomplishment, and was the first player to drop kick an extra point since 1941. Although Doug did not find lasting success in the NFL, he has been enshrined into the CFL HoF, the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, and the College Football Hall of Fame. He stays active playing basketball, and sponsors his own brand of breakfast cereal “Flutie Flakes” with the proceeds going to charities dealing in autism. Doug also plays drums for his family’s band, the “Flutie Brothers Band”.  Doug is an excellent commentator and also handled  color commentary for the United Football League games.

Games 136    Att 4854       Comp 2975        Pct 61.3         Yds 41355              Td  270         Int 155    Lg 106t

NFL

Russell, Leonard

Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1991, Topps Stadium Club 1992.
Acquired: TTM, c/o New England Patriots, 1992, 1993.

The 6’2″, 235 lb bowling ball from Arizona St. was selected in the first round of the 1991 draft by the New England Patriots as they were attempting to rebuild after a dismal 1-15 season.  Russell would reward the team with workman-like efficiency rushing for 935 yards and 4 touchdowns, grabbing offensive rookie of the year honors and helping the team win 6 games that year.  Unfortunately, the Sophomore slump hit Russell in ’92 and he only ran for 390 yards that year, but he recovered nicely in 1993, rushing for a career high 1088 yards. After his rookie contract had expired the Patriots made Leonard an offer but he got into a disagreement with Parcells and the staff about the contract, so the Patriots decided to go in a different direction.

Russell would become a journeyman playing for the Rams, Broncos and Chargers before retiring after the 1996 season. One of Leonard’s goals was to make the playoffs, but ironically every team he played for made the playoffs after he retired.  Russell at the time of this post is the Director of Business Development for Adrenaline Athletic Training Solutions in Riverside, CA.

Games 85      Att 1164    Yds 3973   Avg 3.4  Td 29  Lg 24
Rec 122   Yds 846   Avg  6.9  Td 0  Lg 69