Tag Archives: New Jersey Generals

CFL, NFL, usfl

Barrett, Danny

CFL All World 1991, #18

Cards: CFL All World 1991, JOGO 1991
Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o The Houston Texans
Sent: 10/23/19 Received: 1/16/21 (423 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Danny Barrett played from 1979-82 at Cincinnati.
  • His best year came in 1982 when he threw for 2222 yards (178/324) and 17 TDs (12 INT).
  • Barrett joined the CFL in 83 and played 16 seasons in the league with stops in Calgary (83-85, 89-91, 96), Toronto (85-88), BC (92-93, 98) and the Ottawa Rough Riders (94-95). 
  • Played one season in 86 with the New Jersey Generals.
  • Saw playing time at both QB and slot back over his career.
  • Had back to back 4k passing seasons in 93 (4097) and 94 (4173).
  • In 93 threw for a then record 601 passing yards while as a member of the BC Lions.
  • Joined the coaching ranks while still playing in 97 working with QBs in Calgary, then hopped over to BC from 98-99.
  • Considered a hot prospect, he formally became head coach of the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2000, a role he held through 2006.
  • Worked in the college ranks from 2007-2015, with the University of Buffalo and UCF.
  • In 2016, returned to the NFL ranks coaching RBs with the Dolphins, and later the Texans in 2018.

CFL

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3450114.7259
RUSHYDSAVGTDLG
46724365.23146
ATTCPDYDSPCTTDINTRAT
307816562341953.813593
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57681.456
JOGO 1991, #69

NOTES:

I had a burst of inspiration and sent out quite a few CFL All World cards about this time. I was certain I’d hear back from Barrett as he was a coach with my favorite team, but after not hearing back from him a year later I sort of gave up on getting these back. Lo and behold over 450 days later this showed up in the mail shortly after the Texans 2020 season concluded.

NFL, University of Texas, usfl

Millard, Bryan

Cards: ProSet 1989, Score Supplemental 1989, ProSet 1990, Topps Stadium Club 1992
Acquired: TTM 2018, C/o Work
Sent: 5/4   Received: 6/4  (30 days)
Failure: TTM 2017, C/o Home

Bryan Millard is regarded as one of the greatest Seahawks linemen ever, but it took him a while to get there, and still to this day he does not receive the respect and accolades he deserves.  He flies under the radar when it comes to great linemen, and even when retrospect sets come out, like the two University of Texas sets from both Upper Deck and Panini, Millard is conspicuously left out.

Bryan played college ball at the University of Texas from 1979-1982. While playing for the Longhorns, Millard honed his skills at both Guard and Tackle- winning All-SWC recognition for the latter in 1982. Surprisingly, he went undrafted in 1983 by the NFL, but the upstart USFL took a flyer on Bryan in the 12th round with the New Jersey Generals. He’d block upfront for the next two seasons for both Herschel Walker and Maurice Carthon helping pave the way for the Generals vaunted rushing attack.

With the league beginning to implode by 1984, Millard headed to the West Coast and joined the Seattle Seahawks, but did not join the starting lineup until midway through the 1985 season. Bryan saw action at both tackle positions before settling on the right guard spot- a position he’d anchor down for roughly the next 6 seasons. Durable, dependable, and strong (a weightlifting advocate who could bench press some 550 pounds), Millard somehow flew underthe radar while opening up holes for Curt Warner and John L Williams. Most notable about Bryan was that despite his size (6’5″, 282), he was nimble enough to trap on the off-side while also being able to take on the larger bull rushers of the era.  He earned one ProBowl nomination in 1988. Thanks in part to injuries, Bryan was forced to retire after the 1991 season.

Bryan lives in the Austin, Texas area. After dabbling in commercial real estate and pharmaceutical sales, he is now a full time real estate broker. I tried sending a few cards out last year, but they were RTS, so I attempted a new address and struck paydirt. Among Bryan’s other hobbies is actually collecting football cards, however I am not sure if he still partakes in the hobby since it has changed so much over the years from the 5 and dime, stick of gum.

College Football HoF, NFL, usfl

LeClair, Jim

Cards: Topps 1980, Topps 1978
Acquired: Canton Acquisition 2012

After a short stint at Minnesota-Crookston, Jim Transferred to North Dakota.  Still not gaining the eyes of professional scouts, it took an incredible banner year for the linebacker to finally get the attention he deserved. He was credited with 187 tackles, three interceptions, four fumble recoveries, 11 forced fumbles, and 20 tackles for loss in 1971, and captured Little All-American Honors for his titanic performance. – Just incredible numbers. LeClair was selected by Paul Brown’s Bengals in the 3rd round of the 1972 draft, where he’d spell equally impressive Bill Bergey and primarily play special teams. While Bergey moved on to the Eagles in ’73, it was obvious that the mantle at middle linebacker soon would rest on Jim’s shoulders. By 1975 LeClair had really taken off at the position, making a career high 3 picks in 14 games that year. In 1976, Jim received his first Pro Bowl nomination. In 1980, the Bengals switched to a 3-4 defense, and Jim moved to LILB, playing for the team through 1983.  Bill by this point had been playing for 12 seasons, but still had the sport in his veins, and signed with the USFL’s New Jersey Generals. He’d finish his career there in 1984, but still manages to make it down to a game or two to cheer on the Bengals each season.

He’s currently retired and lives in North Dakota, spending time as an insurance agent. Jim has done some wild stuff over his days, as an Army reservist, including  wrestling a bear to a draw. Not a Chicago bear, – a real bear. He’s been a mayor and was head coach of the Mayville State University football team from 1986 – 1988. He has been inducted into the North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame and also is a 1999 member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

G 158    Tac  N/a     Sac N/a     Fum 10
Int 10    Yds  64    Avg   6.4     Td  0   Lg 21