Tag Archives: new orleans saints

NFL

Jeffires, Haywood (4) “Freakwood”

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pset92 jeffirespset91 jeffiresud91 jeffiresJeffires and meCards: Topps 1990, Topps 1992, Topps Stadium Club 1992, SkyBox 1992 LL, ProSet 1992, ProSet 1992 PB, ProSet 1992 LL, ProSet 1992 Milestone, Upper Deck 1992, Upper Deck SP 1993, Fleer 1991, Fleer Ultra 1991, ProSet 1991, Proline Portraits 1992, Proline Profiles 1992, Proline Profiles 1992 #2, Score 1991, Upper Deck 1991.

Acquired: In Person, 10/26/14 GMC Monday Night Football Tour
See Also: Haywood Jeffires, Haywood Jeffires (2), Haywood Jeffires (3)

When I heard that Haywood Jeffires was appearing with Ernest Givins at the GMC Monday Night Football Event in Houston I penciled it on my itinerary for that weekend. Held at the Katy Mall, it was pretty much a straight shot once I got to the 10. Unlike previous events and the Austin event held the previous year there was a limit on the vouchers to prevent multiple autograph requests. This was not announced before the event. If that had been the case, I may not have gone. Ernest was a last second cancellation- replaced by another member of the Fab 4, Curtis Duncan. Still I planned ahead in case of a problem and things worked out great.

Oh and the insane amount of cards that Haywood signed, I just used my autograph mind control powers on the handlers. After talking to them for a few minutes, they just let me ask Haywood directly when there were no more fans waiting in line. I mean the worst he could say was, “No”, right? I offered him any card that he wanted, but he just opted to sign everything I had instead. He loved my Houston Oilers hat, to which I explained to him it was classic, not vintage since it was actually an Apex hat from 1992. We talked about the preseason game against the Cowboys when Bucky Ricahrdson flipped a last second pass to his left hand and tossed a TD in the end zone, and about how long I’d been a fan of his, bringing up how I wrote him in the past for his autograph, when he used to shorthand his autograph to “H. Jeffires”. He asked me how I knew that, and I said that I was a real fan, remember? He tossed in the final photo with all the cards as a final send off. By far abashedly this was my biggest single player haul ever, beating out a previous in person appearance by Eric Metcalf by 8 or 9.  I’m sure I’ll dig up a few more cards of Jeffires for next time, even though he’s already zoomed to the top of my most acquired autograph player list.

mem14 jeffiresWhen I asked Haywood about who was the toughest matchup he faced, he first said the Browns with Minnefield and Dixon, then Pittsburgh, and finally just said the whole AFC Central because the teams all faced each other twice a year and they all knew one another so well. Jeffires was unaware of his status on Tecmo Super Bowl and had not played the game. Haywood and Curtis hugged when Duncan arrived. Apparently they hadn’t seen each other in quite a while and it was a nice reunion of sorts.

 

NFL, usfl

Jordan, Buford

flr90 bujordanCard: Fleer 1990
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent: 11/11  Received: 11/19  (8 days)

Buford is a legend that has never really gotten his due outside of the state of Louisiana.  After setting state rushing records at little McNeese State, Buford stayed at home with the USFL New Orleans Breakers. As star runningback Marcus Dupree limped through the season, Jordan ended up leading the team with 1,276 yards and 8 TDs in 1984. With the USFL deciding to go head to head with the NFL in the Fall, the Breakers were left in the lurch, so the franchise packed its bags and moved to Portland. Jordan still put together a respectable 817 yards and 5 TDs, averaging right at 5 yards per carry.

After the franchise- and the league folded, Buford was not selected in the Supplemental Draft of USFL and CFL players in 1985. He’d join the New Orleans Saints  as a free agent and crack the squad playing mainly on special teams and at fullback. Jordan saw some starting time, and was an unheralded member of the squad, being at the right place at the right time saving the day for the Saints on more than a few occasions. Buford played for the Saints through the 1990 season, and was resigned for part of the ’91 campaign. He retired after the 1992 season.

After football, Jordan has been inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame (2011), and numerous honors from the Southland Conference for his contributions. He’s a personal trainer in Louisiana, providing fitness camps, speed & conditioning, skills & agility, and draft preparation through his Rock Hard Performance outdoor training facility in Kenner, LA.

NFL  G/Gs 75/30  Rush 184    Yds 687   Avg 3.7   Td 8   Lg 44   |
Rec  37    Yds 355   Avg 9.6   Td 1    Lg 37

 

NFL

McBride, Turk

poff05 mcbrideCard: Playoff Contenders 2007
Acquired: Box Breaker 2013, Target Autographed Memorabilia Pack

At 6’2″, 277 Turk McBride was considered a versatile gap player that could handle both defensive end and tackle.  His college statistics were pretty solid playing for the Tennessee Volunteers as well. He registered 73 tackles, 52 assists, and 6.5 sacks over his college career through the 2006 season. McBride solidified his stock with a good combine displaying quickness with his 4.8 40 and a willingness to participate in as many drills as possible to be properly vetted by scouts.

The Kansas City Chiefs used their second round choice in the 2007 draft on Turk and he’d be one of the featured rookies on “Hard Knocks” that season for HBO.  In limited playtime starting 1 game he made 1 sack 11 tackles and a pass defensed. Shifted outside to left defensive end in 2008 McBride started 9 games but injuries ended his campaign after 25 tackles. He’d be cut in 2009, and signed by the Lions, starting 4 games that season, and 8 in 2010. Turk registered a career high 5.0 sacks and 3 forced fumbles in 2010 starting at right defensive end. He’d get some limited playing time with the Saints over the next 2 following seasons starting 2 games in 2011. In 2013 Turk signed with the Chicago Bears with the hope of fitting into their nickle package situations, but a ruptured Achilles ended his season before it began. Currently he is a free agent.