Tag Archives: New York Giants

NFL

McCaffrey, Ed

pset91 mccaffreyap91 mccaffrey

Cards: Action Packed 1991, Pro Set 1990
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Pro Link Sports
Sent: 1/7   Received: 4/16   (99 days)

Underutilized by the Giants in their ground and pound based offense, nobody really paid much attention when he signed with the San Fransisco 49ers as a free agent in 1994. Why, Ed McCaffrey only had totaled 92 receptions for 1091 yards and 7 touchdowns in 3 seasons after being a 3rd round pick of NY. It’d be in those early years with the Giants, who were struggling with the departure of their coach Bill Parcells, and a Super Bowl hangover, that I’d see McCaffrey go out one Thanksgiving contest and give his all in a game, while his team lost 30-3 to the Cowboys.  Ed didn’t really impress with the 49ers that next season either, however he won his first Super Bowl title. After that one unimpressive season, the jig was up in San Fransisco-land and Ed was back on the street by 1995.

With the Three Amigos at the end of their career, new offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak was looking to stir things up. The Broncos were transitioning at the time and McCaffrey (and fellow receiver Rod Smith,) seemed to fit the bill. McCaffrey proved to be a nice find for the Broncos as every season through 2000, he increased his receiving production with his sure hands and deceptive speed.  This culminated in career highs that year (2000) with 101 receptions for 1317 yards and 9 touchdowns. While injuries finished his NFL career prematurely in 2003, Ed won 2 Super Bowl rings with the Broncos and was named to the Pro Bowl for his 1998 performance. As one of John Elway‘s favorite targets, McCaffrey finished his career in Denver with 462 receptions for 6200 yards and 46 touchdowns.

In 2009, Ed was named to the Denver Broncos 50th Anniversary Team and in 2012, became a color analyst for the Broncos Radio Network.

G/Gs 185/109     Rec 565    Yds 7422   Avg 13.1    Td 55     Lg 78

Arena, CFL, NFL, University of Texas

Babers, Rod “Black Caesar” (3)

Card: Whataburger AM1300 The Zone, Memorabilia
Acquired: Whataburger Signing 3/12, Texans Draft Party 2012
See Also: Rod Babers, Rod Babers (2)

So I ambushed Rod at a local Whataburger restaurant- that was literally a few miles from me. Being that it was in the boondocks and they just weren’t expecting anybody to show up, having me walk through the door must have humored him and his sound guy greatly as I they are beginning to recognize me when I show up for their events. I printed out a photo I found online of Rod for him to sign. Whataburger also provided him with a card as well (which was nothing compared to my Upper Deck UT doppelganger). I sat around and ate dinner while I talked to Rod and Chuck about sports. It was nice to see the inner workings of how radio works. Rod again was quite flattered by the memorabilia, and also told people on the radio that I was a true fan because I had a James Brown jersey on from not UT- but the Texas Terminators indoor football team.  I am honesty running out of photos of Rod and am hoping to get my paws on one of him in his Tiger-Cats uniform.

Later I got this photo of Rod making the play against Raushaun Woods keeping him from scoring the 2 point conversion and allowing the Longhorns to win the game when he was at the Texans Draft Party that had Danieal Manning and James Casey at it.

Rod’s a very personable fan of fans. I think that’s great, and exactly what 1300 the Zone’s lineup needs. Guys who’ve played who like talking about football, while educating and embracing fans. I’m not so sure of some of the latest additions to the station’s lineup, as I think Rod pushes the boundaries of taste sometimes as it is. Rod is also known by a few names to fans: Kool Aid, and Stonehands, are two of my favorites, but on the radio he frequently is known as Black Caesar. He’s said some things on the radio that have surprised me, from convincing me that as Longhorn fans we should wish anybody- even A&M the best in the SEC, to the idea that Longhorn fans should not be happy with ‘just playing well in a loss’. Currently he’s the host of UT’s Afternoon Buffet on 1300 the Zone.  He also spends his time giving back to the community working with the Neighborhood Longhorn Foundation.

NFL

Reasons, Gary

AP90 reasonspset90 reasons 2nd place

Card: ProSet 1990, Action Packed 1990
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Home
Sent: 3/4 /13  Received: 3/22/13  (18 days)
Failure: TTM 2010, C/o Home

A beast at linebacker from tiny Crowley, Texas, Reasons joined the Northwestern Louisiana and had 394 tackles over his 4 year career for the Demons- a school record.  He also had personal highs of 24 in one game against McNeese St., and 172 tackles as a senior. Over his time at NW Louisiana, Gary was named three times as an 1-AA All- American.

The New York Giants drafted Gary with their 4th round pick of the 1984 draft, and the league collectively yawned. Gary always seemed to be underrated, but went out his rookie season and started 11 games at left inside linebacker, recording a sack, 2 picks, and 3 fumble recoveries.  He called the defensive formations for the Giants, but lost his job in 1987 after an acrimonious holdout. Still he came on strong as a reserve, and later reclaimed his starting role with the team. Gary played for the Giants through 1991, and one season for the Bengals in 1992.

He’s a player who always seemed to shine most when the Giants needed him. The cards above illustrate a perfect example, in what fans refer to as ‘The Hit’. In one of the greatest tackles in history, the Broncos were driving late and decided to go for it on 4th and one at the Giants’ one yard line. As the ball was snapped, Gary came through the hole and stuffed Broncos’ runningback Bobby Humphrey in the backfield. The hit was so jarring, that Humphrey’s mouthpiece came flying out. In addition, during the 1986 NFC Championship game, Gary recorded 12 tackles, a sack, and a pick against the Redskins.  Reasons is also remembered for taking a fake punt 30 yards for a first down against the 49ers in the 1990 playoffs. Finally to top things off, Gary recorded a team high 6 tackles against the Bills in the team’s 20-19 victory over the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXV.

Since retirement after the 1992 season, Gary’s number (34) has been retired by the Demons.  He briefly dabbled in color commentary for NBC in 1994 as well. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996, and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 1997.

G/Gs 134/88      Tac      Sac 3.5    Fum 9   Int 10     Yds 137    Avg 13.7    Td 0     Lg  40