Tag Archives: New York Giants

Arena, NFL, NFLE, Super Bowl MVP

Warner, Kurt

Proset 1990 Super Bowl MVP HACK, #34

CARD: Pro Set 1990 Super Bowl Insert HACK
ACQUIRED: 2023, Consignment

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Kurt Warner is the true rags to riches story of football history.
  • Played college ball at tiny University of Northern Iowa.
  • Didn’t see any significant playing time until senior season in ’93, posting for 2,982 yards and 17 TDs.
  • Undrafted in ’94, was a camp arm for the Green Bay Packers.
  • Out of football as a grocery stocker, decided to join the Arena Football League, playing for the Iowa Barnstormers in ’95.
  • After setting numerous records for the Barnstormers, signed with the St. Louis Rams in 1997 and allocated to the Amsterdam Admirals of the NFLE for play in ’98.
  • After leading the NFLE in passing, Warner returned stateside and spent the NFL season riding the bench.
  • It’d be in ’99 that fate happened Kurt’s way.
  • With backup QB Steve Bono departing in free agency and starting QB Trent Green injured, Kurt Warner found himself atop the team depth chart.
  • He’d finish 325 of 499 for 4353 yards and 41 TDs leading the Rams to a Super Bowl win against the Tennesee Titans.
  • In 2000, Warner led the Rams back to the playoffs, but the Greatest Show on Turf lost to the Saints.
  • 2001 saw Warner lead the NFL in multiple passing categories and the Rams to a 14-2 record, but the team lost the Super Bowl to the New England Patriots.
  • Warner went into a slump in 2002, that continued into 2003.
  • In 2004, Kurt was cut by the Rams and then joined the New York Giants.
  • It was a tough year for Warner, as lingering issues and injuries, taking their toll, along with numerous sacks.
  • He then packed his bags to play for the Arizona Cardinals for the 2006 season.
  • By this time fans thought of Warner as being washed up, but he saved the best for last.
  • The age was showing on Warner, and he’d have to constantly look over his shoulder as first round pick Matt Leinart was expected to pick up the reins soon.
  • After a great start, Leinart replaced Warner at QB in week 4 for most of the remainder of the ’06 season.
  • With Leinart the starter, Warner replaced him off the bench in week 4 after an injury ended Matt’s season.
  • Warner threw for a career high 484 yards in a loss to the ‘9ers that year.
  • This culminated in him again winning the starting QB job for the Cardinals in ’08.
  • Kurt would lead the Cardinals to an improbable Super Bowl appearance- their first in the modern Super Bowl era.
  • Finished the season with 4,583 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and completed 67.1% of his passes.
  • Lost Super Bowl XLIII to the Pittsburgh Steelers last minute heroics 27-23.
  • Threw for 377 yards in the loss, and compiled a 112.3 QB rating in the game.
  • In 2009 became the first QB to throw for 14,000+ yards for two separate teams, and the second to throw 100+ TDs for two different teams.
  • Cardinals lost in the divisional round to the New Orleans Saints that year, as Warner sustained an injury.
  • He’d retire after the post season concluded.
  • Kurt has spent a lot of time catching up with his kids since retirement while going into coaching.
  • He’s also been a commentator for Spring Leagues, notably the Arena Football League and the AAF.

ACCOLADES:

  • NFL MVP 1999, 2001
  • Super Bowl XXXIX MVP
  • All-Arena 1996-97
  • Iowa Barnstomers Hall of Fame
  • Iowa Barnstormers #13 retired
  • Bert Bell Award 1999
  • Arizona Cardinals Ring of Honor
  • Walter Payton Man of the Year 2008
  • Bart Starr Award 2010

NOTES:

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d secure Kurt Warner at such a friendly price point, but after biting my nails, the consignment came through- and it looks glorious. While Kurt does sign through the mail, he only signs a testament card- which is nice, but leaves collectors in the dust on their own set needs.

I was eager to get him, not only on this beautiful card I created of him, but also because he’s the greatest testament to what Spring Football such as the Arena League and the NFLE can do for a player. In Kurt’s case, he needed to get more experience, confidence, and faith to face what he’d encounter in the NFL. Eventually it ‘all slowed down for him’ and he surpassed all expectations, making 3 Super Bowl appearances.

A devout Christian, some pundits slammed him for thanking Jesus Christ for helping him win his Super Bowl MVP, but myself, personally I found it refreshing that he’d do such a thing. Now it seems commonplace for players to wear their faith on their shoulder after winning a big game.

On occasion when I was attending AAF contests of the Commanders, Kurt gave commentary from a mobile studio on the sidelines very close by. I didn’t have anything then but it was still nice to see him show his skills and support Spring Football as well.

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ARENA
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NFLE
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NFL
Arena, NFL, WLAF

Wells, Kent

CARD: Wild Card WL 1992
ACQUIRED: TTM 2019, C/o Home
SENT: 10/5/19 RECEIVED: 9/19/23 (1445 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Kent Wells played DL at Nebraska from 1987-’89.
  • Posted 37 solo tackles, 40 assists and 10 sacks over his time in Lincoln.
  • 6th round pick of the Washington Redskins in the 1990 NFL Draft.
  • Claimed off of waivers by the New York Giants that year, playing in 6 contests.
  • Spent the 1991 off-season with the 49ers.
  • Saw extensive action playing for the Ohio Glory of the World League in 1992.
  • Briefly was on the off-season roster of the Browns that year.
  • Joined the Arena Football League in 1993, playing for the Thunderbolts through ’94, when the team folded.
  • Played for the Tampa Bay Storm from 95-98′.
  • Traded to the Iowa Barnstormers in ’98.
  • Played one final season in the Arena leagues for the Orlando Predators in 1999.

ACCOLADES:

  • 1996 Arena Defensive Lineman of the Year
  • Arena Football League All-Star 1993
  • All-Arena 1995-’96

NOTES:

After I saw Kent’s autograph pop up on EBay, I started researching his address and was pretty confident I found a circumstantial fit near Omaha. I shot this request out shortly after and waited, and albeit a bit later than I figured, I got a hit. For only having one card, Kent Wells’ Wild Card World League card is an absolute winner.

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N/a3.0000-.-0-.-
WL
TACSACFUMINTYDSAVGTDLG
6613.0100-.-0-.-
ARENA
NFL

Morrall, Earl (1934-2014)

Upper Deck Legends 1997, #AU-143

CARD: Upper Deck Legends 1997
ACQUIRED: EBay, 2020

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Played QB and P for the Michigan State Spartans putting them on the map in the Big 10 in 1955.
  • On season completed 42 of 68 passes for 948 yards, and led the country with an average of 9.1 yards per play.
  • Had school record at the time-274 yards passing against Marquette, and snapped an 11 game winning streak by Notre Dame.
  • Finished 4th in Heisman ballot voting that year.
  • First round selection of the 49ers in 1956.
  • Started 4 contests for the ‘9ers that year completing 38 of 78 passes for 621 yards.
  • Traded to Pittsburgh in 1957 and passed for 1,900 yards, 11 TDs and (12 INT).
  • Played 2 games in Pittsburgh in ’58 before being traded to the Lions for Bobby Layne.
  • Played the next 6 seasons in Detroit, culminating in his 1963 effort when he threw for 2621 yards and 24 TDs (14 INT) on 174 of 328 passes.
  • Traded again, this time to the New York Giants in ’65.
  • Repeated his ’63 efforts throwing for 2446 yards and 22 TDs that year.
  • Broke wrist in ’66 and sat on the bench behind Fran Tarkenton before being dealt to Baltimore in 1968!
  • Came in for Johnny Unitas and guided team to Super Bowl III.
  • Had best season as pro throwing for 2,909 yards, 26 TDs, and led league with 8.2 yards per completion.
  • This would foreshadow his future with the Miami Dolphins- a team he’d join in 1970 after being claimed off of waivers for just $100.
  • In 1972, came in and replaced an injured Bob Griese, guiding the team to a 9-0 record (as part of the only fully undefeated NFL season).
  • The team would go on to win Super Bowl VII that year.
  • Played the next 4 seasons there, retiring at the age of 42, after the 1976 season.
  • Became a QB whisperer, working at the University of Miami, tutoring future QB titans Bernie Kosar, Vinny Testaverde, and Jim Kelly.

ACCOLADES:

  • NFL MVP 1968
  • NFL Comeback Player of the Year 1972
  • All-Pro 1968, ’72
  • Pro Bowl 1957, ’68
  • Dolphins Walk of Fame 2012
  • Florida Sports Hall of Fame
  • Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame (1992)
  • Michigan Sports Hall of Fame 1979

NOTES:

Earl Morrall is considered probably the best clutch backup QB of his generation -if not of all time. He played an undeniably long career in the league lasting some.. what 22 years? Although not considered for the HoF conversation, Morrall has been inducted into the ‘Hall of Very Good’. An excellent athlete, Morrall had also caught the eye of MLB playing SS in the College World Series for the Spartans, but opted to play football instead.

I had been eyeballing his autograph during the pandemic but thought it was too pricey. Once it hit about 10 bucks I pounced. It later got lost in the shuffle of incoming autographs and I had forgotten to scan it in.

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EPITAPH:

April 14th, 2014- Earl Morrall passed away at the age of 79 due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. It was later discovered he suffered from Grade 4 CTE.