Tag Archives: New York Jets

NFL

Leahy, Pat

Card: Topps 1985
Acquired: Canton Acquisition 2012

Pat Leahy was an ageless kicker for the New York Jets, that provided stability to the position for 18 seasons from 1974- 1991. He was one of the new breed of soccer style kickers (in the mold of Jan Stenerud), and after graduating from St. Louis University, (where Pat had not played football,) it was a whole new start for him under the bright lights of NYC. Leahy bridged many generations of Jets players (Namath to Nagle at quarterback), coaches (Buddy Ryan was his special teams coach, before there were ST coaches), and teams. He retired as the Jets All-time leader in scoring, and most games played. At one point he also made a team record 22 straight field goals which also stood for some 22 years.  After the 1991 season he’d retire, as his back finally gave out on him. At the time of his retirement, he was ranked top 5 in career points. (He also made it into the digital age, appearing on Tecmo Super Bowl as the Jets kicker.) Pat has enjoyed his life since then thankful for the opportunity that NFL football gave him. He’s owned his own business and also worked for Home Depot for many years as a district merchandise manager.

G 250   XPA 558    XPM  584      
FGA 304    FGM 426    PCT 71.4%    Pts 1470

Arena, NFL

Ridgeway, Dante

Card: Topps Premium 2005
Acuired: 4/9/12, Target Authentic Memorabilia Autograph Edition

A dangerous receiver for tiny Ball State, Ridgeway set school records for receptions (105) and yards (1,399) in a season. Dante finished with 238 receptions, for 3,030 yards, and 22 touchdowns in a mere 35 games. He elected to forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft in 2005. Despite running a blazing 4.36 40, at 5’11”, 212 he was considered a bit undersized. Also playing in the MAC didn’t earn him any points with scouts. The St. Louis Rams pulled the trigger on Ridgeway during the 6th round.

Inexplicably, a month after signing a 3 year contract with the Rams, the team would cut Dante in August of 2005. A short stint on the Bengals landed Ridgeway on the roster of the Jets, from 05 to 06, and then the Saints from 06 to 07.  After joining again the off-season roster of the Jets in 2007- Dante returned to the Saints from 2007-2008. He’d contribute primarily as a special teamer, or rarely suit up.  2009 led Ridgeway to the Peoria Pirates of the AFL, and then quickly to the Chicago Rush in 2010.

Topps never seems to top itself, creating some of the worst cards on the market. Even their autograph cards are foul. Who creates an autograph card and then puts the word ‘Common’ on it?

NFL

Staurovsky, Jason

Card: Score 1990
Acquired: Canton Acquisition 2012

Jason Staurovsky lived a cinderella story at Tulsa, working his way up from team manager and walk on, to kicker after an injury befell the team’s starter. Jason set school single season records for field goals and holds the school record for total career points. He went undrafted during the 1987 draft, but as the strike came about, Jason got valuable playing time with the St. Louis Cardinals going 6 of 6 on extra points and kicking a field goal. He’d sign with the New England Patriots in 1988 and win the job in camp, staying with the team through 1991. Staurovsky played one final season in 1992 with the Jets as an injury replacement for Pat Leahy and retire.  Jason has gone into coaching kicking for kids and Tulsa has named their special teams award in his honor.

 

 

G/Gs  46     XPA 71     XPM  69       FGA  80   FGM  54     PCT   67.5     LG n/a