Tag Archives: New York Jets

NFL

Mirer, Rick

Card: Pinnacle 1995
Acquired: Canton Acquisition 2012

Rick Mirer was a record setting quarterback for Notre Dame who virtually rewrote all the record books during his time there. The much ballyhooed quarterback was selected second in the 1993 draft behind equally touted quarterback Drew Bledsoe. Bill Walsh before the draft even called Rick, “The next Joe Montana”. While it became obvious early that Bledsoe would play in an almost workmanlike fashion for the Patriots, Mirer set the world on fire his rookie season starting all 16 games and setting rookie passer records for attempts (486), completions (274) and  yards (2833). He also demonstrated a knack for finding the endzone with his legs, scoring 3 touchdowns on 343 yards rushing.  

The first sign of trouble was that Mirer was coached only on a handful of plays each game. If he couldn’t find an open receiver, he was instructed to do what he saw was best or tuck it in and run, and at first it appeared that the horserace between Bledsoe and Mirer was too close to call. Over the next three seasons, the Seahawks struggled mightily on offense, so in 1997 they opted to trade Mirer and a 4th rounder to Chicago for the Bears first round draft choice.

The Bears anointed Mirer the starter immediately in Chicago, but Mirer had a fatal flaw that teams had now caught onto. Mirer favored throwing to the right side of the field. Teams regularly stacked defenses to the right against him.  He threw 6 picks to zero touchdowns in his only season in the windy city. He requested to be cut by the team after the season, and found himself on the offseason roster of the Packers behind Brett Favre. The Packers then traded him to the Jets who were thin at quarterback after an injury to Vinny Testaverde. Rick got his first sustainable time under center really since he played for Seattle putting up a bit over 1000 yards and 5 touchdowns, posting a 2-4 record.

Steve Mariucci brought Mirer then to San Fransisco in 2000. He played respectably in mop up time behind Jeff Garcia throwing for a touchdown and 126 yards.  Again Rick moved, this time across the bay to Oakland in 2002. He’d see his last time under center in 2003 for the Raiders throwing for 1,263 yards and 3 touchdowns, before signing with the Lions in 2004 and retiring soon thereafter. 

Rick has spent his time after football coaching Pop Warner and owns a winery (Mirror Wine Company) in Napa, Florida.

G/Gs  80/68     Att  2043    Comp 1088    Yds  11969    Pct   53.3    Td 50     Int  76   Rat 63.5 |
Rush  242   Yds   1130     Avg  4.7    Td  9   Lg 33

NFL, ufl

Allison, Aundrae

Card: Upper Deck 2007 Trilogy (#13/199)
Acquired: 3/27/12, Target Authentic Memorabilia Autograph Edition

Aundrae Allison played at East Carolina University, which surprisingly has produced players such as former QB Jeff Blake, WR Walter Wilson, and RB Chris Johnson. In 2005 he became the first player in school history to crack the 1,000 yard barrier amassing 1,732 yards on 145 receptions over two years for the Pirates.

The Minnesota Vikings took Allison in the 5th round of the 2007 NFL draft and put him in at kick returner and wide receiver. He had a pretty decent showing his rookie year, -lodging 20 KR for 574 yards and a touchdown. The 104 yard return, against the Lions would be a Vikings record. The problem was, Allison just wasn’t getting as many reps at receiver as the coaches wanted him to. He’d tally 18 receptions in two seasons before the team cut him.  The Jets signed Aundrae in 2009, but a torn ACL would keep him out the whole season.

Aundrae elected to play 2011 in the UFL for the Virginia Destroyers where he became a favorite target of quarterback Chris Greisen. In the league opener, Allison caught a 35 yard bomb for a touchdown against Las Vegas. While the team was predicated by “Marty Ball” behind runningbacks Adrian Peterson (ex Bear) and Dominic Rhodes, Aundrae made the best of his opportunities as the Destroyers captured their first UFL championship over the Las Vegas Locos.  After the season, Allison signed with the Buccaneers, but since that time has returned to the Destroyers, hopeful for a 4th season of UFL Football.

NFL, University of Texas

Thomas, Sloan

Card: Leaf New Generation Certified Materials 2004
Acquired: 3/20/2012, Target Authentic Memorabilia Autograph Edition

Sloan Thomas played collegiately at the University of Texas and was one of quarterback Major Applewhite‘s favorite targets (at 6-2, 201). He’d finish 10th in career receptions at the school with 88 and seventh in touchdowns with 15. The Houston Texans drafted Thomas in the 7th round of the 2004 draft along with first round picks Dunta Robinson and Jason Babin. Slowed by injuries during the preaseason and faced with a do or die situation to make the roster, Thomas came out in the final contest and singed the Buccaneers for a 72 yard touchdown, but it was too little too late and he’d be released in the final cutdowns. The Texans just didn’t have enough film on Sloan to go on.

Sloan signed with the Titans in 2005. He’d spend one season there and be claimed off of waivers by the Jets in 2006, and then finally head over to the Seahawks later that season and retire after the 2007 season. Thomas immediately afterwards jumped at the opportunity to help establish the football program for the University of Texas- SA where he is the associate director of development for athletics. He also spends a lot of his time doing volunteer work for football camps as well with other former Longhorns and currently lives in the San Antonio area.