Tag Archives: oakland raiders

AAF, NFL

Allen, Eric

Card: Action Packed 1990
Acquired: In Person 2019, San Antonio Commanders v San Diego Fleet

Eric played for Arizona State from 1984 to 1987, posting 16 career interceptions and 2 TDs. He had a dominant Senior year in ’87, putting up 8 interceptions for 185 yards and 2 TDs. Selected by Buddy Ryan’s Eagles in the 2nd round of the 1988 Draft, Eric was immediately slotted in at right cornerback, where he payed dividends with 65 tackles and 5 interceptions his rookie year. He’d earn his only First Team AP nomination in 1989 when he recorded 8 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery, and 48 tackles. Arguably Allen had his best year in 1993, when he had 6 interceptions for 201 yards and count em, 4 TDs- including a 94 yard long. He also had 3 forced fumbles 2 sacks and 64 tackles.

Eric joined the New Orleans Saints in 1995. He played there for three seasons starting 48 games, and recording 160 tackles, and 5 interceptions. In 1998, Allen signed with the Oakland Raiders, where he experienced a renaissance of sorts, first with an injury shortened 10 game campaign, but not before he added 5 more interceptions to his resume. In 2000, Eric had another fine season for the books, with 6 picks for 145 yards and 3 TDs, a sack, 14 pass deflections, and 68 tackles. He’d retire after the 2001 season and go into the broadcast booth at ESPN as an analyst, and then later for college football Pac 12 games.

Despite the NFL making adjustments to defensive passing rules over the years, Eric Allen continued to shadow his opponent’s #1 receiver. He is the only player in the history of the league to return 3 or more interceptions for a TD in a season- twice, and the 6 time Pro Bowler was inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame, and named to the Eagles 75th Anniversary squad.

I had found out that Eric was wanting to cut his teeth coaching in the AAF and he hooked up to work with Mike Martz’s San Diego Fleet as a defensive backs coach. Before the second half of the game began, he tried sneaking by me in the end zone, so I called him out. In my trademark style I said to Eric, “Hey Eric, just because you shaved your mustache doesn’t mean you can go incognito.” He smiled wryly and did a slight detour and came back to me. We talked briefly about the Fogbowl, and reminisced about those crazy times. For a DB of Eric’s HoF quality, I was surprised that more people didn’t take part or ask for his autograph, but still I was happy to add him on this card.

Great autograph on a good looking card. It’s too bad that the artifact noise of the photo transferred to the card during production.

G/GsTACSACFUM
217/2147893.06
INTYDSAVGTDLG
5482615.3894T
NFL

Millen, Matt

Cards: ProSet 1989, Topps 1990, Upper Deck Legends 1997
Acquired: TTM 2018, C/o Home
Sent: 8/3/18 Received: 1/17/19 (167 days)
Failure: TTM 2015, C/o Home

Matt Millen comes from a long pedigree of great linebackers to come out of Penn State- and was an All-American in 1978. He was selected in the second round of the 1980 draft by the then Oakland Raiders. He’d go on to be the Raiders leading tackler in 1981, 1982, and 1988- earning a ProBowl nomination in the latter, and All-Pro Nominations in 1984 and 1985. Over this period Matt also won SuperBowls XV and XVIII. A vicious hitter, player, and run stopper, Matt was unceremoniously cut by the Raiders right before the 1989 season began. He’d be snatched up by the San Fransisco 49ers and go on to win another Super Bowl. Two seasons later he’d round out his career with a final Super Bowl win with the Washington Redskins.

Matt moved into the broadcast booth where he honed his skills and then later joined the Detroit Lions as their General Manager. While Matt’s tenure there was rightfully much maligned- he was also placed into a difficult rebuilding situation. A tireless worker, it is said that he essentially lived at the team’s complex working non-stop for the franchise. After being dismissed from his time with the Lions, Matt was offered a job with the Oakland Raiders but he declined, and has returned to broadcasting.

A few years ago I had shot a few cards out to Matt who was a very reliable and consistent signer. At about the same time another greedy collector sent out a request- that included 23 cards. Viewing the successes on sportscollectors.net it was incredibly frustrating to see this other person get their request completely filled- while mine never was.

When I heard that he was diagnosed with Amyloidosis- the same disease as Lions LB Mike Cofer– and that he needed a heart transplant, I thought I should send Matt another letter. I didn’t really expect anything back, and I had hoped that he’d find some small comfort in what I wrote. He was really struggling and needing a heart transplant. Six months or so later I heard he had a successful heart transplant and was already recovering from the surgery. Within a few days, I got back all 3 of these cards signed.

I was genuinely shocked, but it’s quite a credit to Matt that he’d bother to send these autographed cards back out to me and I will always treasure them a bit more than I will admit.

G/GsTACSACFUM
180/166N/A11.0N/A
INTYDSAVGTDLG
913214.6060
NFL

Little, Greg (WR)

Card: Upper Deck College Legends 2011
Acquired: Box Breaker, 2019

A second round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2011, Greg Little was a talented basketball and football player from North Carolina. While playing for the Tarheels at runningback and receiver from 2007-2009 he posted 1,774 yards from scrimmage. Greg had his best year in 2009 when he posted 62 receptions for 724 yards and 5 TDs.

Little had a solid rookie year for Cleveland with 61 catches for 709 yards and 2 TDs, but his number declined in subsequent years. After hauling in 41 receptions for 465 yards and 2 TDs in 13 starts during 2013, he’d be released in the offseason. After a quick stop in Oakland, Greg was on and off the roster of the Bengals through 2015, posting 6 catches in 6 games. He then was in camp with the Bills (2016) and Cardinals (2018). As of 2019 Greg is considered an active NFL Free Agent.

I never really understood why Greg didn’t manage to latch on with the Browns. His career seemed very bright with them. Then when you look closer at his stats, you realize he rarely caught more than 50% of his targets- an increasingly modern important measurement of receiver’s hands.

This is a great card with clear, strong shadows, and vibrant colors. The autograph, while big- well… It’s a ‘G’ that looks like a hatchet and an ‘L’. That’s it… Not really inspiring -more than reckless looking.