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.
Card: Topps AAF 2019 Acquired: IP 2019, San Antonio Commanders v The Arizona Hotshots
Lost in the JUCO shuffle to SMU, cornerback Sterling Moore went undrafted in the 2011 NFL Draft.
He’d sign with the Oakland Raiders, and then end up on the roster of the Patriots that year. Called up to active play from the practice squad, Sterling helped New England in a pinch make the Super Bowl that year. Sterling returned to the practice squad in 2012, but was snapped up by the Dallas Cowboys. Sterling again saw some emergency time over the next year or so before earning a role as the team’s nickelback. In 2015, Moore signed with the Bucs, and saw a mix of playing time starting at corner and also as the nickelback, starting 8 contests. After a quick pitstop with the Bills, Sterling spent the next year and a half with the New Orleans Saints. He’d start a career high 12 games, recording 2 picks, 56 total tackles, and 13 pass deflections in 2016. Sterling signed with the Detroit Lions in 2018, but did not make the squad.
Moore joined the Arizona Hotshots of the Alliance in early 2019. He’d record 7 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble and 23 total tackles in 8 starts.
Sterling came over during warmups when he realized I had a card and signed this one for me. After the Commanders game ended, I gave him one to keep which he really appreciated.
That’d be the last game in AAF history, but Sterling was later selected in the 2019 XFL draft by the Seattle Dragons during the defensive back portion, with their final overall pick.
Cards: Action Packed 1991, Topps Finest Chrome Field Generals 1995 Acquired: TTM 2018, C/o Charity Sent: 5/21/18 Received: 1/5/19 (229 days) Failure: TTM 2012, C/o The Hoss Foundation
Jeff Hostetler played football collegiality in 1979 and 1980 for the Penn State Nittany Lions. There he posted 319 yards on 24 of 59 passing throwing 1 TD to 2 interceptions but was beat out by future first round pick Todd Blackledge to the starting quarterback job. He’d transfer to West Viginia in 1982 and work his way into Mountaineer lore. He’d throw for 1798 yards and 10 TDs in 1982, and then 2247 yards and 14 TDs in 1983. Although not a gifted scrambler Jeff was solid out of play action and had a solid arm to boot. He’d be selected by the New York Giants in the 3rd round of the 84 draft.
Thanks in part to Phil Simms durability, Jeff pretty much never saw the field for the first 5 seasons of his career (outside of special teams). – Not to mention the fact that he was 3rd string. He saw his first action in 1988, with some mop up duty and then later starting in a win over the Saints. While his numbers on the season weren’t amazing , Hoss showed enough promise that he took over the primary backup role for Phil in 1989. He saw some starting duty again that season, as the Giants made the playoffs, but were bounced by the LA Rams.
The Giants came back the next season (1990) and were firing on all cylinders towards the playoffs, but in the 14th contest of the season, Phil went down with a season ending foot injury. Hoss came in, and although they lost the game, he guided them to a win in their next two contests to finish 13-3 on the year and into the playoffs. The Giants used a ball control offense to pummel the Bears 31-3, squeak by the 49ers dynasty 15-13, and into Super Bowl XXV.
Considered by myself to be one of the finest Super Bowls ever, the Giants ground out a 20-19 win over the Buffalo Bills. Jeff himself completed 20 of 32 passes for 222 yards and a TD in New York’s win.
After the win head coach Bill Parcells retired suddenly. His replacement Ray Handley announced a quarterback competition between Hostetler and Simms before the 1991 season. Surprising many, Hoss won the competition, but suffered a season ending injury during the 12th game of the year. The following season- again- Handley announced a quarterback competition. This time Simms won but got injured only after 4 starts. Hostetler came in and played well but also suffered an injury as well. Hoss’ time was up in New York after the season. He’ sign with the Los Angeles Raiders in 1993.
As the unquestioned starting quarterback for the Los Angeles Raiders, Hostetler led the Raiders to 10 wins, and threw for a then career highs in almost all categories (236/419, 3242 yards and 14 TDs). The following year in 1994, he’d again set career highs with attempts (455), completions (263), yards (3334), and TDs (20)- earning his first and only Pro Bowl appearance. Jeff transitioned with the Raiders to Oakland in 1995, and although he did throw for 23 TDs in 1996, injuries kept adding extra wear to the grizzled veteran. He signed with the Redskins in 1997, and returned to the role of clutch backup quarterback, retiring after the 1998 season.
Jeff has his own charity- The Hoss Foundation, and after failing on him during my first attempt in 2012, even though I sent a donation, I sort of was so stung by it time just flew by until I got back around to him again in 2018.
His heroics in Super Bowl XXV still stick out in my mind, and this beautiful Action Packed 1991 card frames it so well. Jeff’s autograph isn’t bad either with the way the ‘J’ crosses the ‘H’ it definitely feels like a real autograph. In 2019, Jeff was named to the preliminary anniversary list of nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Centennial Anniversary.
G/GS
ATT
CPD
PCT
YDS
TD
INT
RAT
152/83
2338
1357
58.0
16430
94
71
80.5
RUSH
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
316
1391
4.4
17
47
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
