Tag Archives: oakland raiders

CFL, MLFB, NFL, University of Texas

Davis, Mike (WR)

sage14 mdavis to14 mdavissage14 mdavis NL

Cards: Sage 2014, Sage 2014 Next Level, Topps 2014
Acquired: In Person, 1/8/16 Bud Light/ BAM Sports Tour

Mike Davis played at UT where he piled up the numbers despite issues at quarterback for the Longhorns in the twilight years of the Brown era.  He finished with 200 catches, 2,753 yards and 18 TDs to rank fourth, fifth and fourth on the career charts for the Longhorns. He is one of 5 receivers (Jordan Shipley, Roy Williams, Jaxon Shipley, and Quan Cosby) in school history to record 200 or more catches and his 10 100-yard receiving games rank second in school history. Mike Davis did well enough to earn an invitation to the Senior Bowl.

Projected to go in the 7th round of the NFL Draft, I had hoped that the Texans would select him in the 2014 draft, however he would not be selected. Davis signed a free agent contract with the Oakland Raiders after the draft but he’d be released in August.  Mike signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL in 2015, and later had a tryout with the Panthers and Chiefs.  In 2016 he was selected by ‘Team Texas’ of the fledgling MLFB.

I was able to get his autograph on these three cards, thanks in part again to my friend Shawn.  He gave me the Topps and one of the Sage cards to get signed. The bronze colored sharpie is quickly becoming my favorite as it rescues a fairly pedestrian looking autograph. Mike was nice to all the fans who attended the event in the cramped corner of the convenience store.  After a rough start with BAM a few years ago, I’ve been impressed with the handling of events by the promoter and his staff.

NFL

McDaniel, Terry

pset91 mcdaniel

Cards: ProSet 1991, ProSet 1990
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o Work
Sent:  8/13  Received: 9/5  (24 days)

A first round draft choice in 1988 out of Tennessee by the then Los Angeles Raiders, Terry McDaniel was originally a track man and sprinter in college with reputed 4.3 speed that earned All-American Honors in 1988.  He moved from WR to DB during his Sophomore campaign at Tennessee and displayed a natural and fluid ability to blanket receivers.  Terry adjusted quickly to the pro game, but broke his leg in the second game of his rookie season in LA.  At that time he was the first Raider rookie to start the season opener in the secondary over the last 17 years. He returned in 1989 and pulled pset90 mcdanieldown 3 interceptions. In 1990 McDaniel started the season on the sidelines, but came off the bench in the opener to key team’s victory over the Denver Broncos.  A dominating man to man cover back, McDaniel paired with Lionel Washington to make teams fear the Raiders secondary. Terry matured and from 1992 to 1996 he earned Pro Bowl honors. His best season perhaps came in 1994, when he recorded 7 interceptions  for 103 yards and 2 TDs to go along with 3 fumble recoveries. Terry played for the Raiders through the 1997 season, before playing 9 final contests on the Seahawks in 1998. Always dangerous, McDaniel had 8 career touchdowns playing defense, with 6 on interceptions and 2 on fumble recoveries.

Another member of Tecmo Superbowl, McDaniel’s speed and ball hawking skills were well represented by the game. Writing him care of the church ministry he works for, he signed my cards and refused my donation. He inscribed these two cards with a Bible verse from Proverbs 3: 5-6.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

G/Gs   152/137          Tac  N/a       Sac  3.0         Fum  5
Int   35       Yds 667        Avg 19.1        Td   6         Lg  67

NFL

Murray, Latavius ‘Tay Train’

sageHIT13 LMurray

Card: Sage HIT 2013
Acquired: 2015, Target Autograph Memorabilia

Latavius Murray is a prospect as intriguing as his name suggests. At 6’3″, 230, he can run the 40 4.38 seconds but he tumbled to the 6th round of the 2013 draft.  Due to a perceived lack of experience, Tay Train rarely saw the ball, carrying a grand total of 307 times, thanks in part to the presence of UCF quarterback Blake Bortles, who rightfully saw the bulk of the action. In his senior season Murray finished with 1,106 rushing yards and 19 total touchdowns.

His rookie season in 2013 ultimately ended in disappointment as injuries sidelined him for the majority of the year. He was then buried on the depth chart behind Maurice Jones-Drew and Darren McFadden. It’d be in week 11 that Murray finally got his chance to shine on the NFL stage. He finished the 2014 season with 82 carries for 424 yards (5.2 ypc) and 2 TDs.

Latavius was considered a sleeper pick in many fantasy leagues entering the 2015 season. I attempted to snag him in my league fantasy draft but missed out by two picks. He ended up having a solid campaign, rushing for over a 1,000 yards to go along with, 6 TDs, and 42 receptions.  His best game came against the New York Jets in which he rushed for 113 yards on 20 carries, to pace the Raiders to a 34-20 victory.