Tag Archives: oakland raiders

NFL

Brown, Derek

aprks92 debrowncla92 debrown B

Cards: Classic 1992, Classic 1992 Blister Pack, Action Packed Rookies 1992, GameDay 1992
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent:  11/10   Received: 11/17  (7 days)

Derek Brown (at least through 2014) has been a very generous signer TTM. A first round pick of the New York Giants in 1992 and a member of the Notre Dame National Championship Team in 1988, Brown was an accomplished blocker with good career receiving statistics. His best year came in 1991 when he caught 22 receptions for 325 yards and 4 touchdowns for the Golden Domers. Over his time for the Fighting Irish, Brown compiled 62 receptions for 899 yards and 8 touchdowns in 34 games.

cla92 debrownThe Giants were transitioning from the Bill Parcells era into the Ray Hadley ‘zone’. Hadley – the offensive mastermind behind the Giants Super Bowl XXV season, opted to make an upgrade at tight end. With Mark Bavaro walking after the 1991 season, the Giants were eager to upgrade at one of their most valued positions. Brown seemed like the perfect replacement for Bavaro and a no brainer at pick #17. The problem was the team was also going through a transition at quarterback as well. Phil Simms and Jeff Hostetler battled it out at quarterback, with the ‘heir to the franchise’ Dave Brown even taking snaps. Unable to unseat Howard Cross at the position, Brown was relegated to 7 starts, as a second tight end and extra blocker in 1992, and none in 1993 or 1994.

gday92 debrownIn 1995 the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Carolina Panthers joined the NFL as expansion franchises. Derek was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 47th pick. It made sense for Derek to go to the Jaguars as they were coached by Bill Parcells disciple Tom Coughlin. A near fatal hit in a preseason game sent Derek to the hospital for 10 days causing him to miss the entire season. He returned in 1996, recording a career high 17 receptions for 141 yards as the Jaguars made the AFC Championship Game. Derek returned in 1997 to the Jaguars, recording his first and only career TD reception in a game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Derek joined Oakland in 1998, starting 4 games and making 7 catches in his one season there. He’d then play for the Arizona Cardinals through the 2000 season before ending his career.  He currently lives in New York with his wife and children.

G/Gs 105/33   Rec 43   Yds 401   Avg 9.3    Td 1     Lg 27

 

 

NFL, University of Texas

Huff, Michael

ult10 huffCard: Ultimate 2006
Acquired: 2013, Target Autograph Memorabilia
See Also: Mike Huff

Michael Huff is another member of DBU (The University of Texas), to make it to the NFL. Among colleges, UT ranks #1 in defensive backs who have been drafted to or played on NFL rosters. A track and football star in High School, it was a no brainer that colleges coveted Huff’s speed and athleticism. He signed with the University of Texas and played there from 2002-2005. A key cog of the UT defense that stymied USC from winning its 3rd consecutive National Championship in 2005, Huff also won the Jim Thorpe Award after the season concluded. He finished his college career at UT with

The Raiders drafted Michael with the 7th overall pick of the 2006 NFL draft.  Since then Huff has experienced some extreme highs and lows during his NFL tenure. A carousel at head coach, constant changes in defensive staffs, and changing positions didn’t help Huff very much. He’d be named starter at strong safety his rookie year and respond with 78 tackles. Moved to free safety in 2007, Huff had a rough transition and was benched. He’d split time going forward through the end of 2009. Michael in 2010 earned his first AP nomination for his solid season, recording 94 tackles, 3 picks, 3 FF, and 4 sacks. In 2011, Huff was best remembered for his game ending interception of quarterback Matt Schaub in the endzone that preserved the Raiders victory over a furious Texans comeback. (The game is notable as it was the first game played by the Raiders after owner Al Davis’ death.)  Injuries beset the Raiders during the 2012 season. An already weak secondary prompted Huff’s move to cornerback by the team. He’d be cut after the season by the team primarily in a cost cutting move. Michael signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Ravens in 2013, replacing Ed Reed, but found himself by the end of the season on the roster of the Denver Broncos. He did not return to the franchise in 2014 and is a free agent.

NFL, WLAF

Jackson, Hue

ultwlaf92 monarchs tpCard: Ultimate WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o the Cincinatti Bengals
Sent: 2/7     Received: 2/18   (11 days)

After a pretty decent stint at quarterback for Pacific during the mid 80s, Hue Jackson immediately stepped into the coaching ranks at his Alma Mater in 1987.  A short stint at Cal State Fullerton allowed Hue to make the jump to the professional coaching ranks in 1991 for the London Monarchs under head coach Larry Kennan. There he did triple duty as special teams, wide receiver, and runningbacks coach. The team was the most explosive offensive unit in the league with a number of offensive players being named to the All-World team that were under Jackson’s guidance. After the Monarchs won World Bowl I Kennan returned stateside to coach for the Colts, putting assistant Ray Willsey in charge. The 1992 season was not so fortuitous for the team, and London ended 1992 on a not so amazing 2-7-1 note. After the season, the WLAF reorganized- not to be seen again until 1995 as a completely European venture.

Returning to the US, Hue began to climb the coaching ranks with stops at Arizona State (1992-1995),  California (1996), and USC (1997-2000), before joining the NFL, with stops on the Redskins (2001-2003), Bengals (2004-2006), Falcons (2007), and Ravens (2008-2009). In 2010, Hue had an impressive run as offensive coordinator of the Raiders. Owner Al Davis took notice and promoted Jackson to head coach in 2011. In the midst of the season, Davis passed away, and the Raiders responded by defeating the Texans in Houston. It’d be the high point for the Raiders, as after a 7-4 start, they’d go 1-4 the rest of the way. Jackson got a raw deal, and after the single season as head coach, the Raiders terminated his contract, preferring a fresh start with new GM Reggie McKenzie. Afterwards Hue returned to the Bengals, where he has remained since, recently taking over in 2014 as offensive coordinator. I wrote the Bengals for his autograph for this set based on his WLAF pedigree. He is in the team picture somewhere- I’m guessing on the left side when he was the coordinator of many hats for the London Monarchs.

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