Tag Archives: oakland raiders

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.

NFL   W 8    L  8     Pct .500

NFL

Robbins, Barret “Big Bear”

pac97 robbinsbow95 robbinsCards: Bowman’s Best 1995, Pacific 1997
Acquired: In Person 5/19, 610 Houston Fan Fest 2013

To say that Barret Robbins has been through a lot is a monumental understatement. Despite everything he’s been through and the mistakes he’s made, I do have a lot of respect for the ex-All Pro. He’s battled drug and alcohol addiction, prescription and pain killer drug abuse and fought bi polar disorder. He’s had run ins with the law, been shot a few times, and spent time in jail.  Barret was even close to death and suffering from Pneumonia. A lot of it has been self destructive and sure, some guys you look at and wonder how they squandered all that talent, but Barret, I see as somebody whose life imploded right on the big stage under the bright lights, and they are just lucky to be here today.

Robbins went to TCU collegiately where he cleared the way  for the Horned Frogs offense. He earned the team’s award as their most outstanding lineman. Drafted in the second round by the Oakland Raiders in 1995, Robbins became the 5th center in the history of the franchise, as only Jim Otto, Dave Dalby, Don Mosebar, and Dan Turk had held the honor, replacing Turk in the starting lineup in 1996. Robbins gave some nasty bite back to the position, clearing the way for guys like Napoleon Kaufman, Harvey Williams, and Tyrone Wheatley, while blocking for quarterbacks such as Rich Gannon, Jeff George, and Wade Wilson. Robbins never relinquished the starting spot at center until 2001, missing out on 14 games that season.

robbinsIn 2002, Barret had his finest season, being named AP and to the Pro Bowl in the Raiders last hurrah in the Super Bowl. Unfortunately the night before the big game, Robbins went AWOL. He was later found in Tijuana, Mexico where he remembers little to nothing of the Super Bowl or that night. The Raiders in the meantime dropped the game to the Buccaneers. Barret played 9 contests in 2003, but did not finish the season and was cut by the Raiders in 2004.

Tough times followed soon thereafter, but a lot of those monsters had been chasing him all along. While Robbins has continued to have issues, I hope that he has found peace in his life. When I looked into his eyes, I could tell that the man deep down is a good person, and that he genuinely wants to be seen as such, but just has made some dumb decisions that were hard to live down. I asked him about the Texas gear he was wearing. He laughed and told me that I should know since he was born in Texas that it was hard not to have burnt orange blood and always wanted to go to UT as a kid. Not the greatest signature here, but still it is nice to grab him on a few cards. I wish Barret and his family all the best in their future wherever it may take them, and I hope people can gain some introspection on their lives and see from Barret’s example that you can survive almost anything.