James played LB at Baylor (1986-’89) where over his career he posted 434 total career tackles.
In 1989, he set an NCAA single-season record with eight blocked kicks.
Earned SWC Player of the Year honors in 1989, when he totaled 129 total tackles, 4 interceptions for 99 yards, 8 sacks, and 3 fumble recoveries.
He also moonlighted on the Baylor basketball team as well in the off season.
A first round pick of the Cincinnatti Bengals in 1990, he had 78 combined tackles, 8 sacks, and an interception that he returned 17 yards for a TD at ROLB.
He’d convert to LOLB in 1992, and add 6 more sacks to his resume and another 3 picks for 108 yards including a 66 yard TD.
In 1994, Francis had a career high 101 total tackles when he moved to LLB.
Added another 3 pick season in 1996, returning another one 42 yards for a TD.
Joined the Redskins in 1999, playing there for one season.
Retired before he turned 32, citing that it wasn’t fun anymore and that losing just drags on you after a while.
Lives in Central Texas, and has kicked the tires on going into coaching.
Action Packed 1992, #33
ACCOLADES:
All Rookie Team 1990
Baylor Hall of Fame 2001
NOTES:
James doesn’t sign TTM so I had to get as many of his cards signed as I could through a very affordable paid signing.
It’s said that Jimmy Johnson of the Cowboys during the 1990 draft really wanted to draft James Francis in the first round to man his defense over eventual Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith. He didn’t get the chance to debate it as Francis went off the board at #12 overall and Smith went off at #17. One has to wonder how the trajectory of the Cowboys might have been altered if Francis was still sitting on the board at #17.
Francis makes an appearance in Tecmo Superbowl where he’s a pretty solid option to play at LB.
CARDS: Score 1990, Fleer 1990 Update, Pro Set 1990 ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Home SENT: 3/23 RECEIVED: 4/5 (13 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Big LB Fred Strickland played 3 years at Purdue where he had a motor for the ball, leading the team in tackles for 3 straight years (1985-’87).
A second round pick of the Los Angeles Rams in 1988.
It took him a season but by ’89, Strickland was a starter for the team at Middle Linebacker.
Loving his skillset and versatility, the Rams created a new defensive hybrid position for Strickland that was a combination between nosetackle and middle linebacker.
Injuries quickly caught up with Fred, and that combined with a coaching change in ’92 and being passed up by Larry Kelm on the depth chart, led to his departure in 1993.
Fred’s career was rejuvenated with the Minnesota Vikings, where at weakside LB he posted 137 tackles and 4 fumble recoveries.
Taking advantage of his bargaining position, and the Packers need at LB, Fred joined Green Bay that season.
He spent the 1994 and 1995 season with the team providing solid play.
A force in the middle, Fred posted 103 combined tackles in ’96, 95 in ’97, and 81 in 1998.
Strickland entered the twilight of his career in 1999 playing for the Redskins.
He’d be a backup for the team that season, and retire before the start of the 2000 season.
NOTES:
Fred had a somewhat rocky start, but after leaving the Rams and finding his sea legs, he really showed the versatility that defensive coaches prized. In addition his ability to come in and start in a pinch and then pull down 90 plus tackles on stacked defenses really can not be understated. His Fleer 1990 card you can really see his showcased size that allowed him to hybridize out from linebacker to nose.
CARDS: Donruss 2020, Pro Set 1990 Super Bowl XVI, Upper Deck Football Heroes 2008, Topps 1979, Upper Deck Legends 1997, Top Notch Signature Select ACQUIRED: TTM 2018, 2021, C/o Home SENT: 1/2/21 RECEIVED: 1/13/21 (11 days) SENT: 9/10/18 RECEIVED: 1/29/21 (872 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Ken Anderson played QB for Augustana College from 1967-70.
Finished college career ranked fifth in NCAA history for career total offense yardage (6,679).
3rd round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 1971.
Became starter in 1972.
Played for the Bengals for his entire 16 year career.
Led the Bengals to their first Super Bowl appearance (XVI).
Set the NFL single season record for completions 70.6 (since surpassed – Drew Brees).
Led league in completion percentage in 1974, ’82, ’83.
Led league in passing yards in both 1974 and 75.
Led league in passer rating in 1974, ’75, ’81, and ’82.
As of 2023 holds the Bengals records for completions, passing yards, TDs and rushing yards by a Cincinnati QB.
Coached with the Bengals from 1993-2002, Jaguars from 2003-06, and Steelers from 2007-09.
Topps 1979, #115Upper Deck Legends 1997, #76
ACCOLADES:
Tribe of Vikings Hall of Fame 2003
NFL MVP 1981
Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor
Pro Bowl 1975-76, ’81, ’82
All-Pro 1981
Second Team All-Pro 1975
NFL Offensive Player of the Year 1981
NFL Comeback Player of the Year 1981
NFL Man of the Year 1975
Pro Set 1990 Super Bowl XVI Insert, #162008 Upper Deck Football Heroes, #238
NOTES:
I had sent out to Ken back in 2018, but since he lives in SC, he was square in the path of I think Hurricane Sandy that month. Looking back now, it seems that my request from that year was in the bottom of his mailbag. Ken ended up responding to my retry before my original request, if that makes any sense. His 872 day response falls short of the top 10 waits by about 150 days.
I didn’t buy any NFL cards from 2020, but my friend Joe who helps me run a Facebook group had so many of the Donruss he sent me the entire set. I like the design of it but, considering how much prices have gone up I wouldn’t buy any of these in the wild unless they were discounted.
I really like ‘Long Tom’ cards like the Gameday set, so I thought I’d try my hand at making a few customs. It was a pain to do initially as no printer handles this size, but I designed the canvas to have some areas of white so that it was perfect for the autograph. His autograph looks great on this. I’m not sure if I’ll do anymore of these cards, but time will tell.
I am firmly in the camp that Ken Anderson belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His numbers compare favorably with fellow WCO alum and HoFer Dan Fouts yet Anderson played during the Dead Ball era earlier in his career.
Donruss 2020, #70
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
