Tag Archives: San Diego Chargers

NFL

Russell, Leonard

Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1991, Topps Stadium Club 1992.
Acquired: TTM, c/o New England Patriots, 1992, 1993.

The 6’2″, 235 lb bowling ball from Arizona St. was selected in the first round of the 1991 draft by the New England Patriots as they were attempting to rebuild after a dismal 1-15 season.  Russell would reward the team with workman-like efficiency rushing for 935 yards and 4 touchdowns, grabbing offensive rookie of the year honors and helping the team win 6 games that year.  Unfortunately, the Sophomore slump hit Russell in ’92 and he only ran for 390 yards that year, but he recovered nicely in 1993, rushing for a career high 1088 yards. After his rookie contract had expired the Patriots made Leonard an offer but he got into a disagreement with Parcells and the staff about the contract, so the Patriots decided to go in a different direction.

Russell would become a journeyman playing for the Rams, Broncos and Chargers before retiring after the 1996 season. One of Leonard’s goals was to make the playoffs, but ironically every team he played for made the playoffs after he retired.  Russell at the time of this post is the Director of Business Development for Adrenaline Athletic Training Solutions in Riverside, CA.

Games 85      Att 1164    Yds 3973   Avg 3.4  Td 29  Lg 24
Rec 122   Yds 846   Avg  6.9  Td 0  Lg 69

NFL, WLAF

Sullivan, Kent


Card: Ultimate WLAF 1991
Acquired: In Person, Houston Oiler Training Camp 1993.

Kent punted for the San Antonio Riders in both 1991 and 1992 booming a career high 72 yarder in 1991.  A fairly accurate punter- Sullivan dropped 28 punts behind the 20. In 1992 Kent threw a touchdown off of a fake punt for 22 yards and ranked third in the league in punting. After the league reorganized, Sullivan became a journeyman punter over the next few years. Houston utilized him as a replacement for Greg Montgomery briefly when Montgomery held out and then stepped in for KC and SD again before returning to Houston again. All in all Sullivan played for 4 teams over a two year period and attended training camp with a variety of teams before finally retiring after losing the open punting competition in Washington with Matt Turk after 1995.

Riders   Games 20    Punts  105          Yds 4171          Avg  39.7        TB 10     in20  28      LG 72       Blk 2

NFL, University of Texas

Richard, Stanley ‘The Sheriff’

Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1991, Star Pics 1991.
Acquired: TTM c/o San Diego Chargers 1993.

Stanley Richard was an All-America free safety from the University of Texas that was drafted in the first round by the San Diego Chargers. Shooting up the draft boards, he was drafted at #8, which was too high in retrospect, and was given a rap as a bad tackler. Blessed with soft hands and good speed for his position, “The Sheriff” (as Richard was nicknamed for laying down the law in the Texas secondary) had a respectable career averaging about 3 picks a season and was named second team All-Pro in 1994. After 4 seasons with the Chargers, Richard signed with the Redskins where he played through 1998 and retired.

Games  124     Tac   592       Sac 2       Fum 5
Int 21       Yds  352      Avg  16.7        Td 2     Lg 99T