Tag Archives: san fransisco 49ers

College Football HoF, NFL, Pro Football HoF, Super Bowl MVP

Montana, Joe ‘Joe Cool’

aprks92 montanaCard: Action Packed Rookies 1992
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o The San Fransisco 49ers
Sent:  4/21        Received:  8/11         (114 days)

After striking out on Jerry Rice for the second time I decided to take a shot at Joe Montana. I had heard rumors that Montana signed TTM on occasion, so I studied his signing habits. It did not bother me that much that people said some of them were ghost signed, as there was no definitive proof of that. Once it came to my attention that the 49ers organization was having a sendoff to their former stadium, Candlestick Park, involving many former players in a flag football contest, I decided to make my move. Needless to say when I got the autograph in the mail I was very excited to have my crown jewel of 2014.

Joe Montana’s career is defined by his late game winning mechanics, 3 MVP trophies, and four Super Bowl victories. A perennial thorn in my side as a LA Rams fan, Joe always had more than enough to beat them with his last second heroics. Still I couldn’t help admire his ability. It wasn’t always like that for Montana. A perennial student of the game, Montana had a penchant for late game heroics spanning back to his time at Notre Dame, but a separated shoulder during his Sophomore season buried him on the depth chart. He’d regain form in time for his Senior season, but wasn’t highly regarded by scouts who felt that his arm strength was underwhelming. He’d be the 4th quarterback off the board at the end of the 3rd round, (behind Jack Thompson, Phil Simms, and Steve Fuller), to the San Fransisco 49ers and head coach Bill Walsh. Walsh was running his West Coast Offense that he brought over from San Diego. Montana backed up legendary journeyman quarterback Steve DeBerg as he honed his craft in 1979. It wouldn’t be until midway through the 1980 season that Montana assumed the reins of the franchise.

In 1981, a more seasoned Montana led the 49ers to consecutive victories over the Cowboys (“The Catch”) and their first SuperBowl appearance (XVI) and victory against the Cincinnati Bengals. Joe earned his first of 3 Super Bowl trophies for his efforts and MVP honors.  He’d win his second Super Bowl in 1984 (XIX) beating the high octane Miami Dolphins offense led by Dan Marino, when Joe threw for a record 331 yards culminating in his second MVP trophy and Championship.  In 1986, Montana suffered a near career ending back injury, but returned later in the year earning co-Comeback Player of the Year Honors with Vikings QB Tommy Kramer.  Walsh was always looking to groom his heir to Joe Montana, and by 1988 with the Super Bowl memories starting to fade, a full blown controversy developed between Montana and newcomer Steve Young. The 49ers returned to the big game in 1989, and Montana led the team to a comeback last minute victory over the Bengals that year shattering the passing record again with 357 yards.  In 1990, the indominable 49er dynasty looked unstoppable. Montana and the gang cruised to a 14-2 record, but Montana sustained a nasty elbow injury against the New York Giants during a loss in the NFC Championship Game.  Still, he earned the NFL MVP that season. Joe would sit out 1991 and 1992 rehabbing his injury. In the meantime, Steve Young fully matured into the 49ers starting quarterback role. Montana was eventually traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in 1993, playing for the team through the 1994 season before retiring.

Joe’s had his number retired by San Fransisco and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000. He’s also earned a bunch of retrospective All-decade honors and is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. Also of note is during the early 90’s Joe had his own self-titled NFL football game published by Sega that is rumored to be returning sometime soon.

G/Gs  192/164        Att  5391   Comp  3409      Yds 40,551    Pct  63.2%    Td 273      Int  179     Rat 92.3   |
Rush 457          Yds  1,676        Avg 3.7         Td 20        Lg 21

NFL

Foreman, Jay

ud02tx foremanCard: Upper Deck Houston Texans 2002 Inaugural Season
Acquired: 2014, Future Considerations

Jay Foreman was an intimidating presence at linebacker for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. A four year starter there, Jay finished with 233 tackles, ranking him 12th best in school history. Taken in the 5th round of the 1999 draft, Foreman was inactive for a good portion of his rookie season due to a logger jam at linebacker on the team. He’d play on special teams in the final 4 games of the season. It wasn’t really until 2001 that Foreman got his chance to shine for the Bills. The team converted to the 4-3 defense and kicked Sam Cowart inside, leaving 2 spots to be fought over at outside linebacker. The big loser was John Holecek, a stalwart defender who found himself surprisingly cut due to the Bills precarious salary cap situation. Foreman was supposed to battle it out with Kenyatta Wright and Jeremy Spoon for the backup job at MLB to Cowart, but by the beginning of the season, Foreman was starting at right linebacker for the Bills. He’d have a pretty respectable season with 72 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries, – right in time for a new contract.

The Bills, still contractually herniated needed to figure out to do with Jay. Enter the Houston Texans. The rookie Texans became a dumping ground of sorts for bloated contracts to go to die, while alleviating much needed cap space for the teams who gave up players. With the expansion draft underway the Texans selected offensive back Charlie Rogers with the 11th pick. The Bills had pined for Rogers, put some calls into the Texans, and before everybody knew it, the trade was consummated. Foreman was a steal for the Texans, as he’d have his best season as a pro officially recording 137 tackles (197 by Texans’ coach estimates) at LILB. He’d post another good season for the team before injuries limited him to 11 games in 2004. After the ’04 season, the Texans coaching staff blew up the defense trying to go younger, and allowed both Foreman and Jamie Sharper to explore trade options after the team signed Morlon Greenwood. Unable to find a trade partner, both players were eventually cut. Foreman went on to play two more forgetable seasons for the New York Giants and San Fransisco 49ers before finally retiring.

I had heard that Jay was appearing at a Texans Ambassador appearance in East Texas, and with Lance going, I went ahead and exercised one of my future options. I sent him a few cards for both myself and him to get signed and crossed my fingers that everything would work out. Overall a pretty nice card, and I am glad to get Jay’s autograph on it. I would love to eventually complete this set out, but many members of the expansion Texans franchise roster has already slipped under the radar.

G/Gs  84/60     Tac  527    Sac 4.5      Fum 4     Int 0      Yds 0      Avg -.-      Td 0        Lg -.-

NFL

Cross, Randy

Card: Topps 1985
Acquired: Canton Acquisition 2012

Randy Cross was a UCLA All-American guard selected by the San Fransisco 49ers in the second round of the 1976 NFL draft.  An outstanding lineman for the Bruins, he originally started at center and was later moved to guard, and helped the Bruins get past Ohio State in what is considered one of the largest upsets in Rose Bowl history.

Over the course of his 13 season career, he’d suffer through the doldrums of the NFC West, witness the drafting of Joe Montana, Roger Craig, and Jerry Rice, the transformation of the 49ers into a West Coast offense, and the team’s rise to dominance as the NFL’s premier team. Randy played his entire time with the 49ers,  was named as an AP selection 3 times (1981, 1982, & 1984), numerous Pro Bowl nominations, and earned 3 Super Bowl rings. He retired shortly after winning his 3rd ring in 1988.

Randy so seamlessly transitioned into the booth right afterwards, I had forgotten that he played. A natural behind the mic and on camera, Randy has worked for CBS and NBC both in the booth and as a color commentator for games. (I thought he hated the Oilers.) He’s also done college game casts and preseason games for the Patriots. Currently Randy has his own radio show on Sirrus NFL radio. I also think he should grow back his mustache for old times sake as Cross sorta looks like Tom Selleck.