Tag Archives: san fransisco 49ers

NFL

Mirer, Rick

Card: Pinnacle 1995
Acquired: Canton Acquisition 2012

Rick Mirer was a record setting quarterback for Notre Dame who virtually rewrote all the record books during his time there. The much ballyhooed quarterback was selected second in the 1993 draft behind equally touted quarterback Drew Bledsoe. Bill Walsh before the draft even called Rick, “The next Joe Montana”. While it became obvious early that Bledsoe would play in an almost workmanlike fashion for the Patriots, Mirer set the world on fire his rookie season starting all 16 games and setting rookie passer records for attempts (486), completions (274) and  yards (2833). He also demonstrated a knack for finding the endzone with his legs, scoring 3 touchdowns on 343 yards rushing.  

The first sign of trouble was that Mirer was coached only on a handful of plays each game. If he couldn’t find an open receiver, he was instructed to do what he saw was best or tuck it in and run, and at first it appeared that the horserace between Bledsoe and Mirer was too close to call. Over the next three seasons, the Seahawks struggled mightily on offense, so in 1997 they opted to trade Mirer and a 4th rounder to Chicago for the Bears first round draft choice.

The Bears anointed Mirer the starter immediately in Chicago, but Mirer had a fatal flaw that teams had now caught onto. Mirer favored throwing to the right side of the field. Teams regularly stacked defenses to the right against him.  He threw 6 picks to zero touchdowns in his only season in the windy city. He requested to be cut by the team after the season, and found himself on the offseason roster of the Packers behind Brett Favre. The Packers then traded him to the Jets who were thin at quarterback after an injury to Vinny Testaverde. Rick got his first sustainable time under center really since he played for Seattle putting up a bit over 1000 yards and 5 touchdowns, posting a 2-4 record.

Steve Mariucci brought Mirer then to San Fransisco in 2000. He played respectably in mop up time behind Jeff Garcia throwing for a touchdown and 126 yards.  Again Rick moved, this time across the bay to Oakland in 2002. He’d see his last time under center in 2003 for the Raiders throwing for 1,263 yards and 3 touchdowns, before signing with the Lions in 2004 and retiring soon thereafter. 

Rick has spent his time after football coaching Pop Warner and owns a winery (Mirror Wine Company) in Napa, Florida.

G/Gs  80/68     Att  2043    Comp 1088    Yds  11969    Pct   53.3    Td 50     Int  76   Rat 63.5 |
Rush  242   Yds   1130     Avg  4.7    Td  9   Lg 33

NFL, usfl

Cribbs, Joe

Card: Upper Deck Legends 2006
Acquired: 4/9/12, Target Authentic Memorabilia Autograph Edition

Auburn is a college that cranks out quality runningbacks. Among them Joe Cribbs, was a second round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 1980. He’d get the starting nod on offense for the team, and end up running away with NFL rookie of the year honors after a banner season, rushing for 1185 yards and 11 touchdowns. Cribbs earned a ProBowl nod after the season. Cribbs earned another ProBowl nomination for his 1981 season rushing for 1097 yards. A strike shortened 1982 limited Joe to only 633 yards, but he’d lead the league with a 90.4 yard average per game. His final Pro Bowl season in 1984, saw him rack up 1131 yards on the ground.

Well in 1984 Cribbs decided to hop ship for the new USFL, which led to an infamous trial in Buffalo, where head coach Kay Stephenson claimed that Joe was not replaceable in the team’s lineup. Cribbs ended up winning, despite the Bills’ claims of first refusal on the contract, and played for Birmingham Stallions for the next 3 seasons till the USFL imploded. Returning to the NFL in 1986 Joe played for the 49ers through 1987, then played his final season split between the Dolphins and Colts in 1988.

After football Cribbs returned to Alabama, where he went into financial advising. He currently assists many players with the reality of retirement and investing. He also has been involved with the AAFL (Team Alabama), and the United National Gridiron League.

G/Gs 102/70   Rush  1309    Yds  5356       Avg 4.1      Td  27      lg  62   |
Rec  224    Yds 2199   Avg  9.8      Td  15     lg 65
NFL

Rogers, Carlos

Card: Donruss Silver Signatures 2008
Acquired: 2012, Target Authentic Memorabilia Autograph Edition

Carlos Rogers is an NFL defensive back who currently plays for the revamped San Fransisco 49ers defense. After a banner career at Auburn where he won the Jim Thorpe Award and was named a consensus All-American in 2004, Rogers would be drafted by the Washington Redskins with the 9th overall pick of the draft. Throughout his career Rogers has battled back from injury, breaking his thumb and tearing both his MCL and his ACL. He’d play for the Redskins through the 2010 season, finishing his tour of duty with the Redskins notching 312 tackles, 8 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles and 1 touchdown.

Overlooked by clubs looking for defensive help, while coveted Nnandi Asomugha and Johnathan Joseph would fly off the board, Rogers quietly signed with the 49ers. Immediately he’d step into a lineup for a weak San Fransisco defense under rookie head coach Jim Harbaugh, and help provide a steady hand in the secondary that turned it into one of the best units in the NFL. Rogers exploded in 2011 and had 52 tackles, and 6 interceptions for 106 yards and a touchdown earning his first Pro Bowl appearance.  He’d re-up with San Fransisco again in 2012 for a 4 year contract.