Tag Archives: san fransisco 49ers

NFL, Pro Football HoF

Jackson, Rickey


Cards: Action Packed 1992, ProSet 1990
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Home
Sent: 3/21   Received 4/1  (11 days)

Rickey Jackson was a 2nd round by the New Orleans Saints in the 1981 draft after an All American Campaign at the University of Pittsburgh.   He’d go on to play in 195 games (13 seasons) making 123 sacks, and recover 26 fumbles- all records for the New Orleans Saints. Transitioning from Bum Phillips to Jim Mora without missing a beat, Jackson was a member of the Dome Patrol (along with Pat Swilling, Vaughn Johnson, and Sam Mills)- one of the best linebacking teams in NFL history. Over Jackson’s long career, he made 10+ sacks in a season 6 times. In 1990 he’d lead the league with 7 fumble recoveries, and in 1992 force 6 more. Rickey would be named to the ProBowl in 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1992 and 1993 before signing with the San Fransisco 49ers in 1994, where he was utilized as a situational pass rusher at defensive end for his final two seasons.  In 1995 Rickey would make 9.5 sacks and win his first SuperBowl title and retire.  In summation, Jackson would be named AP in 1986,1987, 1992 and 1993. His number would be retired by the Saints, and after a long wait Rickey would be named to the NFL HoF in his first year of eligibility as a senior candidate in 2010 as the only Saint in the Hall.

G/Gs  227/225    Tac 1173     Sac 128   Fum    Int 8    Yds 68   Avg 8.6     Td 0     Lg  32

NFL

Norton Jr, Ken

Card: ProSet 1990
Acquired: In Person 1990, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Ken Norton was one of these guys who the further he got into his playing career, the meaner he looked. I mean you just didn’t want to approach him his last year in Dallas as he just brooded. I think I got Ken either my first or second day at camp. It’d be the only card I’d get signed of his, as he just didn’t stop very often to sign cards. Ken Norton Jr is the son of former heavyweight champion Ken Norton. Drafted in the second round from UCLA by the Dallas Cowboys in Tom Landry‘s final draft as coach, Norton spent the majority of his rookie season in 1988 on injured reserve. He’d gradually work his way into the lineup in 1989, splitting time with Jesse Solomon (fresh from the Herschel Walker trade) at weakside linebacker. Norton would be moved around the linebacker corps as his greatest attribute at the time was his versatility while dealing with injury. By 1992 Ken had become a key cog in the Cowboys defense and scored a touchdown in SuperBowl XXVII. His 1993 would be his last in Dallas. The team had identified linebacker as a budget position and felt that they could find cheap talent in the draft. Norton would hit the road and head out to San Fransisco with the advent of free agency where he played consistently through 2000 before retiring. Ken would be named to the ProBowl twice in his career and All Pro in 1993 and 1995. He is also the first player to win three SuperBowl titles in a row and also remembered for a bone crunching hit that ended Napoleon McCallum‘s career.

Ken would go into coaching where he was signed by the USC Trojans to coach linebackers and also started honing his skills at broadcasting. In 2010 Norton Jr would join Pete Carroll’s staff in Seattle where he is serving also as a linebackers coach.

G/Gs 191/188     Tac  1130   Sac  12.5     Fum  13   Int  5    Yds 127   Avg  20.5      Td 2      Lg 46t

NFL

Kubiak, Gary

Cards: Fleer 1990, Bowman 2006
Acquired: TTM 2009, Texans Blitz

One of Texas A&M’s most decorated passers, Gary Kubiak was drafted in the 8th round of the 1983 draft by the Denver Broncos. A career backup to perennial AP John Elway, Gary would come in and get occasional spot playing time playing intelligent football. After 9 seasons with the team Kubiak would retire after 119 games and only 5 starts after 1991. His alma mater would come calling and Kubiak would coach runningbacks at Texas A&M for two seasons in 1992 and 1993 before he returned to the pros studying with George Siefert as the quarterbacks coach for Steve Young in 1994. Mike Shanahan was looking for an offensive coordinator and hired him in 1995 where he worked extensively with ironically… John Elway, the former quarterback he backed up.

After a ten year stint there Kubiak, was hired as the second coach of the Houston Texans in 2006. A Houston native and at one point an unabashed Houston Oiler fan, Kubiak is a tireless coach and offensive mastermind. Gary would guide the Texans to their best record ever, (9-7, 2009) most prolific offenses both in yardage and scoring, and almost into the playoffs, but as 2010 came to a close after 5 seasons, the team had yet to see that vaunted playoff appearance.

Seasons 5    W 37  L 43     T 0     Pct .463