Tag Archives: san fransisco 49ers

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

NFL

Musgrave, Bill

Card: StarPics 1991
Acquired: In Person 1991, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

The heir to Chris Miller for the Oregon Ducks, Bill Musgrave enjoyed an excellent college playing career. With a logger jam at quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, Musgrave would not make the team roster after being drafted by them in 4th round of the 1991 draft. He’d sign with the San Fransisco 49ers and he’d post a 71 quarterback rating throwing 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. He’d stay with the 49ers through 1994 and then sign with the Denver Broncos staying there through the 1996 season. Bill jumped almost immediately into coaching where he has remained since, working a season a piece for the Raiders and Eagles, and two for the Panthers. Musgrave returned back to the college ranks in 2001 tutoring future Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub at UVA. Again he’d surface in the pros with the Jaguars for the next two seasons through 2004 and the Redskins for 2005. Musgrave later spent the most time with the Atlanta Falcons from 2006 – 2010, -later signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2011 to be offensive coordinator. Musgrave experienced his first offensive play calling with the Eagles and Ray Rhodes, so he probably is a member of the Rhodes’ coaching tree.

NFL, Pro Football HoF

St. Clair, Bob “The Geek” (1931-2015)

Card: ProSet 1990 HoF
Acquired: TTM 2010, C/o Home (signing fee)
Sent: 2/3 Received: 3/10 (38 days)

Bob St. Clair was an anomaly in a league where most players today- move around to different cities and stadiums on a regular basis. Bob played 189 games in the same stadium and later it would be renamed from Kezar to St. Clair in his honor because of this. Drafted in the 3rd round of the 1953 draft, St. Clair quickly garnered the nickname “The Geek” for his penchant for eating raw meat and his pure size (6′ 9″, 263). At that time he was considered one of the largest tackles in the history of the game and easily engulfed opposing defensive linemen on both passing and rushing downs. He’d play 10 seasons with distinction (5 Pro Bowls and 4 as All Pro)  and is simply considered the 49ers greatest offensive tackle of all time. An astounding special teams player, Bob would also occasionally see time in goal line and special teams situations, blocking 10 field goals in one season (1956), and lost 5 teeth once blocking a punt. St. Clair was a dominating presence. (By modern standards Darrell Green is considered the record holder in field goals blocked in a season with 4, and there are multiple players tied for the career honor at 10.  Bob blocked 10- in a season.) He’d retire in 1964 due to a nagging Achilles heel injury.

Since that time Bob has served as mayor of Daly City, Ca, and also owns a liquor store that still bears his name. In 1990, St. Clair was inducted into the Pro Football HoF as a senior nominee. The HoF itself is a statistically driven league and it is very nice that St. Clair, one of the best lineman of all time did get his day in the sun- however there is a dearth of offensive lineman in the hall.  I sent out for his autograph earlier this year- to which it was returned requesting a 10.00 signing fee. (Obviously I resent it and within a month or so I had his autograph on his card.)

UPDATE – On February 24th 2015, St. Clair suffered a broken hip but complications later set in. He passed away on Monday, April 20th 2015.