Tag Archives: Seattle Seahawks

NFL, WLAF

Kennan, Larry

Cards: Pro Set 1991 First Game, Pro Set WLAF 1991
Acquired: TTM 2012, C/o Incarnate Word University
Sent: 11/12  Received: 12/5   (23 days)
Failure: TTM 2010, C/o NFL Coaches Assn.

After playing quarterback for the LaVerne Leos, Larry Kennan went right into the coaching ranks where he built an impressive resume as an offensive coordinator and positional coach even before I was born. He spent time with UNLV (73-75) and at SMU (76-78) as an OC before landing the head coaching gig at Lamar University, outside of Houston.  Kennan coached the Cardinals through 1981. During his stop there with the college, Kennan’s highlights were posting a 6-3-1 record in 1979, and knocking off the 20th ranked Baylor Bears 18-17 in 1981. Overall the attendance to games improved to record levels.

Larry made his first stop at the professional rank in 1982. He’d coach with the Los Angeles Raiders through 1988, -first as quality control and then later as a quarterbacks coach, where he had the privilege of working with players like Steve Beuerlein, Jay Schroeder, Jim Plunkett, Marc Wilson, and Rusty Hilger. Kennan spent the next two seasons with the Broncos (WR coach, 1989) and (quickly moved up to be) the Colts offensive coordinator for the 1990 season with head coach Ron Meyer working helping indoctrinate rookie Jeff George into the pro game, while at the same time trying to find an offensive balance for future HoF RB Eric Dickerson.

After the season the London Monarchs of the WLAF came calling and made him an offer to join their staff as head coach in 1991. The team ran away with the league title that year winning World Bowl I over the Barcelona Dragons 21-0. The Monarchs also won the first game in league history against the Frankfurt Galaxy. His team was outstanding through and through, with quarterback Stan Gelbaugh setting numerous passing records behind an incredible offensive line, and wide receiver Jon Horton. The defense was also equally good as well, and the team posted a 9-1 record. Plucked from the WLAF after the season, Larry returned stateside to the Seattle Seahawks for 1992 to become Tom Flores OC.

The Seahawks were not doing so well on offense. After jettisoning longtime quarterback Dave Krieg, the team was in flux between Dan McGwire and Kelly Stouffer. In fact, it got so bad that Kennan had to dial up Gelbaugh to help out. Rick Mirer was drafted to lead the offense in 1993, and Kennan did an admirable job of triage with him, but by 1994 with numbers slumping the the Seahawks still doing badly in the standings, the staff was released. Larry continued to find work in the NFL with the Saints (1995, TE’s), Raiders (1996, QB’s), and 1997 with the Patriots as offensive coordinator. He then moved up to the executive level working for the NFL Coaches Association from 1998-2011. As of 2012, Larry is the head coach of the University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas.

WLAF:   W 9     L 1     T 0     Pct .900

 

NFL, University of Texas

Redding, Cory “C-Red”

poff03 reddingleaf03r&s reddingCards: Score 2007, Bowman 2003, Leaf Rookies & Stars 2003, Playoff Prestige 2003
Acquired: In Person 2/15/13,  Redd’s Haircutz

An impact linebacker at the high school level, Cory Redding was the recruit that all the colleges wanted. In the end he became the linchpin to Mack Brown‘s 1999 recruiting class at the University of Texas.  He’d earn a mountain of accolades, including Big 12 rookie of the year, posting 26 tackles, 2 sacks, and 13 special teams stops. As each year progressed with the Longhorns, the awards and watch lists for Cory increased. In 2000, he was honorable mention All-Big 12, with 52 tackles, 17 TFL, and 6.5 sacks, starting at defensive end. In 2001, Cory was tabbed for 2nd Team All- American and first team Big 12 with 57 tackles, 5 sacks and 14 TFL. The 2002 season was the culmination of it all, when he was the first Texas Lombardi finalist since Tony DeGrate. He finished the season as 1st Team All-American with 76 tackles, 8.5 sacks and 24 TFL.

sco07 reddingSurprisingly, C-Red was not drafted until the 3rd round of the 2003 Draft by the Detroit Lions. He didn’t get into the starting lineup until the following season. Redding strung together 66 consecutive starts from defensive end, and then later kicked inside to tackle for the Lions. His best season came in 2006, when Cory recorded 39 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 8 sacks. He was rewarded with a generous contract by the Lions who made him team captain and the highest paid defensive tackle in the league.By 2008 injuries ended C-Red’s streak, as groin and knee injuries placed him on injured reserve in December of that season. Needing to free up some cap space and fix their team, the Lions traded Cory to the Seattle Seahawks in 2009 in exchange for LB Julian Peterson and a 5th round pick. Starting 3 games that season, Redding had 2 sacks, 18 tackles, and 2 FF. Left unprotected, he’d sign with the Baltimore Ravens and have some memorable situations showing up at the right time in big games, starting 22 games over the next two seasons and recording 7.5 sacks and 60 tackles. After the 2011 season, (much to my chagrin,) he’d play his final season for the Indianapolis Colts.

bow03 reddingI had gotten word on the radio of Cory’s new shop opening up in Austin off of 1300 the Zone. I then checked out his Twitter feed to confirm and then ordered the cards I needed since I hadn’t been able to find any the last time I visited the card shop. He apparently comes from a family that loves to cut hair, and he grew up around that environment, so going into the clipping business seems like quite a natural fit for the former defensive tackle. C-Red’s shop handles all the old fashioned trimmings and cuts, but also does the warm towel treatments and flat razor shaves- something I enjoyed immensely. Cory was really nice and engaging with fans. It did start off slowly, but as the 5 O’clock hour approached, things seemed to be extremely happening. I could tell he was very excited about the whole thing. He was more than happy to sign a few cards and take a photo with me.  When I asked him why he didn’t respond to my twitter question, he told me that “He doesn’t talk to people who wear masks.” He and I then shared a laugh about it since in my profile picture I do have a mask on. There were a few Longhorns who showed up including Rod Babers, Rodrique Wright, and Mark Henry “The Strongest Man in the World”. I briefly had a stare down with Mark- and quickly lost.

redd'sI later saw Cory again at the Austin Longhorn Youth Foundation’s Bowling tournament the next day. He smiled and told me I was looking dapper with my new haircut.  All in all a very good experience meeting Cory and well worth taking the small amount of time off from work to see him open his shop. You can visit his barber shop’s web portal at: http://www.reddshaircutz.com.

 

 

G/Gs  145/114       Tac  263    Sac  27.5    Fum 10      Int  1    Yds 0   Avg 0.0  Td 0  Lg 0

 

NFL

Pitts, Chester (2)


Acquired: In Person, 6/10/11, 610 Houston Fan Fest III
See Also: Chester Pitts

Chester Pitts is considered the first ironman of the Houston Texans and has garnered the nickname “Mr. Texan” from fans. Outside of former kicker Kris Brown, Pitts had logged the most games played in a row on the team roster with 114 games started. He saw the beginnings of the franchise, as one of the team’s second round draft choice in 2002 after David Carr and Jabar Gaffney.  He’d play through the team’s tenure under Dom Capers and Charlie Casserly, and into the current Kubiak era- a total of seven solid seasons, before 2 games into his 8th he suffered a catastrophic injury and spent the rest of 2009 on IR. As it was a contract year, the team allowed him to bolt via free agency to the Seattle Seahawks for 2010.  Chester started 5 games for the Seahawks, and made the playoffs for the first time in his career.

I slid over to Chester’s line at Fan Fest, after striking out on Danieal Manning, whose line was closing. I waited maybe two minutes before I was up front and talked to him a little bit. When I asked him if he was still with Seattle he told me that he was pretty much retired now. Pitts was looking noticeably slimmer and later admitted he had lost about 30 pounds off of his playing weight. He’s now working as a financial advisor and is an advocate for better fiscal responsibility by former NFL players.

I had a card for Chester, but he had already signed it. No other manufacturer other than Score ever made one of Chester in his tenure as a Texan. Probably a slight on him because he played on such horrible lines. Still he was a solid blocker for his time with the team and I hope he gets the recognition he deserves for his time with the Texans organization.