Tag Archives: skybox 1992

NFL

Townsend, Greg (2)



Cards: Fleer 1990, SkyBox 1992, Pacific 1992
Acquired: In Person 2011, @ “Raider Image” 8/27 (signing fee)
Previous Posting:  http://n8d.flywheelsites.com/2010/townsend-greg/

Thanks to my autograph colleague Edgar over at myautographsignings.com for the tip on this one -as I had been really baffled as to the lack of autograph signings locally by players. I found out that Greg was appearing  at the local “Raider Image” in Montebello Mall a few weeks back and I had hoped to have caught him at Ontario instead, but was busy that week with family. On a hot August day we trekked to the mall to see him. Cards and photos with Greg were reasonably priced at 5.00 a piece, so I dropped a 20 and grabbed 3 cards and a photo. I talked to Greg for a bit where he told me that the blocker he had the most trouble with was Lomas Brown (Lions) who with his long wingspan kept him regularly at bay. He comically remarked about that it seemed that many of the best blocking offensive linemen all had the last name Brown.

After talking at lengths with him I offered my remaining cards for him to keep. He glowed when he looked at the cards. He remembered the Upper Deck 1991 Team MVP card specifically- because of what he had to do to get to Chicago Bears quarterback Jim Harbaugh who he posthumously suplexed. Townsend also mentioned how he specifically loved the Action Packed cards because of the embossed profile and edges.  I had this photo below in mind to take with Greg. Always great with fans, he was more than happy to accommodate me with a manly arm clasp which really got the crowd going.

NFL

Sharpe, Sterling

Cards: SkyBox 1992, Action Packed 1992, Score 1990 HC, ProSet 1989, ProSet 1990 LL
Acquired: TTM 1993, 2011, C/o The Green Bay Packers, C/o The NFL Network
Sent: 5/27   Received: 6/7  (11 days)
Address:   c/o NFL Network  10950 Washington Blvd.  #100  Culver City, CA 90232*

I was pretty disappointed in the SkyBox and Action Packed autographs I got back in 1993. I thought they were fakes and added them to the collection; However after further study this years it appears that Sterling Sharpe perhaps had a very boring autograph or a ghost signer at the time. Recent success through the NFL Network shows a grandiose signature, while earlier in his career it looks like… a signature on the dotted line.

After attending South Carolina, Sterling Sharpe would be drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the 1988 draft. Overall he went 7th and was the highest rated wide receiver off the board. Sharpe’s first season would be respectable. He’d have 55 receptions for 875 yards and 5 touchdowns working with primarily Don Majkowski. In 1990 Sterling would lead the league in receptions with 90 and be named to his first of 5 Pro Bowls and 5 APs. In 1992 he’d form a great bond with quarterback Brett Favre, and record a season for the ages leading the league in all receiving categories and lodging 107 receptions, becoming of only 7 players to do so. 1993 would see him break his own record, and he’d become the first player to record back to back 100+ receiving seasons. 1994 would see Sharpe lead the league in touchdown receptions with a career high 18. and Sterling appeared to be on his way to another great season for 1995 but he suffered a career ending neck stinger.  Sterling has become a successful commentator after his retirement working for NBC, CBS, ESPN and the NFL Network.

I sent off for his autograph in late May of 2011. Recent successes that I’d seen on the web had indicated as many as 5 signatures per attempt, but I didn’t want to pester him, so I went with the two Pro Set 1990 cards and this rare Score 1990 Hot Card. (The Hot Cards were only packaged in blister packs sold for retail in places like Target and Toys ‘R Us.) Even though the Hot Card does not have the most amazing looking pose of Sterling, it was still a really nice design. I got the additional autographed cards back in 11 days, and you can tell the difference in the grandiose autograph, from the signatures I got back in 1993.

G/Gs 112/112     Rec 595       Yds  8195      Avg 13.7       Td   65    Lg  79

*Forwarded and postmarked from South Carolina.

NFL

Craig, Roger

Cards: Pro Set 1991, Score 1990, Action Packed Rookies 1991
Acquired:  TTM 1993, C/o The Minnesota Vikings
See Also: Roger Craig (2)

Drafted by the 49ers out of Nebraska in the 2nd round of the 1983 draft, Roger Craig originally played fullback. Probably one of the most balanced runningbacks of the late modern era, Roger was a good runner, great pass blocker, and an amazing receiver. In 1985 he was named to his first Pro Bowl after leading the NFL with 92 receptions- the only time a fullback has ever done that, and also in that same season he became the first player to rush and receive over 1000 yards in the same season. In 1987, Roger moved to runningback, and was named to the ProBowl again and became the first player to be named to the ProBowl as both a runningback and a fullback. The following season Craig would lead the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 2036 yards, and win ProBowl and AP honors. He’d also win offensive player of the year honors. 1989 would be Craig’s last impact 1000 yard season, and by 1990 injuries would begin to shorten his career.

In 1991, Craig would sign with Ronnie Lott via Plan B to the Los Angeles Raiders starting 13 games. He’d leave again in 1992 and play his final 2 season for the Minnesota Vikings, where I got his autograph in 1993 on these 3 cards.  Roger is a perennial winner amazingly playing in the playoffs all 13 seasons of his career and was elected to the All 1980s NFL team. Another player who has gotten the shaft from the HoF, Roger Craig has not been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, despite having 3 SuperBowl rings and over 13000 yards from scrimmage.

If you want Roger’s autograph, it’s a 5-15 dollar charge per card now for it typically TTM. He’s a great signer however, and I’ve heard of fans sending him 5 or 6 cards for the fee and him having no problem signing that. At a later date when I have a job, and money, -Roger is on my short list to reconnect to.

G/Gs 165/133     Rush  1991         Yds  8189       Avg   4.1   Td   56    Lg  71    |
Rec  566    Yds 4911    Avg  8.7    Td  17      Lg  73