Tag Archives: St. Louis Rams

CFL, NFL, WLAF

Garrett, Judd

 wcardwlaf92 garrettultwlaf1992 garrett llpsetwlaf91 garrettpset91wl ju garrettpsetwlaf91 garrett wbpsetwlaf91 garrett ll

 Cards: ProSet WLAF 1991, Ultimate WLAF 1992, ProSet WLAF 1991 LL, ProSet WLAF 1991 WB, Ultimate WLAF 1992 LL, Wild Card WLAF 1992
Acquired: In Person 1993, TTM 2011, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp, C/o The Dallas Cowboys
Sent: 8/13  Received: 8/20  (7 days)
Failure: 2010, C/o The Dallas Cowboys

The Garrett family has a long lineage of players who have made it to the professional level. Father Jim, and brothers Jason and John have all played or coached in the NFL or WLAF.

Judd Garrett was drafted in the 12th round of the 1990 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. He’d be released, but quickly placed on Dallas’ IR list. The WLAF London Monarchs would draft Judd to play runningback for the team in 1991.  While Garrett would spend very little of his time rushing the ball, he’d be an exceptional receiver out of the backfield, making a league high 71 receptions in 1991. In World Bowl I, he’d set a World League record with 13 receptions during the game. He’d return to the Monarchs in 1992, and while the team sunk, Judd would still amass 55 more receptions, finishing his brief career as the WLAF’s leading receiver with 126 catches.  He’s also notable as being the first points scored in the WLAF as he was stuffed in the endzone by the Frankfurt Galaxy for a safety.

ult92 jugarrettAfter playing for the WLAF he’d sign with the Cowboys again. I’d get his autograph at camp but he’d not make the squad. Garrett would play in the CFL for two seasons after that with the Las Vegas Posse (1994) and the San Antonio Texans (1995) before his playing career ended.

Judd went into coaching where he’s served with the Saints (1997-1999), Dolphins (2000-2005), Rams (2006-2007) and is currently serving in the front office of the Cowboys along with his brothers Jason and John.  I attempted to get the autographs of all 3 earlier this year, but met with no success.  I sent again just to Judd in early August and was happy to get a seven day turn around plus a very nice thank-you letter for being a fan and for following him and the league.

G/Gs N/a     Rush  28         Yds    78         Avg  2.8     Td 0    Lg 15   |
Rec  126     Yds  1129    Avg 9.0   Td 2    Lg 47

 

NFL

Conlan, Shane

Cards:  Action Packed 1992, ProSet 1989, Upper Deck 1992, Topps 1990
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o home
Sent: 7/5  Received:  8/3  (26 days)

After an All-American career playing outside linebacker at Penn State, Shane Conlan would be drafted by the Buffalo Bills with the 8th pick of the 1987 draft after trading down from the 3rd pick with the Houston Oilers, (who took Alonzo Highsmith). He’d be the third linebacker off the board after Cornelius Bennett and Mike Junkin.  An impressively stacked defensive draft, Conlan would not disappoint as he was named defensive rookie of the year after the strike shortened season. An impressive specimen of both speed and size Shane had an instinctive nose for the ball. He would be named All-Pro in 1987, 1988 and 1990, and go to the Pro Bowl from 1988-1990. After 6 seasons with the Bills and 3 SuperBowl appearances, Conlan would take his talents to the Los Angeles Rams in 1993 during the first year of free agency. He would play with the franchise through its transition to St. Louis and retire after the 1995 season.

Shane since retirement has been active in trying to improve former player benefits. (One of his teammates and friends from Penn State is former runningback Steve Smith, who suffers from ALS.) He’s also received accolades being named to the Bills’ 50th anniversary team and to the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. He currently works for Senior Management group in Wayne, PA .

Shane was nice enough to sign these cards in under a month. I offered to allow him to keep a few but he signed all 4 and the extra and returned them in the SASE. A very nice return as I liked all these cards- even the Topps 1990.

G/Gs 120/114   Tac  751    Sac 7.0   Fum 6
Int 5    Yds 36   Avg 7.2    Td 0    lg 28

NFL

Turk, Matt

Card: Pacific 1997
Acquired: TTM 2009,  Texans Blitz

Wow. Here’s another player that’s been playing since the twilight years of the Houston Oilers. Matt Turk like nearly all punters went undrafted coming out of college at Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1993.  He’d sign with his homestate Packers, but would not make the squad that season, or the Rams the following season in 1994.  In 1995, Matt found a home with the Washington Redskins where he’d punt from 1995-1999, earning Pro Bowl berths for his 96, 97, and 98 campaigns. For his 1996 season, Matt would earn AP honors with an outstanding 45.1 yard average and duplicate the feat again in 1997. He’d sign with the Dolphins in 2000, and punt 92 times that season, kicking a season long 70 yard punt. In 2002 Turk would play one season for the Jets, and then in 2003 returned to Miami to play two additional seasons for the Dolphins. He’d punt a career high 98 times in 2004. Out of work for 2005,  the Rams would play host to Matt in 2005 before he signed with the Houston Texans in 2007.

Unseating Chad Stanley (the Texans punter since the team’s inception,) Turk has punted for over 10,000 yards on a 42.2 yard average during his tenure and ranks second among active punters in yards. A big guy at 6’5″, 248, Matt is one of the larger punters in the league.

G 235      P  1100          Yds 46659          Avg    42.4       lg 77         Blk  3

12/3/2011- Turk would sign with the Jaguars but not win the punting job. He currently is a free agent contemplating retirement.