Tag Archives: star pics 1991

NFL

Flannery, John

pset91 flannerysco91supp flanneryud92 flanneryspics91 flanneryCards: ProSet 1991, Score Supplemental 1991, Upper Deck 1992, Star Pics 1991, Classic 1991.
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Syracuse Alumni Association
Sent: 6/1    Received: 7/11  (40 days)

John Flannery was a multifaceted offensive lineman for the Syracuse Orangemen during the late 1980s. He played guard his rookie season and then shifted quickly towards center by his senior year, cementing his legacy as the college’s best snapper since Doug Marrone. The Syracuse offensive line was considered the best in the nation, and Flannery was considered the best of the bunch, helping the school challenge for the national title in 1987. At 6’4″, 304, John had the tools to excel at the next level, and an eye popping combine that helped cement his draft status running a 4.98 40. A decorated lineman, he received All-American honors in both 1990 and 1991 and was co-captain of the team, finishing as a semi-finalist for the Lombardi and Outland Trophies for the nation’s best lineman. As an added bonus he could play on special teams as a long snapper.

A solid prospect coming out of college, Flannery parlayed an excellent Senior Bowl game into becoming a second round choice of the Houston Oilers in 1991. Later in the 3rd round, Houston selected Kevin Donnalley as well. This draft actually proved to be a fairly solid one for the Oilers, with Darryll Lewis, Steve Jackson, Marcus Robertson, Gary Brown, Shawn Jefferson, Gary Wellman, and Mike Dumas– all seeing significant playing time and decent careers in the league. The Oilers were very deep on the line, but with the declining health of Dean Steinkuhler and Mike Munchak, there was always room for depth, so both Flannery and Donnalley made the team as well. Flannery drew the unenviable opening day task and trial by fire of blocking Los Angeles Raiders’ defensive end Howie Long.  John in the end performed well limiting him to only 2 tackles, while opening up running lanes for both Allen Pinkett and Gary Brown. He started 8 games for the team that year, as Bruce Matthews moved to center to cover for Doug Dawson. For his efforts, Flannery earned All-Rookie team honors that season.

cla91 flanneryA knee injury sidelined Flannery for the entire 1993 season, but he came back and started the entire 1994 campaign for the team, replacing retired Mike Munchak. As the salary cap ratcheted up on the Oilers in 1995, the team cut many players in order to stay afloat. In order to keep Bruce Matthews in the mix, John and his 900k salary was cut. Flannery signed with the Green Bay Packers, over the Jaguars, where he was expected to start at left guard- but a failed physical due to his knee injury, sent him packing back to Houston for more rehab and another medical opinion. Given a clean bill of health, John signed as an UFA with the Dallas Cowboys in 1996. The team decided to roll with Flannery at right guard, (allowing the team to shift Larry Allen from guard to tackle,) but injuries limited John to 1 game. Returning in 1997, he started 4 games for the Cowboys. 1998 saw John make one final change of scenery, as he moved to St. Louis to play center for the Rams. In that final season he’d start 15 games for the team and make his first and only reception for 2 yards. After tearing his ACL in training camp in 1999, John finally decided to hang up his cleats.

He currently lives in Houston as where he works in the oil industry as an estimator.  He kindly signed these cards for me care of the Syracuse alumni association. While John is not the most recognizable of names, he did have a fairly long, respectable, and battle scarred campaign in the NFL.

G/Gs  80/46

 

NFL

Reed, Jake

Cards: Score 1991, Score 1991 Supplemental, Star Pics 1991
Acquired: TTM 2012, C/o Home
Sent: 5/6      Recieved: 12/3   (206 days)

A third-round choice in the 1991 draft by the Minnesota Vikings, Jake Reed is considered a part of the Herschel Walker trade as he was part of the future picks that switched hands in order to get the deal done between the Cowboys and Vikings. Originally a ‘wingback’ from Grambling- there was a lot of intrigue surrounding Reed and how he’d fit into a Pro style offense. (A wingback lines up directly next to a down lineman and then moves in motion staying upright and a step back at the other end of the line, to make catches, block, or rush with the ball. Probably the most famous wingback was Jim Thorpe. It certainly is a throwback position and is rarely used these days.)  Jake had all the measurables and work ethic, but not the experience at receiver, playing there sparingly over his college career; However, with Cris Carter and Anthony Carter on the outside, the Vikings could afford to be patient.

It wasn’t until 1994, with the retirement of AC culminating with the team’s trade for Warren Moon that allowed Reed to finally take flight. He’d post 4 straight 1,100+ yard seasons for the Vikings, and Jake (85) paired alongside Cris Carter (122) set an NFL record for receiver duos with 207 catches. Reed became a dangerous verticle threat averaging a career high 18.3 yards per reception in  1996. Oddly over this period Reed never got the respect he deserved, and never was named to the Pro Bowl. In 1998, injuries and new receiver Randy Moss took their toll on Reed’s production. After the 1999 season, he’d sign with the New Orleans Saints. One and done with the Saints in 2000, Reed again returned to Minnesota, as a valued backup. He’d come off the bench and make 27 receptions for 309 yards and a touchdown. Oddly Jake then turned around and signed again with the New Orleans Saints in 2002, making 3 touchdowns on 21 receptions to call it a career.

Jake enjoys coaching, and was briefly the owner of the Frisco Thunder, an indoor football team of the Intense Football League in 2007.  In 2012 Reed was inducted into the Grambling Hall of Fame. Reed was a first-team All-SWAC honoree in 1989 (2nd team) and 1990, leading all Grambling receivers as a senior with 954 yards and a 20-yard average per catch. Jake was honored to be one a select few players from Grambling to be invited to the Senior Bowl in 1990 as well. Reed also is still a Vikings fan through and through.

I really liked the Score ’91 and the Star Pics of Reed in his Grambling uniform. The photo of him on the Score card makes Reed almost look like a superhero, the way he bursts off of the page. There was a ProSet card, that I completely forgot about, and it was a great card and photo of him, but ah well. Reed is another player that I had found through SotL (before it went to a news feed format,) that I had been trying to track down. It did take a while but I was happy to get these three back in a bit over 200 days.

G/Gs 155/90   Rec  450   Yds  6999   Avg  15.6    Td  36    Lg 82t

Arena, NFL, NFLE

Agee, Mel “Big Bopper” (1968-2008)

Card: Star Pics 1991
Acquired: TTM 1992, C/o The Indianapolis Colts

Widely regarded as one of the best defensive lineman to come through the University of Illinois at 6’5″, 300,  Mel Agee was a stand out player while playing for the Fightin’ Illini notching 15 sacks. With a nice burst and a good first move off the line, the Colts made the “Big Bopper” their 6th round draft choice in 1990, and he’d make the roster of the team making 29 tackles and a forced fumble mainly on mop up duty and starting in just one game his rookie season.   His 1992 season was pretty much lost in the lineup or injured as Mel suited up for one game but did not make a tackle.

1993 saw a shift of addresses to Atlanta for the Bopper. He’d have his best season playing in Atlanta’s 3-4 set up, making career highs with 43 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 7 starts.  1994 and 1995 would see Agee slide into the background again, and by the end of that season he’d retire.

In 1998 his number was dialed up by the Frankfurt Galaxy of the NFLE and Agee made 2 sacks before returning stateside to play for the Arena Football League. Over a 5 year career with the Tampa Bay Storm Mel made 8 receptions for 51 yards and 5 TDs. He’d also make 25 tackles, 9 pass blocks and 3 fumble recoveries before finally retiring in 2002.  Tragically, in 2008, Mel passed away of a sudden heart attack.