Tag Archives: tennessee oilers

NFL

Jackson, Steve (2) (DB)

to94 sjacksonCards: Topps Stadium Club 1994, Topps 1994, GameDay 1994
Acquired: IP 7/11/15, Houston Oilers 25th Anniversary Party
See Also: Steve Jackson

All smiles from Steve Jackson, the matridee of the Houston Oilers 25th Anniversary Party and president of Steve Jackson Foundation as everything for the event seemed to go off perfectly. Dapperly dressed in a plaid jacket, Steve was incredibly friendly, even going so far as to invite any and all Houston Oilers fans to the afterparty at Prospect Park. Once I finally got to him, he was more than happy to sign all these cards for me.

gday94 jacksonHe knew I was a true fan when I talked to him about the Oilers 10-3 win over the San Fransisco 49ers at Candlestick Park in 1993. It was the first time in over 10 years the 49ers had been held without a TD in their home stadium. Jackson would seal the deal, picking Steve Young off in the endzone as TE Brent Jones committed a flagrant facemask to try to get Jackson to drop the ball.

Jackson also knew exactly what moment the Topps 1994 took place as well, telling me that if they had instant replay back then in 1993, this play would have sealed the game against the Chiefs in the playoffs. Still Steve managed to pick off Joe Montana as well, but the Oilers fell 28-20. A valuable and impressive special teams contributor, Steve played with the Oilers through their transition to Tennessee, and has since spent time coaching at the pro ranks.

tosc94 sjacksonAt the time of the production of these cards, I was completely out of the market. Both of the Topps relesases (base Topps and Stadium Club) are daring in presentation, but garish by today’s standards. The Stadium Club entry is a complete departure from their previous entries. Abandoning the style completely that distinguished Stadium Club from other entries, I’m not really sure if it had a positive impact on sales.  The Topps 1994 base card with its rounded design is a nice departure from the angular designs that Topps settled into there over the last 15 years or so, but the type feels completely out of place, with the formal script and the square sans serif occupying the same space so near eachother. Again nothing but good things to say about Gameday. The card lets the picture do most of the talking and keeps everything neatly at the bottom.

NFL

Donnalley, Kevin

spics91 donnalleyCards: ProSet 1991, Score 1991, Star Pics 1991
Acquired:  TTM 2013, C/o  Home
Sent: 12/16     Received: 1/6   ( days)

The Houston Oilers drafted  Kevin Donnalley in the 3rd round of the 1991 draft. The team liked his size and versatility, where he joined fellow rookie John Flannery on the line. A prized drive blocker, Donnalley’s scouting report notes his great size, frame, and a good understanding of blocking angles and techniques. The Oilers felt that Kevin’s work ethic obviously outweighed his lack of experience and questions about his upper body strength. In the meantime the team felt they could groom him at tackle behind Don Maggs.

After starting inside at guard due to injuries decimating the line, Donnalley shifted outside to LT for the 1993 season, starting 6 contests. In 1994, Kevin was moved to right guard, – the position he’d play for the remainder of his time in the league.  Offensive systems and coaches changed, and even though the team went through salary cap hell in 1994, Donnalley remained with the franchise through pset91 donnalley1996 and its departure to Tennessee, playing with the Tennessee Oilers through 1997. He’d sign as a free agent with the Miami Dolphins in 1998, and later the Carolina Panthers in 2001.

It’d be with the Panthers that Donnalley probably is remembered best, paving the way for Stephen Davis at running back and blocking for quarterback Jake Delhome, during the team’s Super Bowl run in 2003, setting franchise records for fewest sacks allowed and total team rushing yards. After the Panthers improbable run, Donnalley retired, stating simply that, “I’m very tired” in 2004.

Kevin has been involved in coaching, public speaking, and spends time working for charities and foundations. A reliable signer, he signed these 3 cards in under a month’s time. The 1991 draft turned out to be a solid one for the Oilers as they were able to nab a lot of depth and future starters. It’s a shame that they had rolled against the salary cap, evidenced as many of their key players such as Kevin, departed to greater glory in other places.

sco91 donnalleyG/Gs  193/144

NFL

Bowden, Joe


Cards: StarPics 1992, Classic 1992, Upper Deck 1992, SkyBox 1992
Acquired: In Person, 1992,1994,1995 , Houston Oilers Training Camp
Failure: TTM 2010, C/o Central Oklahoma University

Joe Bowden was a talent coming out of OU back in 1992, and going in the 5th round to the Houston Oilers, I knew they had gotten him at a bargain price. At 5’11”, 230 the knock on Joe was that he was undersized to play linebacker, but Bowden certainly made up for it with a motor that never quit. He didn’t start any games in 1992, but in 1993 under Buddy Ryan got to start in 6 games, making a sack, fumble recovery and 28 tackles. Over the years the team transitioned to Tennessee and in 1999 Bowden would start 15 games at right linebacker, making 3.5 sacks, 1 interception, 2 FF and 36 tackles.  He’d sign with Dallas in 2000, and but not start any games and retire shortly afterwards.

At least when he played, Joe was an excellent signer in person. I sent out again for him in 2010, hoping to get what was left of my cards of him signed, however as of the time of this post, he has not responded from his work at Central Oklahoma University where he coaches.

G/Gs 139/84     Tac   306      Sac   12.5     Fum   9    Int  3    Yds  39     Avg   13.0       Td   1    Lg  29