Tag Archives: Tennessee Titans

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

Griffin, Michael

sco11 griffinad10 mgriffin

Cards: Adrenalyn 2011, Score 2011
Acquired: IP, Aaron Williams Lone Star Showcase 2015
See Also: Michael Griffin (2)

A two way star for Bowie High School in Austin, Griffin elected to go to the University of Texas. Michael was moved exclusively to defense where he played in every game, starting two games as a true Freshman. In 2005, he set the school single season record for punt blocks with 4. Over his career at UT, he posted 238 tackles,  four interceptions, five forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, 11TFL, three sacks, and a UT school record six blocked punts.

The Tennessee Titans selected Griffin with their #1 pick (19th overall)  of the 2007 draft.  Michael has provided solid coverage in the secondary for the tacks starting 119 games through 2014, earning 2 Pro Bowl appearances. In 2008 Michael logged a career high 7 interceptions for 172 yards and a TD.

Griffin was a last minute committal to Aaron Williams’ Lone Star Showcase. I had a few cards that I really wanted to get signed and this Adrenalyn was among the tops of that list.   It’s really easy to spot Michael in a crowd due to his dreads and he was the first player I identified. With fans, Michael has a great sense of humor and really likes yanking people’s chains by making them think he is angry with them.

College Football HoF, NFL, usfl, XFL

Millard, Keith

sco89 millardCards: ProSet 1990, ProSet 1990 Defensive Player of the Year, Score 1989.
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o Home
Sent: 7/7   Received: 7/18   (11 days)
Failure: TTM 2011, C/o The Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Considered one of the top defensive talents from the Pac-10 when he arrived on the pro scene in 1984 from Washington State, Keith Millard was drafted by the Vikings in the first round, but opted to sign with the USFL Jacksonville Bulls instead for the 1985 season. There in his only season he recorded 12 sacks to lead the team and its improved defense.  Later that year, Keith joined the Vikings.

pset90 millard dpotyHe was listed as a nose tackle, but kicked out to defensive tackle frequently, starting 5 games, and nabbing 11 sacks alongside equally formidable defensive end Chris Doleman. In 1986, he recorded his first interception, and again hit double digits with 10.5 sacks. After the strike shortened 1987 season, Keith returned to form for Minnesota with his first All-Pro season in 1988. 1989 was a year for the ages, as he recorded a record 18 sacks from the defensive tackle position. In addition, he had a 48 yard interception, and a fumble recovery that he rumbled, bumbled, and stumbled 31 yards with for a TD. The gargantuan year netted him NFL Defensive Player of the Year Honors for 1989. During the 4th game of the year in 1990, Keith jumped over a cut block, but tore his ACL- ending his season. The injury wore on Millard. He would not return to the field until 1992 for the Packers and Seahawks. After a brief rennaissance in 1993, playing for the Eagles, Keith decided to hang up his cleats for good.

Keith is quite the accomplished veteran positional coach.  He got his start with the Los Angeles Dragons of the shortlived SFL, then joined the San Fransisco Demons of the XFL in 2001. This was followed by  three year stints on the Denver Broncos (2001-2004) and  Oakland Raiders (2005-2008).  After a brief return to the college level, Millard coached with Tampa Bay in 2011 and Tennessee in 2012.

pset90 millardWell decorated, Millard is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame,  the NFL All-1980s team, a member of the All-Time USFL Second Team, and in 2010 was named one of the Top 50 Minnesota Vikings of all time.

I had been after Keith Millard for quite sometime, and it finally paid off. Millard is a solid signer actually. I just didn’t have the right luck with him. I though that I had already failed with him on two previous occasions but the records only showed one. He was kind enough to write me back on Titans stationery, thanking me for the letter, apologizing for the previous trip-ups, and enclosing an additional card. I really appreciate players who take TTM very seriously, and those who take it seriously enough that they need to ensure that their reputation remains solid with their fans. Class act!

USFL   Tac N/a   Sac 12.0   Fum N/a
Int N/a   Yds N/a    Avg   N/a    Td N/a   Lg -.-

NFL  93/69    Tac  N/a     Sac 58       Fum  10
Int 2     Yds 65     Avg 32.5      Td  0      Lg 48