Tag Archives: Tennessee Titans

NFL, University of Texas

Jackson, Lee ‘Lee J’

tntcol ljackson Card: TNT College
Acquired: In Person 2016, Mighty Fine Burgers Battle of the Beast

Lee Jackson has had an interesting football career. He arrived at the University of Texas in 1998, in the same year the school hired coach Mack Brown. He overhauled the defense, and Jackson got the nod at Free Safety in 1999, and was named as Texas’ Most Outstanding Defensive Newcomer.  In 2000, things went sideways when Jackson suffered a nagging season long hamstring injury.  Buried on the depth chart, Jackson was given an opportunity to shift to linebacker by the coaching staff in 2001 and after an encouraging Spring things were looking up.  Lee then had a toe injury that sidelined him for the season. In the meantime the Longhorns saw the emergence of All American Derrick Johnson at linebacker.  Still it was onward and upward for Jackson in 2002.  With a full injury free season at linebacker in 2003,  Lee capped his career recovering a pair of fumbles and returning one 46 yards for a touchdown to help the Longhorns earn a 35-20 win against LSU in the Cotton Bowl.

With an intriguing pro day, Jackson became a priority free agent after the 2003 draft. He’d be signed by the Tennessee Titans but did not make the squad.  Jackson quickly found his footing… as an actor, joining the cast of Friday Night Lights.

Lee is frequently seen at UT events- or at least the ones I go to. I first met him way back at the UT Neighborhood Alumni Bowling Tournament in 2013. He and I just sat there chilling while everybody else bowled talking about football. Later I ran into him at the grand opening of Derrick Johnson’s new sport performance gym in 2014. I caught up with him and I brought up football cards and how he was on Tecmo Rose Bowl. He was excited to know I was involved with those things. It took me a long time to find a photo, but eventually I got his card made. In 2016, I ran into him at the Mighty Fine event and gave him his card. He was very touched by what I did and I know it meant a lot to him. We exchanged pleasantries and talked for about 15 minutes.

Some of my fellow collectors call him ‘Hollywood Longhorn’,  but I scoff at that notion, because Jackson’s career contributions are frequently overlooked due to his injuries and position changes. To me, his LSU game alone justifies him in any course.

 

NFL, University of Texas

Studdard, Kasey (2)

tntcol studdardmem studdard 3 phoCard: TNT College, Photo Memorabilia
Acquired: IP 4/16/2015, Sam’s Wholesale Lakeline Grand Opening
See Also: Kasey Studdard ‘Studly Stud’

I was really surprised that nobody had made a card of Kasey Studdard. The well decorated Texas offensive lineman culminated his career blocking for Vince Young in the Rose Bowl victory over #1 USC. He was later selected by the Texans in 2007 and later briefly played in 2013 for the Titans. While the former Longhorn only started 13 games over his career, his years of service in the NFL has definitely allowed him to pursue his dreams and personal hobbies.  An avid outdoorsman, Studdard currently dabbles in Sunday morning radio, spends plenty of time working the charity circuit, while he plays golf.  Kasey really liked this custom I did of him. In fact- I think he liked the poster I did of Vince Young more than VY did too.

NFL

Moulds, Eric

pp96 emouldsCards: Presspass 1996, Playoff Contenders 2002
Acquired: TTM 2016, C/o Home
Sent: 2/8     Received: 2/20  (12 days)
Failure: 2012, C/o Home

Eric Moulds was an exceptional receiver for the Mississippi State Bulldogs during his time there at the college. At the time of his departure from the school, he was their all-time leading receiver with 17 career TDs. He also set the single game school record with 15 receptions against the Volunteers.  Overall he played in 31 contests and had 118 receptions for 2,022 yards and 17 TDs.

The 1996 draft was one of the deepest receiver drafts in modern memory.  Among the other names in this draft were: Marvin Harrison, Terry Glenn, Keyshawn Johnson, Amani Toomer, Mushin Muhammed, Eddie Kennison, Joe Horn, Terrell Owens, and Jermaine Lewis.  The Bills drafted him at 24th overall, and he’d bide his time as the heir apparent behind future HoFer Andre Reed playing on special teams.

In 1998, Eric became the face for a new generation for Bills fans with a breakout season. Starting 15 games he made 67 receptions for 1,368 yards, a gaudy 20.4 yards per reception and 9 TDs.  (His 1,368 yards led the AFC.) While the team experienced inconsistency at quarterback, Moulds continued to produce, and was named to the Pro Bowl again for his 2000 and 2002 campaigns respectively. Notably his 2002 season would be the first time any Bills receiver recorded 100 or more receptions.
poff02 emouldsBy 2005 Moulds contract numbers were reaching over 10 million a year for a 30+ year old receiver. The Bills and Eric came to terms that it was time to move on and traded him to the Texans for a 5th round pick. Eric chose the Texans over the Eagles because he wanted the opportunity to play alongside upcoming receiver Andre Johnson. It seemed to be a win/win situation as the Texans also wanted Moulds to bring a veteran presence to the wideout corps. I remember being extremely excited about this move.

It was a time of transition for the Houston Texans. Gone was former coach Dom Capers, but the remnants of Charlie Casserley’s decisions were still there in quarterback David Carr.  The Texans hoped that Moulds could take pressure off of Johnson, who was drawing double and triple teams from defenses, but things didn’t work out that way. He finished with 57 receptions for 557 yards and a career low 9.1 yard average. In 2007 the Texans decided to  reshuffle their receiver corps. With  free agent Andre Davis signed, Kevin Walter starting to come into his own, draftee Jacoby Jones in the fold, and David Anderson making noise, the writing was on the wall for Moulds. He’d be cut ending his brief tenure with the Texans.  The always receiver needy Titans kicked the tires and decided to bring Moulds in. He started 8 games for Tennessee in 2007 recording 32 receptions for 342 yards.

Moulds is still remembered fondly by Bills fans. Perhaps if his career didn’t straddle over the late 90s and early 00s, on such bad teams with quarterback issues, he’d also be regarded with much more fanfare throughout the league. Still- Eric made an impression with the Bills faithful and was honored by Buffalo as a member of their 50th Anniversary Team in 2009.

I hoped that way back in 2012, Moulds would be my first success of the year. Unfortunately I got an RTS instead. I bode my time until he resurfaced this year and shot out the cards again and surprisingly got these great autographs back in 12 days flat.

Rec 764    Yds 9995      Avg 13.1     Td 49    Lg 84t
Rush 29    Yds 163     Avg 5.6    Td 0   Lg 29
KR   52     Yds 1205    Avg 23.2   Td 1   Lg 97t