Tag Archives: ttm autograph

NFL

Mularkey, Mike ‘Inspector Gadget’

CARDS: Pro Set 1991 HoF Photo Contest, Fleer 1990, Score 1992, Playbook
ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home
SENT: 6/13/22 RECEIVED: 6/24/22 (11 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Mike Mularkey played college ball at Florida from 1980 to ’82.
  • He caught 55 passes for 628 yards and 3 TDs over his college career.
  • In 1983 signed with the San Fransisco 49ers as a 9th round pick, but ultimately finished the season on the roster of the Minnesota Vikings.
  • Caught first TD pass against Buccaneers in 1984, for one yard.
  • Known as a blocking TE, played for the Vikings through the ’88 season, catching 42 passes for 464 yards and 5 TDs.
  • Signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1989 and had a career high 22 receptions for 326 yards and a TD.
  • Recorded career highs again in ’90 catching 32 receptions for 365 yards and 3 TDs.
  • Retired after the 1991 season.
  • After a year off, went into coaching with Concordia University (MN) and was there for two years.
  • Quickly moved back to the NFL in 1994 working with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a quality control and then later a TE coach.
  • Returned to Pittsburgh in ’96 as a TE coach, and then later as the offensive coordinator (2001-’03).
  • In 2004 took his first head coaching job in Buffalo and coached the team to a 14-18 record over two seasons as the team had to manage a QB controversy in 2005.
  • After an odd season with the Nick Saban Dolphins as OC in 2006, and then Cam Cameron as his TE coach in 2007, Mike hopped over to the Falcons in 2008 where he was OC again.
  • Head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars for one season in 2012, posting a 2-14 record.
  • Stayed in the AFC South as the TE coach for the Tennessee Titans in 2013.
  • Then after Ken Whisenhunt was fired during the season in 2015, Mularkey finished out the season, posting a 2-7 record.
  • Kept on board as the HC, Whisenhunt rebuilt the Titans, and in 2016 and 2017 posted a 9-7 record- making the playoffs in the latter.
  • Served as a TE coach for the Falcons in 2019, retiring from coaching after the season.

ACCOLADES:

  • Assistant Coach of the Year 2001
  • Offensive Coordinator of the Year 2010

NOTES:

Yes! What a play drawn up by Mike! Randle El Shovel 68 (Pitch to Randle El. Shovel to Jerome.) Pretty neat! He even wrote in a few player names including Bettis, Hines, Kordell Stewart and Randle El. So we know for certain this play came from his golden era with the Steelers between 2001-’03. Mike’s nickname ‘Inspector Gadget’ came from his penchant for gadget plays during his time with Pittsburgh.

To be honest, Mike got no respect. I remember when the Titans hired him as their head coach, everyone, even flaming tacks fans were snickering or uninspired by the choice- but much to Mike’s credit, he did build a successful team, and then he was run out of town.. after making the playoffs!

NFL, NFLE

Beach, Sanjay

CARDS: Pro Set 1992, Skybox Premium 1993-94
ACQUIRED: TTM 2024, C/o Home
SENT: 9/10/24 RECEIVED: 1/14/26 (491 days)
FAILURE: TTM 2021, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Sanjay Beach played WR from 1985-’87 at Colorado State.
  • He caught 85 passes for 1074 yards and 3 TDs, and returned 68 kicks for 1557 yards and a TD.
  • Undrafted in ’88, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys- but was cut in the preseason due to injury.
  • Signed with the Jets in 89 and was elevated off the practice squad for a game.
  • Joined the 49ers as a free agent in ’90, again spending the season on the practice squad.
  • Cracked the team in 1991 at the bottom of the WR depth chart.
  • Caught 4 passes, and did some work on special teams that year.
  • In 1992, signed as a Plan B Free Agent with the Packers.
  • Caught his first professional TD, and the first pass (not to himself) from Brett Favre.
  • Finished the season with 17 receptions for 122 yards.
  • Returned to the ‘9ers during the 93 campaign, and again saw seldom playing time catching 5 passes.
  • Released in 1994, Sanjay signed with the Amsterdam Admirals of the World League in 1995.
  • He caught a career high 27 passes for 383 yards and a TD.
  • Signed with ‘9ers a 3rd time in 1995 but did not make the squad.
  • Had one final hurrah with the Broncos in ’96 but was released before the regular season.
  • Currently works in the financial sector.

NOTES:

I mean I noticed all my friends had gotten back an autograph from Sanjay so I wondered what happened to mine. I went ahead and sent a new request out almost 3 years later and waited another year or so, and here it is… in ball point pen.. Ah well.

Sanjay is the first person of Indian descent to play professional gridiron football in the NFL.

NFL, NFLE, XFL

Baisley, Jaime

CARD: Topps XFL 2001
ACQUIRED: TTM 2025, C/o Work
SENT: 6/24 RECEIVED: 7/21 (27 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Jaime Baisley played LB at Indiana.
  • A two year starter, he posted 207 total tackles, an interception and 3 fumble recoveries.
  • Undrafted, he’d sign with the Jaguars in 1997, and then ended up playing in the NFLE for two seasons with the Rhein Fire.
  • In 1999 he finished second on the team with 41 tackles, 2 sacks, and a forced fumbles in 5 starts.
  • Returned to the Fire in 2000, and had 26 tackles and a sack.
  • 10th round pick of the XFL Chicago Enforcers in 2001.
  • Became the leader of the defense and had 64 total tackles and an interception for the Enforcers.
  • Is an executive for a executive search firm.

NOTES:

My friend Joe has been chomping at this set for a bit and threw out an address for me on this one.