Tag Archives: ttm autograph

College Football HoF, NFL, Pro Football HoF, Super Bowl MVP

Montana, Joe ‘Joe Cool’

aprks92 montanaCard: Action Packed Rookies 1992
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o The San Fransisco 49ers
Sent:  4/21        Received:  8/11         (114 days)

After striking out on Jerry Rice for the second time I decided to take a shot at Joe Montana. I had heard rumors that Montana signed TTM on occasion, so I studied his signing habits. It did not bother me that much that people said some of them were ghost signed, as there was no definitive proof of that. Once it came to my attention that the 49ers organization was having a sendoff to their former stadium, Candlestick Park, involving many former players in a flag football contest, I decided to make my move. Needless to say when I got the autograph in the mail I was very excited to have my crown jewel of 2014.

Joe Montana’s career is defined by his late game winning mechanics, 3 MVP trophies, and four Super Bowl victories. A perennial thorn in my side as a LA Rams fan, Joe always had more than enough to beat them with his last second heroics. Still I couldn’t help admire his ability. It wasn’t always like that for Montana. A perennial student of the game, Montana had a penchant for late game heroics spanning back to his time at Notre Dame, but a separated shoulder during his Sophomore season buried him on the depth chart. He’d regain form in time for his Senior season, but wasn’t highly regarded by scouts who felt that his arm strength was underwhelming. He’d be the 4th quarterback off the board at the end of the 3rd round, (behind Jack Thompson, Phil Simms, and Steve Fuller), to the San Fransisco 49ers and head coach Bill Walsh. Walsh was running his West Coast Offense that he brought over from San Diego. Montana backed up legendary journeyman quarterback Steve DeBerg as he honed his craft in 1979. It wouldn’t be until midway through the 1980 season that Montana assumed the reins of the franchise.

In 1981, a more seasoned Montana led the 49ers to consecutive victories over the Cowboys (“The Catch”) and their first SuperBowl appearance (XVI) and victory against the Cincinnati Bengals. Joe earned his first of 3 Super Bowl trophies for his efforts and MVP honors.  He’d win his second Super Bowl in 1984 (XIX) beating the high octane Miami Dolphins offense led by Dan Marino, when Joe threw for a record 331 yards culminating in his second MVP trophy and Championship.  In 1986, Montana suffered a near career ending back injury, but returned later in the year earning co-Comeback Player of the Year Honors with Vikings QB Tommy Kramer.  Walsh was always looking to groom his heir to Joe Montana, and by 1988 with the Super Bowl memories starting to fade, a full blown controversy developed between Montana and newcomer Steve Young. The 49ers returned to the big game in 1989, and Montana led the team to a comeback last minute victory over the Bengals that year shattering the passing record again with 357 yards.  In 1990, the indominable 49er dynasty looked unstoppable. Montana and the gang cruised to a 14-2 record, but Montana sustained a nasty elbow injury against the New York Giants during a loss in the NFC Championship Game.  Still, he earned the NFL MVP that season. Joe would sit out 1991 and 1992 rehabbing his injury. In the meantime, Steve Young fully matured into the 49ers starting quarterback role. Montana was eventually traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in 1993, playing for the team through the 1994 season before retiring.

Joe’s had his number retired by San Fransisco and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000. He’s also earned a bunch of retrospective All-decade honors and is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. Also of note is during the early 90’s Joe had his own self-titled NFL football game published by Sega that is rumored to be returning sometime soon.

G/Gs  192/164        Att  5391   Comp  3409      Yds 40,551    Pct  63.2%    Td 273      Int  179     Rat 92.3   |
Rush 457          Yds  1,676        Avg 3.7         Td 20        Lg 21

NFL, ufl

Rhodes, Dominic (2)

sco09 rhodesCards: Score 2009, TNT UFL 2011
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent:  4/11        Received: 4/17   (6 days)
Failure: TTM 2013, C/o Home
See Also: Dominic Rhodes

Dominic had signed previously TTM for me, and asked for a copy of the UFL customs I had done. It took me a while to get around to printing them out and I sent to Rhodes back in June of last year. The problem was Dominic had moved and the UFL had gone on indefinite ‘hiatus’. I tried contacting him both through Twitter and his foundation, but had no luck. It finally took me getting a new Meiselman list to track down Dom’s latest address in North Texas. Since I was having to go a bit out of my way to find him, I enclosed an extra or two to get signed. He responded in about a week personalizing the cards and wishing that the cards found me well, and quoted Bible scripture to me:

Phil 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

tntufl10 rhodesPretty cool, I just wish that the inscrpition was underneath his autograph. -Instead he wrote it on the card sleeve. While not the most pious or religious person, I do like it when players put scripture on their autograph. It tells me a bit about what they are thinking or what is going on in their lives.

Dominic returned to the UFL for the league’s swan song in 2012.
With the league imploading after 4 games, Dominic finished as the unquestioned career leading rusher of the UFL. He completed the season with 63 carries for 219 yards and a TD. Rhodes has been working out agressively and staying in shape, hoping for another shot with another team, but the odds of him getting the chance, at the age of 35 are now are slim.  It’s a shame because there is little wear and tear on the former Super Bowl Champion’s legs at all.

Unfortunately the UFL didn’t do a good job of tracking the numbers of their 2011 and 2012 seasons, however here are both Dominic’s NFL and UFL statistics I was able to cobble together:

NFL:  G/Gs 99/33   Rush 814     Yds 3286    Avg 4.0    Td 26    Lg 77   |
Rec 147    Yds 1027   Avg 7.0    Td  4   Lg  29
Kr 147     Yds 3374   Avg 23.0  Td 2    Lg  88t
UFL:  G/Gs 18/18    Rush 269     Yds 1180    Avg 4.4    Td  16 Lg  65t
Rec 12          Yds  115           Avg 9.6         Td  1      Lg 22
Kr 12            Yds  260         Avg 21.6        Td 0      Lg N/a

 

 

NFL, WLAF

Greene, Anthony ‘AJ’ (DB)

wcwlaf92 greeneultwlaf92 greeneCards: ProSet 1991, Wild Card WLAF 1992, Ultimate WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent:  8/12  Received: 11/3   (88 days)
Failure: TTM 2011, C/o Home
Donation: $20.00

pset91 greeneClocking in at 5’8″, 166, Anthony Greene set a school record in his Senior year while at Wake Forest with 7 interceptions for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns.  He also set a school record his when he intercepted 4 passes in one game during the final game of his Junior year. This net him recognition from Sports Illustrated for his efforts. By the time he left the Demon Deacons, A.J. recorded 17 interceptions and 245 tackles  in his 4 years at Wake Forest.  In 1989, he was selected by the New York Giants in the 9th round of the 1989 draft. He then spent the season on the developmental squad of the New York Giants and much of the preseason during 1990 on the Buccaneers.
The WLAF Barcelona Dragons selected Greene with the 7th overall pick of the defensive back portion of the league’s inaugural draft. He’d make 40 tackles and 3 picks for 22 yards. With the additional seasoning A.J. was picked back up by the Giants and played in two games during the 1991 NFL season.  He returned to the Dragons for the 1992 season, and pull down another 3 interceptions for 16 yards. With the WLAF on hiatus after the ’92 season, Greene returned stateside and now lives in the Carolinas.

I had previously attempted to get A.J. a few years ago, but didn’t have any luck. Buoyed by the recent successes I had with retry replies TTM, I was optimistic that I could track him down. With Greene knocked off the list, I am now down to my final 6 of the ProSet 1991 WLAF inserts.

WLAF 20/20    Tac N/a    Sac N/a   Fum N/a   Int 6    Yds 38    Avg 6.3      Td 0