Tag Archives: ttm autograph

NFL

Anderson, Ottis ‘OJ’ (2)

flr99si andersonCard: Fleer 1999 Sports Illustrated
Acquired: Target Autograph Memorabilia, 2013
See Also: Ottis Anderson

Probably one of the worst autographs I ever received TTM from a player was from Ottis Anderson, so it came as quite a surprise when I pulled an autograph from him out of one of the Target Autograph Memorabilia packs, but also because it had his full autograph. – Not just his first name. A very nice pull.

I actually had this Sports Illustrated at some point, and while it’s not a bad looking card, I partially understand why Fleer went the way of the do do, with sets like these. Previously I had received one of these Fleer Sports Illustrated cards from Roger Craig, but the design and look is so stale, that I thought these were thrown together promotionals. They didn’t even bother to remove the bar code or price from the original magazine.

The University of Miami’s, (FL) all time leading rusher at the time of his graduation, Ottis racked up 3331 yards, -including 1,266 his Senior season. He went on to have a prestigious career with the St. Louis Cardinals and earn NFL RotY Honors in 1979. In 1986 the Cardinals cut Anderson, thanks to the abuse of heavy running all those years. He’d make a comeback, and help the Giants win Super Bowl XXV against the Bills.

NFL, usfl

Zendejas, Tony “The Z”

flr90 zendejaspset90 zendejaspset89 zendejassco89sup zendejasap92 zendejas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cards: Score Supplemental 1989, ProSet 1989, ProSet 1990, Fleer 1990, Action Packed 1992
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Home
Sent: 10/31            Received:  12/13     (43 days)

The Zendejas clan has had an impactful history on the league during the 80s and 90s, as Tony has been one of four members of the family (Max, Louis, and Joaquin) to play in NFL. Of Mexican descent, Tony eventually landed at the University of Nevada at Reno. After setting records at the school he was picked up by the Los Angeles Express of the USFL in 1983.  He’d play in the league until its implosion, and be drafted by the Washington Redskins in the USFL Supplemental Draft in 1985.

The Redskins immediately turned around and traded his rights to the Houston Oilers, who had inconsistency at the position with Florian Kempf over the past 2 previous seasons.  The Z took the starting job and quickly established himself as one of the best kickers in the league.  Zendejas stayed with the Oilers for the next 5 seasons through short lived Hugh Campbell era, the Jerry Glanville years, and briefly into the Jack Pardee era. Things were looking good until Tony cracked his fibia against the Saints during the 1990 season- a year in which he was off to a surprisingly slow start. After completing his rehab and being given a clean bill of health, the Oilers left him surprisingly exposed in free agency.  Z signed with the Los Angeles Rams (,replacing longtime barefooted kicker and franchise leading scorer, Mike Lansford). The Oilers in the meantime were left in the lurch and opened the job to a competition between Teddy Garcia and Ian Howfield. While the Oilers struggled all season at kicker, Tony ironically went on to hit 17-17 field goals that year. An unusually strong and accurate kicker from over 50 yards, it was obvious the Oilers and myself had been spoiled by Zendejas’ ability. Tony remained with the Rams through 1994 and then play with both the Falcons and 49ers as an injury replacement retiring after the 1995 season. Zendejas is most notable for sharing the NFL record for consecutive completed field goals of greater than 50 yards with 11.

G 149     XPA 327    XPM 316      PCT 96.6%     FGA  252   FGM  186     PCT 73.8%     LG 54   PTS  874

NFL

Flannery, John

pset91 flannerysco91supp flanneryud92 flanneryspics91 flanneryCards: ProSet 1991, Score Supplemental 1991, Upper Deck 1992, Star Pics 1991, Classic 1991.
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Syracuse Alumni Association
Sent: 6/1    Received: 7/11  (40 days)

John Flannery was a multifaceted offensive lineman for the Syracuse Orangemen during the late 1980s. He played guard his rookie season and then shifted quickly towards center by his senior year, cementing his legacy as the college’s best snapper since Doug Marrone. The Syracuse offensive line was considered the best in the nation, and Flannery was considered the best of the bunch, helping the school challenge for the national title in 1987. At 6’4″, 304, John had the tools to excel at the next level, and an eye popping combine that helped cement his draft status running a 4.98 40. A decorated lineman, he received All-American honors in both 1990 and 1991 and was co-captain of the team, finishing as a semi-finalist for the Lombardi and Outland Trophies for the nation’s best lineman. As an added bonus he could play on special teams as a long snapper.

A solid prospect coming out of college, Flannery parlayed an excellent Senior Bowl game into becoming a second round choice of the Houston Oilers in 1991. Later in the 3rd round, Houston selected Kevin Donnalley as well. This draft actually proved to be a fairly solid one for the Oilers, with Darryll Lewis, Steve Jackson, Marcus Robertson, Gary Brown, Shawn Jefferson, Gary Wellman, and Mike Dumas– all seeing significant playing time and decent careers in the league. The Oilers were very deep on the line, but with the declining health of Dean Steinkuhler and Mike Munchak, there was always room for depth, so both Flannery and Donnalley made the team as well. Flannery drew the unenviable opening day task and trial by fire of blocking Los Angeles Raiders’ defensive end Howie Long.  John in the end performed well limiting him to only 2 tackles, while opening up running lanes for both Allen Pinkett and Gary Brown. He started 8 games for the team that year, as Bruce Matthews moved to center to cover for Doug Dawson. For his efforts, Flannery earned All-Rookie team honors that season.

cla91 flanneryA knee injury sidelined Flannery for the entire 1993 season, but he came back and started the entire 1994 campaign for the team, replacing retired Mike Munchak. As the salary cap ratcheted up on the Oilers in 1995, the team cut many players in order to stay afloat. In order to keep Bruce Matthews in the mix, John and his 900k salary was cut. Flannery signed with the Green Bay Packers, over the Jaguars, where he was expected to start at left guard- but a failed physical due to his knee injury, sent him packing back to Houston for more rehab and another medical opinion. Given a clean bill of health, John signed as an UFA with the Dallas Cowboys in 1996. The team decided to roll with Flannery at right guard, (allowing the team to shift Larry Allen from guard to tackle,) but injuries limited John to 1 game. Returning in 1997, he started 4 games for the Cowboys. 1998 saw John make one final change of scenery, as he moved to St. Louis to play center for the Rams. In that final season he’d start 15 games for the team and make his first and only reception for 2 yards. After tearing his ACL in training camp in 1999, John finally decided to hang up his cleats.

He currently lives in Houston as where he works in the oil industry as an estimator.  He kindly signed these cards for me care of the Syracuse alumni association. While John is not the most recognizable of names, he did have a fairly long, respectable, and battle scarred campaign in the NFL.

G/Gs  80/46