Tag Archives: ttm autograph

NFL

Reed, Jake

Cards: Score 1991, Score 1991 Supplemental, Star Pics 1991
Acquired: TTM 2012, C/o Home
Sent: 5/6      Recieved: 12/3   (206 days)

A third-round choice in the 1991 draft by the Minnesota Vikings, Jake Reed is considered a part of the Herschel Walker trade as he was part of the future picks that switched hands in order to get the deal done between the Cowboys and Vikings. Originally a ‘wingback’ from Grambling- there was a lot of intrigue surrounding Reed and how he’d fit into a Pro style offense. (A wingback lines up directly next to a down lineman and then moves in motion staying upright and a step back at the other end of the line, to make catches, block, or rush with the ball. Probably the most famous wingback was Jim Thorpe. It certainly is a throwback position and is rarely used these days.)  Jake had all the measurables and work ethic, but not the experience at receiver, playing there sparingly over his college career; However, with Cris Carter and Anthony Carter on the outside, the Vikings could afford to be patient.

It wasn’t until 1994, with the retirement of AC culminating with the team’s trade for Warren Moon that allowed Reed to finally take flight. He’d post 4 straight 1,100+ yard seasons for the Vikings, and Jake (85) paired alongside Cris Carter (122) set an NFL record for receiver duos with 207 catches. Reed became a dangerous verticle threat averaging a career high 18.3 yards per reception in  1996. Oddly over this period Reed never got the respect he deserved, and never was named to the Pro Bowl. In 1998, injuries and new receiver Randy Moss took their toll on Reed’s production. After the 1999 season, he’d sign with the New Orleans Saints. One and done with the Saints in 2000, Reed again returned to Minnesota, as a valued backup. He’d come off the bench and make 27 receptions for 309 yards and a touchdown. Oddly Jake then turned around and signed again with the New Orleans Saints in 2002, making 3 touchdowns on 21 receptions to call it a career.

Jake enjoys coaching, and was briefly the owner of the Frisco Thunder, an indoor football team of the Intense Football League in 2007.  In 2012 Reed was inducted into the Grambling Hall of Fame. Reed was a first-team All-SWAC honoree in 1989 (2nd team) and 1990, leading all Grambling receivers as a senior with 954 yards and a 20-yard average per catch. Jake was honored to be one a select few players from Grambling to be invited to the Senior Bowl in 1990 as well. Reed also is still a Vikings fan through and through.

I really liked the Score ’91 and the Star Pics of Reed in his Grambling uniform. The photo of him on the Score card makes Reed almost look like a superhero, the way he bursts off of the page. There was a ProSet card, that I completely forgot about, and it was a great card and photo of him, but ah well. Reed is another player that I had found through SotL (before it went to a news feed format,) that I had been trying to track down. It did take a while but I was happy to get these three back in a bit over 200 days.

G/Gs 155/90   Rec  450   Yds  6999   Avg  15.6    Td  36    Lg 82t

University of Texas

Street, James (1948-2013)

Cards: UT UD 2011, UT UD 2011 Monumental Moments 12/6/69, UT UD 2011 Monumental Moments 1/1/70, UT UD 11 All-Time Alumni.
Acquired: TTM 2012, C/o Home
Sent: 7/10    Recieved: 11/28   (172 days)

Longview, Texas’ very own James Street was the quarterback at the center of the University of Texas’ dynasty during the late 60’s. When Darrell Royal put  James Street in to pilot the wishbone offense during the 3rd game of the 1968 season, he had no idea how well Street would play.  James went on to lead the team in passing in both 1968 and ’69, and back to back SWC titles in those years. In 1969 he led
the team in total offense, and was named team MVP. That season was magical for Street.  As co-captain, he earned All-SWC honors, and won two critical and hard fought contests to claim to claim the National Title.

The first was a Dec 6 contest against the Arkansas Razorbacks. The ‘Backs and the Longhorns had a long and bloodied history that rivaled at some point that of the one between the Longhorns and Sooners. As Texas ramped up its football program under Darrell Royal, the rivalry grew between the two teams. Billed as the “Game of the Century” or the “Big Shootout”, #1 Texas and #2 Arkansas met at
Razorback Stadium. Even President Nixon showed up. Texas had handed Arkansas its only loss of the season the previous year and the Razorbacks wanted revenge. The Longhorns were unable to adjust early on to the suffocating ‘Backs defense and through out 3 quarters, it looked like Arkansas was going to win, up 14-0 going into the 4th quarter, but all James Street needed against the highly regarded ‘Backs defense, was that one quarter. To start the fourth, Street darted into the endzone for the TD, then converted the 2 point conversion by diving in to make it 14-8.  After the Longhorns stopped the Razorbacks with an interception in the endzone, the Longhorns dive stalled and facing a 4th and 3 in their own territory they decided to go for it. Calling the Right 53 Veer Pass, Street executed it marvelously throwing into double coverage into the arms of Randy Peschel. It was good enough to set up the tying touchdown and go ahead extra point. Texas won the game 15-14 and set up the final showdown with Notre Dame.

On January 1st, 1970, Notre Dame decided to meet UT in the Cotton Bowl for the National Championship (-after undefeated Penn State declined). Carrying a 19 game winning streak into the game, UT was still battle worn from its previous epic contest almost a month ago against Arkansas. Spotting Joe Theisman and Notre Dame a 10-0 lead, Texas began to really put it back together in the second half. Down 3, with 7 minutes to play, UT mounted a historic drive, converting 2 fourth down attempts on 17 plays.  Street himself completed an incredibly clutch pass to Cotton Spreyer setting the team up at the 2 yard line. They’d get the go ahead score and win the game 21-17 to claim the National Title. While Street didn’t have the greatest game, he led the Longhorns on 3 70+ yard drives. The game also served as the Texas’ program’s 500th. After the game LBJ stopped in to congratulate James Street and the Longhorns.

Back then players didn’t immediately go into the NFL, and it looked like Street’s destiny lied in baseball. An excellent pitcher James went 29-8 with a 1.86 ERA for the Longhorns, and even played in the farm system the previous year for the Boulder Collegians. An arm injury changed everything for James at the College World Series in 1970.  He’s gone into business since then, and formed The James Street Group, which gives financial advice to people receiving structured settlements. In 1999, Street was inducted into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame, and the Texas Hall of Fame in 2000.

Another one I had almost given up on, 5 months was just enough to get me a bit nervous. I really liked the photos on these cards. The player card of Street looks great. I think the framing on the imagery is great, and I am grateful that they used a color shot. The classy Monumental Moments, well- I really like the gold one which was a limited numbered card -was dead on. It’s a great shot of Street before 53 Veer. The second one, is not so great, but it catches what seems to almost be a candid or tender moment between James and Coach Royal amid the fanfare of the contest between the Longhorns and the Irish. James returned the check I sent, and I hope he took my advice and had lunch up at El Patio over under the shadow of ‘The Drag’.

James Street passed away on Monday, September 30th 2013 of a heart attack at the age of 65.

NFL

Montgomery, Alton

aprks90 montgomeryCards: Action Packed Rookies 1990, Score Supplemental 1990, Score 1990
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Home
Sent:  1/22     Received: 1/31  (9 days)

Alton Montgomery played collegiately for the University of Houston during the final years of the SWC, garnering a reputation as a physical headhunting defender, and earning a nomination for the Jim Thorpe Award. A first team SWC choice in 1988 and 1989, he played his first two years at Northwest Missississippi Junior College where he made 14 interceptions. Montgomery is well remembered for the curbstomping that Houston inflicted on the University of Texas that year; A game in which he recorded 10 tackles, 4 sacks, and 4 hits behind the line in a 47-9 drubbing. He also had a memorable 72 yard interception return of a Timm Rosenbach pass in the 1988 Aloha Bowl against Washington State.

Montgomery parlayed his accolades into a late second round pick of the Denver Broncos in the 1990 draft. The pick seemed a slightlysco90 montgomery odd one, as the team was already set with Dennis Smith and Steve Atwater playing safety, so the team listed him as ‘defensive back’ initially before officially giving him a cornerback designation. Montgomery’s combine results showed that he had great change of direction, which led scouts to peg him as an excellent man to man defender. He came along quickly as a rookie, as he racked up 37 tackles, and intercepted 2 passes to tie for the team lead. Montgomery also saw some spot time at returner, averaging 20.4 yards on 14 returns, including a 59 yarder. Over the next two seasons the team used him sparingly at defensive back and more for the return game.  As the team cleaned house after the departure of Dan Reeves in 1992, Montgomery hit the free agency market and signed with the Atlanta Falcons, playing there through 1995.  He is best known by Falcons fans, for returning a Scott Mitchell interception 71 yards for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions as the team won 34-22 in his final season in the league. Currently, he lives in the greater Atlanta area and works in human resources.

sco90sup montgomeryAlton is another member of the Action Packed Rookies 1990 club that I was after. I was pleased to add Montgomery to the Hall in a very short amount of time. An absolutely marvelous photo of the safety probably doing punt return duties, the autograph really shows up well on the embossed and dark canvas. The Score 1990 card shows him in his college threads, and while it is not in an action pose, it still resonates a strong presence with Montgomery’s stance. Alton’s Score Supplemental 1990 card is an exciting one, and easily stood out from what felt like an inferior Pro Set offering.

G/Gs  68/6     Tac  114    Sac 3.0   Int 3     Yds 114    Avg  38.0      Td   1    Lg 71t
Kr  65        Yds  1351         Avg 20.8        Td 0       Lg 64