Tag Archives: ttm football autograph

NFL, WLAF

Sign, Bobby

psetwlaf91 bsignCard: ProSet WLAF 1991
Acquired: TTM 2015,  C/o Work
Sent: 8/3    Received: 8/19
(16 days)

Bobby was considered one of the best centers in the country, playing 3 years for Pitt and a final year at Baylor. It made sense to Sign to play in the SWC since he was from Texas. Unfortunately in that final year at Baylor (1988), knee injuries sidelined him for a good portion of the season.

Undeterred, Bobby signed with the Oilers as an undrafted free agent in 1989, but was cut before the beginning of the season. Sign was definitely a WLAF candidate, and the Saints signed him in 1991 and sent him to the WLAF for experience.  The Barcelona Dragons signed him via the enhancement allocation draft.  He’d anchor down an impressive offensive line along with Barry Voorhess and Scott Adams. For the season the line only allowed 22 sacks- good for second best in the league. This allowed the team to advance all the way to World Bowl I against the London Monarchs.  Bobby returned to the WLAF for 1992, and helped the Dragons win the division. Barcelona lost in the playoffs again to the eventual champions- this time to the Sacramento Surge 17-15.

Bobby returned to the Dallas area. After a bit of detective work I found that he is working for a high end clothier and tailor of quality suits.  I sent this card to him via the store where he has built himself quite a reputation for customer service. He sent me back a nice note along with the signed card, where he told me that he was blessed to play in the WLAF and sad when the league decided to go on hiatus after the 1992 season.

NFL

Gentry, Dennis

pset89 gentrysco89 gentry

Cards: Proset 1989, Score 1989, Fleer 1990, Gameday 1992
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o Home
Sent:  4/6   Received: 7/3   (88 days)

gday92 gentryA versatile player who started his career at runningback, Dennis Gentry with his 5-8, 180 frame is perhaps more well known as being a dependable receiver and explosive return man for the Chicago Bears. Gentry played with the Bears from 1982-1992, where he initially served as Walter Peyton’s understudy. Gentry in the meantime spent his time contributing on special teams as a return man and also moonlighting as a receiver. With the arrival of Neal Anderson, Gentry became a scat back for the Bears, coming in on 3rd down, and providing an additional option out of the backfield.

Between 1986 and 1989, Gentry ranked among the top 5 in kick returns in the NFC. In 1986 Gentry led the NFL with a 28.8 kick off return average, and was named AP in 1987. When Dennis retired in 1992, he was the franchise’s all-time leading return man, breaking the yardage and return mark previously held by Bears great Gale Sayers.

Gentry played his college years at Baylor and was distinguished as a return man, blocker, and runner. He rushed for 883 yards and caught eight passes for another 77 en route to all-Southwest Conference honors. Gentry amassed 2,213 yards- good enough to be Baylor’s  second-leading rusher in history.

flr90 gentryA Tecmo Bowl legend, Gentry appeared in both Tecmo Bowl and Tecmo Super Bowl. In both he is featured as a dominant return man and adept receiver.  In media, he is also remembered for being a part of the Bears Super Bowl Shuffle video.

Gentry over the years had some really good classic cards. The Fleer 1990 was among his best in action featuring a full body shot and him breaking a tackle. Not to be outdone, the Score, ProSet, and GameDay entries all were very solid. In fact, I had to drop a ProSet 1990 from the group to send because there were so many quality shots of Gentry. A reliable TTM signer, Gentry has a nice, loopy signature.  Since retirement, he’s spent time in coaching and lives in Texas.

G/Gs 159/30     Rush 137   Yds 764  Avg 5.6   Td 5   Lg 58
Rec 171   Yds 2076    Avg 12.1   Td 7   Lg 80t
KR 192   Yds 4353    Avg 22.7   Td 3   Lg 94t
PR  17    Yds 136   Avg  8.0    Td 0   Lg 47

NFL

McFadden, Darren

sco09 dmcfadden FCard: Score 2009 Franchise RedZone (#32/100)
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o The Dallas Cowboys
Sent: 9/28   Received: 10/24  (25 days)

Killer catch here in the name of Darren McFadden- a player at Arkansas who frequently drew comparisons to Adrian Peterson and Ricky Williams. The first Sophomore to win the Doak Walker award (2006), McFadden did so in stellar fashion running for 1647 yards and 14 TDs .  He then became the first 2 time winner rushing for            1830 yards and 16TDs  in 2007. In both years he was a Heisman Trophy Runner Up. McFadden’s draft measurables were equally sizzling and buzz surrounded his unofficially timed 4.27 40.

The Raiders selected McFadden with the 4th pick of the 2008 draft, and although he played sparingly his rookie year he drew high praise from coaches in teammates alike. It has always seemed that Darren’s best games have come at the expense of the Denver Broncos during his time with the Raiders, including a 16 carry 165 yard performance with 3 TDs in 2010.  2010 was considered McFadden’s banner year. He ran 223 times for 1157 yards and 7 TDs to go along with 47 receptions for 507 yards and 3 TDs. Over his career in Oakland, McFadden had not been able to clear a full 16 game slate. After the 2014 campaign he was allowed to walk.

Darren signed with the Dallas Cowboys where he has slowly moved into the role as the bellcow back replacing departed starter DeMarco Murray. Facing a crowded backfield and dealing with nagging training camp injuries, Darren has put together 5 solid 100 yard rushing efforts against the Giants (152 yards), Eagles (117 yards), Dolphins (129 yards), Packers (119) and Jets (100) in 2015, and in the last game of the season crossed the 1,000 yard rushing plateau for the first time since 2010.