Thursday, May 2, 2024

Lonnie Warwick - MLB

Lonnie Warwick signed with the Vikings in 1965 as an undrafted free agent. 
 
After starting 7 games at left linebacker as a rookie, he was the Vikes' middle linebacker from 1966-1970, starting all but 2 games during that span. 
 
Warwick missed all but 4 games in 1971, and all but 6 games in 1972. 
 
From 1973-74 he played every game for the Falcons, but started none. 
 
 
Teams: Vikings (1965-72), Falcons (1973-74) 

 

Sunday, April 28, 2024

Bob Cappadona - RB

Bob Cappadona was the Patriots' 3rd-round pick in 1965.  He didn't play that year, and although he played in 27 games for Boston from 1966-67, he only made 4 starts, all in '67.
 
He played his 3rd and final AFL season for the Bills, starting 7 games but rushing for only 272 yards while sharing the 2 backfield spots with such luminaries as Max Anderson and Ben Gregory.  A year later, all three would be out of a job as O.J. Simpson and Wayne Patrick would take over.

Teams: Patriots (1966-67), Bills (1968)
 

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Jim Colclough - WR

The list of great AFL receivers usually starts with Lionel Taylor, Don Maynard, Art Powell, and later on Lance Alworth, Fred Biletnikoff and Otis Taylor. But Jim Colclough was right up there with them for the first few seasons in the league's history. 
 
I had never heard of him until a few months ago, but Colclough was one of the leagues top receivers from 1960-62. 
 
Colclough was drafted by the Redskins in 1959 but never played for them. He spent his entire career (1960-68) with the Patriots. 
 
He was the their starting flanker from 1960-63, and parts of the next 2 seasons. Although never in the top 5 for receptions, he finished in the top 5 for receiving TDs from 1960-62. 
 
After 1963 he lost playing time to Art Graham, although he did start 9 games in 1965, and 7 games at tight end in 1967. 
 
Colclough retired after the 1968 season. 
 
 
Teams: Patriots (1960-68)

Sunday, April 21, 2024

Jimmy Burson - DB

Today's card is Jimmy Burson, a defensive back for the Atlanta Falcons. 
 
This is the first 2nd-series card I've posted on this blog, identifiable by the white borders. (The 1st-series cards are often described as "borderless", but that isn't quite true. They do have borders, but they are the same color as the background. You will notice that the player's photo is usually cropped on the 2 sides, with a "border" matching the color of the background.) 
 
I got this card (and 32 others) a few weeks ago, and that was my first awareness of Burson. 
 
He was the 11th-round pick for the Cardinals in 1963. After playing only 1 game as a rookie, he was a starting cornerback from 1964-67. Burson had 12 interceptions while a Cardinal, including a season-high 5 picks in 1965.
 
After the 1967 season, the Cardinals turned over both cornerbacks, with Pat Fischer going to the Redskins, and Burson going to the Falcons. 
 
Burson started every game for the Falcons in 1968, alternating between free safety and right cornerback, and picking up 4 more interceptions. That was his last season in the NFL. 
 
 
Teams: Cardinals (1963-67), Falcons (1968)

Thursday, April 18, 2024

Don Brumm - DE

Don Brumm was the Cardinals' 1st-round pick in 1963, and was their starting right defensive end for his first 4 seasons. 
 
After spending most of 1967 on the bench (making only 4 starts), he returned to the lineup in 1968, starting every game (this time at left end) and made his only Pro Bowl. 
 
Brumm only played 4 games in 1969 but started them all, so I have to believe he missed the other 10 games due to injury. 
 
From 1970-71, he played for the Eagles, appearing in 16 games over 2 seasons but only starting once. 
 
He returned to the Cardinals for his final season (1972). 
 
I first became aware of him during his time with the Eagles, which is probably when I bought this card (not having collected in 1969). 
 
 
Teams: Cardinals (1963-69, 72), Eagles (1970-71) 
  

Sunday, April 14, 2024

Larry Bowie - G

Larry Bowie was a 6th-round pick for the Vikings in 1962. As a rookie, he played every game but started none. 
 
From 1963-68, he was the Vikings’ starting right guard, playing every game until missing 6 games in his final season. 
 

Teams: Vikings (1962-68) 

 

Thursday, April 11, 2024

Sonny Bishop - G

Sonny Bishop was drafted by the Chargers in 1962, but played that season as a backup guard for the Dallas Texans. 
 
In 1963 he was the Raiders' starting left guard. 
 
After the 1963 season, Bishop was one of three players traded to the Oilers for Billy Cannon. He played 6 seasons for Houston, as the starting right tackle in '64 before settling in as their right guard for the remainder of his career. 
 
Bishop made the AFL All-Star team in 1968. 
 
 
Teams: Texans (1962), Raiders (1963), Oilers (1964-69)