Tag Archives: action packed 1990

NFL

Shuler, Mickey

pset89-mshuler ap90-mshulerCards: ProSet 1989, Action Packed 1990
Acquired: TTM 2016, C/o Home
Sent:  11/15    Received: 11/26   (11 days)

The Jets have had some glory days, but largely have been rebuilding since winning Super Bowl III- or at least that’s the joke some fans sarcastically say.  They had a nice run in the late 80s with things coming together offensively with guys like Freeman McNeil, Al Toon, and Mickey Shuler leading the way.

Mickey Shuler redefined the tight end position for the New York Jets.  Originally drafted in the 3rd round of the 1978 draft out of Penn State, he set franchise records for the position with 76 receptions in 1985. A wily receiver, and solid blocker, Shuler had a nice, rare combination of speed, hands, and size that allowed him to earn 2 Pro Bowl berths and finish as the Jets second all-time leading catcher with 438 receptions in 102 starts.  Rib and knee injuries ended Shuler’s 1989 campaign early, which contributed to his release after the season.  At the time of his departure, he had a streak of 86 straight games with a reception. Mickey signed as a free agent with the Eagles, playing two seasons with Philadelphia retiring after the 1991 season.

ap90-mshuler-bI had been looking for Shuler for sometime. I have vague recollections of him appearing on a daytime talk show  during the 80s to educate women about football, but even at a young age, it was obvious to me that the women had eyes for Mickey and his slick Magnum PI-esque mustache.  Luckily before the end of his career he had some great cards come out from different manufacturers than Topps. Among my favorite I really enjoyed these two entries from ProSet and Action Packed. He also had some ignominious cards in 1990 that showcased him in his Eagles gear, but they all beat the profile/ on the sidelines shots that so punctuated Topps portfolio during that era.

Mickey lives back in Maryland, where he is very active in his community.  His son, Mickey Jr, eventually followed in his footsteps to Penn State at TE and into the NFL.  He signed these two cards for me and told me to “Keep the Faith!”, in regards to my hope that the Jets will return to eventual glory.

G/GS  180/107    REC  462     YDS  5100     AVG 11.0    TD 37      LG  51

NFL

Martin, Eric

pset89 emartinpset90 emartin
Cards: Pro Set 1989, Pro Set 1990, Action Packed 1990.
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o Home
Sent:   8/8/15      Received: 1/7/16   (152 days)
Failure: 2011, C/o Home.

As far as receivers go even historically, Eric Martin got no respect. At the time of his graduation from LSU, Eric Martin was the most prolific receiver in the history of the SEC with 2,625 career yards.  A highly precise route runner, with great hands, Martin ran a very flat 4.65 40, which dropped his draft stock like a rock. In the end, his home state New Orleans Saints selected him in the 7th round of the 1985 draft.

ap90 emartinHe’d make the team and start 11 games in each of the next 3 seasons while also handling return duties on special teams.  In 1988 Eric started his first full 16 game slate and it paid dividends with him catching a career high 85 balls for 1083 yards and 7 touchdowns. At the conclusion of the season, Martin earned his and only first Pro Bowl nomination.  He’d have another solid season in 1989, logging career high 1090 yards and 8 touchdowns on 68 receptions.

After two near 1,000 yard campaigns in both 90 and 91, Martin recorded his final 1,000 yard season, in 1992 with 1041 yards and 5 touchdowns. Another near 1K miss occurred in 1993 for Eric, and then he  played a final season with the Kansas City Chiefs in 94.  Martin finished his career with the Saints as their all-time receiving leader, which has since been broken numerous times by Joe Horn and Marques Colston.

Eric had some absolutely amazing cards so it was tough to pair down the selection to send out. In the end I went with these 3 solid issues. I had failed previously in 2011 but decided to give it another shot to a second address, where I got a response after a few months wait.

G/GS  153/118      REC 553    YDS 8161    AVG 14.8     TD 49   LG 84
KR  22    YDS  495       AVG 22.5    TD 0      LG  69
PR  46     YDS  368      AVG 8.0   TD 0    LG 39

College Football HoF, NFL

Butler, Kevin “Butthead”

gday92 butlerCards: ProSet 1989, ProSet 1990, Action Packed 1990, Fleer 1990, GameDay 1992
Acquired:  TTM 2015, C/o Home
Sent: 7/30      Received: 8/8    (9 days)

Kevin Butler. The name probably still brings a smile to the face of Georgia Bulldogs faithful fans, as Butler ranks near the top of many of UGA’s career and game charts.  Among the most noted memories is when Kevin kicked a 60 yard field goal to beat the Clemson Tigers. It was said that the ball sailed another 5 -10 yards over the goal post after hanging a clear 6 seconds in the air. A kick made from your own 49 1/2. It sounds the stuff of legend and Tecmo, but it is absolutely true. Butler at the time of his graduation was the all-time leading scorer at UGA with 353 points and made over 50% of his kicks (11 of 21) from over 50 yards.

ap90 butlerKevin was selected in the 4th round of the 1985 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears.  The pick was questionable actually. The Bears were strong, and already had a pretty decent kicker in Bob Thomas, but the GM at the time  Jerry Vainisi, felt that he was the best player available in that round, and Vainisi was not wrong.

After winning the kicking job in camp, Kevin went on to set the NFL record for the most points scored by a player during their rookie season- with 144, easily besting the previous record held by the venerable Gale Sayers. Butthead was well liked by his teammates as he made 11 tackles on special teams his rookie season.  Of all the Super Bowl memories, Butler is one of the most unique, as he was forced to postpone his wedding to play in the game.

flr90 butlerButler matched the Mike Ditka Bears persona, even going so far as to looking the part. He sported the one bar helmet throughout his career (that slowly went out of vogue in 1986, until it was banned in 2004), and had uncharacteristically large biceps for a kicker. He had a fight and a bite to him.  Kevin was the kicker that the Bears sometimes bland offense could lean on – and he’d make those points, even at frigid Solider Field.  Butler made 110/119 field goals of 20 to 29 yards. Talking about automatic. In 1986 Kevin led the NFL with 41 field goal attempts.

pset90 butlerAfter a prolonged off-season contract dispute with the franchise in 1991, Butler had a rocky season hitting a career low 64.5% of his field goals. He’d rebound back to form the following season, and kick for the Bears through 1995. Butler was cut right before the final preseason game of the season by head coach Dave Wannastedt in favor of Carlos Huerta. The sudden change of kickers angered the Bears fanbase- but the deed was done. At the time of his release, Kevin was the Bears all time leading scorer with 1,116 points. Even more impressive when you consider that Butthead made 16/42 field goals of greater than 50 yards.  He was also the last member of the Chicago Bears ’85 Super Bowl team to play for the franchise.

pset89 butlerKevin was not out of work for long. He’d spend the next two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. While he’d continue to add to his legacy, Butler’s foray to the desert lands of Arizona was the last thing I’d have expected. It’s just one of those forgettable jersey moments since he was so intimately associated with the Bears.

Butler was a huge part of my offense in the original Tecmo Bowl as one of the best kickers in the game (probably second only to Biasucci), you could hit a 60 yarder with Kevin with practice, and with such a great last name, how could you hate a Butler?   After retirement, Butler became the first and only kicker inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, in 2001. He has also been inducted by the University of Georgia and Florida-Georgia (rivalry) into their respective halls as well.  He remains a super fan of the Bulldogs to this day, and does radio as well.

G/Gs 184/0       XPA 426      XMP 416        PCT 96.9%
FGA 361       FGM 265        PCT  73.4%