Tag Archives: action packed rookies 1992

Detmer,Ty

Card: ProSet 1991 HH, Action Packed Rookies 1992
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Home
Sent: 6/16    Received:  7/19  (33 days)
Failure: TTM 1/2/2010, C/o St. Stephens


I am really pleased to have finally acquired Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer for my collection on his Pro Set Heisman Heroes and his Action Packed Rookies card. Along with Bart Starr in 2010, Detmer would be one of the first two players I sent out to when I restarted TTM collecting, and he would also constitute my first failure, as he did not sign my cards via St. Stephens Private School in Austin; However, after noting some recent successes at his home address I thought I’d give him another shot. I was happy to have gotten these cards signed in under 40 days.

So Ty Detmer grew up about 50 miles to the South of me in San Marcos, Tx- a straight shot down the I-35 corridor. A wunderkind even at the high school level, I frequently read in the local paper about Detmer’s amazing passing talent throwing and knew he had the ability to exceed expectations at least at the college level.  He’d sign with BYU and by the end of his Freshman season had cemented his status as starter at quarterback for the Cougars. Over his four seasons at BYU he captained the helm of some solid bowl teams, rewriting the school’s passing record books previously held by such names as Jim McMahon and Steve Young, including NCAA records for attempts, completions, yards, touchdowns, and passer rating.  He also won the Heisman Trophy in 1990.

In 1992, Detmer was drafted by the Green Bay Packers during the 9th round. With starter Don Majkowski and future franchise quarterback Brett Favre at second string, Ty rode the bench at 3rd string, playing light mop up duty in 1993 and 1995 throwing for just over 100 yards and a touchdown.

The 1995 season allowed for a change of scenery for the young quarterback, joining the Eagles in Philadelphia, reuniting him with his quarterbacks coach Andy Reid. The Eagles were admittedly rebuilding the franchise, but stubbornly clung to playing respectable football. Detmer replaced injured Rodney Peete at quarterback and guided the team into the playoffs posting a 7-4 record. As a professional it would be his best season, posting up 15 touchdowns and 2911 yards and an 80.8 quarterback rating in 13 games.  Detmer returned for the 1997 season, but disappointingly was forced to share quarterbacking duties roughly halving his statistics.

Ty would then head to the 49ers, where he played one season backing up Jeff Garcia. Coming off the bench and starting 1 game, he’d post a 91.1 QB rating and throw for 4 touchdowns.  Traded in 1999, Detmer played for the Browns for the next two seasons, mentoring young quarterback Tim Couch.  An Achilles injury  washed his whole 2000 season, but he’d sign with the Lions in 2001- but threw an embarrassing 7 interceptions in his first start. He’d ride the bench for the majority of the season playing for the Lions through 2003.  In 2004, Detmer moved on to Atlanta, backing up Michael Vick and future Houston starter Matt Schaub, but would not see any playing time during his stint there retiring in 2006. – Not a bad run for a quarterback who was told he was too small to play in the NFL.

Since football, Detmer has taken up coaching football at the high school level at St. Stephens in Austin, Texas.

G/Gs 54/25   Att 946  Comp 546   Yds 6351  Pct 57.7
Td  34   Int 35   Rat 74.7  |
Rush 72    Yds  177    Avg  2.5    Td  3    Lg  14

Smith, Bruce


Cards:Action Packed Rookies 1992, ProSet 1991 League Leader
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Pro Football Hall of Fame
Sent: 3/21  Received: 4/16  (26 days)

One of the most dominant and complete defensive ends in NFL history, Bruce Smith holds the NFL career record for sacks with a flat 200 playing in 19 seasons for the Bills and Redskins. He is though most remembered as a key player for the Buffalo Bills tremendous SuperBowl runs during the 1990s and part of a stalwart defensive alignment that included Cornelius Bennett, Darryl Talley, and Shane Conlan. An 11 time Pro Bowl selection, 9 time first team all pro, a member of both the 1980s and 1990s All-Decade Team, Defensive Player of the year 1990 and 1996, and 1987 Pro Bowl MVP, Bruce amassed a tremendous amount of accolades over his playing time.
Highly decorated coming out of college at Virginia Tech, Bruce Smith was a shoe in #1 pick being named the Outland Trophy winner in 1984 and a 2 time All American in 1983, and 1984. Drafted by the Buffalo Bills, Bruce quickly established himself as an outside rushing force and within 5 seasons had become the all time sack leader of the franchise. In 1990 he made 19 sacks, and was named NFL defensive MVP. Bruce would lose his 1991 season to a knee injury but would return in full force by 1992. He would transition from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense successfully under then defensive coordinator Wade Phillips later in 1995, where he again would be named defensive MVP in 1996. He would be allowed to sign via Free Agency in 1999 where he became more of a designated pass rusher, and passed up Reggie White for the record in his final season in 2003. In 13 of his 19 seasons he made double digit sacks. Bruce was enshrined into the NFL HoF in his first year of eligibility in 2008 and also to the Bills Wall of Fame that same year. A member of the College Football Hall of Fame as well, he spends a good deal of his time working for charities.

I had heard that Bruce was a great TTM signer, but I couldn’t believe it till I tried it since he was the NFL’s career sack leader. He responded in very little time via the Pro Football HoF (Canton,OH) roughly in 30 days.  Always well represented in Tecmo Super Bowls, Bruce when he was in excellent condition would dominate any offensive lineman and on occasion was so fast could cover wide receivers down the field, and 9 times out of 10 his quickness allowed him to be around any play with the computer.

G/Gs 279/267    Tac 1225      Sac 200    Fum 43    Int 2    Yds 0   Avg -.-   Td 0

Coryatt, Quentin “Q”

Cards: StarPics 1992, ActionPacked Rookies 1992, GameDay 1992
Received: TTM 1992, 1993, C/o The Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts in 1992 had certainly positioned themselves well in the draft possessing the #1 and #2 pick overall after receiving the Buccaneers #1 pick (second overall) after trading them with Chris Chandler. The Colts would take Steve Emtman #1 and then get Coryatt #2 in the draft. – Neither of them would ever make the Pro Bowl over their career, while a lot of talent was left on the board with Sean Gilbert, Troy Vincent,Marco Coleman, Chester McGlocton, Dale Carter and Robert Jones all coming off the board in the first round alone after these two.  (Overall probably the most recognizable name from this draft would probably become wide receiver Jimmy Smith.) Coryatt would be a devastating linebacker at A&M especially when paired with Aaron Wallace in the famed ‘Wrecking Crew’. A vicious hitter, Quentin received recognition as the SWC defensive player of the year in 1991.

After being taken by the Colts second overall he’d find himself moved around the middle three over the next 6 seasons for the franchise and play in every position. Injuries would limit his contributions in 1992, starting 7 games and making 54 tackles at LILB. While 1993 would show perhaps a glimpse of his talent as Quentin racked up 150 tackles at MLB, he’d move to RLB the next two seasons and make roughly 140 tackles. Another injury plagued 1996 would limit his contributions to 7 games and 32 tackles, and while he’d play 15 games in 1997 and have a pretty good season with 2 picks, 2 sacks, 2 FF and 59 tackles- he’d be allowed to leave via free agency in 1999 and play 4 games with the Dallas Cowboys in 1999 and retire.

I remember when I got Quentin’s autographs through the mail. I really wanted to get the Action Packed Rookies 1992 card signed and sent back for that and the Game Day. After I got the autograph back- a year or two later he sent me a form letter indicating that he was forming his own fan club called the “Q Club” for all his fans, but by this point I was pretty much done for a bit collecting TTM.

Unfortunately Coryatt had flashes of brilliance and indeed was a worthy draft choice- but probably at not such a lofty number. There was a sense the Colts drafted him based on his highlight tape- not on if he fit their defensive scheme as Coryatt was constantly being moved around the linebacking corps. I think Quentin would be remembered differently if he had been drafted in the 3rd round perhaps, but his performance certainly doesn’t necessarily quantify him as a bona fide bust. Quentin however is still considered a local legend at Texas A&M, and recently reunited with many of his former teammates at the school as honorary captains.

G/Gs  82/77      Tac  442       Sac  8.5       Fum   7      Int 3       Yds 9        Avg 3.0       Td 0         Lg 6

One of Coryatt’s vicious hits: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1vCZ6zt4Es&feature=related