Tag Archives: Dallas Cowboys

McKinnon, Dennis “Silky D”

Card: Pro Set 1989
Acquired: In Person 1990, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Well we went to an event at Westlake High School in Austin that year when the Cowboys were hosting a scrimmage there. After the game they let the fans swarm the field to find players and get autographs of. I think I got Dennis and roughly 10 other players that evening on cards.

A free agent signee by the Chicago Bears in 1983 from Florida State, Dennis McKinnon would serve as a backup wide receiver and starting punt returner, where Mike Ditka would state: “He’s the best blocking receiver I’ve ever seen.” Starting 3 games his rookie season, Dennis made 20 receptions for 326 yards and 4 touchdowns and return 34 punts for 316 yards and a touchdown. McKinnon would win the Superbowl with the 85 bears, averaging a career high 17.9 yards a reception, but lost his entire 1986 to injury. Returning to the team fold in 1987, McKinnon returned punts again and had 40 of them for 405 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a long of 94 yards.  1988 would see career highs in yards receiving with 704 and a 76 yard bomb.

In 1990, Dennis signed via Plan B with the Dallas Cowboys where he started 7 games making 14 receptions for 172 yards and a touchdown, before injuries ended his 1990 season. He’d attempt a comeback with the Miami Dolphins in 1991 but did not make the roster and retired. Currently he’s CEO and president of Bearly Active Productions which provides motivational speakers, catering and celebrity appearances to corporate events.

G/Gs  94/60      Rec  194     Yds   3012     Avg 15.5    Td  22     Lg  76   |
Pr  129    Yds  1191    Avg  9.2     Td  2      Lg  94t

Kiselak, Mike

Card: Ultimate WLAF 1992, Athletes in Action Card
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Work
Sent: 2/14   Received: 4/16 (61 days)

After tryouts with the Giants, Chiefs, and Oilers in 1990, Mike Kiselak, was drafted by the San Antonio Riders in 1991 (4th round) and played both guard and center for the team starting all 10 games blocking for All World League runningback Ricky Blake. At 6’3″, 295, he was the ideal combination of size and power for the Mike Riley‘s run oriented offense. In 1992, Kiselak would return to the Riders for a second year with the team and block for the Riders once again potent rushing attack under Ivory Lee Brown. San Antonio would dominate opponents on the ground and finish with a 7-3 record, but the WLAF would reorganize after the 1992 season.

Mike would be signed by the Sacramento Gold Miners of the CFL and play with them through their transition back to San Antonio to become the Texans in 1995 where he would be a CFL All Star at Center for the team. After the CFL reorganized following the season, Mike was drafted by the Roughriders in the dispersal draft in 1996, but was traded almost immediately in exchange for John Terry, to the Toronto Argonauts. Kiselak would continue to leave his mark, winning multiple offensive lineman awards and being named the CFL’s Outstanding Lineman in 1996 and 1997.

Mike returned to the NFL in 1998 and play for the Dallas Cowboys, playing in 15 games and starting 7.  He’d retire briefly but return to start for the San Fransisco Demons of the XFL in 2001 before finally finishing his career.

Since retirement Kiselak has become a church minister, a motivational speaker and is on the board of Kids Matters International. I emailed Mike to ask his permission to send this Ultimate 1991 card and while I did wait about 60 days for a response, he he was more than happy to sign the card for me. He also added in one to boot, and inscribed it with the passage from Matt 6:33: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

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