Tag Archives: green bay packers

NFL

Harris, Tim

Cards: ProSet 1989, ProSet 1990, Score 1990
Acquired: TTM 2012, C/o Home
Sent: 11/13    Received: 11/19  (6 days)

Tim Harris was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 4th round of the 1986 draft out of the University of Memphis. While there he set the team record for most career tackles behind the line of scrimmage with 47.

He worked his way into the starting lineup by week 7, and finished with 8 sacks and 67 tackles. The Packers named him their rookie of the year that season. After a subpar ’87 (7 sacks),  Harris came in lights out in 1988, posting 13.5 sacks and leading the team in tackles with 97 (86 unassisted).  These numbers were the best by a Packers linebacker since 1983 and 1985 respectively, but Tim was snubbed for the Pro Bowl as Green Bay surprisingly hard charged into the playoffs after the season. 1989 was different as Tim improved off of his breakout season and finished second in the NFL with 19.5 sacks and 3 fumble recoveries.pset90 tharris Tim was a key member of the ‘Cardiac Pack’ team that grabbed many comeback and close victories to go 10-6. After the season, he’d not only snag Pro Bowl honors but also All Pro as well. 1990 became Tim’s final season in Green Bay. In his swan song he posted 7 sacks and 2 forced fumbles.

Intent on holding out for a larger contract, the Packers decided
they’d have no part of Harris in 1991, trading him to San Fransisco for 2 high draft choices ( a 2nd rounder in 1992 and 3rd rounder in 1993). Noted was the fact that Harris’ new contract stipulated that he be a good citizen- essentially meaning he needed to stay on his best behavior. He had been fined for marijuana use in 1987 and had a colorful personality that did sometimes run him close to the edge.  Tim wasn’t a factor that season at all, only managing 3 sacks. With the departure though of Charles Haley to the Cowboys in 1992, the 49ers investment in Harris paid off as he finished with his second best season recording 17 sacks that year.  He’d sign with Philly in 1993, but only manage to start 3 games. Injuries kept him down and a drunk driving charge didn’t help either. sco90 tharrisAfter spending one season there, he returned to San Fransisco and played there through 1995 as a situational pass rusher earning a Super Bowl ring with the team (XXIX).

Tim has picked up in coaching since retirement and has moved out to California. He responded to my autograph request like he was sacking a quarterback- very quickly.  I love these cards. They really
capture the essence of Harris as a passionate player. I do suspect
that the ProSet 1990 and the Score 1990 are the same photo from different angles, which wouldn’t be a first. I like the Score one a bit more than the others though because the photo feels more dynamic with the side view. You have to wonder if he just made a sack or is trying to rev up the crowd before a play.

G/Gs 122/93    Tac 536   Sac  81   Fum   8
Int 0     Yds  0   Avg  -.-   Td 0    Lg -.-

 

Arena, NFL

Tomczak, Mike

Card: Score 1990
Acquired: Canton Acquisition 2012

Mike Tomczak is a great example of what an embattled quarterback is, suffering through the drama and controversy of being sandwiched between the Jim McMahon and the Jim Harbaugh eras in Mike Ditka’s run as head coach of the Chicago Bears. Tomczak was not drafted by the Bears, rather he was an unpolished diamond in the rough that the team plucked out of Ohio State in 1985. The scrappy, pretty boy quarterback got in some playing time and things looked even more opportunistic for him with the retirement of Steve Fuller after 1986, but the Bears had other plans and pulled the trigger on Michigan signal caller Jim Harbaugh in ’87 during the first round of the draft.

Tomczak still got playing time in between McMahon and Harbaugh as both quarterbacks (McMahon and Harbaugh) had a propensity to get injured. A good game manager, Tomczak had the quirky honor of winning his first 10 professional starts at quarterback. This allowed for a quarterback controversy to bloom first with McMahon and then later with Harbaugh as fans just wanted to win, no matter how ugly it was. It was rough for Mike as he had a tendency to force the ball to the receiver early in his playing career.  After 6 seasons in Chicago, Mike was allowed to leave via Free Agency.  For the Bears, Tomczak posted a 21-10 record as a starter, a 49.6 completion percentage, and 33 touchdowns to 47 interceptions.  He also ran for 326 yards and 8 touchdowns.  Mike didn’t have to travel far- in fact, he went up the road to division rival Green Bay.

Green Bay had been a doormat for the NFC Central for many years, but after an amazing 1989 season with Don Majkowski at the helm guiding the team to a 10-6 record, people expected more of the Pack, but with an underwhelming 1990, at 6-10 losing some pretty tight games, optimism was still riding high in 1991. Things didn’t go as planned, and Mike split time with Majkowski. He’d post decent numbers under center, (11 TDs to 9 picks and 1490 yards) but the team fell to a 4-12 mark. In Green Bay it was regime changing time, so Lindy Infante and his staff were out the door, and so was Mike.

Things didn’t change for Tomczak. Either he had the best or worst luck of any professional out there. Either there was an incumbent who got injured so he stepped right in, or coaches wanted him to replace the starter. Case in point, Bill Belichick and the Cleveland Browns in 1993. After a slow start and a broken hand impeded Bernie Kosar, Tomczak, who didn’t play all that bad, lead the team to a 4-4 record in Kosar’s relief. Again, it was a short stop for Mike,  as he’d be replaced by Vinny Testaverde.

Mike landed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1994. He’d back up Neil O’Donnell at quarterback and see his first Super Bowl since his rookie season after the 1995 season- a loss to the Cowboys. He’d get his chance to show his stuff though shortly after, and be named starter of the Steelers in 1996. Tomczak had his best season since his days in Chicago, posting a 10-5 record. It was shortlived, and he’d be replaced in the lineup by electrifying, if not inconsistent, Kordell Stewart. Stewart remained starter throughout the 1998 season with Mike seeing limited playing time here and there until 1999 when he played in 5 more contests.  He’d have a really nice finale to his time there throwing for 1625 yards and 12 touchdowns to only 8 picks. In a footnote, Tomczak signed with the Detroit Lions in 2000, but broke his leg and decided to end his career.  He’d be the final member of the Chicago Bears Super Bowl XX team to retire.

Mike has remained involved in the sport since retirement. He’s worked behind the desk and as a color commentator for games. As of 2013, Mike is the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Power of the Arena Football League.

G/Gs 185/73    Att 2337     Comp  1248      Yds  16079    Pct  53.4    Td  88     Int 85     Rat 68.9  |
Rush 198    Yds 526    Avg  2.7   Td 9    Lg 48

College Football HoF, Heisman Trophy Winner, NFL, Super Bowl MVP

Howard, Desmond

Card: Classic 1992
Acquired: TTM 2012, C/o ESPN*
Sent: 8/7    Received: 9/8  (32 days)
*postmarked from FL

I originally had Desmond Howard penciled in for the start of the year in my initial January send out, but for some reason kept kicking that can further down the road. I’m really glad I finally got him, as I’m sure the acclaimed athlete will soon be overwhelmed with requests. Going to Michigan in 1989, Howard switched from tailback to wide receiver for the Wolverines. From there he’d go on to rewrite the record books for much of the school when it came to receiving records (12) and NCAA records (5). After a breakout 1990, with 63 receptions,1025 yards, and 11 TDs receiving, Desmond ran away with the Heisman in 1991 posting 19 touchdowns receiving on 62 catches.  Howard could not be stopped as a receiver or returner, and  he was so confident that he’d win the award, that after burning rival Ohio State in a game, he struck a Heisman pose. (Desmond at this time still holds the record for the largest margin of victory in Heisman voting, nabbing about 85% of the vote in 1991 for the award.)

Before the 1992 draft, Desmond was being touted as the next Rocket Ismail with electric speed that amazed and wowed fans. The Redskins after they won the 1991 SuperBowl traded up and picked Howard with the 4th overall pick. With a fleet set of receivers already that were seeing a bit of wear and tear (Monk, Clark, and Sanders,) the Redskins wanted Howard to be the lead receiver of the next generation of Skins receivers- but instead he was stuck on return duties. Desmond in 1994 recorded career highs in receptions (40), yards (727), and TDs (5), however with the emergence of Brian Mitchell, Howard had generally seen his playing time shrink as a return man. Usually this is a good thing for a receiver, but in Desmond’s case he found himself dangled out by the Redskins as part of the 1995 NFL Expansion Draft.

Taken with the 55th pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Howard was sparsely used by the Jaguars on offense and special teams. Essentially fans thought he was washed up, but just as everybody gave up Howard, Desmond obviously had something left in him. Nobody really even blinked an eye when Desmond was signed via free agency by the Packers, who were looking for an extra spark in the return game. Howard displayed his signature abilities at returning, and destroyed special teams’ units single-handedly setting the NFL record for most punt return yards in a season with 875, and recorded 3 touchdowns.  At the conclusion of the season, Desmond won the Super Bowl XXXI MVP honors, with a 99 yard touchdown return, and 244 total yards from scrimmage against the New England Patriots.  Howard got snapped up by the Raiders after the season, and had a solid outing as a returner for the team leading the league with 1381 yards on 61 return in 1997.  He also had a stellar 541 yards and 2 TDs punt returning in 1998 but he snubbed on Pro Bowl voting.  Desmond was content to return to the Packers for a second stint in 1999, but found himself surprisingly traded to the Lions midway through 2000. It turned out to be a blessing as Howard reached the ProBowl for the first time in his career, after recording a 14.7 average on PR and 24.6 on KR. With injuries and age finally catching up with him in 2002, Howard decided to hang up his cleats after the season after establishing himself as one of the most explosive punt return men in league history.

Desmond has gone into broadcasting where he has garnered quite a positive reputation as a public speaker and college football analyst,  currently appearing on ESPN. In 2011 he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and has appeared on the cover of NCAA Football 06 in his signature Heisman pose.

G/Gs   156/29       Rec 123        Yds  1597     Avg   13.0       Td  7       Lg 81t
Kr  359           Yds  7959      Avg  22.2    Td 0        Lg  91
Pr  244           Yds  2895      Avg  11.8     Td  8       Lg  95t