Tag Archives: london monarchs

CFL, NFL, WLAF

Hart, Roy

psetwlaf91 hartCards: ProSet WLAF 1991, Ultimate WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o work
Sent: 2/7    Received:  3/4    (24 days)

Roy Hart was a 6th round selection by the Seattle Seahawks out of South Carolina  in 1988. After injuring his hamstring in the opener, Roy didn’t see action on the field until the next year in 1989, where he played in 16 games and recorded 2 sacks and 18 tackles.

The London Monarchs drafted Roy in 1991, and he’d become an integral part of their monster defense as the starting nose tackle in the team’s 3-4 alignment.  The Monarchs were a relatively well received curiosity in London, and the defense was nicknamed “The Hart Attack Defense” after Roy. He’d finish the season with 10.5 sacks (2nd in the league behind teammate Danny Lockett) and a team leading 84 tackles.  The team finished 9-1 and cruised to a 21-0 victory over the Barcelona Dragons, powered largely by the team’s defense.Dick Vermeil during the World Bowl noted that Hart is a dangerous nose guard when he is allowed to use his quickness to jump around the center. Roy was named to the All-World League First team after the season.

ultwlaf92 tvsched 1Roy returned to the NFL as a member of the Los Angeles Raiders later that year, and then the Jets in 1992. He’d then play for the CFL Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1993, and the Las Vegas Posse in 1994.

Another difficult name to locate, I got lucky when I saw a photo from a person’s recent trip to Vegas that mentioned him, his NFL pedigree, and what he was currently up to. Cross referencing the information led me to a networking site, and gave me his job. Looking at his job’s website, revealed many emails, but not his, – however taking one last leap of faith I emailed him based on the format of his co-ultwlaf92 monarchsworkers’ emails, and amazingly got a hold of him where he was honored to sign a few cards for me. When I got the envelope back it had been meticulously taped back together. Apparently either the mailman or Roy had torn this envelope to shreds, but I have to give them props for getting it back to me.

NFL  1/0     Tac N/a     Sac 2.0   Fum 0
Int   0    Yds   0     Avg  -.-     Td  0     Lg -.-

WLAF     Tac        Sac  11.0     Fum  0
Int  0    Yds  0     Avg  -.-    Td 0     Lg -.-

NFL, WLAF

Kennan, Larry

Cards: Pro Set 1991 First Game, Pro Set WLAF 1991
Acquired: TTM 2012, C/o Incarnate Word University
Sent: 11/12  Received: 12/5   (23 days)
Failure: TTM 2010, C/o NFL Coaches Assn.

After playing quarterback for the LaVerne Leos, Larry Kennan went right into the coaching ranks where he built an impressive resume as an offensive coordinator and positional coach even before I was born. He spent time with UNLV (73-75) and at SMU (76-78) as an OC before landing the head coaching gig at Lamar University, outside of Houston.  Kennan coached the Cardinals through 1981. During his stop there with the college, Kennan’s highlights were posting a 6-3-1 record in 1979, and knocking off the 20th ranked Baylor Bears 18-17 in 1981. Overall the attendance to games improved to record levels.

Larry made his first stop at the professional rank in 1982. He’d coach with the Los Angeles Raiders through 1988, -first as quality control and then later as a quarterbacks coach, where he had the privilege of working with players like Steve Beuerlein, Jay Schroeder, Jim Plunkett, Marc Wilson, and Rusty Hilger. Kennan spent the next two seasons with the Broncos (WR coach, 1989) and (quickly moved up to be) the Colts offensive coordinator for the 1990 season with head coach Ron Meyer working helping indoctrinate rookie Jeff George into the pro game, while at the same time trying to find an offensive balance for future HoF RB Eric Dickerson.

After the season the London Monarchs of the WLAF came calling and made him an offer to join their staff as head coach in 1991. The team ran away with the league title that year winning World Bowl I over the Barcelona Dragons 21-0. The Monarchs also won the first game in league history against the Frankfurt Galaxy. His team was outstanding through and through, with quarterback Stan Gelbaugh setting numerous passing records behind an incredible offensive line, and wide receiver Jon Horton. The defense was also equally good as well, and the team posted a 9-1 record. Plucked from the WLAF after the season, Larry returned stateside to the Seattle Seahawks for 1992 to become Tom Flores OC.

The Seahawks were not doing so well on offense. After jettisoning longtime quarterback Dave Krieg, the team was in flux between Dan McGwire and Kelly Stouffer. In fact, it got so bad that Kennan had to dial up Gelbaugh to help out. Rick Mirer was drafted to lead the offense in 1993, and Kennan did an admirable job of triage with him, but by 1994 with numbers slumping the the Seahawks still doing badly in the standings, the staff was released. Larry continued to find work in the NFL with the Saints (1995, TE’s), Raiders (1996, QB’s), and 1997 with the Patriots as offensive coordinator. He then moved up to the executive level working for the NFL Coaches Association from 1998-2011. As of 2012, Larry is the head coach of the University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas.

WLAF:   W 9     L 1     T 0     Pct .900

 

NFL, WLAF

Gabbard, Steve

Card: ProSet WLAF 1991
Acquired: TTM 2012, C/o Home
Sent: 7/6  Received: 7/28  (22 days)

Steve Gabbard played collegiality at Florida State as a defensive tackle, but his 6’3″, 293 frame screamed offensive line to coaches in the NFL. The Eagles signed him as a free agent in 1989, and moved Gabbard to tackle, stashing him on their practice squad. In 1991, the World League of American Football was just getting started and the London Monarchs used their first offensive line pick on him. It would prove to be bountiful for the Monarchs, as their line yielded only 10 sacks on the whole season.  Along with Steve, teammates Doug Marrone, and Paul Berardelli were named first team All World along the offensive line helping pave the way for an offense that averaged 380.6 yards per game.  After the season, Steve signed with the Green Bay Packers where he appeared in 4 games for the team.  He signed his lone WLAF card for me and wrote ‘God Bless!’, On the envelope. Really a nice find.