Tag Archives: massachusetts marauders

Lockett, Dannie ‘Danny’

Cards: ProSet 1991 Defensive MVP, ProSet WLAF 1991 Defensive MVP, ProSet WLAF 1991, Ultimate World League 1992, Ultimate World League 1992 League Leader, Wild Card World League 1992
Acquired: TTM 2020, C/o Home*
Failure: TTM 2020, C/o Home
Sent: 7/28 Received: 8/11 (14 days)
* Fee Enclosed

Danny Lockett represents the defensive crown jewel of the big 3 World League sets. He appeared no less than 6 times across ProSet, Ultimate, and Wild Card. Even with his personal information and unique name, he was still difficult to track down, but after much sleuthing, talking to a few connected people, and thanks to the power of social media, I finally was able to find and connect with Danny. I offered him a signing fee of 10.00 per card to ensure that these cards would get signed, and he kindly did so, whipping them around in two weeks time. (It is unknown whether the spelling of his name was an error- or a nickname- or if over the years he’s moved towards Dannie, but for purposes of this post, we will call him Danny.)

Danny played college ball at Arizona where he saw his time at outside linebacker in 1985 and 1986. He earned PAC-10 honors in 1986 when he led the way with 12 sacks, and 15 tackles for loss.

A 5th round pick of the Detroit Lions in 1987, Danny played for the Lions through 1988- a year in which he posted 17 tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery.

He’d attend training camp with the New York Jets in 1991 but did not make the squad.

Lockett was then selected in the second round of the 1991 World League of American Football positional draft by the London Monarchs. where he’d go on to have a banner year for the team, as they won World Bowl I over the Barcelona Dragons.

Danny finished in a 3 way tie for Defensive MVP Honors. He’d set multiple league marks along the way, most notably for Most Sacks in a season (13.5), and most consecutive games with at least 2 sacks (10 in first 5 games).

Among his most impactful performances were in the first game against the Knights (3 sacks), and 4 tackles and a fumble recovery in the Monarchs World Bowl I victory.

On the season, Dannie had 74 total tackles, 13.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries.

It should be noted that Lockett helped the Monarchs lead the league with an astounding 53 sacks- or 5.3 sacks a game.

This card used the same photo as the ProSet 1991 Series II Defensive MVP subset card.

He returned to the Monarchs for the 1992 season, however the team stumbled out of the gate finishing with a dismal 2-7-1 record. Although Lockett’s numbers were also down, he still had some memorable moments, including scoring 2 touchdowns (interception and fumble) in a Week 9 thumping of the Montreal Machine.

With the World League reorganizing after the 1992 season, Danny like many players was immediately absorbed into the stateside Arena football league system that was taking off.

Danny played the next 5 seasons in Arena Football for 5 different franchises. He saw the most success in 1993 with the Detroit Drive, finishing with 50 total tackles, 8 sacks, 9 pass breakups and 2 fumble recoveries, and an interception. Over the next 4 seasons, Lockett played for the Massachusetts Marauders, Orlando Predators, Connecticut Coyotes, the ill-fated Texas Terror, and finally the Milwaukee Mustangs.

NFL– G/GSTACSACFUM
29/1N/a2.02.0
INTYDSAVGTDLG
00-.-0-.-
WLAFTACSACFUM
N/aN/aN/a
* websites incorrectly show that Danny had back to back 14 sack seasons playing in the WL
INTYDSAVGTDLG
11414.0114T
ARENA– G/GSTACSACFUM
10217.53
INTYDSAVGTDLG
273.51N/a

Logan, Phil

Card: Wild Card World League 1992
Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o Home
Sent: 8/24 Received: 9/7 (14 days)

Phil Logan played college ball for the Kentucky Wildcats from 1987 to 1990. In his Senior campaign, Phil caught 37 passes for 565 yards and 4 TDs. He finished ranked 4th on the school’s charts with 83 receptions for 1219 yards and 4 TDs. He also had a memorable 85 yard kick return for a TD (his only return of the year) in his Junior season as well.

Phil joined the World League in late 1991. He’d be selected by the Ohio Glory in 1992. During the season Phil caught 17 passes for 256 yards and 2 TDs- including a 51 yard barnburner. After the league failed, Phil played a season with the Massachusetts Marauders of the Arena Football League.

Phil had this really solid Wild Card entry that I always wanted to get signed, and over the last year or two I’ve really made a breakthrough with locating many players in the World League- especially those with common names. Phil was very gracious and kind in his response to me and thanked me for writing him and really making his day.

WLAFRECYDSAVGTDLG
1725615.06251T
ARENARECYDSAVGTDLG
2157.50N/A

Bell, Grantis

Card: Wild Card WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2010, C/o Home
Sent: 6/11/10  Received: 12/3/11  (540 days)

Grantis Bell finished his career at WV with 46 receptions for 819 yards and 6 TDs and after a great Fiesta Bowl appearance, (where Grantis would make 4 catches for 44 yards,) he’d be signed as a free agent  by the Washington Redskins in 1989.  The next two seasons would be with the New York Jets, before he made his appearance in the WLAF for the Orlando Thunder in 1992. A smallish receiver at 5’10”, 160, Grantis could stop on a dime and run routes in traffic, -perfect for the Thunder’s spread offense. Bell in the end had a really nice season playing receiver on the Thunder, hauling in 36 receptions for 435 yards and 4 touchdowns. He’d also serve as backup kick returner with 11 returns for 200 yards and an 18.2 yard average, helping the team appear in World Bowl II, where they’d fall to the Sacramento Surge.

Grantis signed with the Arena Football League and made his debut with the Detroit Drive catching 39 passes for 681 yards and eight touchdowns as the team’s number three receiver in 1993. In ArenaBowl VII against the Tampa Bay Storm, he caught five passes for 77 yards and scored on a 34-yard touchdown catch. Bell transitioned with the team to Massachusetts in 1994, but had an injury shortened season after breaking his elbow, and then the Marauders folded. Grantis made the move to the Storm in Tampa Bay, and play there in 1995 and again in 1997 before retiring. He finished his Arena career with 62 receptions for 1017 yards, a 16.4 average and 13 touchdowns in 4 seasons of play.

I did not have a card of Grantis when the Thunder throttled the Riders in San Marcos back in 1992, however after acquiring the Wild Card WLAF 1992 set, I sent off for him last year. I was surprised that I did not get a response, but recently through SotL, I was able to contact him, where I sent him a new letter with the card.  This one was a bit odd, as he sent this one back in the original envelope I sent him from 2010, so this one officially becomes the longest wait at 540 days.  Shortly before the date of this post he also sent back the other card as well signed and personalized it. Below are Grantis’ WLAF statistics:

G 10   Rec  36    Yds   435     Avg   12.1    Td 4     Lg 46t