Tag Archives: pittsburgh steelers

NFL

Bentley, Albert

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Cards: ProSet 1989, ProSet 1990, ProSet 1991, ActionPacked 1990
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Home
Sent:  6/6   Received: 6/22    (16 days)

To most fans, Albert Bentley achieved fame for the Indianapolis Colts as Eric Dickerson‘s teammate during the late 1980s. In fact, early versions of the Nintendo game Tecmo Bowl featured Eric Dickerson initially as the starting runningback, as Tecmo was unaware that he was not a member of the NFLPA. In later production releases of the game, Dickerson was replaced by Bentley in the lineup with the same rushing abilities. Obviously when I played the Jack Trudeau led Colts, I relied heavily on Bentley screaming at my friends,” Here comes the Bentley!,” Referring of course to the luxury car brand by the same name.

An amazing transformation from walk on to starter, Albert helped Miami win its first national championship, scoring the winning touchdown in the 1983 Orange Bowl against Nebraska.   Going undrafted, Albert, (like his Miami teammate Jim Kelly,) elected to join the USFL in 1984, signing with the Michigan Panthers. The very next season the team merged with the Oakland Invaders and after injuries decimated the squad, Bentley moved to fullback. He’d champion the ground game with 1,020 yards, in an offense that featured such future NFL players as Anthony Carter and Bobby Herbert. As the USFL collapsed the NFL held a supplemental draft of USFL and CFL players. The Colts grabbed Albert’s rights in the second round with the 36th pick. The slasher-back became a jack of all trades for the Colts, averaging well over 1,000 all-purpose yards from 1985-1990. Eric Dickerson joined the squad in 1987,  and he and Eric went on to become the first pair of Colts runningbacks to each surpass 1,000 yards from scrimmage in the same season. He finished second in the league with 1,578 yards from scrimmage.  After he emerged as the Colts fulltime fullback in 1989, Bentley, Bill Brooks, and Andre Rison became the first trio of Colts to combine for 50 or more catches in a season that year. Albert checked in with 52 of them and  he’d follow this up in 1990 with a career high 72. An injury riddled 1991 ended Bentley’s season just after 1 game though. He’d sign with the Steelers in 1992 but not see any significant playing time, retiring after the season. Looking back at his time with the Colts, it was obvious that Bentley was one of the toughest and finest conditioned athletes on the team. His 7,775 all-purpose yards rank 7th all time in Colts history. Versatile and difficult for linebackers to cover one on one out of the backfield, Bentley is one of seven Colts backs to amass more than 200 receptions in their career.

Inducted into the Miami Hurricanes Sports Hall of Fame, Albert currently lives in Florida where he works in finance and investing.

G/Gs 90/33    Rush  526   Yds   2355   Avg  4.5    Td 19    Lg 70  |    Rec  226   Yds 2245   Avg  9.9    Td 8  Lg 73
Kr  149    Yds  3192   Avg 21.4   Td 0  Lg 48

NFL

DeCastro, David

Card: Leaf Rookies 2012
Acquired: 2012, Box Breaker

David DeCastro had been on my radar for the Texans right after they lost 2 members of their offensive line to free agency in 2012. He’d be off the board before the Texans even got a whiff of him, going to the Steelers overall with the 24th pick.

DeCastro went to Stanford University, blocking for quarterback Andrew Luck from 2008-2011. He quickly earned notice as a freshman with honorable mention All-Pac 10 honors. After being named a unanimous first team All American in 2011, he declared for the 2012 NFL draft.

He made a great overall impression with his sheer numbers. At 6’4″, 316, he was considered the best guard prospect in the draft, with great lateral speed, and a 5.43 40. The Steelers needed a new man up front to block for Ben Rothlisberger, after the team was gashed early and often by pass rushers last season. Unfortunately in the 3rd game of the preaseason, Decastro suffered a gruesome knee injury, dislocating his knee and tearing his MCL. Thankfully it looks like he will make a full recovery, and with the new NFL rules regarding IR, David hoped to be available by mid-season. Indeed DeCastro made a return in late November, and started the final 3 games of the year for the Steelers.

 

 

NFL

Ilkin, Tunch (1957-2021)

Card: Score 1990
Acquired: Canton Acquisition, 2012

Tunch Ilkin is one of the few natives of the nation of Turkey to play in the NFL. After attending Indiana State, Ilkin was drafted in the 6th round of the 1980 draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

A good sized lineman, Tunch measured in at 6’3″, 265 and was slotted at right tackle where he spent the majority of his time during his 14 season career blocking for a revolving door of quarterbacks starting with Terry Bradshaw and ending in Neil O’Donnell, from 1980-1992.

Tunch did not get his first start until 1981, and played sparingly during the early part of his career, but by 1983 had asserted himself as a full-time starter, putting 10 games under his belt. Over the next 9 seasons in Pittsburgh he’d start 133 contests, earning two ProBowl nominations for his body of work in 1988 and 1989. Ilkin signed with the Packers in 1993, but served primarily as a backup in his final season for Green Bay.

Tunch spent a lot of time working in the booth post football. He did color commentary, interviews, and worked as a game analyst. Beyond that, Tunch’s name has a nice, and unique ring to it which always resonated with fans. Ilkin recognized this and had no problem endorsing products and lending his likeness and names to causes and programs.


G/Gs    177/143

UPDATE– September 1st, 2020. Tunch Ilkin passed away today at the age of 63 due to complications from ALS.