Tag Archives: San Diego Chargers

Schwedes, Scott

Card: Topps 1989
Acquired: Canton Acquisition 2012

Scott Schwedes was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the 2nd round of the 1987 draft, to give Dan Marino a new weapon and a speedster who could return kicks. At 5’11”,  170, Schwedes boasted 4.45 speed and was among the top receivers of that year’s draft (- along with future New Orleans Saints WR Lonzell Hill).  At Syracuse, Scott set the school mark for receptions and is currently 4th in receiving yards. He helped propel the school’s program back into the national spotlight briefly and relive some of the glory days it experienced when his father won the National Championship at the school in 1950.

The Dolphins boasted a talented and deep recieving corps, led by Duper and Clayton, but also role players such as Fred Banks and utility player Jim Jensen. Scott had a difficult time ascending the depth chart, but still managed to quickly find a home as the team’s primary punt returner. After his rookie season, Scott earned All Rookie honors at punt returner. He’d handle the job over the next 3 seasons but never crack the starting lineup as a receiver. His best season as a wide receiver came in 1989 when he made 7 catches for 174 yards, (24.9 average) and a touchdown.  Scott signed with the Chargers in 1990, but after a 3 game stint there, found himself back on the Dolphins for the next 4 weeks, and retired after the season. A big proponent of Syracuse football, Scott was considered a big supporter of Doug Marrone and his staff that made strides for the Orangemen over the past few years.

G/Gs 46/1   Rec 19     Yds  370     Avg 19.5      Td 2   Lg  65t
KR  17      Yds  302     Avg 17.8    Td 0     Lg  34
PR  80      Yds 765      Avg 9.6      Td 1      Lg  70t

 

Mojsiejenko, Ralf “Mojo”

Card: ProSet 1989, Topps 1989
Acquired: 2012, Canton Acquisition

Ralf played for Michigan State from 1982-1985. He built a strong resume as both a punter and kicker for the Spartans. The NFL took notice and he was a hot commodity in the 1985 draft- well at least as far as kickers and punters go. Mojsiejenko was drafted in the 4th round by the San Diego Chargers. Not a bad pick- but such a conservative pick that the Chargers missed out on many other big names. The ’85 draft is remembered as a monster draft, and recognizable names like Steve Bono, Eric Martin, Mark Bavaro, Jay Novacek, Steve Tasker, Duval Love, and Kevin Greene came off the board after Ralf. Still 4 or 5 kickers also were selected by other franchises after Ralf, (and two became starters: Fuad Reveiz and Donald Igwebuike for other teams,) so there could be some justification there that the Chargers had to have some Mojo.  To befuddle us even more the Chargers stuck him in only at punter.

Mojo hit the field and made the team as proud as he could at punter. He was of course the highest draft choice at that position by the franchise. He’d punt 68 times his rookie season including a booming 67 yarder. He’d also average over 42 yards per punt, which he accomplished with regularity with the Chargers. In 1987, Ralf was able to nab his first Pro Bowl honor after averaging 42.9 yards per punt. He stuck around San Diego through the 1988 season, where he was immortalized on this great Pro Set 1989 card. The Chargers traded Mojo to the Redskins in the offseason for what was believed to be a 5th round choice. That season for Washington, he’d boom a 74 yard punt, and return to the Redskins for the 1990 season. The 1990 season was a down year for Mojo. Limited by a foot injury, he’d have career lows in most categories. Mojo signed with the 49ers as an injury replacement for incumbent Barry Helton. After Helton returned in the 6th game, Mojo was cut effectively ending his career.

G 93      P 413     Yds 17533      Avg 42.5       Lg 74        Blk  5

 

 

Orlando, Bo

tosc92 orlandoCards: Topps 1992, Topps Stadium Club 1992
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Home
Sent: 12/16   Received: 12/31   (15 days)

Bo Orlando was drafted by the Houston Oilers in the 6th round of the 1990 NFL draft. A co-captain of the West Virginia Mountaineer team that went undefeated and played for the National Championship in 1988, He made the squad primarily as a special teams guy and filled in a bit at safety for aging Terry Kinard. The team in 1991 made a concerted effort to draft defensive backs. Exposed in the playoffs and burned with regularity, the Oilers drafted Darryll Lewis, Mike Dumas, Steve Jackson, and Marcus Robertson that year, but it was Orlando surprisingly who made the biggest noise for the team in the secondary. After winning the starting free safety job in camp, he’d rack up 56 tackles and 4 interceptions in 1991. An injury shortened ’92, the emergence of Marcus Robertson at the position, and new defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan in 1993 meant Orlando wasn’t seeing much playing time, but still off the bench starting in 3 contests Bo still managed to make 3 interceptions.

to92 orlandoIn 1995, Bo was left unprotected and signed with the San Diego Chargers.  He’d step in and record 69 tackles and a forced fumble, in his first full season of action since 1991. Again left exposed, Orlando signed with Cincinnati in 1996 and recorded a career high 72 tackles playing for the Bengals. He’d finish his career in 1998 with his homestate Pittsburgh Steelers, retiring after the season.

Injury ravaged during his career, Orlando is a great example of one of the lesser unsung players who really layed their bodies on the line week in and week out for our entertainment. While he has enjoyed a career as a high school football coach in Bethlehem, Pa, and been inducted into the Mountaineer Sports Hall of Fame, his body has certainly taken a toll from the abuse inflicted on it from his 9 seasons in the league.

G/Gs 129/55   Tac 267   Sac 2.0  Fum 4   Int  10  Yds 126  Avg 12.6  Td 1  Lg 38t