Tag Archives: score 1989

Rocker, Tracy

Card: Score 1989, Score 1990, ProSet 1990
Acquired: Canton Acquisition 2012

Tracy Rocker was a monster for the Auburn Tigers from 1985-1988 at defensive tackle and finished his career there with 21 sacks, 354 tackles, and a consensus All-American. The 1989 draft was extremely deep, and although Rocker won the Outland and Lombardi Awards in 1988, it wouldn’t be until the 3rd round when the Washington Redskins called his name.

He started in 10 games his rookie season clogging up the running lanes, with his solid- if not unspectacular play, and recorded one fumble. It was good enough to earn him All-Rookie honors that year. In 1990 Tracy had 3.5 sacks in an injury shortened 7 game season. Tracy had a training camp battle with Darryl Grant and then suffered an injury. It became a game of numbers on the deep Redskins roster that Rocker ended up losing. A few teams gave him a look over, including the Dolphins, but did not make an offer.

Tracy was contacted by the fledgling WLAF in 1992. The Orlando Thunder, (who had a prolific offense but a feast or famine defense,) selected Rocker with their first round pick. He was eager to show that he still had what it took and to return to the NFL level, no matter what path he needed to take. During training camp though he slipped untouched on wet grass, and injured his knee.  Doctors later determined that Tracy needed arthroscopic knee surgery. It didn’t take long and by April, -two months after being drafted, Rocker was cut by the Thunder.

Rocker loves football, and decided to go into coaching defense and defensive line starting at the high school level that year. Tracy then moved on and has seen stints at: West Alabama, Troy State, Cincinnati, Arkansas, and Ole Miss. Eventually Tracy made his way back to his Alma Mater, Auburn, in 2009 remaining there through 2011. Rocker has also participated in the NFL coaching minority fellowship with the Colts (01) and Bucs (06). At this time, he’s returned to the pro ranks and currently coaches defensive line for the Tennessee Titans.

Despite not being successful as a player at the professional football level, Tracy Rocker is a great example of somebody who has really dug deep and overcame obstacles and adversity. Tracy was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004, and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.

G/Gs 24/17   Tac N/a    Sac 3.5    Int  0   Yds  0   Avg -.-   Td 0   Lg -.-

Malone, Mark

Card: Score 1989
Acquired: Canton Acquisition 2012

Mark Malone was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers way back in 1980 out of Arizona State with the last pick of the first round. The Steelers were coming off their 4th Super Bowl victory in the last 6 years, and with Terry Bradshaw starting to show signs of wear and tear, Pittsburgh started looking for his heir apparent. Until Terry’s retirement after the 1983 season, Malone only saw limited playing time over the next four seasons, but also put in time at wide receiver, setting the team record with a 90 yard touchdown reception in his rookie season.  In his first full time duty in 1984, Mark came out gunning posting a 6-3 record and leading the Steelers back to the AFC Championship game for the first time since 1979.  His 14.5 yards per completion led the NFL and he’d throw 16 touchdown passes.  The rest of the NFL was finally catching up to the Steelers though, and by 1985 the team began to fall into a deepening slumber, placated by bad draft choices, old age, retirements, and injuries. Still Mark kept plunking along throwing for 13 touchdowns to only 7 picks, however the team finished 7-9.  Malone’s 86 season saw him throw for a career high 2,444 yards and 15 TDs, -but also 18 interceptions, and after a 1987 season in which he threw only 6 TDs,  he was traded to the San Diego Chargers.  San Diego in 1988 was a woeful team. The Chargers were in disarray after the retirement of power plug QB Dan Fouts, and Mark Malone stepped in to the spot playing in 12 games, throwing for 6 touchdowns and 1,580 yards. As head coach Dan Henning  decided to go in a new direction with Billy Joe Tolliver, Malone was introduced to Plan B in 1989.  Mark signed with the Jets and played in 1 game his final season before retiring.

Mark has garnered a reputation as a great color commentator since retirement.  He’s worked his way out of the studio and into the booth doing a great job of getting in the quarterback’s head and diagramming plays.

G/GS  73/53    Att  1648    Comp 839    Yds 10175     Pct 50.9        Td  60     Int  81     Rat 61.9  |
Rush 159     Yds    628     Avg  3.9      Td   18     Lg 45
Rec  1     Yds  90      Avg  90.0      Td  1     Lg 90t

Walls, Everson


Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1990, Score 1989
Acquired: In Person 6/15/2012, Burnet Feed BBQ Store.

Probably one of the greatest free agent acquisitions in the history of the NFL at cornerback, Everson Walls has held the NFL interception title 3 times over his career, and played for the Cowboys, Giants, and Browns.  He earned All-Pro Honors in 1982, 1983, and 1985, and is tied for the NFL record for most interceptions in cumulative Pro Bowl appearances. After a meritous career with the Cowboys from 1981-1989, Jimmy Johnson left him unprotected in Plan B after the team’s 1-15 disastrous season. He’d sign Plan B with the Giants in 1990- leaving the Cowboys after recording 649 tackles, 44 interceptions, and 3 fumble recoveries.

The Giants moved Walls to Free Safety to replace departed Terry Kinard, and Everson responded by notching 5 more picks en route to the team’s Super Bowl XXV victory.  He’d also register his first pick for a touchdown against division rival Washington that year. Another season with the team and 4 interceptions in 1991, saw him split time in 1992 between the Giants and Browns with 3 picks. He’d retire after 14 seasons with the Browns in 1993.

Despite having so many accolades and being named to the Cowboys 25th Anniversary Team, the NFL 1980s team, Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame, Grambling Hall of Legends, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, and the Tom Landry Award, -the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor and the NFL Hall of Fame elude him to this day. I think it is an absolute crime that Walls is not at least in the Ring of Honor as he was one of the most complete defensive backs during his tenure in Dallas. Some say it was because of the 49ers Dwight Clark made that grab over him in the Championship Game, while others say it is because of his acrimonious hold outs, but I tend to believe that the NFL overlooks the corner position, if you are not as flashy or noisy as people like Deion Sanders.

Walls wrote a book in 2009, (“A Gift for Ron”,) chronicling his life and detailing his decision to donate his kidney to save his best friend and teammate on the Cowboys’, Ron Springs life. To me that’s worth it alone to demonstrate Everson’s humanity and compassion, emphasizing a trait that all members of the Hall of Fame should strive for.  He spends a lot of time on the road donating his time to charity, and works on TV and radio where he is immensely respected for his knowledge and understanding of the sport.

I had just joined the Texas Autograph Club, when I looked at the upcoming events and spotted a post about Everson appearing at a BBQ joint in Burnet, Tx -which is right down the road from me.  I unpacked some cards and grabbed my friend Josh and went to meet him. While the signing fee was stiff, it was totally worth it, as the money was going to help out the Burnet kids football team. Everson told me that first he’d like to be put into the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor, and then poked fun at the Giants card in front of the kids who were there that we were helping out.

G/Gs 186/171    Tac N/a     Sac  3     Fum 5        Int  57      Yds   504      Avg  8.8         Td  1     Lg  40