Cards: ProSet 1989, Score 1991, Upper Deck 1992
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o The San Fransisco 49ers
Sent: 6/14 Received: 6/20 (6 days)
Tom Rathman was a dominating fullback who set records at Nebraska averaging well over 7 yards a carry his senior season in 1985. He’d be drafted in the 3rd round of the NFL draft by the San Fransisco 49ers and immediately saw time on special teams while his playing time increased at fullback. During the 1987 season, head coach Bill Walsh shifted Roger Craig from fullback to runningback and started Tom at fullback blocking for him. For only catching 5 passes during college, Tom not only displayed a hard nosed inside running style, he also became an accomplished receiver notching a career high 73 receptions in 1989. Craig also benefited from Tom’s blocking rushing for 1502 yards in 1988, and 1089 in 1989. As Roger moved on to the Raiders after the 1990 season, the 49ers selected Ricky Watters in 1991. Tom continued paving the way, blocking for 1,000 yard backs. Tom played for the 49ers through 1993 and then signed with the Raiders in 1994 for one final season. Despite playing 9 seasons and leading NFL runningbacks in receptions in 1989, Tom Rathman was never named to the Pro Bowl- partially because the fullback position was never considered a separate position from runningback in Pro Bowl voting until 1993.
After 9 seasons, Tom would take some time off and then return to sport as a coach. In 1997 he’d become the 49ers runningbacks coach, on Steve Mariucci’s staff and then later followed Mooch to Detroit in 2003. In 2006, he coached with the Oakland Raiders, – a position that he held with the team until he returned to the 49ers staff in 2009.
The gods of Tecmo Bowl saw Tom Rathman, and looked favorably upon the stout fullback in his quest for glory. Rewarded by Tecmo he’d be graciously awarded monster hitting power and receiving ability becoming truly a one-two punch with Roger Craig. Well worth it, I was surprised to get Tom’s autograph on these 3 cards in a short 6 days care of the 49ers organization.
G/Gs 131/107 Rush 544 Yds 2020 Avg 3.7 Td 26 lg 35 | Rec 320 Yds 2684 Avg 8.4 Td 8 Lg 36
Robb Thomas was a class member of the super draft of 1989. Drafted near the top of the 6th round by the Kansas City Chiefs, he’d be a nice acquisition for the team with 4.55 speed. (The wide receiver class statistical output quickly drops off after him, with New Orleans Saints WR Floyd Turner being the only notable blip on the radar after Thomas.) After a weak rookie season, in which Robb spent half the season on IR, he’d make 8 receptions for 58 yards and 2 touchdowns while adjusting to 
Thomas would sign with the Seahawks in 1992 where he provided depth to the team and would start only 1 game over 3 seasons. In 1995, Robb would start 2 games and make 12 receptions for 239 yards and a career high 19.9 yards a reception. In 1996 Robb would sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and play for rookie head coach Tony Dungy. Back in the lineup for his most solid playing time since 1991, he’d make 33 receptions for 427 yards and 2 touchdowns in 8 starts. He’d return to the bench in 1997, before returning again briefly in 1998, to help out the Buccaneers devastated wide receiver corps and ironically make the longest reception of his career, and then retire soon thereafter.
Topps in 1992 finally started seeing the light and the majority of their cards matched this respectable quality card of Robb that they put out. The Stadium Club card, (which was their premier line,) was unique, had higher quality imagery, and the back of the cards had the player’s first card appearance and “The Sporting News” rating system. It was an obvious step up. Fleer on the other hand fumbled the ball right out of the gate. After a decent debut in 1990, Fleer decided in 1991 to release 2 lines as well, but it was gallingly apparent that the 1991 regular was retooled so that it was an even lower quality, imagery, and design than the previous year’s offering. The 1991 Fleer Ultra set was a disaster in itself. I really disagree with squeezing so many type faces into the player information area and the silver seems too strong and almost unnecessary to the design space. The back of this card is even more ghastly, with simple usage of the selection tool to isolate player figures that have arbitrary body parts cut off and a centered picture isolated in a NFL logo mask. An absolute travesty. It was a struggle in approach and feel to even reach the quality of their debut set. The Score 1991 card is a great action shot of Robb, and while they seem to have clearly lost a step, it’s just not as obvious a loss in design as Fleer displays or as much as Topps and its Stadium Club line gained.
Robb was a Tecmo Super Bowl veteran on an offense that largely relied on the ground game of