Category Archives: CFL

CFL

Hall, Darryl

Card: Jogo 1992
Acquired: TTM 1992, CFL Blitz

Like many CFL players, there is just not a lot of data or statistics avalable on Darryl Hall. Extensive Google mining has revealed little about this stealthy defensive back/ linebacker. At  6’2″, 205, Darryl Hall was a well sized cornerback  who covered some of the best players in the league. An imported player, he originally played his college ball at Washington and was team captain. A free agent signee by the Stampeders, Darryl wasn’t even in training camp in 1990, however he’d finish the season with 3 picks and was nominated as Calgary’s rookie of the year. Later in his career he’d move to linebacker and would be the leader of the Stampeder defense en route to 3 Grey Cup Championships for the city.

CFL, NFL, NFLE

Heller, Ron

Card: ProSet 1990
Acquired: In Person 1992, Philadelphia Eagles Traning Camp

The Co-Captain of Penn State’s 1982 championship run, Ron Heller was an offensive tackle at drafted in the bottom of the 4th round of the NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 1984 was a good draft and Heller was a fine specimen at 6’6″, 290. A highly intelligent lineman with a good motor, Heller was both a competent pass and run blocker. Starting immediately out of the gate, Ron would be named to numerous All-Rookie teams at the end of 1984. Playing in obscurity for 4 seasons for the Bucs, Heller would be traded (in 1988) to the Seahawks who in turn traded him to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he’d block for Pro Bowl quarterback Randall Cunningham. Ron would become the first Eagles offensive lineman named offensive MVP of the team in 1989. I’d get his autograph at training camp in 1992, before he signed with the Dolphins to block for Dan Marino in 1993. He never missed a beat, starting immediately, and fit right in with the team for 3 seasons.  A brutal knee injury would end his career after the 1995 season, but Ron would move on to coaching.  He’d finish his playing career playing in 172 games, starting 166 of them.

In 2004, Heller served as an assistant in NFLE on the Amsterdam Admirals. He’d expand on these jobs as an offensive line coach in 2006 and 2007 would allow him to be an offensive coordinator, before the league’s untimely folding.  Ron then joined the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL in 2009 for one season, and then returned to the NFL as an offensive staff assistant for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2010.

CFL

Laird, Stu

Card: Jogo 1992
Acquired: TTM 1993, CFL Blitz

The current head of the CFL Players Association, Stu Laird was a stalwart defensive tackle for the Calgary Stampeders from 1984-1996. A free agent signee originally Laird would be on both the Roughriders and Alouettes before he landed on the roster of the Stamps. Stu’s career really took off in 1986 where he notched 9 sacks. In 1988 Laird had a career high 11 sacks for the team before an injury riddled 1989. Cut in 1990, he’d recover to form, be resigned, and by 1994 would have another 9 sack season. A strong pass rushing force inside, Stu earned West-All Star honors for his performance in 1994. He’d continue playing through 1996 before retiring. His number has also since been retired as well. Stu has spent time as a fire fighter in the off season.  In 2001 he was named president of the Canadian Football League Players Association and has served in that capacity through 2010 where just recently he was able to negotiate a new 4 year CBA.

When I sent out to the CFL, I sent out a bunch of All World cards. Unable to completely process my request, the league offices sent me a lot of the cards back with signatures and then tossed in a few Jogo 92 cards from the Calgary Stampeders.