Category Archives: NFL

College Football HoF, NFL

Steinkuhler, Dean

Card: ProSet 1990
Acquired: In Person 1991, Houston Oilers Training Camp
See also: http://n8d.flywheelsites.com/2011/steinkuhler-dean-2/

One of the most dominant and decorated linemen to come out of the University of Nebraska- Dean Steinkuhler won the Outland and Lombardi Trophies in 1983 playing at guard. His most notable moment for the Huskers was picking up a ‘fumblerooskie’ and rumbling in for a touchdown in the Orange Bowl.

The Houston Oilers made him the second overall choice of the 1984 draft where the team would kick Dean out to play right tackle, and along with Mike Munchak and Bruce Matthews, the trio would form the nucleus of a very good offensive line.  The Oilers started Steinkuhler immediately and he’d play 10 games before a knee injury ended his rookie season and scrub all of 1985.  Dean would make a triumphant return to the lineup by 1986, starting the whole season and 11 games into 1987 before he was shelved for the rest of the season. In 88 and 89 he’d start the full slate of games, but once again bad knees crept back up in 1990 limiting his production to 7 games.  The porous Astrodome turf had taken its toll on Dean, exposing a chink in the Oilers’ offensive armor. Dean retired after 1991, starting only 1 game that season, at the age of 30. I’d meet him at Houston Oilers Training Camp in his last season where he nicely stopped and signed this ProSet card. Over his career he played in 100 games and started 77.

Dean lives now in Syracuse, Nebraska where he runs a storage unit facility, operates a car wash and enjoys watching his sons follow in his footsteps into football.  Of Dean’s accomplishments was that he was named to the 3rd string All Century College Team and also had his number retired at Nebraska.

I sent off for his autograph on his Score 1990 and 1991 cards trying to get the autograph of some of the great Oilers I remembered in 2010 through the Mieselman list, and received a response a bit over a year later in November of 2011.

NFL, WLAF

Erney, Scott

Cards: Pro Set 1991, Pro Set WLAF 1991, Ultimate WLAF 1992, Wild Card WLAF 1992.
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Work.
Sent: 7/19   Received: 8/17  (29 days)

Scott Erney and fellow quarterback Stan Gelbaugh played high school football within a stones’ throw of each other, and while Gelbaugh would go to Maryland and Erney attended Rutgers- they would ironically cross paths again as starting QBs in the WLAF.

During Scott’s career at Rutgers from 86-89, he set the school passing record for completions (614), attempts (1128), and yards (7,188). In one remarkable game Scott threw for 436 yards against Vanderbilt and led the team to upset victories over Penn State and Michigan State.  Going undrafted in 1989, he’d sign with the Denver Broncos, – however, facing stiff competition, Scott would be cut before the end of training camp.

As the WLAF opened up shop in 1991, Erney would be the 5th quarterback taken in the draft by the Barcelona Dragons. Under Jack Bicknell, he would establish himself as the starting quarterback over Notre Dame star Tony Rice. In 7 games Erney would throw for 1186 yards and 8 touchdowns, to 2 picks, – leading all starters at that position and setting a league benchmark. During the season he’d throw for 340 yards and 3 touchdowns in a victory over the Orlando Thunder and guide the team into the playoffs with an 8-2 record.  Despite a nagging separated shoulder that caused him to miss 3 games, Scott would finish second in passer rating with an 86.6 quarterback rating.

The team would beat the Birmingham Fire and play the London Monarchs for the championship game, but lose 21-7.  During the game Scott was tacked by Marlon Brown and tore a muscle in his leg. On the plane ride home he suffered from compartment syndrome which aggravated the injury further. Tissue in his leg actually died. Doctors suspected that Scott might never play again, but amazingly he recovered and returned for the following season.

Riding high into the 1992 season, the Barcelona Dragons offensive line was in shambles. Erney would suffer 27 sacks on the season, (roughly 3 a game)  and his quarterback rating would plummet to a 61.5 rating. Still Scott would help the team enter the playoffs again at 5-5, on the back of his 315 passing attempts, and narrowly lose out in the first round of the playoffs to the eventual World Bowl Champion Sacramento Surge, 17-15.

After the reorganization of the WLAF in 1992, Scott would retire. He currently works for the Erie insurance group. I got these cards postmarked back from Harrisburg, PA in roughly 30 days, and was super happy to finally add another Dragon to my collection.

G/Gs 17/20   Att 473   Comp  247   Yds 2840   Pct 52.2   Td  14   Int 12   Rat 69.9

 

NFL, WLAF

Valerio, Joe

Cards: StarPics 1991, Wild Card WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o www.joe73.com
Sent: 8/27/10    Received: 8/18/11  (356 days)

Originally selected by the Chiefs in the 2nd round of the 1991 draft along with Harvey Williams (1st) and Tim Barnett (3rd) Joe Valerio was a small school product out of Pennsylvania that made waves at the combine with his 6-5, 292 frame. A two time NCAA I-AA All-American he’d be allocated by the Chiefs to the WLAF for the 1992 season.

The Chiefs -pleased with the progress of linebacker Tracy Simien, felt that Joe would be a good fit in the World League. He’d get valuable starting time with the Birmingham Fire, under head coach Chan Gailey, blocking for quarterback Mike Norseth and runningback Elroy Harris that season as the team made the playoffs with a 7-2-1 record. After the league was reorganized in 1992 he’d return to the Chiefs and start 3 games that season.  Valerio would remain on the line of the Chiefs as a valuable back up through 1995, before signing with the St. Louis Rams in 1996, and retiring after that season. Throughout his career he’d play every position on the offensive line, including tight end.  He’d also make 4 receptions for 7 yards and 4 touchdowns on tackle eligible plays for the Chiefs, (-all from Joe Montana which is the most that Montana threw to any lineman).

Since then Joe has gone into motivational speaking through Gridiron Concepts. He’s also a manager for Wells Fargo, coaches, and works avidly on his foundation. A popular member of the Kansas City Chiefs, Valerio also did radio and tv for a stint. I sent off for his autograph through his website at joe73.com last year, and gave up after about 6 months, so I was really pleased to open up an envelope and find these two cards autographed for me, in just a shade under a year.