Category Archives: WLAF

NFL, WLAF

Johnson, Jason

ultwlaf92 jjohnsonCards: ProSet WLAF 1991, Ultimate WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Work
Sent: 2/17    Received: 3/4  (14 days)

Jason Johnson played wide receiver and runningback for the Illinois State Firebirds. He’d be a free agent find of the Denver Broncos in 1988. After spending the first half of the season on injured reserve, he’d return 14 kick offs for 292 yards in 8 games. The Steelers signed Johnson in 1989, and again he’d be relegated to primarily kick and punt return duties.Later Jason would have a try out with the New Orleans Saints but not make the squad.

In 1991, Jason was drafted by the Frankfurt Galaxy of the WLAF in the 3rd round of the league’s positional draft. As Mike Perez‘s favorite target, the speedy receiver caught 38 balls for 635 yards and 4 touchdowns.   Against the Skyhawks that season, he’d catch a 59 yard bomb to set up the go ahead score.  Johnson also stepped up as Frankfurt’s primary punt returner, fielding 24 kicks for 89 yards. Jason even saw time as an emergency defensive back, intercepting one pass and returning it 17 yards.  While the Galaxy finished 7-3, the team did not make the playoffs in 1991.

pset91 jjohnsonHe’d return to the Galaxy for the 1992 season, but with Perez splitting time with Alex Espinoza behind a leaky offensive line, Johnson saw less looks and consequently- less targets, and the team slumped. Still Jason managed to haul in 22 receptions for 268 yards and a 47 yard touchdown, before the league went on hiatus after the season.

He returned back stateside after that, and his hometown of Gary, Indiana. He worked his way into coaching, and is now a head coach at West Side High School.  He wrote me a really nice note on the back of the envelope, telling me that his son was soon going to be in the NFL and that he himself loves Austin and is looking forward to moving here when he retires.

NFL  Rec   1          Yds  6         Avg 6.0        Td 0        Lg 6    |
KR  17     Yds 335       Avg 19.7         Td  0         Lg 34
Pr  3         Yds 27          Avg 9.0           Td  0         Lg 13

WLAF  Rec 60       Yds   903        Avg 15.1       Td   5          Lg  59
Kr     5           Yds   107        Avg   21.4          Td 0               Lg 26
Pr    24         Yds      89        Avg  3.7              Td 0               Lg 15

 

WLAF

Pickens, Dwight “Pick”

ultwlaf92 pickensCard: Ultimate WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Andre Alexander
Sent: 1/4    Received: 1/25 (21 days)

While I had no luck getting in touch with Dwight Pickens via Facebook, I did Andre Alexander, and he offered as a bonus to help me get Dwight, an elusive member of the San Antonio Riders. A college teammate of Alexander, Pickens was a dangerous receiver, he finished his college career with 61 catches for 1169 yards and 8 TDs. He also carried the ball 16 times for 156 yards and 4 TDs. An equally shifty punt return man, Pick had 32 returns for 472 yards and a TD. Selected in the 8th round of the 1990 draft by the San Fransisco 49ers, Pickens did not make the roster of the team.

He’d be subsequently drafted by the San Antonio Riders of the WLAF in 1991 as a Supplemental Selection. The Riders had quarterback issues with Jason Garrett, Lee Saltz, and Mike Johnson all taking snaps. Pick posted modest numbers in the Riders offense, which was modeled after the ‘Skins offense of the late 80s. He had 20 receptions for 249 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a barn burner that was the team’s longest play from scrimmage at 82 yards.  I am unsure as to why he didn’t return to the team in 1992, but the team had high turnover at the position anyway, with only Lee Morris returning from 1991.

Still good friends with Alexander to this day, Pick and Andre frequently get together at alumni events.  Dwight currently lives in SoCal.

Rec  20    Yds 249    Avg 12.4     Td  2      Lg 82t   |
Kr  3     Yds 63   Avg 21.0    Td  0   Lg 32  |
Pr  3     Yds 42   Avg 14.0   Td 0    Lg 19

NFL, WLAF

Sweeney, Kevin

mem sweeneyCard: ProSet 1991
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent: 2/3     Received:  6/25   (142 days)
Failure: TTM 2010, C/o Home

Kevin Sweeney played for the Fresno State Bulldogs from 1983-1986, where he became one of the first Fresno QBs to really land on the radar of NFL scouts and a Heisman Trophy Watch List.  In 1984, he threw for career highs in attempts (421), completions (221), yards (3,259), and touchdowns (20).  His 10,585 career passing yardage mark stood as a school record,  (until it was recently shattered by 2014 NFL draft pick Derek Carr), and as the NCAA mark, which has been beaten many times over in the modern spread era.

Kevin was taken in the 7th round of the 1987 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys.  It was a dream come true for Kevin, who grew up as a fan of the team, attending training camps on a regular basis. Undersized at 6’0″, Cowboys’ director of Personell Gil Brandt loved his personality and tenacity. During his time at Fresno St, Sweeney got to prove his grit, durability (started 46 games), and experience starting in a pro style offense as well.  It was a difficult period for the team to say the least. As the luster was dulling on the stars that played in Dallas, there was a quarterback derby underway between Danny White and Steve Pelleur. He’d lose out though in training camp to 3rd stringer Paul McDonald. Then the NFL Strike happened and everything changed. With the ‘official players’ sidelined, Sweeney was the Cowboys ‘in-pocket quarterback’, – a guy they knew that if the strike was to happen, they were going to call him up, and make that investment pay off from the extra snaps and time Tom Landry and the organization invested into him- and did Sweeney ever. Many ‘scab’ teams were given silly strike nicknames. The Cowboys’ was particularly good. They were dubbed the Rhinestone Cowboys. Kevin came out in his first game as a starter and found Cornell Burbage streaking down the field. He’d hit him for the first touchdown during the NFL strike. The former Fresno St kid, parlayed it into a 2-0 record under center for the Boys. He’d throw for 291 yards and 4 touchdowns and a 111.8 quarterback rating.  While the strike ending sent many players packing, Kevin returned to the Cowboys for 1988. While he wasn’t as successful for the team the following year, his time was up when new owner Jerry Jones came into town and fired Tom Landry and his whole staff, replacing him with Jimmy Johnson. Kevin signed with the San Fransisco 49ers in 1989 but was cut during training camp that year. At that point he went into a period of semi-retirement.

pset91 sweeneyIn 1991 the WLAF was getting off the ground, and Sweeney was being eyed by the young league. He’d be the second quarterback taken off the board by the Montreal Machine, after Brent Pease (Bir).  He’d battle Mike Proctor for the starting job throughout the season. Benched and replaced, he’d reemerge during a contest against Sacramento with the team down 20-10. As he put 2 chipshots from Nittmo on the board, he’d rally the Machine for one final drive down the field trailing now 20-16 with a bit over 3 and a half minutes left. He’d put together a solid 93 yard drive in 8 plays, but suffer a fearsome hit from linebacker Pete Najarian – separating his shoulder. While the Machine won the game 26-23, Sweeney’s season and career was over. Kevin returned to Northern California and currently is a senior VP for Wells Fargo as of 2014. Well worth the wait and the failure I’d say, as not only did Kevin sign his Pro Set 1991 WLAF promo card, but he also included a signed photo of him with the Cowboys and Tom Landry in his own envelope.  Really nice pick up here.

 

NFL   6/4      Att 106     Comp  46        Yds  605         Pct 44.3        Td  7        Int 6           Rat  61.2
Rush 11        Yds 42         Avg  3.8       Td 0      Lg  10
WLAF     Att  69     Comp  24      Yds  219         Pct 34.8      Td 1        Int 3          Rat  31.0
Rush 19        Yds 84         Avg  4.4       Td 0      Lg  24