Bruce Armstrong is a dominant offensive lineman who still has not received his due for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. As the Patriots #1 pick in 1987, Bruce anchored the tackle position for the Patsies for 14 seasons earning 6 Pro Bowl nominations and starting 212 games. He is the Hew England Patriots all-time leader in games started.
Highly durable but considered (6-4, 295) undersized to play tackle, Armstrong made up for it with his speed, balance, and hands. He played right tackle for the first 44 games of his career before moving over to left tackle for the remainder of his time in New England. A career threatening injury ended his 1992 season prematurely, but Bruce surprised even the doctors when he came back from injury the next season. He is one of three players in the history of the league to play in three decades for the same team, playing his entire 14 season career for the Patriots. Since retirement, Armstrong has been inducted into the Patriots’ Hall of Fame, and has opened a salon with his wife.
At the time of his graduation, Ken Clark finished at Nebraska right behind hallowed Mike Rozier in total rushing yardage (3037 yards) as an I-back in the Cornhusker offensive attack (since surpassed). In 1988, Clark had a 256 yard rushing performance against the undermanned OSU Cowboys and his 1497 rushing yards in 1988 were second in school history (since surpassed). Ken over his college career would also finish as a two time Big 8 selection in 1988 and 1989.
The Colts would tab him with an 8th rounder in 1990 and he’d step in playing on special teams a bit in a largely anonymous rookie season. Ken would help out any way he could in 1991, with a career high 366 yards on the ground, and 33 receptions. The Colts needed help at both tight end and running back- so he fit in as an H-back largely that season starting 7 games. The problem is he put the rock on the ground 4 times in 147 touches that season. His 1992 would find Clark knee deep in the depth chart. He’d only start 2 games but make the most of it with 134 yards and 5 receptions, and also do some kick return duty- but by 1993 Ken would be out of the NFL. In 2008 Ken would be inducted into the Husker Hall of Fame.
Card: ProSet 1990
Acquired: In Person 1990, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp
Ken Norton was one of these guys who the further he got into his playing career, the meaner he looked. I mean you just didn’t want to approach him his last year in Dallas as he just brooded. I think I got Ken either my first or second day at camp. It’d be the only card I’d get signed of his, as he just didn’t stop very often to sign cards. Ken Norton Jr is the son of former heavyweight champion Ken Norton. Drafted in the second round from UCLA by the Dallas Cowboys in Tom Landry‘s final draft as coach, Norton spent the majority of his rookie season in 1988 on injured reserve. He’d gradually work his way into the lineup in 1989, splitting time with Jesse Solomon (fresh from the Herschel Walker trade) at weakside linebacker. Norton would be moved around the linebacker corps as his greatest attribute at the time was his versatility while dealing with injury. By 1992 Ken had become a key cog in the Cowboys defense and scored a touchdown in SuperBowl XXVII. His 1993 would be his last in Dallas. The team had identified linebacker as a budget position and felt that they could find cheap talent in the draft. Norton would hit the road and head out to San Fransisco with the advent of free agency where he played consistently through 2000 before retiring. Ken would be named to the ProBowl twice in his career and All Pro in 1993 and 1995. He is also the first player to win three SuperBowl titles in a row and also remembered for a bone crunching hit that ended Napoleon McCallum‘s career.
Ken would go into coaching where he was signed by the USC Trojans to coach linebackers and also started honing his skills at broadcasting. In 2010 Norton Jr would join Pete Carroll’s staff in Seattle where he is serving also as a linebackers coach.
G/Gs 191/188 Tac 1130 Sac 12.5 Fum 13 Int 5 Yds 127 Avg 20.5 Td 2 Lg 46t
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