CFL, usfl

Crawford, Derrick

Card: All World CFL 1991
Acquired: TTM 1993, C/o the CFL

Derrick Crawford originally was signed by the Memphis Showboats of the USFL where he played for them 2 years. He was their leading receiver, dangerous in the red zone, and a speedy kick returner. When the league folded after the 1985 season Crawford was drafted in the USFL supplemental draft by the San Fransisco 49ers utilized primarily as a kick returner. Playing there for one season he then bolted for the Great White North, eventually finding a home with the Calgary Stampeders. Among his highlights were in 1992, when he caught the 80th Grey Cup’s first touchdown pass from Doug Flutie on the opening play and ended the game as the leading receiver with 162 yards en route to the city’s first title since 1971.

Derrick later signed with the Birmingham ‘Cudas and played for them in 1995, until the CFL folded back in the United States franchises at the end of the season. Much of the information on Derrick Crawford is spotty and the CFL does not keep player career statistics except for those in the CFL HoF.  Attached are his career USFL statistics.

Games  36      Rec  131         Yds  1760       Avg   13.4     TD 21
Ret  58    Yds 1500    Avg 25.8     Td 1

WLAF

Baker, Tony


Cards: ProSet WLAF 1991, ProSet WLAF LL 1991, Ultimate WLAF LL 1991, Ultimate 1991, Wildcard WLAF 1992.
Acquired: TTM 2010, C/o Home
Sent: 7/30   Received:   8/7   (8 days)

After debuting with the Atlanta Falcons out of the 1986 draft Tony Baker would hop over to the Browns that year where he’d sit out two seasons rehabbing, and then played with the Cardinals in 1989. The Frankfurt Galaxy of the WLAF drafted him in the first round of the league’s positional draft. He’d provide the third best team in the league in 1991 a shot in the arm as their workhorse utility back, leading the WLAF in rushing attempts, yards from scrimmage and two point conversions. (Baker would be the only player in the league that year to have over 1,000 yards in 1991 with 648 on the ground, 423 through receptions and 296 in kick return yards.)  He would also be named WLAF player of the week (7) for his preposterous performance against the Orlando Thunder where he notched 192 total yards.  In the 1992 season, the Frankfurt offensive line would be decimated by injuries and this would hamper Baker’s average per carry and receiving average drastically.  He’d finish 11th in rushing yards that year and had only 857 yards from scrimmage. (The Galaxy would also slump to a 3-7 record.)  Baker would finish his WLAF career far and away the leader in yards from scrimmage with 2,224 yards while the league reorganized after the 1992 season.

Games 20   Att 322  Yds 995  Avg 3.1  Lg 26  Td 7
Rec 78   Yds 745  Avg 9.6  Lg 35  Td  1
Ret  14   Yds 478  Avg  19.9   Lg 49   Td 0

NFL

Tolbert, Tony

Cards: Topps 1990
Acquired: In Person, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp 1991.

Tony Tolbert was drafted in the 4th round of 1989 as an outside linebacker.  The Cowboys found him there because he was considered a tweener at 6″6′, 270. Tony was an unsung cornerstone in the dynasty from a draft that produced Troy Aikman, Darryl Johnston, and Mark Stepnoski. Tolbert started as a designated pass rusher and then nailed down the left defensive end position (in 1990) that was formerly held by Cowboys great Ed ‘Too Tall’ Jones. He held down the starting LDE position over the next eight seasons. During the 90s he notched more sacks than any player on the Cowboys and in 1996 was named to the Pro Bowl, and first team All Pro making 12 sacks.  Tony constantly suffered from chronic knee problems, and over his career with the team had 7 knee surgeries -which eventually led to his release in 1997. In 2007 he had both knees replaced.

G  144      Tac   531         Sac 59.0        Fum  7
Int  1               Yds  54         Avg   54.0       Td  1

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