Tag Archives: action packed rookies 1990

NFL

Webb, Richmond “Bam Bam”

pset90 webbsco90 webbaprks90 webbap91 webb

Cards: Pro Set 1990, Action Packed Rookies 1990, Action Packed 1991, Score 1990
Acquired: In Person 5/19, Houston 610 Fan Fest 2013
Pending: TTM, c/o Home 2013

Richmond Webb was a dominating offensive lineman for the Texas A&M Aggies blocking for notable runningback Darren Lewis and quarterback Bucky Richardson. Quick for his 6’7″, 291 lb frame, Webb had been clocked at a 5.09 40 before the draft in 1990, and had seen time at defensive tackle and offensive guard, before assuming his duties at tackle in his senior season. He earned All-Southwest Conference Honors in both 1988 and 1989. With excellent arm extension, and the ability to pull or trap, Webb was coveted by many teams in the hours proceeding the draft.

While Dan Marino had been sacked only 10 times in 318 attempts the previous season, the Dolphins felt that their anemic run game needed some help so with the 9th overall pick of the 1990 draft Miami selected Webb, -the highest rated offensive lineman on the board. The Dolphins then turned around in round two and selected Keith Sims to play guard, further insuring the integrity of the Dolphins line for the next ten years (-drawing some comparison to the duo of Mike Munchak and Bruce Matthews in Houston).

Webb had a dominating rookie season and became the first rookie offensive lineman in the history of the franchise to be elected to the Pro Bowl. In fact, Webb’s performance was so dominant, he earned 1990 AFC Rookie of the Year Honors from the UPI and All Pro Honors. Over his career with the Dolphins Richmond earned AP honors in 5 seasons (1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1995,) and Pro Bowl honors in 7 of them (from 1990-1996). He’d end up playing with the Dolphins through the 2000 season, transitioning from the Don Shula era, through the Jimmy Johnson years, and into the Dave Wannstedt seasons. He’d sign with the Bengals in 2001 but by then injuries began to take their toll on the big man and by 2002 he’d be done in by them. Still he attempted to comeback the following season with the Dolphins, but in the end retired.

Richmond has been inducted into the NFL All 1990s decade team, and in 2006 was honored on the Dolphins Honor Roll for his efforts. At last glance, Webb is retired and living in the Dallas area. He’s dabbled with being an Houston Texans ambassador, and I recently caught up with him at Fan Fest 2013, where he was incredibly jovial and friendly. When he asked me what I wanted him to sign I said, “The sexiest offensive lineman alive?,” which got a great big laugh out of him. He also told me that current A&M quarterback Johnny Manzell, is the man, and can compete at the next level.

G/Gs 184/167

NFL

Montgomery, Alton

aprks90 montgomeryCards: Action Packed Rookies 1990, Score Supplemental 1990, Score 1990
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Home
Sent:  1/22     Received: 1/31  (9 days)

Alton Montgomery played collegiately for the University of Houston during the final years of the SWC, garnering a reputation as a physical headhunting defender, and earning a nomination for the Jim Thorpe Award. A first team SWC choice in 1988 and 1989, he played his first two years at Northwest Missississippi Junior College where he made 14 interceptions. Montgomery is well remembered for the curbstomping that Houston inflicted on the University of Texas that year; A game in which he recorded 10 tackles, 4 sacks, and 4 hits behind the line in a 47-9 drubbing. He also had a memorable 72 yard interception return of a Timm Rosenbach pass in the 1988 Aloha Bowl against Washington State.

Montgomery parlayed his accolades into a late second round pick of the Denver Broncos in the 1990 draft. The pick seemed a slightlysco90 montgomery odd one, as the team was already set with Dennis Smith and Steve Atwater playing safety, so the team listed him as ‘defensive back’ initially before officially giving him a cornerback designation. Montgomery’s combine results showed that he had great change of direction, which led scouts to peg him as an excellent man to man defender. He came along quickly as a rookie, as he racked up 37 tackles, and intercepted 2 passes to tie for the team lead. Montgomery also saw some spot time at returner, averaging 20.4 yards on 14 returns, including a 59 yarder. Over the next two seasons the team used him sparingly at defensive back and more for the return game.  As the team cleaned house after the departure of Dan Reeves in 1992, Montgomery hit the free agency market and signed with the Atlanta Falcons, playing there through 1995.  He is best known by Falcons fans, for returning a Scott Mitchell interception 71 yards for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions as the team won 34-22 in his final season in the league. Currently, he lives in the greater Atlanta area and works in human resources.

sco90sup montgomeryAlton is another member of the Action Packed Rookies 1990 club that I was after. I was pleased to add Montgomery to the Hall in a very short amount of time. An absolutely marvelous photo of the safety probably doing punt return duties, the autograph really shows up well on the embossed and dark canvas. The Score 1990 card shows him in his college threads, and while it is not in an action pose, it still resonates a strong presence with Montgomery’s stance. Alton’s Score Supplemental 1990 card is an exciting one, and easily stood out from what felt like an inferior Pro Set offering.

G/Gs  68/6     Tac  114    Sac 3.0   Int 3     Yds 114    Avg  38.0      Td   1    Lg 71t
Kr  65        Yds  1351         Avg 20.8        Td 0       Lg 64

 

CFL, College Football HoF, Heisman Trophy Winner, NFLE

Ware, Andre “Air Ware”

pset90 wareCards: Pro Set 1990 Heisman Winner, Pro Set 1991 Heisman Hero, Score 1990, Action Packed Rookies 1990
Acquired: TTM 2012, C/o Home
Sent: 9/7     Received: 12/12   (96 days)

Way back in the days of the SWC (SouthWestern Conference) the Houston Cougars were continually struggling for attention under the heels of the traditional powerhouses of the conference. While peppering occasional league titles and bowl appearances, the team went some 10 years without a top 25 finish from the late 70s through the mid-late 80s. It’d be with the arrival of Jack Pardee that the team experienced a renaissance, and return to the national stage. Andre Ware stepped up at quarterback to command Pardee’s Run ‘N Shoot offense in 1989. Despite being under pressure from NCAA sanctions limiting scholarships, and a bowl and TV ban, the Coogs posted a 9-2 record.  Ware lit the offensive record books on fire, including a 95-21 drubbing of SMU, where Andre threw 6 TDs in one quarter. Andre went on to set 13 NCAA records, including most yards passing in a season (4,699),pset91 ware HH while his 46 TD passes fell one short of Jim McMahon‘s record. Ware won the Heisman in 1989 after the season during 4th closest vote- ahead of RB Anthony Thompson (Indiana),  QB Major Harris (West Virginia), and QB Tony Rice (Notre Dame).  Initially Ware intended to stay for his Senior season at UH, but with Jack Pardee bolting for the Houston Oilers down the street- Andre changed his mind and declared for the 1990 NFL draft.

When the draft rolled around I had hoped the Oilers would take Ware to become quarterback Warren Moon‘s heir apparent but Andre did not last long enough for the Houston to nab him. The Lions took Ware at #7. (The Oilers later in the round took another UH alum instead- linebacker Lamar Lathon.)

The Lions ran the ‘Silver Stretch’ Run ‘N Shoot variant under head coach Wayne Fontes, and offensive coordinator Mouse Davis. At quarterback the team had Rodney Peete, and Bob Gagliano, but the Lions were truly built to run with Barry Sanders in the backfield. Ware only started 1 game over the next two seasonssco90 ware rarely getting a chance behind Peete and later Erik Kramer. He was rumored to have alienated players and coaches with his attitude, but Ware, just wanted to play. The Oilers in the meantime attempted to trade Cody Carlson on two occasions to the Lions for Ware, but failed.

After the 1994 season, Andre began the journeyman phase of his career. Over the next few years, Ware saw offseason stops with the Vikings, Raiders, and expansion Jaguars, before finally landing in the CFL with the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1995. Later he signed with the BC Lions in 1996, and then found himself backing up Doug Flutie on the Grey Cup Championship winning Toronto Argos in 1997.

Andre last played football in 1999 for the Berlin Thunder in the NFLE, finally retiring after the season due to a fractured shoulder.

Andre has kept to his hometown area, working in the Houston media. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004, and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. He currently works for the Houston Texans as a radio color analyst.

Ware marks another in a long line of players that I really wanted on aprks90 waretheir cards. With an abundance of amazing shots, it is easy to notice that many of the companies had Andre tabbed as one of the next big superstars and did not want to have their set left in the cold. I had previously attempted to get Andre through my Houston Texans connection, but that obviously failed when he was cut. It took me some time but with some responses popping up occasionally through sports collectors, I jumped at the opportunity to sign the former Cougars’ signal caller. I really couldn’t decide which cards to send to him. His ProSet 1990 Lions card, and Andre’s Score 1990 Supplemental card also deserved some mention along with these 4. Even his Pacific entry had a nice, dynamic look to it. Feeling guilty about sending these four cards, I sent a check for the autographs, but Andre voided the check, and signed and inscribed all of them, in a bit under 100 days.

G/Gs 14/6    Att 161   Comp 83     Yds 1116    Pct 51.6
Td 5   Int 8    Rat 79.4  |
Rush 38     Yds  217    Avg  5.7    Td 0    Lg 32

CFL 29     Att  252    Comp 134   Yds 1542   Pct 53.1    Td 10  Int 10  |
Rush 40   Yds 316    Avg 7.9      Td 1    Lg 39

WLAF    Att 121   Comp 54   Yds 715   Pct  44.6
Td  4   Int 4   Rat 61.1
Rush 16   Yds  170   Avg  10.6    Td 2     Lg 45