Tag Archives: amsterdam admirals

CFL, NFL, NFLE

Heller, Ron

Card: ProSet 1990
Acquired: In Person 1992, Philadelphia Eagles Traning Camp

The Co-Captain of Penn State’s 1982 championship run, Ron Heller was an offensive tackle at drafted in the bottom of the 4th round of the NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 1984 was a good draft and Heller was a fine specimen at 6’6″, 290. A highly intelligent lineman with a good motor, Heller was both a competent pass and run blocker. Starting immediately out of the gate, Ron would be named to numerous All-Rookie teams at the end of 1984. Playing in obscurity for 4 seasons for the Bucs, Heller would be traded (in 1988) to the Seahawks who in turn traded him to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he’d block for Pro Bowl quarterback Randall Cunningham. Ron would become the first Eagles offensive lineman named offensive MVP of the team in 1989. I’d get his autograph at training camp in 1992, before he signed with the Dolphins to block for Dan Marino in 1993. He never missed a beat, starting immediately, and fit right in with the team for 3 seasons.  A brutal knee injury would end his career after the 1995 season, but Ron would move on to coaching.  He’d finish his playing career playing in 172 games, starting 166 of them.

In 2004, Heller served as an assistant in NFLE on the Amsterdam Admirals. He’d expand on these jobs as an offensive line coach in 2006 and 2007 would allow him to be an offensive coordinator, before the league’s untimely folding.  Ron then joined the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL in 2009 for one season, and then returned to the NFL as an offensive staff assistant for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2010.

NFL, NFLE

Furrer, Will

Card: Upper Deck 1992
Acquired: In Person, Houston Oilers Training Camp 1995

Will Furrer was a top line quarterback for Virginia Tech in the early 90s. Drafted by the Chicago Bears  in the 4th round of the 1992 draft, he was thought at some points to be the club’s quarterback of the future, but after a rough first season, he’d find himself on the street after a rough 2 games that season. He would sit at the #3 slot of the Cardinals and Broncos rosters, not attempting a pass in 1993 or 1994. I’d get his autograph in 1995 when he’d sign with the Houston Oilers, backing up Chris Chandler at quarterback. With Chris, injuries always seemed to take their toll on him, so Will would eventually get his shot.  After not making the roster of the Oilers the next season, Furrer would sit out for a season, but in the by 1995 he was getting time in the reformed NFLE playing for the Amsterdam Admirals where he’d play through the 1996 season. In 1996, he’d throw for 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Will would make his mark with the franchise setting career marks for most attempts in a season with 368. Furrer would lead the NFLE in most quarterback stats that season. He’d return to the NFL in 1997 and be 3rd string quarterback for the St. Louis Rams.  After the season, Furrer would retire. Since that time Will Furrer has been involved with IF Marketing & Advertising in partnership with Tony Boselli and Jeff Novak out of Georgetown, Texas.  Below are his NFLE statistics.

G/Gs N/a   Att  453    Comp  257    Yds 3231    Pct 56.7%   Td  24  Int 15   Rat 82.9  lg 48