Tag Archives: Arizona Cardinals

NFL

Simmons, Clyde

Card: ProSet 1990
Acquired: In Person, Philadelphia Eagles Training Camp 1994

Simply overshadowed by the presence of Reggie White on the other end, Clyde Simmons was a dominant end from Buddy Ryan’s criminally overpowered defensive line. After going to tiny Western Carolina, Clyde Simmons was drafted in the 9th round of the 1986 draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. The 86 draft is notable because it provided a lot of depth across the board- both defensively and offensively to many teams. It wasn’t an overpowering draft in terms of ProBowl and HoF talent, but it certainly yielded many recognizable names.

At 6’5″, 292, Simmons had some great measurables coming out of college and was definitely a sleeper pick, going behind such names as Tim Harris, Charles Haley, and fellow teammate Seth Joyner. After a quiet rookie season, Simmons began to ramp up his statistics and by 1989, making 15.5 sacks from the other end. He’d follow this up with 13 sacks in 1991 and a career high 19 in 1992.  In both 1991 and 1992 Simmons was named to the All-Pro team and the Pro Bowl for his contributions. Cut after training camp in 1994, Simmons signed with the Arizona Cardinals. After adjusting for a season, Simmons would again reemerge as a threat notching 11 sacks in 1995. He’d sign with the Jaguars in 1996 playing with them for two seasons making 16 sacks, before one season with the Bengals in 1998, and 2 more seasons with the Bears, retiring after the 2000 season.

Well balanced- Simmons during his time was an imposing force against the run finishing with over 100 tackles 3 times in his career. Simmons is not well remembered by fans typically outside of Philadelphia. Overshadowed by Reggie White and more boisterous members of the Eagles defense, Clyde quietly amassed 121.5 sacks over his career and in 13 straight seasons never failed to make at least 5 sacks. He’d make over 10 4 times in his career and finished 3 off from the single season NFL record in 1992.

Simmons has been doing a lot of different things since retirement in 2000.  Moving to Georgia, he worked for a mortgage company, and was a probation officer but after watching his son play football, was disgusted by the bad fundamentals players were utilizing.  Clyde decided to join the NFL’s minority coaching fellowship and was a defensive line coach for the New York Jets in 2010.

G/Gs 236/185    Tac  914       Sac  121.5    Fum 14     Int 3    Yds  85     Avg  28.3     Td  2    Lg 60t

NFL

Dafney, Bernard “Big Daf” (1968-2006)

Card: StarPics 1992
Acquired: In Person, Houston Oilers Training Camp 1992

Bernard “Big Daf” Dafney was a popular player at the University of Tennesee- scoring a touchdown on a trick play (‘fumblerooskie’) against Mississippi State where he gallopped for 32 yards. A verified man-mountain who had the physical size to translate to the next level (6’5″, 325), Dafney played in the Senior Bowl in 1992 before being drafted by the Houston Oilers in the 9th round. The Houston Oilers had an imposing and established offensive line and while Bernard played well in training camp, he wasn’t able to crack the lineup and was cut after training camp. He’d be signed by the Vikings, and remained with the team from 1992 through the 1994 season before continuing his journeyman career playing for the Cardinals, Steelers and Ravens and Panthers, before retiring in 1997. Bernard would take what he learned and apply it to coaching starting at the high school level, where he had a passion for teaching and learning seeing some time with two local campuses- before he was sadly struck down by a heart attack in 2006.

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