Tag Archives: barcelona dragons

CFL, NFL, WLAF

Goetz, Ron


Cards: ProSet WLAF 1991, Wild Card WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2012, C/o Home
Sent: 5/29     Received: 6/7      (9 days)

Finally knocked out another elusive member of one of the WLAF European squads in Ron Goetz, linebacker for the Barcelona Dragons in 1991 and 1992. Goetz, played at the University of Minnesota where he got a reputation as a linebacker with a motor that never quit. Originally when he arrived at the institution he was a runningback, but got converted to linebacker by the end of his Freshman campaign. By his senior season in 1989, Ron had made quite a name for himself receiving All-Big Ten honors recording 68 tackles and 2 picks, – one of which he returned for a game winning touchdown against the University of Wisconsin.
This was good enough to receive attention from NFL scouts and the Minnesota Vikings drafted him in the 12th round of the 1990 draft.  Though he did not make the team, the WLAF’s Barcelona Dragons made him their first pick at linebacker in 1991. Goetz did not disappoint. Playing at inside linebacker for the Dragons,  Ron led the league at linebacker with 4 interceptions on the team’s exceptional defense that helped propel the team to World Bowl I against the London Monarchs.  Although the team did lose the game 21-7, they were able to claim the division title outright in 1992, with again stellar defensive play keying the way. Ron had 2 sacks and 3 picks for the Dragons that season, but the league reorganized after the year and did not return until 1995.  Goetz returned stateside, but stayed North of the border, first signing with Ottawa Rough Riders in 1993, and then the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1994.  He’d remain with Saskatchewan through 1997 and retire back to Minnesota where he lives today.

Tac N/a     Sac  3     Fum       Int  7     Yds 33      Avg 4.7       Td 0     lg  26

NFL, NFLE

Sacca, Tony

Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1992, Classic 1992, Classic Blister 1992
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Home
Sent: 8/25   Received: 9/12 (17 days)

Tony Sacca played quarterback for the Penn State Nittany Lions from 1988-1991. Ol’ Joe Patero was a notorious proponent of the ground game, especially with Blair Thomas in the backfield through 1990, but a trial by fire his Freshman season provided Tony with the chance to start. Although the team started off roughly, by 1991 Sacca had adjusted to the college game and had turned into a fairly solid prospect.  When he graduated from Penn State he was tied as the school’s all-time leader for touchdown passes in a career (41) and a game (five). He was also second in passing yards in his career (5,869) and also in single season yardage (2,488).

The Phoenix Cardinals were looking for answers at quarterback during the 1992 draft and took Sacca with their 2nd round pick. With Timm Rosenbach in the fold, the team hoped to groom Sacca as his backup, but Tony’s career would be short-  completing only 4-of-11 passes with two interceptions in his rookie season. By 1994 he’d be cut, but later signed with the retooled WLAF in 1995, which had renamed itself the NFLE. He’d be selected by the Barcelona Dragons, and backup Casey Weldon at quarterback.

After 2 seasons in Europe, Tony retired to pursue coaching. In 2007, Tony would be stricken with pneumonia which would lead to his hospitalization. He luckily recovered from it and lives in Delran, New Jersey to this day.

 

NFL, WLAF

Erney, Scott

Cards: Pro Set 1991, Pro Set WLAF 1991, Ultimate WLAF 1992, Wild Card WLAF 1992.
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Work.
Sent: 7/19   Received: 8/17  (29 days)

Scott Erney and fellow quarterback Stan Gelbaugh played high school football within a stones’ throw of each other, and while Gelbaugh would go to Maryland and Erney attended Rutgers- they would ironically cross paths again as starting QBs in the WLAF.

During Scott’s career at Rutgers from 86-89, he set the school passing record for completions (614), attempts (1128), and yards (7,188). In one remarkable game Scott threw for 436 yards against Vanderbilt and led the team to upset victories over Penn State and Michigan State.  Going undrafted in 1989, he’d sign with the Denver Broncos, – however, facing stiff competition, Scott would be cut before the end of training camp.

As the WLAF opened up shop in 1991, Erney would be the 5th quarterback taken in the draft by the Barcelona Dragons. Under Jack Bicknell, he would establish himself as the starting quarterback over Notre Dame star Tony Rice. In 7 games Erney would throw for 1186 yards and 8 touchdowns, to 2 picks, – leading all starters at that position and setting a league benchmark. During the season he’d throw for 340 yards and 3 touchdowns in a victory over the Orlando Thunder and guide the team into the playoffs with an 8-2 record.  Despite a nagging separated shoulder that caused him to miss 3 games, Scott would finish second in passer rating with an 86.6 quarterback rating.

The team would beat the Birmingham Fire and play the London Monarchs for the championship game, but lose 21-7.  During the game Scott was tacked by Marlon Brown and tore a muscle in his leg. On the plane ride home he suffered from compartment syndrome which aggravated the injury further. Tissue in his leg actually died. Doctors suspected that Scott might never play again, but amazingly he recovered and returned for the following season.

Riding high into the 1992 season, the Barcelona Dragons offensive line was in shambles. Erney would suffer 27 sacks on the season, (roughly 3 a game)  and his quarterback rating would plummet to a 61.5 rating. Still Scott would help the team enter the playoffs again at 5-5, on the back of his 315 passing attempts, and narrowly lose out in the first round of the playoffs to the eventual World Bowl Champion Sacramento Surge, 17-15.

After the reorganization of the WLAF in 1992, Scott would retire. He currently works for the Erie insurance group. I got these cards postmarked back from Harrisburg, PA in roughly 30 days, and was super happy to finally add another Dragon to my collection.

G/Gs 17/20   Att 473   Comp  247   Yds 2840   Pct 52.2   Td  14   Int 12   Rat 69.9