Tag Archives: barcelona dragons

NFL, WLAF

Welch, Herb

wcwlaf92 welchsco90sup welch
Cards: Wild Card WLAF 1992, Score Supplemental 1990
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent: 6/4  Received: 6/17  (13 days)
Failure: TTM 2010, C/o Home

mem welchAn incredible competitor with great speed, Herb Welch is a great NFL story. Originally a 12th round pick in 1985 who wasn’t considered a pro grade prospect, Welch surprisingly earned his stripes in a great way -as a member of the New York Giants SuperBowl XXI team.  He’d start the big game in place of injured safety Terry Kinard.  In each of his first 3 years in the league, Welch played on special teams and as a backup defensive back, earning 2 interceptions in each season. He’d rip up his knee during the 1988 preseason, but made a full recovery in time for the next year.  After being cut during the 1989 preseason, he’d catch on with the Washington Redskins during mid-season playing again mainly on special teams, tallying 13 tackles.  He’d sign Plan B with the Detroit Lions in March of 1990. He’d start 4 games for the Lions and make a pick, and be with the Lions through the 1991 season. In 1992, Herb picked up his cleats and joined the WLAF. He’d split time between the Sacramento Surge and the Barcelona Dragons.

I had attempted Welch back in 2010 when I still lived in LA. I was disappointed that I did not get a response. I decided to try Herb again in 2014 and was pleased to not only get a response, but also a piece of nice photo memorabilia from him as well.

G/Gs 79/8       Tac  N/a     Sac N/a       Fum 0       Int 7      Yds 53    Avg 7.5     Td  0    Lg  16
WLAF        Tac N/a     Sac  N/a      Fum 0      Int  0      Yds  0      Avg -.-      Td 0       Lg -.-

NFL, WLAF, XFL

Adams, Scott (1966-2013)

psetwlaf91 adamsCard: Pro Set WLAF 1991
Acquired: EBay, 2014

Scott Adams was another modest success story of the WLAF. At 6’5″, 275 Adams was a perfect fit for the Barcelona Dragons run oriented offense.  After not making the squads of the Dallas Cowboys (1989) and Atlanta Falcons (1990), Scott was drafted by the Dragons in the 3rd round of the 1991 WLAF draft. Although an impressive guard, Adams had the flexibility to also play tackle as well. He helped key the team’s drive to World Bowl I.

In 1992, Scott signed with the Minnesota Vikings and remained with the team through 1993. He’d then spend a series of one shot seasons with with the New Orleans Saints (1994), Chicago Bears (1995), Denver Broncos/ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1996), and the Atlanta Falcons in 1997.

After a 4 year hiatus, in 2001 Adams was drafted by the San Fransisco Demons of the XFL. He’d block up front for Mike Pawlawski and Pat Barnes, as the team made a late season charge only to lose in the Million Dollar Game against the Los Angeles Xpress. After the season the XFL folded and Adams retired back to Georgia where he eventually became an mortgage banker. Scott unexpectedly passed away on September 16th, 2013. He was just 47 and is survived by his wife and daughter.

 

 

CFL, WLAF

Rice, Tony ‘Antonio Arroz’

psetwlaf91 riceCards: Pro Set World League 1991, Ultimate WLAF 1991
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Work
Sent: 9/10/13   Received:   5/17/14   (250 days)
Failure: TTM 2011, C/o Blue & Gold Magazine

An amazing quarterback at Notre Dame, Tony Rice finished with an incredible 28-3 record for the Irish. When the nation was in full bloom love the Notre Dame football during the late 80’s, if Rocket Ismail gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated, they were talking about Rice’s ability to come alive and win games with his will and sheer athleticism. During that period, Tony led the Irish to the National Championship in 1988 and narrowly missed one in 1989.

The college ranks were a completely different animal back then. Players weren’t scouted and groomed for NFL success like they are today.  Rice was looked down on by scouts because he was an option quarterback with great rushing stats, but not so amazing passing stats. He did not get drafted in 1990, so Tony played in the CFL for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Unable to crack the lineup ult92 ricebehind starter Kent Austin, Rice elected to join the WLAF in 1991. Drafted by the Barcelona Dragons, the league attemped to lean on the Dragons to trade Rice to the Knights, because he was still popular in the states, but Barcelona refused. In the meantime, he’d split time with Scott Erney as the team rolled to World Bowl I against the London Monarchs.  During the season the Spanish translation of his name became quite popular and he was referred to in the media as ‘Antonio Arroz’.  Again, much like his time at Notre Dame,  Rice would demonstrate his ability to wreck opposing defensive gameplans with oppritune scrambling. He’d rush for 210 yards and 2 TDs in 33 carries. The Dragons finished as European Division Champs in 1992, but lose to the eventual World Bowl Champion Sacramento Surge. While the WLAF would reorganize after the season, Rice decided to hang around in Europe for an additional season, playing for the Munich Thunder of the Football League of Europe.  At the time of the league’s suspension, Tony was the leading rusher in WLAF history, at the quarterback position.

He worked for the Notre Dame “Blue and Gold” magazine publication for a few years, and I had heard rumors through the grapevine as to where he was at. Currently he’s with HUB International. Cross referencing with other sources I was able to peg down his actual location and shot these cards out to him last year. After failing previously in 2011, I was gunshy about giving him another shot, but when it comes to TTM autographs, -with no risk, there is no reward. I was pretty happy to get this one back with a small note inside “Apologizing for the wait, Your Friend, Tony Rice”, and the two autographed cards.

WLAF    Att 186     Comp 91     Yds 1228      Pct 48.9%        Td 1     Int 5      Rat  61.0  |
Rush 44      Yds 312    Avg 7.1     Lg 24     Td 3