Tag Archives: classic 1992

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

Smith, Kevin “Pup”

Card: Classic 1992
Acquired: In Person, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp 1992

I got Kevin Smith and Patrick Bates autograph at the same time during Cowboys Training Camp in 1992. They were chatting up a storm about ‘future plans’ and it was obvious that they were good friends since they were members of Texas A&M’s Wrecking Crew during the late 80s and early 90s.

Kevin Smith is the all time leader at A&M with 20 picks and he earned All American Honors at the end of the season. The Cowboys were looking for solutions at defensive back and grabbed Smith with the 17th pick of the first round. He’d start 6 games and make 2 picks as a reserve defensive back. He’d take over the starting role in 1993 making 6 interceptions and 90 tackles which would all be career highs. After a subpar 1994, Kevin’s 1995 would be completely derailed by an Achilles injury and after starting one game his season would be over.  He’d return in 1996 and make 5 interceptions, but nobody ever recovers back to top speed after an Achilles tear.  Kevin would play through 2000, and while it would be the downside of his career, Smith’s career probably would have been more stellar if he hadn’t lost his 1995 to an injury.

G/Gs 103/93   Tac 334   Sac 0   Int  19   Yds 190   Avg 10.0   Td 1    Lg 32

 

NFL

Chung, Eugene

Card: Classic 1992
Acquired: TTM 1993, Patriots Blitz

Eugene Chung is considered one of the by products of the Herschel Walker trade that Dallas consummated with the Minnesota Vikings. The Cowboys would turn around and trade the pick to the Patriots to help Dallas acquire Russell Maryland. The Patriots selected Chung 13th overall out of Virginia Tech, making him the first Korean American to be drafted in the first round of an NFL draft. He’d quietly play for the Patsies through 1994 on a line that included 1991 first round draft choice Pat Harlow and perennial All-Pro Bruce Armstrong.

Chung then was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars during their expansion draft going 26th overall. He’d play one season for the expansion Jags and then sit out a season, before playing one final season with the Indianapolis Colts in 1997.  He attempted to play for both the Chiefs in 1998 and 1999, and then later the Eagles in 2000 and soon thereafter retired.

Chung over his brief NFL career would play in 55 games, starting 30.