Tag Archives: detroit lions

NFL, ufl, WLAF

Huyghue, Michael

Card: TNT UFL 2011
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o UFL League Offices Jacksonville, Fl
Sent: 8/8     Received: 8/18  (10 days)

I wanted a way to preserve the memory of the UFL much like the way I have done so for the WLAF so I created a set of cards for the league, since there was nothing on the market. It ended up exploding into a 100+ card set.

Michael Huyghue has been the much maligned commissioner since taking charge of the fledgling league, that was hoping to capitalize off of the NFL labor dispute in 2011. (Clicking on the back of his card will bring up a detailed profile.) Taking a beating from fans over the league’s nomadic franchises and their overly optimistic approach, the UFL has managed to survive into its 3rd season under his direction, albeit under a cloud of scrutiny and a shortened season. It is unknown what the UFL’s new long term strategy is, and that is part of the problem.The hope is after the 2011 season, the league can survive or reorganize as an NFL farm league- something that the NFL has needed for quite some time.

American Football during the Spring has always been an elusive mystery as to why it can never succeed. Americans remain hungry for football year round, but when it comes to anything but the NFL, they squarely reject it as being an inferior product. Michael signed these 2 cards through the league offices in a short 10 days for me before the season began in 2011.

The web colors unfortunately did not translate on the Commissioner’s card properly and have been represented as a garish neon. The back is much more accurate. Utilizing this design in the future might require me to have a bolder font. Otherwise it was not a bad first stab.

NFL

Rathman, Tom

Cards: ProSet 1989, Score 1991, Upper Deck 1992
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o The San Fransisco 49ers
Sent: 6/14    Received: 6/20  (6 days)

Tom Rathman was a  dominating fullback who set records at Nebraska averaging well over 7 yards a carry his senior season in 1985.  He’d be drafted in the 3rd round of the NFL draft by the San Fransisco 49ers and immediately saw time on special teams while his playing time increased at fullback. During the 1987 season, head coach Bill Walsh shifted Roger Craig from fullback to runningback and started Tom at fullback blocking for him. For only catching 5 passes during college, Tom not only displayed a hard nosed inside running style, he also became an accomplished receiver notching a career high 73 receptions in 1989. Craig also benefited from Tom’s blocking rushing for 1502 yards in 1988, and 1089 in 1989. As Roger moved on to the Raiders after the 1990 season, the 49ers selected Ricky Watters in 1991. Tom continued paving the way, blocking for 1,000 yard backs. Tom played for the 49ers through 1993 and then signed with the Raiders in 1994 for one final season.  Despite playing 9 seasons and leading NFL runningbacks in receptions in 1989, Tom Rathman was never named to the Pro Bowl- partially because the fullback position was never considered a separate position from runningback in Pro Bowl voting until 1993.

After 9 seasons, Tom would take some time off and then return to sport as a coach. In 1997 he’d become the 49ers runningbacks coach, on Steve Mariucci’s staff and then later followed Mooch to Detroit in 2003. In 2006, he coached with the Oakland Raiders, – a position that he held with the team until he returned to the 49ers staff in 2009.

The gods of Tecmo Bowl saw Tom Rathman, and looked favorably upon the stout fullback in his quest for glory. Rewarded by Tecmo he’d be graciously awarded monster hitting power and receiving ability becoming truly a one-two punch with Roger Craig. Well worth it, I was surprised to get Tom’s autograph on these 3 cards in a short 6 days care of the 49ers organization.

G/Gs 131/107   Rush 544      Yds 2020     Avg  3.7     Td 26      lg  35     |       Rec 320    Yds  2684    Avg 8.4    Td 8       Lg 36

NFL

Harris, Corey “Snake”

Card: Star Pics 1992
Acquired: In Person 1992, Houston Oilers Training Camp
Pending: GameDay 1992, Skybox Impact 1992

Corey Harris was a do it all athlete coming out of Vanderbilt, where he played wingback, flanker and returned both kicks and punts for the Commodores.  He’d be named first team SEC in 1991, with 1103 yards rushing on 229 carries. A super athlete with great agility, the Oilers would take the speedster in the 3rd round and move him to wide receiver/ kick returner, where he was expected to compete in 1992. After a pretty impressive preseason in which he had a kick return for a touchdown, Harris would be mysteriously released after a poor week 4 showing against the Bengals, (that had no affect on the Oilers victory).

He’d be signed by Green Bay and immediately start returning kicks in week 5, holding the job with the Packers through 1995, leading the NFL in kick return average  in 1993 with a 30.1 average.  In 1995, Snake would sign with the Seahawks, and they’d convert him to cornerback to go along with his kick return duties. He’d make his first 3 interceptions that season starting his first full 16 game slate. Harris would play for the ‘Hawks through 1996 and then play with Miami for one largely unremarkable season.

It’d be in 1997 that Corey became a member of the Baltimore Ravens and the team he is perhaps best remembered playing for. The Ravens decided that Harris would be best suited for safety and in addition to his kick returning abilities, he would shine with 35 returns for 965 yards and a touchdown, and also return one pick for a touchdown against New Orleans in Week 12. He’d continue to provide valuable depth for the Ravens, and win a SuperBowl ring after the 2000 season.  He’d start the whole slate of 16 games in 2001, and then sign via free agency with the Detroit Lions, where he’d finish his career after the 2003 season.

I called Corey over by his nickname, which he was really surprised by because he said most fans didn’t know that. Nicknamed ‘Snake’, I’d assume it was because of his uncanny ability to set up blockers, dodge in and out of traffic, and play the screen. A really nice guy, I remember when he saw his card he got really excited as I think that it was the first one he had seen. I was always glued to the TV when he returned kicks, and was really mad when the Oilers cut him. In retrospect I think if the Oilers really knew what to do with him, Harris would have been a valuable asset to the team.

I recently found a few cards of Corey’s that I had that I always wanted to get signed, and sent out to him last month.

G/Gs  183/92      Kr 238           Yds 5528        Avg  23.2    Td 1   Lg 95t   |
Tac 490    Sac 6.5     Fum 9     Int 11      Yds 137    Avg  12.4    Td 1      Lg 49