A deep cut find out of East Tennessee State, DB Thane Gash was selected in the 7th round of the ’88 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns.
After not really seeing the field in his rookie year, Thane slotted in at FS where he quickly developed a reputation as a headhunter with a nose for the endzone.
In 1989, he picked up 3 interceptions (returning 2 for TDs) and led the team in tackles with 134.
Only had 1 pick in 1990, but duplicated his tackle feat, leading the team with another 134 tackles.
During the offseason in 1991, Gash herniated a disc in his neck, and was placed on IR for the entire season.
In 1992, joined the 49ers to replace Ronnie Lott at FS -who had left the previous season for the Raiders.
Gash started 3 games that year, and then retired after the 1993 season
Pacific 1991, #77Action Packed 1990, #36
NOTES:
I had been sitting on Thane’s cards for a while. He has a stack of really good cards combined with set needs that I had wanted. Thankfully he’s a voracious signer (when he does) and he signed all 5 cards I sent to him.
After picking up a few cards of Johnny via the Canton Acquisition way back in 2012, I went ahead and decided to close him out on pretty much the rest of the cards I had of him. Upper Deck for once, though came through with a nice shot of Johnny splashing through a wet field. The color is also outstanding on this shot. -A true winner.
Both his Score and Fleer cards are also outstanding shots of a predator linebacker in motion. The Fleer however sorta cheated, using an older shot of Johnny (also seen in his Panini Stickers entry from 1989). Johnny has a really nice stylized autograph. I love how he loops the ‘M’ of his last name under the ‘eads’. Solid.
Brian Noble was a 5th round pick out of Arizona State that quickly established himself as a starter in the Packers LB corps.
A tackling machine, Noble posted 104 tackles and 3 sacks his rookie season.
Best season came in 1989, with 138 total tackles, 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, and 2 interceptions.
Had 6 seasons of 98+ tackles over career.
At the beginning of the season he had 843 total tackles.
Incredibly durable up to that point, Noble started 119 games, but a career ending knee injury ended his season after only 2 games.
Noble has been busy since retirement, first going into broadcasting.
Later he owned the AFL2 Green Bay Blizzard, before the league ceased operations in 2009,
He’s moved into coaching currently at the high school level in Nevada.
ACCOLADES:
NFLPA All-Rookie Team 1985
NOTES:
Brian had some great cards over the years so it was a hard choice for me on what to send him. He appeared in all the major sets and later, maybe in another 10 years or so I might try him again as there are so many that I still would like to get him on.
He was a great signer 10 or so years ago and then pretty much just stopped. I had his cards in my priority shoe box for a very long time, so I shot these out as soon as he popped up again.
TAC
SAC
FUM
INT
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
N/a
14.0
11
3
20
6.6
0
10
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
