Tag Archives: fleer 1992

NFL

Smith, Vinson

CARDS: Fleer 1992, Pacific 1992, Topps Stadium Club 1992
ACQUIRED: TTM 2025, C/o Home
SENT: 2/19 RECEIVED: 3/3 (12 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Vinson Smith started his college career as a DL at East Carolina.
  • It wasn’t until he was a junior that Vinson was converted to ILB.
  • He finished his college career with 294 total tackles, 4 picks, and 2 fumble recoveries.
  • Undrafted he joined the Atlanta Falcons in ’88 as a free agent, but spent most of the season battling injuries.
  • Spent the entire 1989 season on IR with the Steelers.
  • Signed as a Plan B free agent with the Cowboys in 1990.
  • As the starting WLB, posted 71 tackles and 3 QB pressures in ’91.
  • Had 69 total tackles and 1 sack and 2 fumble recoveries in ’92.
  • Traded to Chicago in 1993 along with Barry Minter.
  • Recorded 111 total tackles and 4 sacks in 1995.
  • Returned to the Cowboys in 1997 and was a key backup to all 3 LB positions.
  • Joined the New Orleans Saints in ’98 where he again contributed as a backup and special teamer.
  • Retired after the 1999 season.

ACCOLADES:

  • ECU Pirates HOF

NOTES:

Vinson was another one of these Cowboys from my childhood at St. Edwards I never got at training camp. When he popped up on my radar I sent these cards out immediately. I’ve held onto the Fleer 1992 card for some 30+ years…

Arena, NFL

Young, Michael

Gameday 1992, #430
Pro Set 1990, #493
Fleer 1992, #108

CARDS: Skybox 1992, Pro Set 1990, Fleer 1992, Gameday 1992, Pacific 1992
ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Home
SENT: 5/30/23 RECEIVED: 8/23/23 (85 days)
FAILURE: TTM 2018, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Michael Young played WR for UCLA from 1983-’84.
  • He caught 48 passes for 737 yards and 7 TDs with the Bruins.
  • A 6th round pick of the Los Angeles Rams in 1985.
  • Got caught in a numbers game as his playing time waned with the unretirement of Ron Brown.
  • Played for the Rams through ’88 catching 35 passes for 421 yards and 4 TDs.
  • Joined the Broncos in ’89 via Plan B and immediately paid dividends, spotting the Three Amigos.
  • From 1989-’91 he set career single season highs in receptions.
  • Caught a career high 4 TDs in 1990.
  • In the playoffs that year caught a 53 yard pass and a 70 yard TD against the Browns to help Denver reach Super Bowl XXIV.
  • Started 13 games in 1991 and caught a career high 44 passes for 629 yards (2 TDs).
  • Played for the Eagles in 1993 catching 14 passes for 186 yards and 2 TDs.
  • In 1994 dressed for two contests for the Chiefs.
  • After retirement, made the transition to the front office, serving for the Denver Broncos, and then the Colorado Crush of the Arena Football League and then with the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB).
Skybox 1992, #132
Pacific 1992, #86

NOTES:

When I first became a Rams fan, I saw Michael streaking down the field on a few plays. I thought he was going to really be something for them in their already strong WR corps. Then he went off and signed with Denver. I was a bit butt hurt. I knew he’d be clutch when it counted for somebody.

I was miffed that I failed on him back in 2018 considering I lived pretty much right around the corner from him at one point, however I reloaded and gave him another shot a few years later. After pointing out that I was confused because sometimes color men and Wikipedia called him ‘Mike’- he let me know that he indeed goes by Michael. He sent me an NFL Alumni sticker, 2 extra autographs, a nice note, and also his Dodgers business card in his return correspondence. Worth the wait.

RECYDSAVGTDLG
144203414.11452
College Football HoF, NFL

Casillas, Tony (2)

Pro Set 1990, #31
Pro Set 1989, #6
Score 1990, #658
Action Packed 1990, #3
Fleer 1990, #372
Score 1989, #162
Topps 1992, #135
Topps 1988, #391
Fleer 1992, #79
Skybox 1992, #136
Topps Stadium Club 1995, #112

CARDS: Skybox 1992, Topps Stadium Club 1995, Topps 1988, Topps 1992, Fleer 1992, Action Packed 1990, Fleer 1990, Score 1989, Pro Set 1989, Pro Set 1990, Score 1990
ACQUIRED: IP, 2023

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

Well I thought I was going to this event but my wife made me scrap my plans at the last second. In stepped in my friend Mark in a pinch. He helped me knock out Tony on my set needs and then quite a few others, that he just had extras of. He knocked out the Skybox, Pro Set, Action Packed and Fleer needs just like that.

I hadn’t gotten any cards of him in his Jets uniform, so this one was an added bonus in a time I wasn’t collecting. Topps Stadium Club’s logo was a product of the time- as the late 90s was all about looking edgy. Lol I absolutely hate it.

Tony’s Score 1990 is an oddity. He feels like an afterthought in the set as he’s the final card after all the 1990 Rookie cards.