Tag Archives: fleer ultra 1991

NFL, usfl

Johnson, Mike (LB)

Cards: Score 1990, Fleer Ultra 1991, Action Packed 1990, ProSet 1990, Score 1991
Acquired: TTM 2018, C/o Home
Sent: 10/20   Received: 11/9     (20 days) 

Despite playing alongside future defensive hall of famer Bruce Smith at Virginia Tech, linebacker Mike Johnson ended up in the upstart USFL playing for the Philadelphia Stars (1984) and the Baltimore Stars (1985). NFL teams took notice, and after finishing a stellar career in the USFL, Mike was selected in the USFL player dispersal draft with the 19th pick. Mike joined a host of other USFL castaways (Mack, Minnefield, and McNeil) on the Browns, helping solidify the nucleus of a powerful playoff opponent. 

Johnson was a rare talent. A versatile, durable inside linebacker, who could cover runningbacks and tight ends in the flat in Cleveland’s defensive alignment. Mike earned two Pro Bowl appearances in 1989 and 1990 both as a middle linebacker. During the 1990 season he’d record a 64 yard interception return against the Chargers (Billy Joe Tolliver).  In 7 of his 10 years in the NFL, Mike recorded over 100 tackles, and 6 of those, he’d manage over 130. Johnson’s best season came in 1993 when he pulled down 181 ball carriers. 

In 1994 Mike was allowed to depart for Detroit where he finished his career in 1995. Rejuvenated, he’d start 32 of 32 games and have 250 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, and 3 interceptions for 71 yards and a TD.

Mike Johnson is the Browns 1980s TTM version of Ernest Givins! 

-Deadhorse

A sure friend to the TTM community, Mike’s responses are of legend. He takes the time to respond to letters that ask questions, signs everything and includes extras. I only dropped 4 cards in, but he included an extra two for my trouble, giving me an extra signed ProSet 1990 and including the Fleer Ultra 1991 card. 

I was surprised that I couldn’t find Mike’s Pro Bowl 1990 card, but whatever- I was still happy to get this bevvy of cards signed. Both his Score cards and his ProSet base cards are very nice action images. His Fleer Ultra 1991 leaves a lot to be desired. I really hated this set from a design standpoint. It was just lazy, and his silhouette is partially obscured by a Bills player’s butt. Action Packed took what they could get sometimes, even if the action shot was from behind (as is the case with Johnny Holland and Mark Carrier’s (S) cards- respectively). I wasn’t really a fan of it, but since I had gotten this card in every other pack of Action Packed that I first bought for a while there, it made sense to send one up to see if I could get it autographed.  

USFLTACSACFUMINTYDSAVGTDLG
N/A5.5N/A22914.51N/A
NFLTACSACFUMINTYDSAVGTDNFL
144/125122414.5261321716.6264t
NFL

McGwire, Dan (2)

aprks92 mcgwirepset91 mcgwireflr93ult mcgwireflrult91 mcgwire
Cards: Fleer Ultra 1993, Fleer Ultra 1991, Action Packed Rookies 1992, ProSet 1991.
Acquired: Canton Acquisition 2012, TTM 2014, C/o Home.
Sent: 6/2       Received:  6/14   (12 days)
See Also: Dan McGwire

Dan McGwire was rumored to be the top pick of the Patriots in the 1991 NFL draft, with ProSet even going so far as to making a test card of him. Instead he slid all the way to the Seahawks at 17, who were trying to end the Dave Krieg era in Seattle. He’d be the first of many quarterbacks that the team employed behind the depleted offensive line over a very short period.

I sent out 4 cards to Dan, but he only signed his Seahawk cards, skipping out on his Upper Deck 1991 Star Rookie issue and his 1991 Star Pics. Both were of him in his Aztecs uniform, but still I was happy to get him on his Action Packed card that I had wanted to get autographed since it was issued.

These others here came to me care of a collector who was exiting the market for a while. I really like the Topps Stadium Club entry. It’s a very nice action shot from the line of sight of a receiver. The others- particularly the Fleer Ultras were absolute throwaways both in photo and in set.

NFL

Holman, Rodney

Cards: Pro Set 1990 PB, Fleer Ultra 1991, Fleer 1990
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Home
Sent:  6/22    Received:  11/15  (146 days)

The Bengals during the late 80s and early 90s had an impressive offensive lineup featuring a variety of soft handed receivers, but one who received much less credit than he deserved was Tulane University grad, Rodney Holman.

At 6-3, 238, Holman was ideally suited for the Bengals offense as a tight end or h-back and while Rodney’s rookie season in 1983 was a wash, he’d begin to come into his own in his second season grabbing 21 balls for 239 yards and his first touchdown. He’d continue setting career highs in 1985 (38 catches, 479 yards, 7 touchdowns) and 1986, (40 receptions, 570 yards, 2 touchdowns). His unparalleled blocking and pass catching at the time was ahead of the tight ends of his age, and he was crucial in the team’s run to SuperBowl XXIII.  Holman would bottle the magic again in 1989 with a career high 50 receptions for 736 yards and 9 touchdowns. Rodney would also earn ProBowl and AP nods for his 1988-1990 seasons, and also be enshrined in Tecmo Super Bowl with the Bengals.

With the dawn of free agency, Rodney signed with the Lions in 1993 and play there two additional seasons before retiring. Since then he’s been an assistant coach with the Saints. In his spare time Rodney is an avid fisherman and hunter. He is also a cousin of Preston Pearson.  At this time Rodney remains the all-time leader in career receptions for the Bengals at tight end with 318.

G/Gs 212/146     Rec  365    Yds  4771    Avg 13.1       Td  36       Lg  73t