Tag Archives: gameday 1992

Conner, Darion

Gameday 1992, #7

CARDS: Action Packed 1991, Gameday 1992, Skybox 1992
ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Home
SENT: 1/3 RECEIVED: 1/30 (27 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Darion Conner was a 3 time All-Southwestern Athletic Conference Selection out of Jackson State.
  • In 1989 posted 12.5 sacks and 130 tackles.
  • Second round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 1990, Conner was prized for his versatility.
  • Settled at ROLB, and in first 3 seasons went over 100 tackles each year.
  • In 1994, played one season for the Saints, and had a career high 10.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and an interception for 56 yards.
  • 1995 saw him take his skill set to Carolina, where he added another 7.0 sacks to his resume as an original member of the Panthers.
  • After two largely fruitless seasons in Philadelphia (’96-’97), Darion was signed by the ‘original but new’ Cleveland Browns.
  • Didn’t play a down for the team, so he decided to take his skills to the Arena Football League in 1999 playing OL/DL.
  • Connor was an impactful player in Arena Football.
  • He’d play with the Tampa Bay Storm through 2005.
  • Connor’s football career ended abruptly after he committed DUI-manslaughter and vehiculuar homicide.
  • He was sentenced to 15 years in prison- of which, he has paid his debt to society and is now a free man.

NOTES:

Darion signed all three of these cards for me masterfully with a silver sharpie. The Skybox card looks incredible.

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Beckles, Ian

Gameday 1992, #140

CARD: Gameday 1992
ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Home
SENT: 6/21 RECEIVED: 7/10 (19 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • After transferring from JC, Ian Beckles played offensive guard for one year at Indiana in 1989.
  • Ian grabbed the attention of scouts who watching film of fellow teammate Anthony Thompson.
  • He’d be selected by both the NFL (5th round, Bucs) and the CFL (1st round, BC Lions) in 1990.
  • Beckles became a mainstay at RG, playing in 101 games for the team.
  • In 1997, he hopped over to the Philadelphia Eagles playing for the team for two seasons.
  • He saw action in training camp with the Jets in ’99 and the Broncos in ’00 before hanging up his cleats for good.
  • Ian is active in the alternative medicine industry, and is a staunch advocate for marijuana legalization.
  • He also enjoys spending time in radio and podcasting.

NOTES:

Well I sent Ian two cards for him to sign. Unfortunately he only sent back the Gameday 1992 card, and kept the Score Supplemental. No big deal really- but the long tom format is not something that I’ve never supported on my website yearly updates.

Ah well- minor complaint, but I am sure glad to add him. He’s got a great autograph and a very nice card.

Francis, James

Gameday 1992, #21

CARDS: Action Packed Rookies 1990, Action Packed 1991, Action Packed 1992, Gameday 1992, Score Supplemental 1990, Pro Set 1990
ACQUIRED: Paid Signing, 2023

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • James played LB at Baylor (1986-’89) where over his career he posted 434 total career tackles.
  • In 1989, he set an NCAA single-season record with eight blocked kicks.
  • Earned SWC Player of the Year honors in 1989, when he totaled 129 total tackles, 4 interceptions for 99 yards, 8 sacks, and 3 fumble recoveries.
  • He also moonlighted on the Baylor basketball team as well in the off season.
  • A first round pick of the Cincinnatti Bengals in 1990, he had 78 combined tackles, 8 sacks, and an interception that he returned 17 yards for a TD at ROLB.
  • He’d convert to LOLB in 1992, and add 6 more sacks to his resume and another 3 picks for 108 yards including a 66 yard TD.
  • In 1994, Francis had a career high 101 total tackles when he moved to LLB.
  • Added another 3 pick season in 1996, returning another one 42 yards for a TD.
  • Joined the Redskins in 1999, playing there for one season.
  • Retired before he turned 32, citing that it wasn’t fun anymore and that losing just drags on you after a while.
  • Lives in Central Texas, and has kicked the tires on going into coaching.
Action Packed 1992, #33

ACCOLADES:

  • All Rookie Team 1990
  • Baylor Hall of Fame 2001

NOTES:

James doesn’t sign TTM so I had to get as many of his cards signed as I could through a very affordable paid signing.

It’s said that Jimmy Johnson of the Cowboys during the 1990 draft really wanted to draft James Francis in the first round to man his defense over eventual Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith. He didn’t get the chance to debate it as Francis went off the board at #12 overall and Smith went off at #17. One has to wonder how the trajectory of the Cowboys might have been altered if Francis was still sitting on the board at #17.

Francis makes an appearance in Tecmo Superbowl where he’s a pretty solid option to play at LB.

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