Tag Archives: green bay packers

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

Heisman Trophy Winner, NFL

Detmer,Ty

Card: ProSet 1991 HH, Action Packed Rookies 1992
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Home
Sent: 6/16    Received:  7/19  (33 days)
Failure: TTM 1/2/2010, C/o St. Stephens

I am really pleased to have finally acquired Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer for my collection on his Pro Set Heisman Heroes and his Action Packed Rookies card. Along with Bart Starr in 2010, Detmer would be one of the first two players I sent out to when I restarted TTM collecting, and he would also constitute my first failure, as he did not sign my cards via St. Stephens Private School in Austin; However, after noting some recent successes at his home address I thought I’d give him another shot. I was happy to have gotten these cards signed in under 40 days.

So Ty Detmer grew up about 50 miles to the South of me in San Marcos, Tx- a straight shot down the I-35 corridor. A wunderkind even at the high school level, I frequently read in the local paper about Detmer’s amazing passing talent throwing and knew he had the ability to exceed expectations at least at the college level.  He’d sign with BYU and by the end of his Freshman season had cemented his status as starter at quarterback for the Cougars. Over his four seasons at BYU he captained the helm of some solid bowl teams, rewriting the school’s passing record books previously held by such names as Jim McMahon and Steve Young, including NCAA records for attempts, completions, yards, touchdowns, and passer rating.  He also won the Heisman Trophy in 1990.

In 1992, Detmer was drafted by the Green Bay Packers during the 9th round. With starter Don Majkowski and future franchise quarterback Brett Favre at second string, Ty rode the bench at 3rd string, playing light mop up duty in 1993 and 1995 throwing for just over 100 yards and a touchdown.

The 1995 season allowed for a change of scenery for the young quarterback, joining the Eagles in Philadelphia, reuniting him with his quarterbacks coach Andy Reid. The Eagles were admittedly rebuilding the franchise, but stubbornly clung to playing respectable football. Detmer replaced injured Rodney Peete at quarterback and guided the team into the playoffs posting a 7-4 record. As a professional it would be his best season, posting up 15 touchdowns and 2911 yards and an 80.8 quarterback rating in 13 games.  Detmer returned for the 1997 season, but disappointingly was forced to share quarterbacking duties roughly halving his statistics.

Ty would then head to the 49ers, where he played one season backing up Jeff Garcia. Coming off the bench and starting 1 game, he’d post a 91.1 QB rating and throw for 4 touchdowns.  Traded in 1999, Detmer played for the Browns for the next two seasons, mentoring young quarterback Tim Couch.  An Achilles injury  washed his whole 2000 season, but he’d sign with the Lions in 2001- but threw an embarrassing 7 interceptions in his first start. He’d ride the bench for the majority of the season playing for the Lions through 2003.  In 2004, Detmer moved on to Atlanta, backing up Michael Vick and future Houston starter Matt Schaub, but would not see any playing time during his stint there retiring in 2006. – Not a bad run for a quarterback who was told he was too small to play in the NFL.

Since football, Detmer has taken up coaching football at the high school level at St. Stephens in Austin, Texas.

G/Gs 54/25   Att 946  Comp 546   Yds 6351  Pct 57.7
Td  34   Int 35   Rat 74.7  |
Rush 72    Yds  177    Avg  2.5    Td  3    Lg  14

CFL, NFL, WLAF

Bethune, George

Card: Ultimate WLAF 1991
Acquired: In Person 1992, San Antonio Riders v. Sacramento Surge

George Bethune was drafted by the LA Rams in the 7th round of the 1989 draft from Alabama. He wouldn’t start any games but would manage to stay on the roster through the 1990 season, making 4 sacks and 1 fumble recovery playing linebacker. After not making the roster in 1991, George was the first defensive player chosen in the WLAF’s positional draft by the Sacramento Surge in 1992 at #1 overall. The pick came to the Surge via the Ohio Glory, who received Sacramento’s #1 pick (#2 overall), and starting center Curtis Wilson.  Bethune was penciled in at defensive end for the team and finished second on the team with 7 sacks (3rd in the league). The WLAF would reorganize after the 1992 season but Bethune kept his playing dreams alive.  I’d get his autograph at that final game back in 1992 on this great Ultimate Card.

George was signed by the Houston Oilers in 1992, but would be cut in training camp. He’d subsequently also be cut by the Packers in 1993.  George the tried his hand at the CFL and headed north to Canada to play for the Winnepeg Blue Bombers, and then later was acquired by the Sacramento Gold Miners in a trade during 1994. He’d play one final season with the team as they’d transition to San Antonio to become the Texans, but when the CFL folded in North American Operations, George retired.  Below are his WLAF statistics.

G/Gs  N/a     Tac   N/a      Sac  7.0     Fum  N/a    Int   0       Yds  0     Avg -.-    Td 0       Lg  -.-