Tag Archives: indianapolis colts

NFL

Daniel, Eugene

Card: ProSet 1990
Acquired: TTM 1993, Colts Blitz

Speedy defensive back Eugene Daniel was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the 8th round of the 1984 draft. Another one of these Louisianan products to sneak through to the NFL from LSU, Eugene Daniel was a highly underrated cornerback during his career and was considered a long shot to make the team roster. He turned out to be a complete cover corner, that had the speed to play both man to man defense and zone coverage.

His NFL debut was a splash, as he made 14 interceptions from 1984-1985. Over the rest of Daniel’s career he wouldn’t come close to attaining those numbers, but was relied on for his durability and consistency as a cover cornerback who could fence the run. Eugene Daniel and Wayne Capers in 1985 were the first team duo from the Colts to be named defensive and offensive players of the week together against the Packers that season. In 1986, he’d recover a blocked punt and return it for a touchdown against the Falcons. It would prove decisive as the Colts would win 28-23 and kickoff a 3 game winning streak for the team. Eugene in 1993 also made a critical interception of Boomer Esiason that set up the game winning score against the Jets. It’d be his only pick of the season.

Daniel played for some garishly bad Colts teams which never finished with more than 9 wins. This probably led to him not receiving as much acclaim as he probably should have gotten. He’d play one final season in Baltimore (for the Ravens) in 1997. This is interesting to note, because Daniel was drafted the year the Colts moved from Baltimore to Indianapolis, but he’d retire from the NFL in Baltimore.  Over his career Eugene led the Colts in interceptions 3 times, and tied for the NFL lead in 1985 with 8 thefts- but never made the Pro Bowl or was named AP.

Regardless, Daniel did in the meantime sneak into the Colts record books for most games played consecutively (185) which has been since taken by the venerable Peyton Manning. He also appeared on Tecmo Bowl, Tecmo SuperBowl, and Tecmo SuperBowl Final Edition.

A great autograph, Daniel signed this card during one of my early bulk team send outs in the 1990s. Otherwise, word is that he is an elusive TTMer.

G/Gs 207/191    Tac 735   Sac 2   Fum 2
Int 38   Yds 483    Avg 12.7   Td 3    lg 97t

Arena, NFL

Nagle, Browning

Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1991, Action Packed Rookies 1992, Pro Set Platinum 1992, GameDay 1992
Acquired: In Person 1993, CGA Youth Golf Tournament

“And with the 34th pick in the 1991 NFL draft, The New York Jets select: Browning Nagle, Quarterback, Louisville.”  Perhaps most notably known as the pick right after Brett Favre, Browning Nagle comes from a long line of NFL drafted quarterbacks from Louisville, KY. The team went quarterback surprisingly, (despite a glaring need for defense,) enchanted by Nagle’s strength and velocity on the ball. After a quiet rookie season on the bench learning the ropes behind Ken O’Brien, Nagle would step into the starting lineup for the Jets in 1992. In 14 games he’d throw 7 touchdowns and for 2280 yards, but he’d turn the ball over 29 times (12 fumbles and 17 interceptions). When Boomer Esiason arrived the following season Nagle headed back to the bench where after the 1993 season I’d meet him at the CGA Youth Golf Tournament and get his autograph. In 1994, he’d sign with the Colts and finish out his 1995 and 1996 on the Falcons.  After sitting out 1997 and 1998 Nagle would play two seasons in the Arena leagues, for the Predators (1999) and Buffalo Destroyers (2000) before retiring from football. His two seasons in the AFL were pretty good in respect to his NFL work. (553 att, 303 comp, 54.8%, 4120 yards, 74 td, 18 int, 98.6 rat)

In one of my fonder moments on the first day of the CGA Youth Golf Tournament in 1993,  I met Billy Joe Tolliver, Browning Nagle and Steve Bartkowski on the course. They liked my likenesses I drew of them so much they signed everything I had of them. We talked football for a few minutes and I rode around on the course with them for a hole. Since football, Nagle has been working at Medtronic as a senior marketing manager and is extremely active in the celebrity golf tournament network. Below are his NFL stats.

G/Gs 24/14     Att 437    Comp 213   Yds 2489   Pct 48.7%    Td 8   Int 20    Rat 53.5  Lg 51

NFL

Stark, Rohn

Card: Action Packed 1991
Acquired: TTM 1992, Colts Blitz

An All-American decathalete and punter at Florida State, Rohn Stark was the most decorated punter to play college football since Ray Guy. (He was also a killer punter during the 80s and 90s with the Colts. He not only played for the Indianapolis Colts but also the Baltimore Colts- before they got in the Mayflower trucks and headed East.) Stark would also be a part of probably the best kicker and punter combination in Tecmo Bowl being paired with Dean Biasucci, and ironically year over year they’d be the most consistent part of the Colts through their combined tenure up to the end of 1994.
Originally drafted by the Baltimore Colts in the 2nd round of the 1982 draft, Rohn would really come into his own by 1983 where he’d be named 2nd team AP with a gaudy 45.3 average and lead the league with over 4100 yards. His 1984 would be equally impressive as Stark would lead the league with 98 punts that season. 85 and 86 would be ProBowl caliber seasons, leading the league in average yards per punt with a 45.9 and a 45.2 yard average respectively. While the rest of his career would not see him reach such levels- Rohn would never average below 40 yards per punt during 13 seasons but would return to the ProBowl again in 1990 and 1992. With free agency and the salary cap making players and positions more expendable, Stark would leave via free agency in 1995, playing one season in Pittsburgh where he made his lone SuperBowl appearance. In 1996 he’d put his skills to work for the Carolina Panthers, and in 1997 finish out his career with the Seattle Seahawks. Rohn also held on extra points and field goal attempts and was notably left footed- meaning the ball was spinning the opposite direction than punt returners would expect after he would punt it. Stark holds another odd accomplishment as the only Baltimore Colt to play against the Baltimore Ravens. At the time of his retirement in 1997, Stark was top 5 in career punts and yardage. Stark like many other punters, will probably never get his due as the NFL HoF shows little respect for the position.

G/Gs 233/233    P 1141      Yds 49471    Avg 43.4    Lg 72   Blk  7