Tag Archives: pacific 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.

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NFL

Pinkett, Allen (2)

Cards: Action Packed 1990, Topps 1990, ProSet 1991, Pacific 1992
Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o Home
Sent: 11/18 Received: 12/2 (14 days)
Failure: TTM 2017, C/o Home
See Also: Allen Pinkett

Allen had some incredible cards over the year and as an Oilers fan I had wanted to get back around to getting these cards signed. I tried back in 2017- but for some reason I did not receive anything back from the usually reliable Pinkett. Luckily I had duplicates for many of the cards that I wanted autographed and just reloaded and waited.

I was also inspired by recently watching his titanic efforts over again in the historic 1988 Houston Oilers v Cleveland Browns playoff showdown. The game- between coaches Jerry Glanville and Marty Schottenheimer, while highly contested, with the Oilers eventually advancing, sealed Schottenheimer’s fate in being unceremoniously fired by the Browns.

The game turned out to be one of Pinkett’s finest moments, as he ground up 82 yards on 14 carries and a TD, as well as 2 catches for 24 yards and a TD. – Come to think of it, his 1992 Pacific entry could be from that game. Anyway it’s worth it if you can still find the game online somewhere to look at as you will also see NBC in all its broadcasting greatness with Don Criqui and Bob Trumpy behind the mic.

After sending out to Pinkett that first time TTM back in 2010, I gave myself a hearty headslap that I left out his ProSet 1991 entry. It’s a dynamic and beautiful card of Allen, where his expression can clearly be read along with his running style.

While I really liked the shot of Allen off to the races in his Pacific entry, his Action Packed card was a classy shot. In one of those rare Topps entries, Allen can been seen catching a pass in a near profile view, however I suspect this was probably during warm ups like many of Topps cards during that period.