Tag Archives: pittsburgh steelers

NFL

Ilkin, Tunch (1957-2021)

Card: Score 1990
Acquired: Canton Acquisition, 2012

Tunch Ilkin is one of the few natives of the nation of Turkey to play in the NFL. After attending Indiana State, Ilkin was drafted in the 6th round of the 1980 draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

A good sized lineman, Tunch measured in at 6’3″, 265 and was slotted at right tackle where he spent the majority of his time during his 14 season career blocking for a revolving door of quarterbacks starting with Terry Bradshaw and ending in Neil O’Donnell, from 1980-1992.

Tunch did not get his first start until 1981, and played sparingly during the early part of his career, but by 1983 had asserted himself as a full-time starter, putting 10 games under his belt. Over the next 9 seasons in Pittsburgh he’d start 133 contests, earning two ProBowl nominations for his body of work in 1988 and 1989. Ilkin signed with the Packers in 1993, but served primarily as a backup in his final season for Green Bay.

Tunch spent a lot of time working in the booth post football. He did color commentary, interviews, and worked as a game analyst. Beyond that, Tunch’s name has a nice, and unique ring to it which always resonated with fans. Ilkin recognized this and had no problem endorsing products and lending his likeness and names to causes and programs.


G/Gs    177/143

UPDATE– September 1st, 2020. Tunch Ilkin passed away today at the age of 63 due to complications from ALS.

NFL

Malone, Mark

Card: Score 1989
Acquired: Canton Acquisition 2012

Mark Malone was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers way back in 1980 out of Arizona State with the last pick of the first round. The Steelers were coming off their 4th Super Bowl victory in the last 6 years, and with Terry Bradshaw starting to show signs of wear and tear, Pittsburgh started looking for his heir apparent. Until Terry’s retirement after the 1983 season, Malone only saw limited playing time over the next four seasons, but also put in time at wide receiver, setting the team record with a 90 yard touchdown reception in his rookie season.  In his first full time duty in 1984, Mark came out gunning posting a 6-3 record and leading the Steelers back to the AFC Championship game for the first time since 1979.  His 14.5 yards per completion led the NFL and he’d throw 16 touchdown passes.  The rest of the NFL was finally catching up to the Steelers though, and by 1985 the team began to fall into a deepening slumber, placated by bad draft choices, old age, retirements, and injuries. Still Mark kept plunking along throwing for 13 touchdowns to only 7 picks, however the team finished 7-9.  Malone’s 86 season saw him throw for a career high 2,444 yards and 15 TDs, -but also 18 interceptions, and after a 1987 season in which he threw only 6 TDs,  he was traded to the San Diego Chargers.  San Diego in 1988 was a woeful team. The Chargers were in disarray after the retirement of power plug QB Dan Fouts, and Mark Malone stepped in to the spot playing in 12 games, throwing for 6 touchdowns and 1,580 yards. As head coach Dan Henning  decided to go in a new direction with Billy Joe Tolliver, Malone was introduced to Plan B in 1989.  Mark signed with the Jets and played in 1 game his final season before retiring.

Mark has garnered a reputation as a great color commentator since retirement.  He’s worked his way out of the studio and into the booth doing a great job of getting in the quarterback’s head and diagramming plays.

G/GS  73/53    Att  1648    Comp 839    Yds 10175     Pct 50.9        Td  60     Int  81     Rat 61.9  |
Rush 159     Yds    628     Avg  3.9      Td   18     Lg 45
Rec  1     Yds  90      Avg  90.0      Td  1     Lg 90t

Arena, NFL

Tomczak, Mike

Card: Score 1990
Acquired: Canton Acquisition 2012

Mike Tomczak is a great example of what an embattled quarterback is, suffering through the drama and controversy of being sandwiched between the Jim McMahon and the Jim Harbaugh eras in Mike Ditka’s run as head coach of the Chicago Bears. Tomczak was not drafted by the Bears, rather he was an unpolished diamond in the rough that the team plucked out of Ohio State in 1985. The scrappy, pretty boy quarterback got in some playing time and things looked even more opportunistic for him with the retirement of Steve Fuller after 1986, but the Bears had other plans and pulled the trigger on Michigan signal caller Jim Harbaugh in ’87 during the first round of the draft.

Tomczak still got playing time in between McMahon and Harbaugh as both quarterbacks (McMahon and Harbaugh) had a propensity to get injured. A good game manager, Tomczak had the quirky honor of winning his first 10 professional starts at quarterback. This allowed for a quarterback controversy to bloom first with McMahon and then later with Harbaugh as fans just wanted to win, no matter how ugly it was. It was rough for Mike as he had a tendency to force the ball to the receiver early in his playing career.  After 6 seasons in Chicago, Mike was allowed to leave via Free Agency.  For the Bears, Tomczak posted a 21-10 record as a starter, a 49.6 completion percentage, and 33 touchdowns to 47 interceptions.  He also ran for 326 yards and 8 touchdowns.  Mike didn’t have to travel far- in fact, he went up the road to division rival Green Bay.

Green Bay had been a doormat for the NFC Central for many years, but after an amazing 1989 season with Don Majkowski at the helm guiding the team to a 10-6 record, people expected more of the Pack, but with an underwhelming 1990, at 6-10 losing some pretty tight games, optimism was still riding high in 1991. Things didn’t go as planned, and Mike split time with Majkowski. He’d post decent numbers under center, (11 TDs to 9 picks and 1490 yards) but the team fell to a 4-12 mark. In Green Bay it was regime changing time, so Lindy Infante and his staff were out the door, and so was Mike.

Things didn’t change for Tomczak. Either he had the best or worst luck of any professional out there. Either there was an incumbent who got injured so he stepped right in, or coaches wanted him to replace the starter. Case in point, Bill Belichick and the Cleveland Browns in 1993. After a slow start and a broken hand impeded Bernie Kosar, Tomczak, who didn’t play all that bad, lead the team to a 4-4 record in Kosar’s relief. Again, it was a short stop for Mike,  as he’d be replaced by Vinny Testaverde.

Mike landed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1994. He’d back up Neil O’Donnell at quarterback and see his first Super Bowl since his rookie season after the 1995 season- a loss to the Cowboys. He’d get his chance to show his stuff though shortly after, and be named starter of the Steelers in 1996. Tomczak had his best season since his days in Chicago, posting a 10-5 record. It was shortlived, and he’d be replaced in the lineup by electrifying, if not inconsistent, Kordell Stewart. Stewart remained starter throughout the 1998 season with Mike seeing limited playing time here and there until 1999 when he played in 5 more contests.  He’d have a really nice finale to his time there throwing for 1625 yards and 12 touchdowns to only 8 picks. In a footnote, Tomczak signed with the Detroit Lions in 2000, but broke his leg and decided to end his career.  He’d be the final member of the Chicago Bears Super Bowl XX team to retire.

Mike has remained involved in the sport since retirement. He’s worked behind the desk and as a color commentator for games. As of 2013, Mike is the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Power of the Arena Football League.

G/Gs 185/73    Att 2337     Comp  1248      Yds  16079    Pct  53.4    Td  88     Int 85     Rat 68.9  |
Rush 198    Yds 526    Avg  2.7   Td 9    Lg 48