CARD: Pro Set 1989, Pro Set 1990, Score 1990 ACQUIRED: TTM 2025, C/o Home SENT: 2/21 RECEIVED: 5/12 (80 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Carl Zander played LB for the Tennessee Vols from 1981-’84.
He led the team in tackles as a Senior with 167 and finished second on the team as a Junior.
A second round choice of the Bengals in 1985.
Became a starter in last 1/3rd of season and had 60 tackles, a sack and recovered fumble in his rookie season.
Fast and physical, Zander had 97 tackles and 3.5 sacks in ’86.
Followed that up with 61 tackles in 1987.
Continued to play with the Bengals through the 1991 season.
At last glance was on the off-season roster of the Colts in 1992.
NOTES:
Carl doesn’t get enough respect, and was the team’s defensive signal caller and captain for much of his career. Bengal fans remember him well for the game winning goal line stuff of Stump Mitchell during Cincinnati’s 1988 Super Bowl run.
Classy and great cards of Zander here. I was very happy to add him on these three cards.
I got Rickey Jackson way back in 2011. A few shows and signings went by when luckily I was able to find one at a very reasonable price. These cards clear out the remaining set needs I have of Rickey. I went with gold on these thinking they’d pop nicely. I probably should’ve just stuck with blue- but that’s okay.
CARDS: Pro Set 1989, Pro Set 1990, Score 1992 ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home SENT: 9/1/22 RECEIVED: 10/24/22 (53 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Eric Hill played LB at LSU from 1985-’88, forming an awesome bookend duo with Ron Sancho.
Over his time with the Tigers he compiled 245 total tackles (169 solo), 10 sacks, 7 pass deflections, and 5 forced fumbles.
Displayed all the tools needed to excel at the Pro level, and had an impressive combine running a 4.7 40 and bench pressing 365 lbs.
Selected in the first round of the 1989 NFL Draft by the Phoenix Cardinals.
Cardinals moved Eric inside to MLB and he had 91 tackles, a sack and 2 fumble recoveries his rookie year.
After 4 games into the 1990 campaign, the Cards decided to switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense.
Hill responded masterfully posting another 96 total tackles.
In 1991, Eric returned a Rams fumble 85 yards for a TD- the second longest return in franchise history.
He’d also crack the 100 tackle barrier for the first time with 103, leading the team in that category.
Despite missing the first 3 games of the 1993 season, Eric finished second on the team in total tackles with 92.
As the Cards, transitioned back to a 4-3 Hill continued to be stout against the run scoring 120 tackles in 1994, 118 in ’95, and 131 in ’96.
After the 1997 season, Eric signed with the St. Louis Rams in ’98, posting his first and only interception of his career that year.
His last season in 1999 was spent with the San Diego Chargers as he started 10 games and posted a modest 38 total tackles.
ACCOLADES:
All Madden 1995
Pro Bowl 1994, ’95
All Pro 1994, ’95
All Rookie Team 1989
NOTES:
Eric Hill was the 10th overall selection of the barn burning 1989 NFL Draft: Perhaps my favorite draft of all time. He flew under the radar due to bigger names surrounding him, but he managed to carve himself out quite a solid career in the NFL with over 1,000 tackles to his name as a fierce and reliable run defender.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
