Tag Archives: Pro Set 1990

NFL

Norton Jr, Ken

Card: ProSet 1990
Acquired: In Person 1990, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Ken Norton was one of these guys who the further he got into his playing career, the meaner he looked. I mean you just didn’t want to approach him his last year in Dallas as he just brooded. I think I got Ken either my first or second day at camp. It’d be the only card I’d get signed of his, as he just didn’t stop very often to sign cards. Ken Norton Jr is the son of former heavyweight champion Ken Norton. Drafted in the second round from UCLA by the Dallas Cowboys in Tom Landry‘s final draft as coach, Norton spent the majority of his rookie season in 1988 on injured reserve. He’d gradually work his way into the lineup in 1989, splitting time with Jesse Solomon (fresh from the Herschel Walker trade) at weakside linebacker. Norton would be moved around the linebacker corps as his greatest attribute at the time was his versatility while dealing with injury. By 1992 Ken had become a key cog in the Cowboys defense and scored a touchdown in SuperBowl XXVII. His 1993 would be his last in Dallas. The team had identified linebacker as a budget position and felt that they could find cheap talent in the draft. Norton would hit the road and head out to San Fransisco with the advent of free agency where he played consistently through 2000 before retiring. Ken would be named to the ProBowl twice in his career and All Pro in 1993 and 1995. He is also the first player to win three SuperBowl titles in a row and also remembered for a bone crunching hit that ended Napoleon McCallum‘s career.

Ken would go into coaching where he was signed by the USC Trojans to coach linebackers and also started honing his skills at broadcasting. In 2010 Norton Jr would join Pete Carroll’s staff in Seattle where he is serving also as a linebackers coach.

G/Gs 191/188     Tac  1130   Sac  12.5     Fum  13   Int  5    Yds 127   Avg  20.5      Td 2      Lg 46t

NFL

Pitts, Mike (1960-2021)

Card: ProSet 1990
Acquired: In Person 1992, Philadelphia Eagles Training Camp

When your swing defensive tackle is Mike Pitts, your defense is doing pretty darn good. The Philadelphia Eagles had an incredible defense at one point with Reggie White, Jerome Brown and Clyde Simmons on the defensive line with Mike providing valuable insurance especially against the run.

Originally a first round draft choice of the Atlanta Falcons back in 1983 he’d play there for three years before signing with the Eagles- where he had his most memorable years. Later Pitts would sign with the Patriots where he finished out his career after 2 more seasons in 1993 and 1994.

Pitts was a venerable run stopper notching over 100 tackles 4 times in his career in 1985, 1988, 1989 and 1991 from his defensive line position who never seemed to get respect. His Proset card isn’t the greatest but I laughed when he signed it and put the “P” in his name around Ottis Anderson‘s head- just like he was wrapping him up.

G/Gs 169/123   Tac 804     Sac 48.5     Fum 15
Int 1   Yds 3  Avg 3.0   Td  0  Lg 3

UPDATE 9/25/2021- The Philadephia Eagles annouced today that they were saddened to learn of the passing of Mike Pitts this morning. He was 61.

NFL

Pinkett, Allen

Cards: Fleer Update 1990, ProSet 1990, ProSet 1989, Score Supplemental 1989
Acquired:  TTM 2010, C/o Home. In Person 1990, Houston Oiler Training Camp.
Sent:  6/24   Received: 7/6  (12 days)

Allen Pinkett was drafted in the 3rd round from Notre Dame by the Houston Oilers as the team was still attempting to rebuild its runningback stable after the departure of beloved Earl Campbell. Along the way he’d be joined by Alonzo Highsmith, Mike Rozier, and Lorenzo White in a very crowded and talented backfield. Allen at 5-9 and 190, fit the role of a scat back for the team and had great hands that the team wholly underutilized. He’d also see kick returning for the Oilers, averaging right at about 20 yards a return on 80 kicks. After head coach Jerry Glanville was fired, the team went Run and Shoot full time. With Jack Pardee in charge, the team began to purge its runningback stable, and the last men standing by 1991 were Allen Pinkett, Lorenzo White and Gary Brown. Pinkett would enter the season as the starter against the Los Angeles Raiders and singlehandedly crush the Raiders running 26 times for 144 yards and a touchdown. He’d follow up with another 100 yard effort, and lead the NFL in rushing through the two weeks and later in the season he’d rush for 98 yards and 2 touchdowns against Pittsburgh en route to the Houston Oilers first division title. Allen would lead the team in rushing with 720 yards and 9 touchdowns and throw in another 228 yards receiving leading the team from scrimmage with 1456 yards.  Things seemed on the up and up for Pinkett after his breakout season but with Plan B and the dawning of free agency soon to come- Pinkett found himself on the roster of the New Orleans Saints to start 1992, but would not suit up for the team. He’d retire after 7 seasons.  Allen currently is a broadcaster for the Notre Dame radio network, and a spokesman for the Hartford Financial Group attempting to educate young athletes on planning for their retirement and happily signed my three cards in a very short amount of time.

G/Gs 87/27    Att  561      Yds  2321     Avg 4.1      Td 21   Lg 60  |
Rec 119   Yds 921  Avg 7.7  Td 5  Lg 51
Kr 80     Yds 1577     Avg 19.7    Td 0    Lg 48