Tag Archives: proset 1989

NFL, usfl

Eatman, Irv

Gameday 1992, #201
Pro Set 1989, #170
Score 1990, #76

CARDS: Pro Set 1989, Score 1990, Gameday 1992
ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home
SENT: 5/18/22 RECEIVED: 6/2/22 (15 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Clocking in at 6’6″, 271, big OT Irv Eatman played college ball at UCLA.
  • He was moved to OT in his Senior season after playing DL most of his career at the school.
  • Selected by both the Philadelphia Stars (USFL) and the Kansas City Chiefs (NFL) in the respective drafts for each league.
  • He opted to join the USFL playing for the Birmingham Stars in 1984.
  • In 1986, after the USFL collapsed, Irv took his trench work to the Kansas City Chiefs.
  • Irv saw action at both RT and LT, before a knee injury cost him his starting job in 1990.
  • Eatman signed as a FA with the New York Jets in 1991, helping shore up their OL.
  • 1993 saw Irv return out west playing for the Rams, who needed help on the line after the retirement of Jackie Slater.
  • The next season, he’d play for the Falcons- but only saw action in 4 games.
  • I seem to remember at this point Irv was considered a bit washed up coming into his 13th season.
  • The HOUSTON Oilers signed him in 1995 and I remember not being too enthusiastic about the signing.
  • But much to my surprise I was wrong, Irv came through, and in fact started all final 16 games of his career in 1996 in H-Town.
  • Irv went into coaching starting in1999 coaching with the Packers and Steelers (’00), as an OL coach.
  • In 2001, Irv joined Dick Vermeil’s staff in KC, where he coached the OL through the 2005 season.
  • After coaching for the Raiders in 2006, Irv decided to step away from professional coaching to spend more time with family and raising his son.
  • Since then he’s done a lot of charitable work, and worked in youth sports camps.

ACCOLADES:

  • All USFL All-Star 1984-’86
  • USFL Man of the Year

NOTES:

Irv had some great cards, and with two of them being set needs, I sent these two out. As an added bonus he was also a HOUSTON Oiler.

NFL

Merriweather, Mike

Gameday 1992, #57
Pro Set 1989, #467
Action Packed 1991, #158

CARDS: Skybox 1992, Action Packed 1991, Proset 1989, Gameday 1992
ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Home
SENT: RECEIVED: (days)*
*fee enclosed

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Mike Merriweather played linebacker for Pacific from 1978-’81.
  • Playing in 33 contests he had 4 interceptions for 67 yards and a TD.
  • Third round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1982.
  • After suiting up for 9 contests in ’82 became a full-time starter in 1983.
  • Dominant linebacker, had an impressive run from 1984-’86.
  • Had a career high 15 sacks in 1985.
  • After the shortened ’87 strike season, Merriweather held out the entire 1988 season.
  • He’d be traded in 1989 to the Minnesota Vikings.
  • Returned to form, starting 63 games with 7 picks, and 7 fumble recoveries.
  • Finished out career splitting the 1993 season with the Packers and Jets.

ACCOLADES:

  • Pro Bowl 1984-’86
  • Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame
Skybox 1992, #158

NOTES:

Mike had some great cards along the way. Total intimidator shots- but these as set needs definitely came first. He was kind enough to sign all of these with a small donation, personalizing each one- which I don’t mind at all. I remember getting Mike’s 1989 Pro Set card as a kid. I was pretty disappointed that he was in his off season gear.

Mike was one of a group of rare players who challenged the NFL’s bargaining contract by sitting out the entire ’88 season from the Steelers, until he forced the trade in 1989 that sent him to Minnesota.

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NFL

Wilder Sr., James

Proset 1989, #420

CARD: Proset 1989
ACQUIRED: Paid Signing, 2023
FAILURE: TTM 2010, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • At the end of his time at Missou, James Wilder was the school’s all-time leading rusher with 2,357 yards.
  • A second round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1982.
  • Slotted into the lineup as a FB.
  • Impressed coaches so much he took over starting duties at RB in 1984.
  • Set NFL single game record (since broken) rushing 42 times against Pittsburgh in 1984.
  • He carried the ball a whopping 407 times for 1577 yards and 13 TDs.
  • His 2229 total yards were only 19 yards off the combined rushing receiving single season record.
  • By the end of that season- his 4th- Wilder had passed Ricky Bell to become the franchise’s all-time leading rusher.
  • Wilder was ahead of his time, as not only was he a great runner, but he was an extremely talented receiver as well, catching 85 passes that year.
  • In 1985, Wilder had another solid season, posting 1300 yards rushing on 365 carries and 10 TDs.
  • James never eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark again over his career.
  • While this could’ve been attributed to injuries or a conversion back to FB is not known, as the backfield became quite crowded.
  • The Bucs traded James to Detroit in exchange for Eric WIliams in 1990.
  • At the time of his departure, Wilder owned nearly every rushing franchise record and even the team’s record for receptions.
  • He played the majority of the season with the Lions, before finishing his career on the roster of the Redskins that year.

ACCOLADES:

  • Pro Bowl 1984

NOTES:

Finally! I absolutely adore this card and have wanted to get it signed by James for some time. James embodied the creamsickle orange to me. The autograph is just as good! It’s strong, the color is superb, and the placement is perfect.

I love my RBs and Wilder had a very interesting NFL career to me. I considered also sending his Score Supplemental 1990 in his Lions uniform, or his Score 1989 card, but since I had failed on him 10 years ago, never restocked on his cards.

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