Tag Archives: proset 1990

NFL

Daniel, Eugene

Card: ProSet 1990
Acquired: TTM 1993, Colts Blitz

Speedy defensive back Eugene Daniel was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the 8th round of the 1984 draft. Another one of these Louisianan products to sneak through to the NFL from LSU, Eugene Daniel was a highly underrated cornerback during his career and was considered a long shot to make the team roster. He turned out to be a complete cover corner, that had the speed to play both man to man defense and zone coverage.

His NFL debut was a splash, as he made 14 interceptions from 1984-1985. Over the rest of Daniel’s career he wouldn’t come close to attaining those numbers, but was relied on for his durability and consistency as a cover cornerback who could fence the run. Eugene Daniel and Wayne Capers in 1985 were the first team duo from the Colts to be named defensive and offensive players of the week together against the Packers that season. In 1986, he’d recover a blocked punt and return it for a touchdown against the Falcons. It would prove decisive as the Colts would win 28-23 and kickoff a 3 game winning streak for the team. Eugene in 1993 also made a critical interception of Boomer Esiason that set up the game winning score against the Jets. It’d be his only pick of the season.

Daniel played for some garishly bad Colts teams which never finished with more than 9 wins. This probably led to him not receiving as much acclaim as he probably should have gotten. He’d play one final season in Baltimore (for the Ravens) in 1997. This is interesting to note, because Daniel was drafted the year the Colts moved from Baltimore to Indianapolis, but he’d retire from the NFL in Baltimore.  Over his career Eugene led the Colts in interceptions 3 times, and tied for the NFL lead in 1985 with 8 thefts- but never made the Pro Bowl or was named AP.

Regardless, Daniel did in the meantime sneak into the Colts record books for most games played consecutively (185) which has been since taken by the venerable Peyton Manning. He also appeared on Tecmo Bowl, Tecmo SuperBowl, and Tecmo SuperBowl Final Edition.

A great autograph, Daniel signed this card during one of my early bulk team send outs in the 1990s. Otherwise, word is that he is an elusive TTMer.

G/Gs 207/191    Tac 735   Sac 2   Fum 2
Int 38   Yds 483    Avg 12.7   Td 3    lg 97t

CFL, NFL, NFLE

Heller, Ron

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

The Co-Captain of Penn State’s 1982 championship run, Ron Heller was an offensive tackle at drafted in the bottom of the 4th round of the NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 1984 was a good draft and Heller was a fine specimen at 6’6″, 290. A highly intelligent lineman with a good motor, Heller was both a competent pass and run blocker. Starting immediately out of the gate, Ron would be named to numerous All-Rookie teams at the end of 1984. Playing in obscurity for 4 seasons for the Bucs, Heller would be traded (in 1988) to the Seahawks who in turn traded him to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he’d block for Pro Bowl quarterback Randall Cunningham. Ron would become the first Eagles offensive lineman named offensive MVP of the team in 1989. I’d get his autograph at training camp in 1992, before he signed with the Dolphins to block for Dan Marino in 1993. He never missed a beat, starting immediately, and fit right in with the team for 3 seasons.  A brutal knee injury would end his career after the 1995 season, but Ron would move on to coaching.  He’d finish his playing career playing in 172 games, starting 166 of them.

In 2004, Heller served as an assistant in NFLE on the Amsterdam Admirals. He’d expand on these jobs as an offensive line coach in 2006 and 2007 would allow him to be an offensive coordinator, before the league’s untimely folding.  Ron then joined the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL in 2009 for one season, and then returned to the NFL as an offensive staff assistant for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2010.

NFL, usfl

Mack “Attack”, Kevin


Cards: Stadium Club 1992, ProSet 1990, Pacific 1992
Acquired: TTM 2010, C/o The Cleveland Browns
Sent: 1/13  Received: 2/12  ( 30 days)
See Also: Kevin Mack (2)

Kevin Mack was one of the most devastating runningbacks in Tecmo Bowl. He was what we called a ‘popcorn back’ and he was a one man wrecking machine that you dared not tackle alone. If you had the fortune of steering the ‘Mack Attack’ you just had to hit that A button non-stop to pay dirt. As an Oilers fan, Kevin was the last guy I wanted to see. Originally a fullback for the Los Angeles Express of the USFL, Mack would rush for 330 yards and 4 touchdowns in 18 games. The Browns saw something in the former Syracuse back and took him in the 1st round of the supplemental draft for USFL players in 1985. His rookie season was his best, as the team leaned on ‘Mack Truck’ for 1100 yards where he’d play in the Pro Bowl after the season.

In 1986 he had a career high 10 touchdowns and in 1987 he averaged a bit over 60 yards rushing a game. A sturdy short yardage presence, Kevin crushed defensive linemen and linebackers with well-proportioned 6″,  212 pound frame.  Mack would always kill either the Oiler’s playoff hopes or their divisional championship dreams- including a backbreaking rushing touchdown in the waning weeks of 1989. These cards really represent Mack’s downhill running style well and the Stadium Club and ProSet card of him are among my favorites. I sent off for his autograph from the Browns organization and he responded quickly to my request in roughly a month. He currently works in the team’s front office.

G/Gs  99/82    Rush 1291   Yds  5123   Avg 4.0   Td  46   Lg  65 |
Rec 197   Yds  1602    Avg  8.1   Td  8    Lg  44