Tag Archives: proset 1991

Studwell, Scott


Cards: Topps 1990, ProSet 1991 Legends
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o home
Sent: 2/14    Received: 3/8    (22 days)

I had been kicking tires around sending Scott Studwell out a card or two for a while. I was not disappointed as it appears he is a wonderful TTM signer with fans. He signed these two cards in less than 30 days and did so in purple marker. He has a graceful and loopy signature- which seems to be an oddity amongst the signatures I have, and I was quite pleased to get it on the ProSet 1991 Legends card, and (strangely enough) on this Topps 1990 card.

1990 it seemed Topps was slowly getting the message and while many of their cards were portraits, sideline poses and guys standing still, there were these rare occasions where there was an outstanding action shot of a player. I think that this card of Studwell is exceptional framing him exploding out of a 2 point stance towards the play.

Back in the late 70s the common draft lasted 12 rounds and drafting was even further from the ‘science’ than it is today. The 77 draft was a fairly solid class, that included such names as: Tony Dorsett, Raymond Clayborn, Stanley Morgan, Lester Hayes, Steve DeBerg, and Joe Klecko. Almost every round yielded a Pro Bowl player and Scott Studwell- would be the surprise of the 9th round.

Studwell’s career would be an amazing testament to longevity, playing for the Vikings for 14 storied seasons. On the defense he’d  ceremoniously pass the torch between Alan Page and John Randle, seeing the twilight of Page’s and the beginning of Randle’s. He’d also span the ending of the Purple People Eaters through the Walker trade for the organization. Arguably one of the best linebackers to play for the Vikings, Studwell was a two time Pro Bowler and could play a variety of positions along the defensive front,  lining up not only at linebacker but also amazingly from time to time at nose tackle.

Studwell would finish second all-time at linebacker (at the time of his retirement) in games played (behind HoF member Ted Hendricks) with 201 games and unofficially (since tackles weren’t a tracked statistic for the majority of his career) with 1981 tackles. Scott after retirement would immediately jump into the scouting office for the Vikings where he scaled the ranks to be the team’s director of player personnel finding such gems as Jake Reed and Brad Johnson.  In 2009 Studwell was inducted into the Vikings’ Hall of Honor and through 2011 continues to serve as the team’s director of player scouting.

G/Gs  201/161   Tac 1981    Sac 9.0      Fum  16      Int  11   Yds  97     Avg  8.9      Td 0   Lg 20

Atwater, Steve “Smiling Assassin”


pac91 atwaterpset89 atwater


Cards: ProSet 1991 AP, Pacific 1991, ProSet 1989
Acquired:  TTM 2011, C/o Home
Sent: 1/13      Received:  3/13   (43 days)

Steve Atwater was a dangerous, hard hitting safety who quickly defined the role during the late 80s and 90s, (when great safeties roamed the Earth unencumbered by the more liberal passing rules and hitting restrictions that now restrict the defensive game) and is the all-time leader in interceptions at Arkansas. Drafted in the first round of the stellar 1989 draft over other talent because of his leadership qualities, Atwater was quickly inserted into the starting lineup beside Dennis Smith by new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips who employed him near the line of scrimmage to enforce the run.  Steve would validate his selection by making 124 tackles and 3 interceptions finishing second behind Derrick Thomas for Defensive ROY honors that season.  Over the next 9 seasons for the Broncos Atwater would become a lock for the Pro Bowl and as an All Pro (1990-1996, 1998) for his solid play and tackling. Steve would make a career high 5 interceptions in 1991 and won two Superbowl rings with the Broncos in 1997 and 1998. However in 1999, Steve would be a salary cap casualty and play one final injury marred finale for the New York Jets.  In retrospect, Atwater has left astounding tackle numbers on the table for a safety. Another unsung hero who should be in the HoF, Steve has never gotten his due- perhaps because he plays at such an unglamorous position.

Since retirement, Atwater has been bestowed many honors including: Being named to the All-Decade team of the 90s, the Broncos Hall of Fame, the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, and the Razorback All-Century Team.  It was really tough to choose which cards to send as there were some nice cards of Atwater’s hitting but I settled on these showcase cards.  I had heard that Atwater was a wonderful respondent TTM with fans and I was not disappointed receiving these back in a bit over 40 days personalizing them to me as well.

G/Gs  167/166        Tac  1074      Sac  5.0    Fum 6     Int 24     Yds 408     Avg  17.0    Td 1    Lg  68

Myles, Godfrey (1968-2011)

Cards: ProSet 1991, StarPics 1991
Acquired: In Person 1991, 1992, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Godfrey Myles was drafted in the 3rd round of the 1991 draft by the Dallas Cowboys, who considered linebacker a budget position. A poor man’s guide selection running up before the draft, Myles played elephant (safety linebacker) in the Florida defense and was team captain. Unsure of his true position- Godfrey, (6-1, 245) like Darren Woodson was a hybrid safety who had the size, speed and strength to play outside linebacker. The Cowboys would move him to linebacker where he’d play for the Cowboys providing valuable depth and special teams skills. 1995 would be his season, as he’d come in and start 11 games, making 55 tackles, FF, and a pick. Surpringly fast and agile for his size, and relatively cheap, Myles would win 3 SuperBowl rings before he ruptured his Achilles in SuperBowl XXX. The Dolphins attempted to lure Myles out to play for them in 1997 under Jimmy Johnson, but he opted to sign with the Denver Broncos instead.  He would be cut before the season began and retire soon thereafter, possibly due to lingering effects from his Achilles injury.

I got Godfrey’s autograph in training camp on his StarPics and ProSet cards. Godfrey had some really great cards. I missed out on his Stadium Club card and his Fleer Ultra card, (as I’ve always been slightly partial to orange anyway), but regardless his ProSet card is a great profile card, and his StarPics seems to highlight his unusual build.

G/Gs 76/11     Tac 111      Sac 0     Fum 1      Int 2     Yds 28     Avg 14.0       Td 0    lg 15

UPDATE 06/11/2011 Sadly, on Wednesday, June 8th Godfrey Myles suffered a massive stroke in Miami, Florida and passed away the next day. He was just 42.