Tag Archives: san fransisco 49ers

Heisman Trophy Winner, NFL

Detmer,Ty

Card: ProSet 1991 HH, Action Packed Rookies 1992
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Home
Sent: 6/16    Received:  7/19  (33 days)
Failure: TTM 1/2/2010, C/o St. Stephens

I am really pleased to have finally acquired Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer for my collection on his Pro Set Heisman Heroes and his Action Packed Rookies card. Along with Bart Starr in 2010, Detmer would be one of the first two players I sent out to when I restarted TTM collecting, and he would also constitute my first failure, as he did not sign my cards via St. Stephens Private School in Austin; However, after noting some recent successes at his home address I thought I’d give him another shot. I was happy to have gotten these cards signed in under 40 days.

So Ty Detmer grew up about 50 miles to the South of me in San Marcos, Tx- a straight shot down the I-35 corridor. A wunderkind even at the high school level, I frequently read in the local paper about Detmer’s amazing passing talent throwing and knew he had the ability to exceed expectations at least at the college level.  He’d sign with BYU and by the end of his Freshman season had cemented his status as starter at quarterback for the Cougars. Over his four seasons at BYU he captained the helm of some solid bowl teams, rewriting the school’s passing record books previously held by such names as Jim McMahon and Steve Young, including NCAA records for attempts, completions, yards, touchdowns, and passer rating.  He also won the Heisman Trophy in 1990.

In 1992, Detmer was drafted by the Green Bay Packers during the 9th round. With starter Don Majkowski and future franchise quarterback Brett Favre at second string, Ty rode the bench at 3rd string, playing light mop up duty in 1993 and 1995 throwing for just over 100 yards and a touchdown.

The 1995 season allowed for a change of scenery for the young quarterback, joining the Eagles in Philadelphia, reuniting him with his quarterbacks coach Andy Reid. The Eagles were admittedly rebuilding the franchise, but stubbornly clung to playing respectable football. Detmer replaced injured Rodney Peete at quarterback and guided the team into the playoffs posting a 7-4 record. As a professional it would be his best season, posting up 15 touchdowns and 2911 yards and an 80.8 quarterback rating in 13 games.  Detmer returned for the 1997 season, but disappointingly was forced to share quarterbacking duties roughly halving his statistics.

Ty would then head to the 49ers, where he played one season backing up Jeff Garcia. Coming off the bench and starting 1 game, he’d post a 91.1 QB rating and throw for 4 touchdowns.  Traded in 1999, Detmer played for the Browns for the next two seasons, mentoring young quarterback Tim Couch.  An Achilles injury  washed his whole 2000 season, but he’d sign with the Lions in 2001- but threw an embarrassing 7 interceptions in his first start. He’d ride the bench for the majority of the season playing for the Lions through 2003.  In 2004, Detmer moved on to Atlanta, backing up Michael Vick and future Houston starter Matt Schaub, but would not see any playing time during his stint there retiring in 2006. – Not a bad run for a quarterback who was told he was too small to play in the NFL.

Since football, Detmer has taken up coaching football at the high school level at St. Stephens in Austin, Texas.

G/Gs 54/25   Att 946  Comp 546   Yds 6351  Pct 57.7
Td  34   Int 35   Rat 74.7  |
Rush 72    Yds  177    Avg  2.5    Td  3    Lg  14

NFL

Bono, Steve

Cards: Score 1992, GameDay 1992
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Home
Sent: 6/14     Received: 6/20  (6 days)

Another near record signature from another former 49er, -Steve Bono was a local UCLA graduate that was the 3rd quarterback taken in the 1985 draft. Considered one of the weaker quarterback classes, he’d be one of only 3 quarterbacks taken in 6 rounds. Signed by the Minnesota Vikings, Bono would play behind Tommy Kramer and Wade Wilson. Staying there through 1986, Steve moved to Pittsburgh, backing up Mark Malone and fought it out with Bubby Brister for 2nd string from 87-88. It’d be in 1989 when Steve would return home to California and sign with the 49ers, to back up Joe Montana and Steve Young. With injuries ailing Montana and Young, Steve would step into the starting lineup in 1991 leading San Fransisco to a 5-1 record. This would ignite a brief quarterback controversy between the two signal callers when Montana was traded to Kansas City- but that eventually was squelched by Young’s outstanding play. Bono continued to back up Young through the 1993 season.

In 1994 ironically Bono was traded from the 49ers to the Chiefs- again to back up Joe Montana under head Marty Schottenheimer. After the 1994 season concluded, Montana retired and Bono was given the keys to the franchise. The following two seasons of 1995 and 96, became the most prolific of his Steve’s career. He’d lead the Chiefs to a 13-3 record, throwing for 3121 yards, 21 touchdowns and only 10 picks in 1995, earning a ProBowl nomination at the end of the season.  In 1996, Bono would go 8-5 in a largely down season with 12 touchdowns to 13 picks. After the 1996 season, Bono signed with the Packers backing up Brett Favre for 1997.  He’d then move on to St. Louis in 1998, ending his career after the 1999 season  as Steve Beuerlein‘s back up in Carolina.

Bono was one of the best 3rd string quarterbacks in the league, posting a 28-14 career record over 14 seasons. He also had a 76 yard touchdown run in 1995 which was an NFL record at the time (since eclipsed by Kordell Stewart’s 80 yard gallop). It’s even more amazing because Bono was a career 2.1 yards per carry rusher. Currently Steve is a financial advisor, and is a golf nut. He also volunteers his time with the National Kidney Foundation.

G/Gs  88/42      Att  1701    Comp 934       Yds 10439         Pct   54.9      Td 62      Int 42      Rat   75.3   |
Rush  125   Yds 257     Avg 2.1    Td 7      lg  76t

 

NFL

Craig, Roger

Cards: Pro Set 1991, Score 1990, Action Packed Rookies 1991
Acquired:  TTM 1993, C/o The Minnesota Vikings
See Also: Roger Craig (2)

Drafted by the 49ers out of Nebraska in the 2nd round of the 1983 draft, Roger Craig originally played fullback. Probably one of the most balanced runningbacks of the late modern era, Roger was a good runner, great pass blocker, and an amazing receiver. In 1985 he was named to his first Pro Bowl after leading the NFL with 92 receptions- the only time a fullback has ever done that, and also in that same season he became the first player to rush and receive over 1000 yards in the same season. In 1987, Roger moved to runningback, and was named to the ProBowl again and became the first player to be named to the ProBowl as both a runningback and a fullback. The following season Craig would lead the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 2036 yards, and win ProBowl and AP honors. He’d also win offensive player of the year honors. 1989 would be Craig’s last impact 1000 yard season, and by 1990 injuries would begin to shorten his career.

In 1991, Craig would sign with Ronnie Lott via Plan B to the Los Angeles Raiders starting 13 games. He’d leave again in 1992 and play his final 2 season for the Minnesota Vikings, where I got his autograph in 1993 on these 3 cards.  Roger is a perennial winner amazingly playing in the playoffs all 13 seasons of his career and was elected to the All 1980s NFL team. Another player who has gotten the shaft from the HoF, Roger Craig has not been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, despite having 3 SuperBowl rings and over 13000 yards from scrimmage.

If you want Roger’s autograph, it’s a 5-15 dollar charge per card now for it typically TTM. He’s a great signer however, and I’ve heard of fans sending him 5 or 6 cards for the fee and him having no problem signing that. At a later date when I have a job, and money, -Roger is on my short list to reconnect to.

G/Gs 165/133     Rush  1991         Yds  8189       Avg   4.1   Td   56    Lg  71    |
Rec  566    Yds 4911    Avg  8.7    Td  17      Lg  73