Tag Archives: score 1991

NFL

Mularkey, Mike ‘Inspector Gadget’

CARDS: Pro Set 1991 HoF Photo Contest, Fleer 1990, Score 1992, Playbook
ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home
SENT: 6/13/22 RECEIVED: 6/24/22 (11 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Mike Mularkey played college ball at Florida from 1980 to ’82.
  • He caught 55 passes for 628 yards and 3 TDs over his college career.
  • In 1983 signed with the San Fransisco 49ers as a 9th round pick, but ultimately finished the season on the roster of the Minnesota Vikings.
  • Caught first TD pass against Buccaneers in 1984, for one yard.
  • Known as a blocking TE, played for the Vikings through the ’88 season, catching 42 passes for 464 yards and 5 TDs.
  • Signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1989 and had a career high 22 receptions for 326 yards and a TD.
  • Recorded career highs again in ’90 catching 32 receptions for 365 yards and 3 TDs.
  • Retired after the 1991 season.
  • After a year off, went into coaching with Concordia University (MN) and was there for two years.
  • Quickly moved back to the NFL in 1994 working with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a quality control and then later a TE coach.
  • Returned to Pittsburgh in ’96 as a TE coach, and then later as the offensive coordinator (2001-’03).
  • In 2004 took his first head coaching job in Buffalo and coached the team to a 14-18 record over two seasons as the team had to manage a QB controversy in 2005.
  • After an odd season with the Nick Saban Dolphins as OC in 2006, and then Cam Cameron as his TE coach in 2007, Mike hopped over to the Falcons in 2008 where he was OC again.
  • Head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars for one season in 2012, posting a 2-14 record.
  • Stayed in the AFC South as the TE coach for the Tennessee Titans in 2013.
  • Then after Ken Whisenhunt was fired during the season in 2015, Mularkey finished out the season, posting a 2-7 record.
  • Kept on board as the HC, Whisenhunt rebuilt the Titans, and in 2016 and 2017 posted a 9-7 record- making the playoffs in the latter.
  • Served as a TE coach for the Falcons in 2019, retiring from coaching after the season.

ACCOLADES:

  • Assistant Coach of the Year 2001
  • Offensive Coordinator of the Year 2010

NOTES:

Yes! What a play drawn up by Mike! Randle El Shovel 68 (Pitch to Randle El. Shovel to Jerome.) Pretty neat! He even wrote in a few player names including Bettis, Hines, Kordell Stewart and Randle El. So we know for certain this play came from his golden era with the Steelers between 2001-’03. Mike’s nickname ‘Inspector Gadget’ came from his penchant for gadget plays during his time with Pittsburgh.

To be honest, Mike got no respect. I remember when the Titans hired him as their head coach, everyone, even flaming tacks fans were snickering or uninspired by the choice- but much to Mike’s credit, he did build a successful team, and then he was run out of town.. after making the playoffs!

NFL

Ellison, Riki

CARDS: Score 1990 Supplemental, Score 1991, Pro Set 1989
ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Work
SENT: 1/30/23 RECEIVED: 2/26/24 (392 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Riki Ellison played college ball at USC where underwent 4 knee surgeries- which caused him to be overlooked or removed from many draft day boards.
  • A 5th round find by the San Fransisco 49ers in 1983.
  • Led the team in tackles in two of his first 3 seasons.
  • Had career high 106 tackles in ’85.
  • Had 10 tackles and 2 picks in ’83 playoff victory over Detroit Lions.
  • Missed most of ’87 season with a broken forearm.
  • Broke arm in final preseason game of ’89 and missed entire season.
  • Signed by the Los Angeles Raiders as a free agent in 1990.
  • Immediately led all Raiders LB’s in tackles over the next two seasons.
  • Retired after the 1992 campaign.

ACCOLADES:

  • All Rookie Team 1983
  • Polynesian Sports Hall of Fame 2017

NOTES:

Riki is probably the first player of Maori and from New Zealand that I’ve gotten the autograph of. He was signing at a pretty quick clip at the end of ’22, but I had to wait a bit over a year for this one. He’s got a great autograph! Riki appeared with other 49ers as backup singers on two Huey Lewis and the News songs.

NFL

Randle, Ervin

CARDS: Score 1990, Score 1991, Gameday 1992
ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Home
SENT: 9/5 RECEIVED: 9/29 (24 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Ervin Randle was a versatile defender at Baylor, where he played at NT, DE, OLB, and ILB for the Bears totaling 294 tackles over his college career.
  • A 3rd round pick, he was the 56th player taken in the 1985 NFL Draft by Tampa Bay.
  • Thanks due in part to injuries that ravaged the Bucs at LB, Ervin saw action in all 16 games, starting 7 his rookie year.
  • Responded by posting 60 tackles, a sack, 3 tackles for loss, an interception, and 3 forced fumbles.
  • By 1987, Ervin had seen action at all linebacker positions for the Bucs.
  • That season he’d lead the team with 117 tackles.
  • After missing 8 games due to a shoulder injury in ’88, he’d return to the starting lineup in 1989 and lead the team with 114 tackles.
  • Traded to Chiefs in 1991, and posted 10 tackles in his lone start.
  • In 1992 started 5 contests for the Chiefs retiring after the season.

NOTES:

Ervin Randle was a herald of Baylor defensive football- as he paved the way for players like Santana Dotson and James Francis to follow.