CARDS: Pro Set 1989, Pro Set 1990, Score 1992 ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home SENT: 9/1/22 RECEIVED: 10/24/22 (53 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Eric Hill played LB at LSU from 1985-’88, forming an awesome bookend duo with Ron Sancho.
Over his time with the Tigers he compiled 245 total tackles (169 solo), 10 sacks, 7 pass deflections, and 5 forced fumbles.
Displayed all the tools needed to excel at the Pro level, and had an impressive combine running a 4.7 40 and bench pressing 365 lbs.
Selected in the first round of the 1989 NFL Draft by the Phoenix Cardinals.
Cardinals moved Eric inside to MLB and he had 91 tackles, a sack and 2 fumble recoveries his rookie year.
After 4 games into the 1990 campaign, the Cards decided to switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense.
Hill responded masterfully posting another 96 total tackles.
In 1991, Eric returned a Rams fumble 85 yards for a TD- the second longest return in franchise history.
He’d also crack the 100 tackle barrier for the first time with 103, leading the team in that category.
Despite missing the first 3 games of the 1993 season, Eric finished second on the team in total tackles with 92.
As the Cards, transitioned back to a 4-3 Hill continued to be stout against the run scoring 120 tackles in 1994, 118 in ’95, and 131 in ’96.
After the 1997 season, Eric signed with the St. Louis Rams in ’98, posting his first and only interception of his career that year.
His last season in 1999 was spent with the San Diego Chargers as he started 10 games and posted a modest 38 total tackles.
ACCOLADES:
All Madden 1995
Pro Bowl 1994, ’95
All Pro 1994, ’95
All Rookie Team 1989
NOTES:
Eric Hill was the 10th overall selection of the barn burning 1989 NFL Draft: Perhaps my favorite draft of all time. He flew under the radar due to bigger names surrounding him, but he managed to carve himself out quite a solid career in the NFL with over 1,000 tackles to his name as a fierce and reliable run defender.
He had a bursty Senior season in 1987, posting 61 receptions for 978 yards and 10 TDs- all college career highs.
3rd round pick of the San Diego Chargers in 1988.
Over 3 seasons in San Diego, Quinn totalled 55 receptions for 739 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Signed with the New Orleans Saints in 1991.
Caught a career high 82 passes for 1,087 yards and 8 TDs in 1995.
Signed with the Bills in 1996.
Caught a career high 95 yard TD that season.
Had 129 receptions for 1868 yards and 10 TDs over 3 years with Buffalo.
Played a final season with the Jets in 1999.
NOTES:
Great autograph here from Quinn. Great mixture of loops and edges with solid placement and pressure. Nice cards to boot too! I didn’t know it but Quinn lives for the adrenaline- as he is a martial artist and stuntman in Hollywood.
CARDS: Topps 1992, Topps 1991, Topps Stadium Club 1992 ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home SENT: 8/22 RECEIVED: 8/27 (5 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Roger Ruzek played K at tiny Weber State (’79-’82), where he set NCAA Division I-AA records for field goal accuracy (84.2), and school career records in FG (46), FG in a game (4), and consecutive XP (30).
Unable to beat out Matt Bahr in Cleveland as an UDFA in 1983, Ruzek joined the New Jersey Generals in 1984.
He played 2 seasons for the franchise before the league folded.
In ’86 he got a tryout with the Cowboys but didn’t latch onto the team until the following season after a few bumps.
Ruzek ended up posting 22 of 25 on FGs, scoring 92 points.
Tied NFL record with 4 FG in 1 quarter against the New York Giants that year.
Set franchise mark with 5 FGs made against the Rams that year.
In ’88 had a contract holdout, but had a rough year- and was eventually cut during the ’89 season in favor of Luis Zendejas.
Quickly found a home with the rival Eagles that year, and returned to solid form.
The Eagles opted to keep Ruzek and he’d kick with the team through 1993.
During the ’93 season, the Eagles signed Matt Bahr after Ruzek strained a hamstring.
Ruzek again replaced Bahr, later in that season, and then again was released in ’94 as the Eagles opted to go with Eddie Murray.
With a cup of coffee out of the way with the ‘9ers in ’94, Ruzek played Arena ball with the San Jose Sabrecats in 1995.
He then hopped over to London to play in his final season for the Monarchs of the World League in 1996- making 8 of 11 FGs.
NOTES:
Back when I was a kid, I played a lot of soccer. When I started watching football I was all about the kicker. I was surprised, the guy who scored the most points, who had the most pressure on them to win games, didn’t get more love. On the Cowboys, (since that’s all we got here,) I really liked Ruzek, and was surprised the team didn’t stick by him longer during his later struggles with the team. He also made an appearance on the original Tecmo Bowl as a member of the Dallas ‘Wings’.
I had no clue that Ruzek had played for the World League. If I had known that I would have written him sooner. It’s just too bad all he had to sign with was a ball point pen. Regardless he was the shortest wait of 2022 coming in at a breakneck 5 days.
XPA
XPM
PCT
FGA
FGM
PCT
LG
105
100
95.2
48
34
70.8
N/a
USFL
XPA
XPM
PCT
FGA
FGM
PCT
LG
219
206
94.1
166
120
72.3
53
NFL
XPA
XPM
PCT
FGA
FGM
PCT
LG
12
11
91.6
8
3
37.5
N/a
Arena
XPA
XPM
PCT
FGA
FGM
PCT
LG
0
0
-.-
11
8
72.3
39
WL
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