Tag Archives: Seattle Seahawks

NFL

Vaughn, Jon

Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1991, Sky Box 1992
Acquired: TTM 1993, 1994, Patriots Blitz

Dimunitive slasher back Jon Vaughn (5’9″, 203) was a speedy track Michigan Wolverine product, who declared as a junior and was drafted in the 5th round by the New England Patriots. Vaughn was perhaps most dangerous in the capacity as a kick returner where he had 4 touchdowns in 103 returns.  His rookie season Jon would return 34 kicks for 717 yards and a 99 yard touchdown. He’d follow up this with an impressive 1992, with 451 yards rushing and 20 kick returns for 564 yards and a 100 yard return for a touchdown. Jon’s 28.2 yard per return average would lead the NFL.

In 1993, Vaughn would find himself traded to the Seattle Seahawks, where again he’d find himself in the same role, playing there through 1994. In 1994 he’d return 33 kicks for 829 yards and 2 touchdowns, virtually splitting his time with the Seahawks and Chiefs averaging 25.1 yards per return. He’d be released during training camp in 1995 and retire.

Two of my favorite card sets side by side: Action Packed Rookies 1991 and SkyBox 1992. SkyBox with the giant name behind the player who bursts off the background and Action Packed with its red and gold and minimal design really make it happen. Jon Vaughn’s signature is interesting as I think it’s one of few where the player has changed the “#” to a “$”.

G/Gs  60/9     Rush  207          Yds 846            Avg 4.1           Td 4          lg 37   |
Rec 23       Yds  178             Avg  7.7          Td 1            lg 32   |
Kr  103        Yds  2390            Avg 23.2            Td   4       lg 100t

NFL

Smith, Darrin

Card: Classic 1993
Acquired: In Person 1993, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Originally a product from “The U”, who played alongside future NFL stars Micheal Barrow and Jessie Armstead, Darrin Smith was an undersized, yet speedy linebacker with good pursuit. (The Cowboys loved drafting linebackers during the 90s, but they didn’t really display any interest in keeping them. See Godfrey Myles, Dixon Edwards, and Ken Norton.) Smith would start almost immediately at weakside linebacker for the team after being drafted in the 3rd round, helping Dallas win SuperBowls XXVIII and XXX.  He’d be cast out of Dallas unceremoniously after not being able to sign a long term deal in 1997.

Darrin would move to the rival Philadelphia Eagles for one nondescript season before heading over to Seattle where Smith would play admirably for two seasons before becoming a salary cap casualty.  But like a fine wine, Darrin Smith’s best time was arguably in his final years playing for the New Orleans Saints from 2000-2004 where after he retired. Since retiring from football Darrin has operated a real estate company and is a devoted Christian.

Thankfully Classic got rid of the leopard print look and went with a more subtle, polished granite look for the border of its cards by 1993. The draft logo was a nice touch that nobody was utilizing, but Classic in general at the time suffered from probably too little information being displayed on their cards. The information on the back had what team they were taken by in the draft. Why not place this information on the front in some respect?  I also did not like Classic’s penchant for changing its logo completely nearly every year. That’s just not how you drive brand visibility. Nice photos though, front and back typically, and this Darrin Smith one is a great example of that. Classic was really hit or miss with their cards as far as prospects went and while they were usually first, I preferred Star Pics almost immediately because I could buy a whole set at once and not pay an incredible amount.

G/Gs 156/140       Tac  584      Sac 24.0    Fum  3    Int 11   Yds 155    Avg  14.0   Td 4   Lg 41t

NFL, WLAF

Koonce, George

Card: Ultimate WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Home
Sent: 4/14 Received: 4/22 (8 days)
Failure: 4/27/2010 TTM 2010, C/o University of Milwaukee

George Koonce went undrafted out of college from the University of East Carolina in 1992 after an amazing career at the Junior College level.  He signed with Jerry Glanville‘s Falcons, but was waived during the preseason.

Undeterred Koonce was selected by the Ohio Glory of the World League of American Football in 1992.  He started at linebacker making 2.5 sacks for the team during the season. Afterwards Koonce would immediately sign with the Green Bay Packers where he’d play all 3 positions at linebacker in the team’s 4-3 alignment over the next 8 seasons. Although injured for the team’s Super Bowl appearance, Koonce was a solid pickup by the Packers and was competent in coverage, making a career high 3 interceptions for 84 yards and a touchdown in 1996. After the 1999 season, Koonce  would sign with the Seattle Seahawks in 2000, where he made 1 pick for 27 yards and a touchdown to cap off his career.  At the conclusion of George’s NFL career he managed to rack up 720 tackles, 9 sacks, 5 picks, and 2 TDs in 118 starts. Pretty darn good for a World League of American Football player!

Since retirement George has been inducted into the ECU Pirates Hall of Fame and earned his master’s degree in Sports Management. He also has a foundation for underprivileged children and has served in the front office of the Packers, Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

I had previously attempted to contact him for his autograph through the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee but he had already left the college and it is assumed that those cards are lost. I saw that he had signed a few cards recently through the mail and through Sportscollectors.net so I gave his home address a shot. He responded in 8 days.

Koonce is a WLAF success story, (much like Tracey Simien, Doug Pedersen or Chris Mohr,) George was one of the original players who had a long and tenured career in the NFL that directly benefited from his involvement with the World League.  This Ultimate 1992 card is technically (for all points and purposes) his rookie card and his card photo was taken at the Riders/ Glory preseason game in 1992. Not one of my favorite cards. I mean couldn’t they have gotten him in a 2 point stance or cropped this photo differently.

G/Gs N/a   Tac N/a   Sac 2.5   Fum 0   Int  0   Yds  0    Avg -.-   Td 0  Lg -.-