Kyle Boller played QB for California from 1999-2002.
In his Senior campaign Kyle completed 225 of 421 passes for 2815 yards and 28 TDs.
Over his college career he completed 622 of 1301 passes for 7980 yards and 64 TDs to 48 interceptions.
Kyle was the second quarterback off the board in 2003 and was quickly named starter for the Ravens that season.
He completed 116 of 224 passes for 1260 yards with 7 TDs to 9 picks in an injury plagued rookie campaign.
Boller’s best season came the following year in 2004, when he passed for 2559 yards and 13 TDs (11 interceptions) on 258 of 464 throws.
He’d also start 16 games for the only time in his career, and finish with a career high 9-7 record.
Boller’s career from there was a frustrating one, battling quarterbacks and injury along the way.
After sitting out the entire 2008 season with an injury, Kyle played with the Rams in 2009.
He’d move on to Oakland in 2010, finishing out his career the following year.
NOTES:
I don’t often get members of the Baltimore Ravens through he mail, so I was pretty happy to get Kyle’s autograph on a couple of cards.
Kyle carried a huge burden being thrown out there into the fire by the Ravens. I wonder how his career would’ve planned out if he rode the bench for a season, and hadn’t had so much pressure hoisted on him.
Over that time there he bulked up to 6’5″, 308, and became a darling at the combine, recording impressive and quick numbers for a big man.
He’d be selected number 2 overall by the St. Louis Rams in 2009, and was slated immediately in to start seeing action at both tackle positions.
Quietly he’d be beaten out in camp in 2010.
Traded to the Jets in 2012 in exchange for T Wayne Hunter.
Signed with the Saints in 2013 but did not make the squad.
Rejoined the Jets but was released a week later, effectively ending his playing career.
Jason has transitioned into coaching where he’s worked at North Texas and Abilene Christian.
NOTES:
I like this era of football cards and the subsets Dress for Success and Freshman Orientation were really great looking cards. It was nice to find these patch certified autographs at such a bargain.
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.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
