Tag Archives: St. Louis Rams

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

Jones, Jimmie


Card: Score 1990
Acquired: In Person 1991, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Jimmie Jones was another one of Jimmy Johnson‘s Miami Hurricane connections in Dallas. Knowing what he was getting from Jones, Johnson snatched up the defensive lineman in the 3rd round of the 1990 draft. At 6’4″, 285- he had great height, but needed to put on a bit of weight if he wanted to be an every down lineman; However utilized situationally as a speed rusher- Jones was ideally suited for what the Cowboys were doing. Jones would also contribute along the line on special teams. His rookie season was strong. Jimmie would finish with 7.5 sacks and 60 tackles starting in 6 games at left defensive tackle. Following that up in 1991, he’d add 2 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries in 6 games shifted to right defensive tackle making room for fellow Hurricane Russell Maryland. In 1992 and 93 he’d continue his tear as a speed rusher, making a total of 10.5 more sacks despite being deployed in a rotation with other linemen. During SuperBowl XXVII, Jones would not record a single tackle, but would recover 2 fumbles, scoring a touchdown on one of them. The 2 fumble recoveries would tie a SuperBowl record.

Jimmie would capitalize on his Super Bowl performance and be signed by the Los Angeles Rams in 1994, where he was finally given a starting role next to Sean Gilbert. He’d respond by making 10.5 sacks in 44 starts for the team, but was released in 1997 as salary cap casualty. In Jones’ twilight, he would finish out his career with the Eagles in 1998, in the role that made him a star with the Cowboys- as a situational pass rusher making 2.5 sacks.

Jimmie Jones is not to be confused with the defensive end by the same name, but a different era, playing for the Jets and Redskins from 1969-1973.

G/Gs 121/60      Tac 248      Sac  32      Fum 2       Int  0      Yds 0    Avg -.-    Td 0    Lg -.-

NFL

Cook, Marv

Cards: SkyBox 1992, Proset 1991
Acquired: TTM 1992, 1993, Patriots Blitz

Marv Cook was another underrated player out of the University of Iowa, finishing second on the school’s all-time list with 126 catches. Drafted by the New England Patriots during their darkest times in 1989, Marv Cook would lead AFC tight ends in receptions  in 1991 when the team bottomed out. Surprisingly in 1991 he’d also be named first-team AP as his 82 receptions ranked 4th in the league that season. At the time Tecmo Super Bowl rewarded him by- making him one of the slowest receivers EVER. It didn’t help that Cook offered up a woeful 8.8 yards a reception over his career with the Patriots, but he could be counted on to make the catch in those 4 seasons with the team. Among his other accomplishments with the Patsies was that he was the first tight end in the history of the franchise to finish 3 consecutive seasons with 50 or more receptions. In 1994 Cook would head over to the Bears, starting 8 games and then finish out his career in 1995 with the St. Louis Rams in two lackluster seasons. While with the Patriots Marv wore two different jersey numbers: 46 and 85. At the time of this post Marv currently is coaching football and associated with a financial advisor network.

G/Gs 112/77   Rec  257     Yds   2190    Avg  8.5      Td  13   Lg 49