Tag Archives: topps 1990

NFL

Johnston, Daryl

Card: Topps 1990
Acquired: In Person 1990, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

The Cowboys made some shrewd moves during their first draft with Jimmy Johnson, drafting fullback Daryl Johnston out of Syracuse at the top of the second round in 1989. A sound and accomplished blocker and a tough inside runner with nice hands, Johnston is one of the most unsung members of the Dallas Cowboys’ dynasties of the 1990’s.

His rookie season would be impressive for a fullback. Johnston made 16 receptions including 3 touchdowns, while running for 212 yards (which would turn out to be a career high). Johnston got some due, earning a Pro Bowl nod in 1993, while making a career high 50 receptions for 372 yards, and 1994 when he made 44 receptions for 325 yards. Frequently utilized as a short yardage back, Johnston was frighteningly effective, whether it was as a receiver or rusher in the Cowboys offense.

Affectionately nicknamed “Moose” by teammate Babe Laufenberg, anytime he touched the ball you could hear fans cheer his nickname. Daryl played for the Cowboys through 1999, but as neck injuries and concussions took their toll on the selfless fullback, he’d be forced to retire.

Johnston jumped right into the broadcasting booth working both College and Pro games. Daryl has a workmanlike efficiency to his broadcasting and unlike other commentators doesn’t grate on the nerves.  

A humanitarian, Johnston has been quite active in charities- but at this time may never be considered for the statistically driven Pro Football HoF, and has yet to be inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor. Johnston is credited as being the ‘first’ fullback to be named to the Pro Bowl, as before 1993 the position didn’t exist as an electable category.

G/Gs  151/122   Rush 232     Yds 753   Avg  3.2     Td 8    Lg  18  |
Rec 294  Yds 2227   Avg 7.6     Td 14    Lg  28

NFL

Studwell, Scott


Cards: Topps 1990, ProSet 1991 Legends
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o home
Sent: 2/14    Received: 3/8    (22 days)

I had been kicking tires around sending Scott Studwell out a card or two for a while. I was not disappointed as it appears he is a wonderful TTM signer with fans. He signed these two cards in less than 30 days and did so in purple marker. He has a graceful and loopy signature- which seems to be an oddity amongst the signatures I have, and I was quite pleased to get it on the ProSet 1991 Legends card, and (strangely enough) on this Topps 1990 card.

1990 it seemed Topps was slowly getting the message and while many of their cards were portraits, sideline poses and guys standing still, there were these rare occasions where there was an outstanding action shot of a player. I think that this card of Studwell is exceptional framing him exploding out of a 2 point stance towards the play.

Back in the late 70s the common draft lasted 12 rounds and drafting was even further from the ‘science’ than it is today. The 77 draft was a fairly solid class, that included such names as: Tony Dorsett, Raymond Clayborn, Stanley Morgan, Lester Hayes, Steve DeBerg, and Joe Klecko. Almost every round yielded a Pro Bowl player and Scott Studwell- would be the surprise of the 9th round.

Studwell’s career would be an amazing testament to longevity, playing for the Vikings for 14 storied seasons. On the defense he’d  ceremoniously pass the torch between Alan Page and John Randle, seeing the twilight of Page’s and the beginning of Randle’s. He’d also span the ending of the Purple People Eaters through the Walker trade for the organization. Arguably one of the best linebackers to play for the Vikings, Studwell was a two time Pro Bowler and could play a variety of positions along the defensive front,  lining up not only at linebacker but also amazingly from time to time at nose tackle.

Studwell would finish second all-time at linebacker (at the time of his retirement) in games played (behind HoF member Ted Hendricks) with 201 games and unofficially (since tackles weren’t a tracked statistic for the majority of his career) with 1981 tackles. Scott after retirement would immediately jump into the scouting office for the Vikings where he scaled the ranks to be the team’s director of player personnel finding such gems as Jake Reed and Brad Johnson.  In 2009 Studwell was inducted into the Vikings’ Hall of Honor and through 2011 continues to serve as the team’s director of player scouting.

G/Gs  201/161   Tac 1981    Sac 9.0      Fum  16      Int  11   Yds  97     Avg  8.9      Td 0   Lg 20

NFL

Meads, Johnny

Cards: Topps 1990, Fleer Ultra 1991, Pacific 1991, ProSet 1991, Score 1991
Acquired: In Person, Houston Oilers Training Camp 1991, TTM C/o The Tennessee Titans 2010
Sent: 4/3 Received: 4/16  (13 days)

Okay, here’s a guy with a middle name worthy of a linebacker, Johnny “Sand” Meads. Thibodaux, LA is home to tiny Nicholls State, and the Houston Oilers would call Johnny’s name near the top of the 3rd round. This draft was a good defensively at linebacker and yielded names such as Carl Banks, Wilber Marshall, Gary Reasons, and Fredd Young. In fact it was so good 3 of the Oilers starting linebackers came out of this draft. Robert Lyles, John Grimsley and… Johnny Meads. The draft really represented defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville‘s vision for the Houston Oilers- an attacking defense led by quick and aggressive linebackers. In 1986 Johnny would score 111 tackles from his outside linebacker position and record 4 sacks. He also had extra value. At 6’2″ 232 with a wide wingspan, Johnny was a great special teamer, blocking 2 punts in 1989. By 1990, Meads was the senior member of the Oilers defense and made the transition from the 3-4 to the 4-3 defense anchoring down his starting position at linebacker. Johnny would be named defensive player of the week for his 1990 performance against the Saints in which he recorded 9 tackles, 1.5 sacks, an interception and 3 forced fumbles and amazingly he’d play most of the season with a broken thumb in a cast, and would still make 95 tackles and 5 forced fumbles.  1991 would see his final season as a starter, as the team was determined to go younger at the position. They’d bring in Eddie Robinson and Joe Bowden the next season and by the 4th week of 1992- he’d be cut and find himself on the roster of the Redskins for two weeks before retiring. Since football Meads has worked in the Tennessee Titans organization and is currently a scout for the organization. I’d get the Fleer 1991 Ultra autographed while at camp that year and he’d kindly sign the others for me in 2010. Great autograph with the way the “M” sweeps under the rest of his last name. The points of the “M” indicate his alertness, drive, and intelligence. A perfect linebacker autograph.

G/Gs  119/97    Tac  528     Sac 23.5    Fum 1    Int 1     Yds 32   Avg 32.0   Td 0    Lg 32