Tag Archives: wildcard wlaf 1992

NFL, WLAF

Welch, Herb

wcwlaf92 welchsco90sup welch
Cards: Wild Card WLAF 1992, Score Supplemental 1990
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent: 6/4  Received: 6/17  (13 days)
Failure: TTM 2010, C/o Home

mem welchAn incredible competitor with great speed, Herb Welch is a great NFL story. Originally a 12th round pick in 1985 who wasn’t considered a pro grade prospect, Welch surprisingly earned his stripes in a great way -as a member of the New York Giants SuperBowl XXI team.  He’d start the big game in place of injured safety Terry Kinard.  In each of his first 3 years in the league, Welch played on special teams and as a backup defensive back, earning 2 interceptions in each season. He’d rip up his knee during the 1988 preseason, but made a full recovery in time for the next year.  After being cut during the 1989 preseason, he’d catch on with the Washington Redskins during mid-season playing again mainly on special teams, tallying 13 tackles.  He’d sign Plan B with the Detroit Lions in March of 1990. He’d start 4 games for the Lions and make a pick, and be with the Lions through the 1991 season. In 1992, Herb picked up his cleats and joined the WLAF. He’d split time between the Sacramento Surge and the Barcelona Dragons.

I had attempted Welch back in 2010 when I still lived in LA. I was disappointed that I did not get a response. I decided to try Herb again in 2014 and was pleased to not only get a response, but also a piece of nice photo memorabilia from him as well.

G/Gs 79/8       Tac  N/a     Sac N/a       Fum 0       Int 7      Yds 53    Avg 7.5     Td  0    Lg  16
WLAF        Tac N/a     Sac  N/a      Fum 0      Int  0      Yds  0      Avg -.-      Td 0       Lg -.-

NFL, WLAF

Brantley, John ‘Rambo’ (2)

wclwaf92 brantleyCard: Wild Card WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent:   Received:  (days)
See Also: John Brantley ‘Rambo’

I had to work very hard to get John Brantley, since he has a very strong family line of football playing sons, and John III who plays quarterback for Florida sucks up the Google hits. I finally got an updated Meiselman list with John Sr.’s address, and shot the last card out I had of him. He’s still considered a legend at Georgia where he played college ball, but he is also well regarded for his time with the Birmingham Fire of the WLAF, of which he spent two seasons with.

After playing a season with the Fire, he returned to the NFL, but did not stick on the roster of Cardinals. It is said only some slim 3% of WLAF players stood a chance at returning to the NFL,  His second season with the Fire was even more impressive than the first, as Brantley had 77 tackles, 2 sacks, and 3 fumble recoveries. Brantley became one of the few players that was able to make it back to the NFL however, sticking on the roster of the Washington Redskins for the 1992 season.

John has also been recognized by the Bulldogs for being an outstanding contributor to the Florida-Georgia rivalry and has been inducted to the rivalry game’s Hall of Fame.

 

NFL, WLAF

Ross, Phil

wcwlaf92 rossult92 ross

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cards: Ultimate WLAF 1992, Wild Card WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Work
Sent: 7/12   Received: 7/20   (8 days)

Phil Ross was a 4 year letterman for the Oregon State Beavers. He finished second on the team’s all-time receiving list with 153 receptions for 1,827 yards, and 6 touchdowns. His biggest highlight was an electrifying 73 yard catch and go as a redshirt freshman. Selected by the Dolphins in the 9th round of the 1990 draft, he’d be cut in training camp, but fit exactly what the WLAF was looking for in young talent. Offensive mastermind Chan Gailey selected Phil with the 10th pick of the 1st round in the TE portion of the WLAF inaugural draft.  His 6’4″, 238 frame mixed right in with the Birmingham Fire‘s offensive attack and he’d pair with Mark Hopkins to give defenses fits.  Based on his rushing stats, it looks like Gailey used Phil’s skill set at H-Back in addition to his normal duties at TE.

Every once in a while I scour the web and hit a virtual jackpot refining my Google technique. Around the middle of 2013 I readdressed what I liked collecting and decided to return to my roots and start really going back after WLAF guys. Thanks to modern networking sites I was able to locate a host of the members of the sets I need still. I emailed Phil and he was kind enough to accept and sign these cards for me. He also attached a nice note, and thanked me for updating him on the status of many of the members of the Birmingham Fire squad. Phil currently works in the mortgage industry in Washington.

Rec 24   Yds 227   Avg 9.5   Td 0   Lg 21
Rush 4   Yds 24   Avg 6.0   Td 0   Lg 11