h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Having just popped around my mum & dad's I found a pile of old sticker albums in the cupboard. In among them is one about American Football. I thought we'd take a trip down memory lane, and I'll post some information about the stickers required for each team on a day by day basis.

But to begin here's a little description of the book ...

A very colourful front cover shows a face-on close-up of the QB of the time #16 Joe Montana. The album itself cost 35p although I suspect I got it free with First Down or some other such publication.

The inside cover sees a little introduction by Mick Luckhurst, as well as an advert to buy "American Football - The Board Game" (£14-95 plus £2-05p&p).

Mick's intro says ... "I've played alongside the best in the NFL, so I was delighted when Panini asked me to introduce this first [and probably last] edition of their American Football Sticker Collection, as I'm sure it'll be an All-Pro in its rookie year!" blah, blah, blah.

Alongside the nice photo of Mick in casual gear, he's signed the album and there are details about how to watch Amfoot on Channel4. Sunday 10th September 5:30-6:30 and a live game shown later that night. Each Sunday during the season from 17 September 5:45 - 6:30 plus a two-hour programme later in the evening. 29th January: The Superbowl - live.

Then it's onto the index page and the first of the 416 required stickers. Two halves of the shiny type that go together to make the cover of SB XXIII program. Alongside that there is a picture of Denver's #2 - a punter which if IIRC would be Mike Horan.

Read on tomorrow when we'll encounter the first NFC team ... Atlanta Falcons ...

Bloody hell the tensions killing me already...

Mick Luckhurst, eh? Not a bad player, just played for when of them really bad teams.

Resplendent in their *red* and white uniforms and helmets we have the Atlanta Falcons.

Sticker #3 Floyd Dixon - WR - in 1988 28 recs/368yds/2TDs.

#4 Tony Casillas - NT - "Healthy for the first time since his rookie year, Tony registered 111 tackles (62 solo, 49 assists) and forced a team-high 3 fumbles last season.

#5 Bill Fralic - G - 1989 Pro Bowl Player. A 3-time All-America from Pittsburgh. Bill paved the way for Atlanta rushers to average 126yds a game and 4.2 yds per carry - 6th best in the NFL.

#6 Aundray Bruce - LB - the 1st pick in the '88 draft. Aundray had his best game of the year vs the Raiders [] with 1 int, 2sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

#7 Scott Case - CB - 1989 Pro Bowl Player. The NFC Defensive player of teh Month for Nov. Scott led the NFL and set a single-season club mark with 10 ints in '88. He has 19 career ints.

#8 Rick Donnelly - P - [I got this sticker]. 1988 stats - 98 punts for 40.0 avg. 27 inside 20, 61 longest, 0 blocks.

#9 Falcons foil.

#10 Falcons helmet.

#11 Marcus Cotton - LB - [Stickered]. Due to injury, Marcus only played in 11 games his rookie season. Still, the former Southern Cal star finished tied for 2nd on the club with 5 sacks.

#12 Chris Miller - QB. 1988 stats ... 184 of 351, 2,133yds, 11TD, 12ints.

#13 Robert Moore - S - [Stickered]. 1988 stats ... 5ints, 56yds, 1TD.

#14 Bobby Butler - CB - [Stickered]. While Bobby picked off only 1 pass in 1988, he has proven over the years that he possesses very quick hands by making 24 interceptions in his career.

#15 Rick Bryan - DE. Four times in the last five NFL season, Rick has made over 100 tackles. Last year he led all Falcon linemen in tackles with 120 and in sacks with 5.

#16 John Settle - RB - [Stickered] 1989 Pro Bowl Player. 1988 stats ... 232atts 1,024yds 7TDs. 68recs 570yds 1TD.

Tomorrow ... da Bears

Woo Hoo....Come on Da'Bears.

Anyone got any swapsies?

The Chicago Bears ...

#17 Jim McMahon - QB - 1988 stats ... 114/192 1,346yds 59.4% 6TD 7Int.

#18 Neal Anderson - RB - 1989 Pro Bowler - [Stickered] 1988 stats ... 249atts 1,106yds 12TDs 39Recs 371yds 0TDs.

#19 Dave Duerson - S - 1989 Pro Bowler - 1988 Stats ... 2ints 18yds.

#20 Steve McMichael - DT - Steve's 11.5 sacks last season tied him for seventh place in the league and first among his teammates. Of that total, 3 came in a 17-7 win over Dallas.

#21 Jay Hilgenberg - C - 1989 Pro Bowler. Signed as a free agent out of Iowa in 1981, Jay has been the NFC's starting center in the last four Pro Bowls. Last year, he was also an All-Pro pick.

#22 Dennis McKinnon - WR - 1988 stats ... 45recs 704yds 15.6avg 3TDs.

#23 Bears foil.

#24 Bears helmet [stickered].

#25 Richard Dent - DE - Despite missing the final three games of the 1988 season with a broken leg, Richard finished with 10.5 QB sacks - increasing his career mark to 72.5

#26 Dennis Gentry - WR/KR - 1988 stats ... 33recs 486yds 3TDs 27KR 578yds 0 TDs.

#27 Mike Singletary - LB - 1989 Pro Bowler. With a team-high 170 tackles in 1988, Mike made his sixth Pro Bowl appearance in as many years. He also had an Int, a sack and a fumble recovery.

#28 Vestee Jackson - CB - 1988 stats ... 8ints 94yds 0TD.

#29 Mike Tomczak - QB [Stickered] - 1988 stats 86/170 1,310yds 50.6% 7TD 6Ints.

#30 Dan Hampton - DT. After playing most of '87 at DE, Dan returned to his more natural DT position in '88 and the 4-time Pro Bowl pick made 88 tackles and 9.5 sacks.

IIRC the worst team in the league ... the Dallas Cowboys.

#31 Michael Irvin - WR - 1988 stats ... 32recs 654yds 20.4avg 61tLG 5TD

#32 Eugene Lockhart - LB Credited with 121 total tackles in '88. Eugene recorded his third 100-tackle season in 5 years. He also had 3 passes defensed and forced 2 fumbles.

#33 Herschel Walker - RB - 1989 Pro Bowler - 1988 stats ... 361atts 1,514yds 5TDs / 53recs 505yds 2TDs.

#34 Kelvin Martin - WR/PR - 1988 stats ... 49rec 622yds 3TDs / 44PR 360yds 0TDs.

#35 Jim Jeffcoat - DE - Jim concluded his fifth year as starter on the defensive front line with 80 tackles and 6.5 QB traps in 1988. He has a career total of 51 sacks.

#36 Everson Walls - CB - Second on the Cowboys all-time INT list with 44, Everson needs just 8 more to catch record-holder Mel Renfro who made 52 INTs during his career. [Record subsequently broken by Larry Brown ... not].

#37 Team foil (A star).

#38 Team Helmet.

#39 Danny Noonan - DT. In last year's victory over Atlanta, Danny picked off a Chris Miller pass and ran 17 yards for a TD. He also scored when he sacked Miller for a safety.

#40 Ray Alexander - WR. 1988 stats ... 54recs 788yds 6TDs. [who?]

#41 Garry Cobb - LB. In an otherwise disappointing season for Dallas, Garry was one of the team's brightest spots in '88. To go with his 7.5 sacks he was in on 104 tackles.

#42 Ed Jones - DE. Having never missed a game in his outstanding 14 yr. career, Ed was as dominating as ever in '88 - 57 tackles. 14 passes knocked down and 7 sacks.

#43 Kevin Brooks - DT. One of the most improved players on the Cowboys last season, Kevin capped off the year with career highs in tackles with 77 and in sacks with 5.

#44 Bill Bates - S. From his safety position, Bill recorded his first 100-tackle season of his career in '88. He led the team in solo stops (85) and in total tackles (124).

[So there we have it. Pretty easy to see why they went something like 4-12, got rid of Landry and brought in Jimmy Johnson. No QB, a RB who they traded for a whole bunch of draft picks that turned out to be pretty awful and some other no-names].

Anyone actually reading? The Detroit Lions ...

#45 - Lions foil.

#46 Chuck Long - QB [Stickered]. 1988 stats ... 75/141 856yds 6TD 6ints.

#47 Jim Arnold - P 1989 Pro Bowler. 1988 stats ... 97punts 42.4avg 22in20 Lg69 Blk0.

#48 Michael Cofer - LB 1989 Pro Bowler. Michael was awarded a starting berth in his first Pro Bowl appearance after making 75 tackles, forcing 3 fumbles and recording 12 sacks last season.

#49 Eddie Murray - K. 1988 stats ... XP 22/23 FG 20/21 Lg48 Pts 82. [Can you believe he didn't make the Pro Bowl with those stats?]

#50 Keith Ferguson - DE. In 14 games last year, Keith was in on 37 tackles (28solo,9assists), forced a fumble and racked up the second most sacks (8.5) in his career.

#51 Pete Mandley - WR/PR. 1988 stats ... 44recs 617yds 4TDs / 37PR 287yds 0TD.

#52 Team Helmet.

#53 Jerry Ball - NT [Stickered]. Rapidly developing into a superb nose tackle, Jerry registered a career-high 68 tackles (49solo,19assists) and two QB sacks during 1988.

#54 Bennie Blades - S [Stickered]. The #3 pick in the '88 draft and the 3rd highest DB chosen since 1956, Bennie had 102 tackles, 2 ints and 4 fumble recoveries last season.

#55 Dennis Gibson LB [Stickered]. Dennis proved that his superb rookie performance in '87 was no fluke as he continued his brilliant play last season with a career-best 116 tackles.

#56 Chris Spielman LB [Stickered]. An intense competitor who loves to hit, Chris set a new Detroit team record with 153 total tackles breaking Ken Fantetti's old mark of 148 in 1981.

#57 Eric Williams DE. Eric equalled a personal-best in sacks with 6.5 (2 coming in a game against the Chiefs), totaled 43 tackles and forced 3 fumbles last season.

#58 Lomas Brown OT. An All-rookie pick in '85. Lomas usually matches up against the opponent's top defensive lineman and more often than not, he emerges victorious.

I'm reading! - You even inspired me to dig out Jim McMahon's autobiography from the pile of old in the corner.

Wildman

Yep I'm still reading too.Inspired me to go back to the folks this weekend and dig out my old Pannini albums from the loft.
Found my sisters also,so along with Football League,Return of the Jedi,World Cup and an obscure Motorbikes of the World?
We also have Fame and Rainbow Brite!!!
Pannini really knew how to sell crap.

Ok you've convinced me to keep going ...

Green Bay Packers.

#59 Johnny Holland LB. Despite missing three games due to injury, Johnny provided the Packers' defense with 108 tackles, 3 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery last season.

#60 Tim Harris LB. In one of the top performances of '88, Tim made 5 solo tackles, 2 sacks (1 for a safety), and raced 10yds for a TD with a blocked punt vs the Vikings. [Hmmm, not bad I suppose ...]

#61 Mark Murphy S. 1988 stats ... 5ints 19yds 0TD.

#62 Walter Stanley WR/PR 1988 stats ... 28rec 436yds 0TD / 12PR 52yds 0TD.

#63 Brent Fullwood RB. 1988 stats ... 101att 483yds 33tLg 7TD.

#64 Ken Ruettgers OT. Whether its protecting the QB or blocking for the Packers' running attack, Ken is one of pro football's most talented offensive tackles. [Talented at what? Playing the piano?]

#65 Team foil.

#66 Team Helmet.

#67 John Anderson LB. Selected defensive co-captain by his teammates in '88, John tallied 69 primary tackles, 16 assisted stops, 1 sack and 1 fumble recovery. [Is that it? Tim Harris did most of that in 1 game ...]

#68 Brian Noble LB. In 1988, Brian had perhaps the finest game of his career when recorded 12 solo tackles, 2 assists and 1 sack in a 20-13 loss to Indianapolis. [Now that's much better ...]

#69 Sterling Sharpe WR. 1988 stats ... 55recs 791yds 51lg 1TD. [You know it was a real shame he had to retire early. Really rated him].

#70 Keith Woodside RB [Stickered]. 1988 stats ... 83atts 195yds 3TD / 39recs 352yds 2TD.

#71 Mark Lee CB. 1988 stats ... 3ints 57yds 0TD.

#72 Don Majkowski QB [The Majik Man]. 1988 stats ... 178/336 53.0% 2,119yds 9TD 11ints [perhaps not so Majik].

'Majkowski to Sterling Sharpe' - Yeah I seem to remember that phrase cropping up occasionally .

Ahhhhh... Memories.

Wildman - feeling old (again).

Surely that was the Majik man's last season? I seem to remember he had one outsatnding year (happens to everybody - look at Kitna this year) and was then decidely mediocre for the restof his career.

Actually '89 was the big season for Majik. Threw over 500 times for 27TDs and 4,200yds. However he had a touch of the Kriegs about him ... 20ints and 15fumbles ...

Anyway ... on to the *LOS ANGELES* Rams

#73 Aaron Cox WR. 1988 stats ... 28recs 590yds 5TD [See why he didn't go as well as Sterling, Mike or Timmy?]

#74 LeRoy Irvin CB. 1988 stats ... 3ints 25yds 0TD.

#75 Chris Evert QB [Stickered] 1988 stats ... 308/517 3,964yds 31TD 18ints. [Good numbers].

#76 Mike Lansford K. 1988 stats ... XP 45/48 FG 24/32 Lg49 Pts 115.

#77 Mike Wilcher LB. A starter at outside LB since his rookie season, Mike was credited with 59 tackles while finishing third on the Rams with 7.5 QB sacks in 1988.

#78 Henry Ellard WR. 1989 Pro Bowler. 1988 stats ... 86recs 1,414yds 10TD.

#79 Team Helmet.

#80 Jerry Gray CB. 1989 Pro Bowler. 1988 stats ... 3int 63yds 1TD.

#81 Doug Smith C. 1989 Pro Bowler. One of the league's best snappers and 5 straight Pro Bowl selections to prove it. Doug helped open the holes for 1,000yd rusher Greg Bell in 1989.

#82 Tom Newberry G. 1989 Pro Bowler. A dominant force on the Rams' talented offensive line. Tom was named to several All-Pro teams and selected to start for the NFC in the '89 Pro Bowl.

#83 Jackie Slater T. 1989 Pro Bowler. A five-time Pro Bowl participant. Jackie was one of three Rams' offensive linemen selected to the '89 NFC squad following the 1988 season.

#84 Greg Bell RB. 1988 stats ... 288atts 1,212yds 16TD.

#85 Kevin Greene LB. A relentless pass rusher. Kevin finished second in the NFL in sacks last year with 16.5 - 4.5 of those coming in a season finale victory over the 49ers.

The Minnesota Vikings ...

#86 Chris Doleman DE 1989 Pro Bowl. As quick as any defensive lineman in the NFL, Chris contributed to the NFC's top rated defense in '88 with 8 sacks, 58 tackles and 2 forced fumbles.

#87 Steve Jordan TE 1989 Pro Bowler [Stickered]. 1988 stats ... 57recs 756yds 5TD.

#88 Jesse Solomon LB [Stickered]. Jesse completed the 1988 season with 121 tackles, 2.5sacks and 4 interceptions - one going for a 78-yd TD in the Vikings 45-3 rout of the Saints.

#89 Randall McDaniel G [Stickered]. The first guard taken in the '88 draft, Randall teams with OT Gary Zimmerman to give the Vikings a dynamic 1-2 combo on the left side of the line.

#90 Hassan Jones WR [Stickered]. 1988 stats ... 40rec 778yds 5TD.

#91 Joey Browner S 1989 Pro Bowler [Stickered]. A four-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro pick, Joey made 5ints in '88. His career total of 20ints ranks 6th on the club's all-time list. [Woohoo].

#92 Team foil [Stickered].

#93 Team helmet [Stickered].

#94 Anthony Carter WR 1989 Pro Bowler [Stickered]. 1988 stats ... 72recs 1225yds 6TDs.

#95 Gary Zimmerman OT 1989 Pro Bowler. An overpowering force at his OT position, Gary was once again named All-Pro while earning his second consecutive trip to the Pro Bowl in 1989.

#96 Wade Wilson QB 1989 Pro Bowler. 1988 stats ... 204/332 61.4% 2,746yds 15TD 9ints.

#97 Scott Studwell LB 1989 Pro Bowler. Always in the middle of the action, Scott is the Vikings all-time leading tackler. Last season he made 123 tackles, a sack and recovered 2 fumbles.

#98 Keith Millard DT 1989 Pro Bowler. Selected All-Pro for his outstanding play in '88, Keith has led all Minnesota linemen with 86 tackles and had 8 sacks - raising his career total to 32.5

#99 Carl Lee CB 1989 Pro Bowler [Stickered]. An All-Pro in '88, Carl picked off 8 passes to tie for 2nd best in the NFL. One of his interceptions he returned 58yds for a TD against New Orleans.

I present the ... New Orleans Saints.

#100 Morten Andersen K 1989 Pro Bowler. 1988 stats ... XP 32/33 FG 26/36 Pts 110. [Now go check Ed Murray's stats and see who you think should go to the Pro Bowl]

#101 Bobby Hebert QB [Stickered] 1988 stats ... 280/478 58.6% 3,156yds 20TD 15ints.

#102 Rueben Mayes RB [Stickered] 1988 stats ... 170atts 628yds 3TD.

#103 Sam Mills LB 1989 Pro Bowler. What Sam may lack in size, he makes up for with quickness and intelligence. In 1988 he accounted for 100 tackles and also recovered 3 fumbles.

#104 Vaughan Johnson LB. Since becoming a starter in '87, Vaughan has led New Orleans in tackles the past two season. Last year he registered 108 stops, 2 sacks and an int.

#105 Pat Swilling LB [Stickered]. In 1988, Pat shared the team lead in sacks (7) with fellow LB Rickey Jackson. He also made 48tackles, forced 3 fumbles and recovered another.

#106 Team Foil.

#107 Team Helmet.

#108 Brad Edelman G [stickered]. If called upon Brad can play any position on the offensive line. Behind his blocking and that of his linemates, the Saints ran for 2,046yds in 1988.

#109 Craig Heyward RB. 1988 stats ... 74atts 355yds 1TD

#110 Eric Martin WR 1989 Pro Bowler [Stickered]. 1988 stats ... 85recs 1,083yds 7TD.

#111 Dalton Hilliard RB. 1988 stats ... 204atts 823yds 5TD / 34rec 355yds 1TD.

#112 Lonzell Hill WR. 1988 stats ... 66recs 703yds 7TD.

#113 Rickey Jackson LB [Stickered]. A fixture at linebacker for the Saints since his rookie season, Rickey was credited with 7sacks, 90tackles, 2 forced fumbles and 1int last year.

Bonus ... who's missing from the album?

We have the New York Giants ...

#114 Erik Howard NT [stickered]. Against the opposition, Erik powered his way to 26 tackles [woohoo], 2 fumble recoveries and 3 QB sacks for 37yards in losses during his third year in the NFL.

#115 Phil Simms QB. 1988 stats ... 263/479 54.9% 3,359yds 21TD 11ints.

#116 Leonard Marshall DE. Along with 44 bone-crushing tackles, Leonard had 8 sacks (2nd on the squad behind Lawrence Taylor's 15.5) and forced 2 fumbles for the Giants in '88.

#117 Joe Morris RB [stickered]. 1988 stats ... 307atts 1,083yds 5TD.

#118 Bart Oates C [stickered]. A smart player and powerful blocker, Bart has been a fixture at center since joining the club in '85. He is recognised as one of the game's top centers.

#119 Mark Bavaro TE [stickered]. 1988 stats ... 53recs 672yds 4TD.

#120 Team foil.

#121 Team helmet [stickered].

#122 Terry ["Fuh"] Kinard S 1989 Pro Bowler [stickered]. 1988 stats ... 3ints 46yds 0TD. [He made the Pro Bowl on 3ints?!?]

#123 Carl Banks LB. With the score tied at 16-16 vs the Falcons last year, Carl intercepted a pass and returned it 15-yds for his pro TD and the game-winner.

#124 Lionel Manuel WR [stickered]. 1988 stats ... 65recs 1,029yds 4TD.

#125 Stephen ["Touchdown Maker"] Baker WR [stickered]. 1988 stats ... 40rec 656yds 7TD.

#126 Pepper Johnson LB [stickered]. Pepper enjoyed his finest season as a Giant in '88 as he led the team in tackles with 93. He also added 4 sacks and a returned an int 33 yards for a TD.

#127 Jim Burt NT. 1988 stats ... In the '88 season opener, Jim caught the Redskins QB Doug Williams fumble and ran 39yards for a score as the Giants defeated Washington 27-20.

Did you spot him?

What? No LT?? Pepper Johnson and no LT????

Exactly. I thought perhaps LT had missed the season with a drug suspension, but 15.5 sacks were on the board. Is it possible he had image rights?

The Philadelphia Eagles ...

#128 Cris Carter WR [stickered]. 1988 stats ... 39recs 761yds 6TD.

#129 Mike Quick WR. 1988 stats ... 22rec 508yds 4TD.

#130 Terry Hoage S. 1988 stats ... 8ints 116yds 0TD.

#131 Keith Jackson TE 1989 Pro Bowler [stickered]. 1988 stats ... 81rec 869yds 6TD.

#132 Clyde Simmons DE [stickered]. In addition to 89 tackles in 1988, Clyde tallied 8 sacks, recovered 3 fumbles while forcing another, recorded a safety and scored his first pro TD.

#133 Eric Allen CB [stickered]. 1988 stats ... 5ints 76yds 0TD.

#134 Team foil.

#135 Team helmet.

#136 Randall Cunningham QB 1989 Pro Bowler. 1988 stats ... 301/560 53.8% 3,808yds 24TD 16ints.

#137 Mike Pitts DT [stickered]. Last season proved to be Mike's finest in his six-year career. He made 121 tackles (80solos) with a personal-best of 18 coming against the Browns.

#138 Keith Byars RB. 1988 stats ... 152atts 517yds 6TD / 72recs 705yds 0TD.

#139 Seth Joyner LB. Ranking third on Philadelphia's stat sheets with 136 total stops, Seth was also credited with 3.5 sacks and 4 pass thefts last year for the Eagles.

#140 Jerome Brown DT. Proving his worth as the Eagles #1 draft pick in the '87, Jerome was in on 101 tackles, made 5 sacks, forced a fumble and intercepted a pass in 1988.

#141 Reggie White DE 1989 Pro Bowler. A unanimous All-Pro pick in '88 and the NFL sack leader (18) for the second straight season. Reggie has recorded 70 sacks in 57 regular season games.