Category Archives: CFL

CFL, NFL, University of Texas

Wright, Rodrique ‘Rodzilla’

udut11 r wrightCards: Press Pass 2006, UT Upper Deck 2011
Acquired: 2/16/2013, IP Longhorn Neighborhood Foundation Bowling Tournament

The Longhorns signed Rodrique Wright in 2002 where he saw immediate action playing for Texas in 13 games, starting 9 of them  along the way. The mammoth defensive tackle (6’5″, 315) had 65 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 13 TFL in his Freshman campaign. 2003 shaped out to be Rod’s best season statistically for the Longhorns, with 80 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and 12 TFL. In the game against Baylor that year, Rod posted 1.5 sacks and 11 tackles against the Bears. While statistically his 2004 and 2005 campaigns were not as impressive, he was tabbed 2nd team All-American his Junior season, and finished as a Lombardi Finalist and All-American in his final year at UT.  Wright completed his career at the University of Texas compiling 227 tackles, 17.5 sacks, 42 TFL, 6 FF, and 8 PD.

After his senior season with the Longhorns, it was revealed that Wright suffered from a torn rotator cuff. Despite being one ofpp06 wright the best defensive line prospects coming out of the 2006 draft, Rod faced serious rehabilitation from his debilitating injury. The Miami Dolphins took a flyer on him in the 7th round of the draft. The team placed him on injured reserve and he spent the entire season there. In his second season with Dolphins, he showed that dominance and power that the team was looking for when they drafted him. Spelling time on the line and at defensive end, Rod posted 38 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a pass defensed in 2007 during a brutal season for the Dolphins. Oddly enough, Wright found himself back out of the rotation in 2008, and he was inactive for all 16 games that season. The Dolphins cut him during camp in 2009. He got signed by the Jets in 2010, but was cut a few months later.

Wright quickly resurfaced in the CFL with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and was thrown right into the fire with the team reeling from injuries at defensive tackle. By the time the next season rolled around, Wright had shed 20 pounds to play his position better, due to the demands of the wider field and open offensive system of the CFL. While fans were in love with his potential and his new found sense of direction, Wright was caught in a numbers game in the end, and did not make the squad in 2011. He is currently a free agent.

Rod was at Redd’s Haircutz celebrating the opening of Cory Redding’s new barbershop here in Austin along with Mark Henry and Rod Babers, while I was in the chair getting my haircut. It completely slipped my mind that I had a card of him, but I made up for it the next day at the Neighborhood Longhorn Bowling event when ‘Rodzilla’ showed up there for the Alumni Bowling event. I actually had 3 cards of him, but because he said he had never seen ANY of these cards before and got super excited, I let him have one of them for himself. He was quite thankful and signed the other two for me.

CFL, WLAF

Rice, Tony ‘Antonio Arroz’

psetwlaf91 riceCards: Pro Set World League 1991, Ultimate WLAF 1991
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Work
Sent: 9/10/13   Received:   5/17/14   (250 days)
Failure: TTM 2011, C/o Blue & Gold Magazine

An amazing quarterback at Notre Dame, Tony Rice finished with an incredible 28-3 record for the Irish. When the nation was in full bloom love the Notre Dame football during the late 80’s, if Rocket Ismail gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated, they were talking about Rice’s ability to come alive and win games with his will and sheer athleticism. During that period, Tony led the Irish to the National Championship in 1988 and narrowly missed one in 1989.

The college ranks were a completely different animal back then. Players weren’t scouted and groomed for NFL success like they are today.  Rice was looked down on by scouts because he was an option quarterback with great rushing stats, but not so amazing passing stats. He did not get drafted in 1990, so Tony played in the CFL for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Unable to crack the lineup ult92 ricebehind starter Kent Austin, Rice elected to join the WLAF in 1991. Drafted by the Barcelona Dragons, the league attemped to lean on the Dragons to trade Rice to the Knights, because he was still popular in the states, but Barcelona refused. In the meantime, he’d split time with Scott Erney as the team rolled to World Bowl I against the London Monarchs.  During the season the Spanish translation of his name became quite popular and he was referred to in the media as ‘Antonio Arroz’.  Again, much like his time at Notre Dame,  Rice would demonstrate his ability to wreck opposing defensive gameplans with oppritune scrambling. He’d rush for 210 yards and 2 TDs in 33 carries. The Dragons finished as European Division Champs in 1992, but lose to the eventual World Bowl Champion Sacramento Surge. While the WLAF would reorganize after the season, Rice decided to hang around in Europe for an additional season, playing for the Munich Thunder of the Football League of Europe.  At the time of the league’s suspension, Tony was the leading rusher in WLAF history, at the quarterback position.

He worked for the Notre Dame “Blue and Gold” magazine publication for a few years, and I had heard rumors through the grapevine as to where he was at. Currently he’s with HUB International. Cross referencing with other sources I was able to peg down his actual location and shot these cards out to him last year. After failing previously in 2011, I was gunshy about giving him another shot, but when it comes to TTM autographs, -with no risk, there is no reward. I was pretty happy to get this one back with a small note inside “Apologizing for the wait, Your Friend, Tony Rice”, and the two autographed cards.

WLAF    Att 186     Comp 91     Yds 1228      Pct 48.9%        Td 1     Int 5      Rat  61.0  |
Rush 44      Yds 312    Avg 7.1     Lg 24     Td 3

 

CFL, NFL

Bowman, Adarius

Card: Topps RP 2008
Acquired: 5/11/12, Target Authentic Autograph Memorabilia

Things seem to be looking up for Adarius Bowman, who’s professional career had been rocky since his senior year at Oklahoma State in 2008. A highly regarded receiver at one point, injuries left questions about Bowman’s durability, and combined with a slow 40, doomed Adarius to free agency.

He’d eventually find a home in the CFL with the Saskatchewan Roughriders that season. In 2009, Bowman found himself traded to the Blue Bombers, putting up respectable numbers with 925 yards and 6 touchdowns. He’d play for Winnipeg through 2010, and then be signed by the Edmonton Eskimos in 2011, recording his first 1,000 yard season. He’s had a few frustrating injury plagued seasons, but in 2013 he reupped with Edmonton with a 2 year deal.

Wow, Topps never seems to outdo itself with this uglier than ugly card. Even the Photoshop mask of Bowman, seems shoddy. What is he on, a TV monitor? I’m confused. Does the BOW refer to BOWMAN or does it refer to Bowman cards? Just a horrible, horrible entry that Topps should forever be embarrassed by.