Category Archives: NFL

NFL

Marshall, Jalin

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Card: Leaf Draft 2016
Acquired: 2016, Box Breaker

A cruel unwitting joke did the people at Leaf play on me.  No sooner than I thought that I might be pulling Ohio State runningback Ezekiel Elliot, I realize it’s just his backup Jalin Marshall.

Marshall did a lot though during his short time playing for the Buckeyes. He fit a variety of roles outside of backing up Elliot. He was a gifted return man, receiver, an oft used 3rd down specialist, and an H-Back. Jalin’s 38 receptions as a Freshman were only second on school history behind NFL Hall of Famer Cris Carter (41).  Jalin finished his career at Ohio St. with 74 receptions for 979 yards (13.2 average) and 11 touchdowns.  He also averaged 12.7 yards per return off 52 career punt returns, including a 54-yarder against Indiana.  Marshall did this all with two years of eligibility still remaining, declaring for the draft after his Sophomore season.

Scouts were unsure as to where to put Marshall.  Some boards viewed him as a wide receiver while others saw him as being a runningback. His versatility is a double edged sword, as Jalin had little experience playing runningback, and while he presents decent athleticism, he did not have the best showing at his pro day, displaying average speed. Marshall was considered a late round find by teams, bordering on priority free agent for the 2016 draft. After the draft he signed with the New York Jets.

As injuries plagued the Jets this last season, Jalin was able to get into the lineup and caught his first TD against Miami in week 9. The team utilized him all season, as advertised- as a jack of all trades as he saw action, kick returning, punt returning, and receiving.

 

 

NFL, University of Texas

Jammer, Quentin

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Cards: Press Pass 2002 JE, Upper Deck MVP 2002
Acquired:  TTM 2016, C/o Home
Sent:  8/28   Received:  9/12    (14 days)

Quentin Jammer is another member DBU at the University of Texas. A big physical corner, Jammer’s draft stock shot up dramatically during his senior season, prior to the 2002 NFL draft.  Quentin was a shut down corner, and finished with 56 career pass breakups (a school record) and 7 interceptions. A complete package, Quentin had great closing speed and really knew how to ‘jam’ receivers off the line of scrimmage. He also was a fine tackler- for a defensive back.

Drafted by the San Diego with the 6th overall pick, a holdout stymied Jammer’s assimilation of the Chargers’ defensive system. He’d get onto the field in 2003 as a starter and not look back, holding down the starting LCB spot for the next 10 seasons, starting a total of 161 games for SD. Over his time there he had 10 straight seasons of 10+ pass breakups. A physical defender, Jammer had a hard time transitioning to the NFL system which favored receivers and prevented Jammer’s style of play. He recorded his first career TD in 2012 against Denver, returning a pass 80 yards for a score. Later in the year, he recorded his first fumble recovery for a TD against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The next season he’d join the Broncos where he dabbled at safety. He’d retire after the season.

While interceptions and turnovers are sexy stats, I’ve always felt that pass breakups are criminally underrated. Jammer’s numbers were tracked extensively over his career and his is credited with an astonishing 141 PBUs. Jammer as of 2016 lives in California, and is still a big University of Texas fan.

G/GS 183/162       TAC 630        SAC 0.0        FUM   10
INT 21      YDS 210        AVG 10.0       TD 1        LG   80t

NFL

Spruce, Nelson

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Card: Sage 2016
Acquired: 2016, Box Breaker

The Colorado Buffallos have a had little to cheer about in football recently with the emergence of guys like Paul Richardson. Spruce benefited from the departure of the speedy receiver, and set school records with 106 catches and 12 touchdowns, along with 1,198 receiving yards. It was enough to earn Spruce Second Team All-Pac-12 honors in 2014.   A good route runner with soft hands, Spruce reminds me mostly of former Texans receiver Kevin Walter.  While his skills are undeniable, his lack of straight line speed is an issue for scouts clocking a 4.59 40, but he could quickly move in as a slot guy or a possession receiver who works special teams as a punt returner.  After a poor showing at the combine, Nelson was marked with a 3rd day rating, but eventually went undrafted. I thought he held potential for a team like the Texans or Patriots, but eventually Spruce signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Rams.

Spruce impressed the team well enough that he made the squad, but he was buried on the depth chart.  He’d be injured and spend a good portion of the season on IR, but was activated for the final game of the season versus the Cardinals.