Category Archives: NFL

NFL

Morency, Vernand

pp05_vmorencyCard: Press Pass 2005, SP 2005
Acquired: 2016, EBay

A multi-sport athlete, Vernand Morency equally excelled in baseball and football, spending 4 years in the minor leagues as an outfielder with the Colorado Rockies. Vernand joined the  Oklahoma State Cowboys in 2002.  After starter Tatum Bell went down near the end of 2003, Vernand stepped in and carried the team the rest of the season (135 carries for 918 yards and 8TDs) and throughout 2004 (258 carries for 1,474 yards and 12 TDs). Appearing in 30 games, Morency’s 2,661 yards ranked eighth on the school’s career-record list at the time of his departure.

He’d be selected in the 3rd round of the 2005 NFL draft by the Houston Texans and was expected to share the load with workhorse back Domanick Davis.  He finished his rookie season with 46 carries for 184 yards and 2 TDs, and 20 kick returns for 437 yards. In the meantime, the Texans would plummet to the bottom of the NFL standings and most of the staff would released. New coach Gary Kubiak was brought in, drafted Wali Lundy, and had to deal with Domanick Davis on injured reserve.  Morency in the meantime worked his way into the doghouse as his blocking was- well- lacking for the better word for it. He’d be traded after just one game into his second season to the Green Bay Packers straight up for RB Samkon Gado.

sp05-vmorencyMorency became incumbent runningback Ahman Green‘s backup. He’d put together a decent season rushing for 421 yards on 91 carries starting in 2 games, and return 31 kicks for 670 yards. He’d play one more season for the Packers in 2007.  Vernand was released in 2008 but did not pick up with another team.

Vernand landed on his feet quite quickly and went to Wharton Business School,  and has been involved in financial and philanthropic ventures around the country.   I figured there was no chance that I’d ever get his autograph so I went ahead and sniped two certified autographs off of EBay.  Beyond that he played for the Texans, and much discussion has been had over his autograph- considered by many to be the worst professional autograph ever.  I selected this autograph because it’s considered his full autograph. Later he’d sign cards with just a ‘V’ which looked like a check mark such as in the SP card above.

G/Gs 39/3       Rush  171       Yds 726       Avg 4.2        TD 4       Lg  39
Rec  57                Yds  404          Avg 7.1        TD 0             Lg  29
KR  51                  Yds 1107       Avg 21.7      TD 0            Lg  35

 

CFL, NFL

Zemaitis, Alan

do06 zemaitis

Card: Leaf Materials New Generation 2006
Acquired: BB 2014, Target Autographed Memorabilia

Alan Zemaitis played lights out football for the Nittany Lions, despite being in a life threatening car accident in 2003.  At 6’2″, 202 Zemaitis had the perfect size to play a cover 2 system and was a good match for the Buccaneers who selected  him in the 4th Round of the 2006 draft. Considered initially a first round prospect, Alan’s stock slipped after he struggled with poor measurables before the draft.  Tampa viewed him as an eventual replacement for either Brian Kelly or Ronde Barber.

During a rough rookie season, Zemaitis struggled, and then tore his labrum (shoulder muscle) during practice, landing him on injured reserve for the remainder of the year. He recovered for 2007, but was cut in September of that season.  Alan later played in the CFL for the Hamilton Tiger- Cats in 2008.

He’s gone into coaching since his playing days have ended, serving as a positional coach and defensive coordinator at the high school level.

 

NFL

Hall, Rannell ‘Speedy’

hit15 rhallCard: Sage 2015
Acquired: 2015, Box Breaker

A former track man, Rannell Hall distinguished himself at wide receiver with really nice straight line speed and toughness over the middle. He didn’t really separate himself from the competition at receiver until the Senior Bowl, when Rannell was able to showcase his talents. While Hall doesn’t stand out in particular size or hands wise, he made up for it in intangibles such as potential and willingness.

As one of Blake Bortles targets, Hall had respectable outings for the Knights.  His best season came in 2013 with 57 receptions for 886 yards and 5 touchdowns.  Hall is also willing special teams contributor, averaging 25 yards in 82 returns.

Ranell stayed close to home signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the draft. He later was signed to a futures contract with the Cleveland Browns and as of the date of this post had suited up for 1 game.