Category Archives: NFL

NFL

Smith, Rodney (WR)

leaf12 rsmithCard: Leaf Draft 2013
Acquired: 2013, Box Breaker

Rodney Smith was an intriguing prospect coming into the 2013 draft. On paper he has many of the athletic tangibles that many teams desire of their prospects at wide receiver, clocking in at 6’5″, with long arms (84″ wingspan) , and a decent 40 at 4.51.
Still the knock on Smith was his lack of production at the college level, and his inability to outmuscle competition at the line of scrimmage (225 lb), especially in press coverage. This comes as quite a mixed bag as he has also been hailed for his aggressive blocking, and his production numbers didn’t really gel until his junior and senior seasons. It is thought that he needs at least another season to develop and put on the bulk that he needs to compete at the pro level and may see a conversion to tight end in the future.

Smith seemed to have fallen into good hands, being reunited with his college quarterback Christian Ponder on the Vikings, after going undrafted in the 2013.  He’d hang onto the practice roster through October of 2014, and after being released,  quickly be signed by the Browns, only to be cut in August of 2015.

Rodney is currently a member of the  Dallas Cowboys practice squad.

NFL

Graham, Garrett

sco10 ggrahamCard: Score 2010
Acquired: In Person 12/15/2015, Whataburger Community Player of the Year

Garrett Graham is another member of the Wisconsin connection to the Houston Texans. Oddly 3 members of the Texans at one point played TE at Wisconsin for the Badgers- Graham, Owen Daniels, and DE JJ Watt within the last 10 seasons.

With Owen Daniels injuries creeping up on him, the Texans decided to draft Graham in the 4th round of the 2010 draft. As a Senior, Garrett had a career high 51 receptions for 624 yards and 7 TDs for the Badgers- leading the team in touchdown catches, and ranking second in both receiving yards and catches.

The Texans love their tight ends, and with Daniels and Joel Dreesen in the fold, Garrett had his work cut out for him to climb into the lineup. He didn’t see significant playing time until 2012, when he became the 2nd string TE behind Daniels, after Dreesen signed with the Broncos. Daniels during the regular season went down with an injury so Garrett got his chance to start. He finished 2012 with 28 receptions for 263 yards and 3 TDs.  Daniels signed with the Ravens in 2013 clearing the way for Graham as starter. Garrett responded with a solid outing in 2013,  posting career highs with 49 receptions for 545 yards and 5 touchdowns.

The Texans in the meantime fired longtime head coach Gary Kubiak, who ran a very heavy tight end oriented offense.  Multiple offense coach Bill O’Brien was brought in to run the show. Graham’s numbers slid to 18 receptions for 197 yards and a TD in 2014.  He made 4 catches in 8 games in 2015, but was passed on the depth chart by Ryan Griffin upon his return from injury.

Graham was the last player on the table at the Whataburger Community Player of the Year event. While his attitude appeared laconic, he quickly warmed up when I came to the table. I told him that he had some really, really ugly cards, and the ones of him in his scouting combine duds were among the worst. He and I caught a good laugh about it before I wrapped up my haul.

On March 3rd, 2016 the Houston Texans cut Garrett Graham.

AFL, NFL, Pro Football HoF

Joiner, Charlie

ud97lgd cjoiner
Card: Upper Deck Legends 1997
Acquired: TTM 2016, C/o Home
Sent: 1/2     Received:  2/2    (31 days)

Charlie Joiner played an exhaustive 18 seasons in the AFL/NFL. Originally a 4th round pick of the Houston Oilers in 1969, as a defensive back, he made the switch to wide receiver and then started 8 games in 1970. He’d record 28 receptions for 416 yards and 3 TDs, including a 87 yarder.  He’d play with the Oilers through 6 games of the 1972 season but was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Joiner spent the next 3 seasons there where he started coming into his own during the 1975 season. He’d pull down 37 receptions for 726 yards and 5 TDs.  The Bengals then traded him to the Chargers, where Charlie became the perfect fit for Air Coryell’s West Coast Offense catching passes from young Dan Fouts. In the midst of the ‘Dead Ball Era’, Charlie had 50 receptions for 1056 yards and 7 TDs -earning his first Pro Bowl nomination. He’d return to form in 1979 with a career high 72 receptions and 1008 yards with his second Pro Bowl berth.  The following year in 1980, Charlie earned his final Pro Bowl trip, and his first and only All-Pro Honor with 70 receptions for 1132 yards and 7 TDs. While he’d log a career high 1,188 yards in 1981, he did not earn any additional honors for the remainder of his career.  Joiner personified longevity in a league meant to break people.  He continued to play for the Chargers until his retirement after the 1986 season.  His 239 games played as a wide receiver, receptions, and yards, were NFL records at the time of his retirement.

G/GS  239/211      REC 750       YDS 12146     AVG 16.2    TD 65   LG 87