Category Archives: NFL

NFL

Fredrick, Travis

leaf13 fredrickCard: Leaf Draft 2013
Acquired: BB, Leaf Draft 2013

One of the better offensive linemen of the 2013 draft, Travis Frederick was a skilled mauler both at center and at guard for Wisconsin. Opting to declare early for the NFL draft, Travis was rated as the #1 center in the 2013 Draft.  With a run on offensive linemen early in the draft, Frederick’s card moved up into the first round where the Dallas Cowboys carefully decided to select him with the second to the last pick of round 1. Roundly criticized initially for the pick, with more glaring needs on the board, the Cowboys actually made the safest and strongest pick they could by reinforcing the offensive line that was protecting quarterback Tony Romo.

Frederick has anchored the center position since his rookie year, unseating veteran Phil Costa. (It was a milestone as he was the first Cowboys rookie center to do so.) In 2014 Frederick was named to the ProBowl after leading an exceptional line that paved the way for runningback DeMarco Murray to challenge the single season NFL rushing record. Although the Cowboys fortunes sunk early on after a promising start in 2015, Fredrick garnered his  second consecutive 2nd Team All-Pro nomination.

NFL

Robertson, Marcus (2)

wcard91 robertsonpac94 robertson
Cards: Wild Card 1991, Pinnacle 1994, Gameday 1994, Pacific
1995
Acquired: IP 7/11/15, Houston Oilers 25th Anniversary Party
See Also: Marcus Robertson

gday94 mrobertsonA dynamic defensive back who changed the Houston Oilers secondary when he became a fixture in 1993, Marcus Robertson was a mystery at the Anniversary Party. One of the guys who was with me got his autograph on a helmet and I immediately recognized his unique signature.  Marcus was very impressed by this Wild Card 1991 card of him. He made sure to show it to all his friends and teammates. Marcus was all smiles and thanked me for being a fan and sticking through it with the Oilers all those years.

pin94 robertsonPretty much ugly cards all around here.  The Pinnacle entry is just… all the worst combined into one card. A horrible font that’s barely readable in gold and then a really bad card back that is just too busy. It’s just impossible to read anything. GameDay continued its slow and minimal evolution into nothingness and by 1995 the brand had been completely reabsorbed into Fleer. Sure, I appreciated the tall boy entry as some of their sets are my favorites, but this one was almost too simple.

I found out about this event through Texas Autograph Club. While there was a person kind enough to put event information up there, when I asked for more information about the event, one of the regulars decided to belittle me, and tell me to do the work myself if I wanted to know. It really turned me off the site, because it was just a simple question.

 

NFL

Griffin, Ryan

mem griffinCards: Crown Royale 2013 Silver (#139/199), Crown Royale 2013 Red (#14/99), Panini Black 2013 (#019/399), Photo Memorabilia.
Acquired: IP 7/16/15, Houston Texans Battle Red Stampede Tour

pabl13 griffinAn intriguing member of the Houston Texans, Ryan Griffin has shown flashes of promise in his limited playing time since he joined the Texans in 2013.  The Texans love drafting tight ends and Griffin found himself buried behind Owen Daniels and Garrett Graham. With Daniels going down after the 5th game, Griffin saw more active playing time behind Graham.  When Griffin was out there, he provided a respectable option for the Texans’ ragged quarterback rotation.  Viewed as a poor-man’s Daniels,  Griffin logged 19 receptions (on 28 targets) for 244 yards, scoring his first professional TD against the Arizona Cardinals.


cr13 griffin RAs the Texans cleaned house after the 2013 season and new coach Bill O’Brien bringing in his multiple offensive system, Daniels was allowed to sign via free agency with the Ravens. Graham was elevated to starter and Griffin was relegated to third string again behind new arrival CJ Fiedorciwz. Still Griffin started 2 games and made 10 receptions. He scored his second professional TD in the Texans 45-21 blow out of the Tennessee Titans.
While the selection of Griffin and Brandon Brooks met with a collective disappointed sigh from the autograph community- I relished it, because it ensured that the event would still be a draw for the true fans.  I quickly bought out what Ryan Griffin cards I could and prepared for the event the following month.  It was really difficult to locate cards of him that were not already autographed, or were of Ryan Griffin (QB Tulane). In the end I paid more for unautographed cards, but that’s just what a true type of collector I am.
cr13 griffin SThe players were really accommodating at the event. They signed a multiple for me and threw in the photographed memorabilia to boot. While Academy didn’t hand out numbers for the event beforehand, it wasn’t necessary. There were just not that many people there.  Overall everything went well, and I was able to talk to some fellow fans as well while I waited.

Both of these cards really hit the mark pretty well. I like the Crown Royale a lot- even if it is a bit over the top. The set in general integrates the crown icon and design very well into the player image. Overall, it’s a very nice presentation and as a bonus, the scans came out even better than the actual cards.  The Panini Black is okay. Again I am just not a huge fan of blasting a card brand across the card, but still it is a solid image.  Ryan has a pretty solid autograph. There are some nice loops in the name and its angular slant gives it an exciting feel.