Category Archives: NFL

CFL, NFL, University of Texas

Gardere, Peter ‘Peter the Great’

UTUD11 PGardereCards: UT Upper Deck 2011, UT Upper Deck ATA 2011
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o Work, IP 9/19/15, UT Coop Fan Fest
Sent: 6/30     Received:  7/10     (10 days)

Pete Gardere is one of these dark horse Texas legends. I mean outside of Texas- if you weren’t a Longhorn fan, I’d be verily impressed if you knew who he was, and his contribution to the school. Pete played during the dying years of the SWC, when the way you got to watch games was on the Raycom Sports Network on that Fox affiliate- before it was Fox. Texas had David McWilliams at head coach, who was an acorn off of the Darrell Royal tree.

peter the greatGardere arrived at Texas and quickly assumed the starting quarterback duty as a true freshman.  Over his time at UT Gardere brought Texas painfully into the modern era of quarterbacking in a pro style offense. He also moonlighted as a punter. While playing for the school he set over 15 school records, which were broken and rewritten by the likes of Colt McCoy, Vince Young, James Brown, and Major Applewhite over the next 25 years.

The one record that still stands at this point- much to the chagrin of Sooners fans, is that Peter was 4-0 in the Red River Rivalry versus Oklahoma. In every contest, Gardere found a way to beat the Sooners, and even more impressive was that everytime the Longhorns were nationally unranked. Gardere finished with a record of 25-16 as a starter for the Longhorns.

UTUD11 PGardere ATADespite his resume, Pete was not drafted, however he was given an invitation to camp with the Seattle Seahawks in 1993. He’d be cut, but quickly scooped up by the CFL, and signed by the Sacramento Gold Miners. He’d be the team’s punter and serve as emergency quarterback from 1993 through 1994. In 1995, Pete was the punter for the Memphis Mad Dogs- but the team contracted after the season. Gardere then signed with the New Orleans Saints, but after he was cut in camp, elected to retire from football. Currently he lives in Austin. He served as a filming consultant for the quarterbacks on the movie Varsity Blues, and has been involved in real estate in the lucrative Central Texas market for many years.

I met him at the UT Coop Fan Fest in September where he penned two more cards for me. He then mused about how old he was because I could remember watching him as a kid on Raycom Sports Network during those dying days of the SWC.

NFL

Brooks, Brandon

mem brooksCards: TNT NFL, Photo Memorabilia
Acquired: IP 7/16/15, Houston Texans Battle Red Stampede

I had started following Brandon Brooks on Twitter way back when he was drafted by the Texans in 2012, where I learned he was an anime fan. When the Texans named that he was coming to the Battle Red Stampede there was collective disappointment by the autograph community on Texas Autograph Club. Another member said, “Austin will always be Dallas country as long as the Texans don’t send decent players.” I thought that was pretty obtuse. While Ryan Griffin is an intriguing prospect who occasionally flashes, Brooks has really improved to a point where he is a bonafide starter that borderlines on Pro Bowl status.

tntnfl bbrooksAn up and coming talent, Brooks has anchored down the right guard position since a strong finish to his rookie season in 2012. After a slow start, where he was roundly criticized by then head coach Gary Kubiak for his weight and conditioning, Brandon has really become a very solid blocker on the offensive line and has only allowed 2.5 sacks in 36 games.

Since Brandon did not have a football card (despite being taken in round 3 of the 2012 draft), I went ahead and created a Top Notch entry of him.  After signing 2 for me, I gave him the rest of the cards to keep. He liked them a lot and not really knowing what to do with them- stuck them all in his pocket.

NFL

Griffin, Michael

sco11 griffinad10 mgriffin

Cards: Adrenalyn 2011, Score 2011
Acquired: IP, Aaron Williams Lone Star Showcase 2015
See Also: Michael Griffin (2)

A two way star for Bowie High School in Austin, Griffin elected to go to the University of Texas. Michael was moved exclusively to defense where he played in every game, starting two games as a true Freshman. In 2005, he set the school single season record for punt blocks with 4. Over his career at UT, he posted 238 tackles,  four interceptions, five forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, 11TFL, three sacks, and a UT school record six blocked punts.

The Tennessee Titans selected Griffin with their #1 pick (19th overall)  of the 2007 draft.  Michael has provided solid coverage in the secondary for the tacks starting 119 games through 2014, earning 2 Pro Bowl appearances. In 2008 Michael logged a career high 7 interceptions for 172 yards and a TD.

Griffin was a last minute committal to Aaron Williams’ Lone Star Showcase. I had a few cards that I really wanted to get signed and this Adrenalyn was among the tops of that list.   It’s really easy to spot Michael in a crowd due to his dreads and he was the first player I identified. With fans, Michael has a great sense of humor and really likes yanking people’s chains by making them think he is angry with them.