Category Archives: NFL

NFL

Davis, Mike (RB)

leaf12YS mike davisCard: Leaf Young Rookies 2013
Acquired: 2013,  Box Breaker

A good runner with great balance, instincts, and vision, Mike Davis worked his way into the starting lineup of the South Carolina Gamecocks as a Sophomore, breaking off a 75 yard TD run in not his first game but his first two games. Davis ran for an SEC leading 1,183 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2013- all the more impressive considering he ran for the majority of it in the second half of games. Mike would be the 8th Gamecock to break the century mark, and his hard running helped South Carolina average over 200 yards a game on the ground. In 2014, Davis returned to the Gamecocks running for 982 yards and 9 touchdowns. He also displayed a touch catching the ball out of the backfield with 32 receptions for 368 yards and 2 touchdowns. After the season concluded he declared for the NFL draft. The 49ers selected Mike in the 4th round of the 2015 draft. An excellent value pick, he’s expected to step in and compete immediately for starting time since Frank Gore departed for Indianapolis.

 

NFL

Donaldson, Jeff

pset90 donaldsonsco90 donaldson
Card: ProSet 1990, Score 1990
Acquired: 2014, Albany Acquisition
Failure: 2011, C/o Home

Jeff Donaldson was drafted by the Houston Oilers in the 9th round of the 1984 draft out of Colorado. By 1986, he was starting at free safety for the Oilers in Jerry Glanville‘s defense. An aggressive, hard hitter, and good special teams performer, Donaldson had a career high 110 tackles that season. He was a great example of the ‘House of Pain’ moniker that the Oilers embraced during the late 80’s.  In 1990, with changes coming for the Houston Oilers organization, Donaldson was left exposed Plan B by the team. He’d sign with the Kansas City Chiefs that season.  He’d finish his tenure on the Oilers with 446 tackles.

The Oilers in 1989 had been thoroughly trounced by the Chiefs, and in that game Houston’s special teams were exposed almost as badly as the offense. How much a year can change things, as the Oilers in 1990 under Jack Pardee went into Arrowhead, and Kansas City had no answers for the Run ‘N Shoot offense. Warren Moon threw for 527 yards that day, including an 87 yarder to Haywood
Jeffires right in front of Donaldson.

After the season, Donaldson reunited with Jerry in Atlanta for the 1991 season. He’d play with the Falcons through the 1993 season and retire. He currently lives in Colorado. I had tried to get Donaldson’s autograph back in… 2011, but did not receive a response. He has been responding to TTM requests sporadically as of late, but I figured that I might as well knock him out via a large lot acquisition instead.

G/Gs   151/78        Tac   N/a       Sac   5.5      FR  8          Int   12      Yds  87      Avg          Lg  23     Td 0

NFL

Carr, Derek

leaf14 dercarrCard: Leaf Draft 2014
Acquired: 2014, C/o the Oakland Raiders
Sent: 10/6           Received: 10/22     (16 days)

Derek Carr had an impressive career at Fresno State playing for the Bulldogs. He shattered many of the records previously held by his brother David at his Alma Mater. In his Senior season, Derek led the nation in pass attempts (454), yards (5,083) , and touchdowns (50), and finished 8th in Heisman voting.  He posted decent numbers at the combine, and was drafted near the top of the 2nd round of the 2013 NFL draft.

Considered one of the top quarterbacks of the NFL draft, Derek was rumored to be on many team’s shortlists, and with the Houston Texans dealing with their sudden implosion at quarterback with Matt Schaub and a new coach, that the Texans would possibly take a flyer on him. I didn’t believe that for a second. Everybody knew in the Texans’ organization that if they took Derek Carr, there’d be riots in the streets with loinclothed savages turning over vehicles. You see Derek’s older brother David, was the Texans’ first quarterback ever, and he got a bad wrap as a starter in Houston taking all those sacks and dealing with that wonky delivery.

The Raiders thankfully took Carr near the top of round 2. He had a pretty solid season for the franchise going 348/599 for 3,270 yards, 21 TDs to 12 picks. Derek won 3 games his rookie year. His best game came against the Chargers in week 6 when he threw for 282 yards and 4 TDs.  Frankly based on the lack of talent that was around him he did pretty well and all signs point to up for Derek as the Raiders continue to build an offensive nucleus around him.