Category Archives: NFL

NFL, University of Texas

Vaccaro, Kenny

sage13 vaccaroCard: Sage Hit 2013
Acquired: 2014 BB, Target Autograph Memorabilia

Longhorn Kenny Vaccaro punctuated his college career at Texas by being made a first round choice of the New Orleans Saints in 2013. He logged 231 total tackles (158 solo/73 assists), 14 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 5 interceptions, and 24 pass defensed. With a good overall set of athleticism, loose hips, and strength, Vaccaro was seen as a starting caliber safety in the NFL.

The Saints porous defense was going through transition with new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan trying to retool the defensive backfield. Kenny fit right in playing nickle, strong, and free safety.  He’d start 14 games for the team nabbing 62 tackles, 1 sack, 7 pass defensed, 1 interception for 29 yards, and 1 forced fumble.  He was considered a rising star in the young defense. In 2014, the Saints played him at both free and strong safety, but with the team having a difficult season, Vaccaro was benched after 13 games. While the team values his aggressive play, the double-edged sword was his caliber of recklessness. Vaccaro finished his season with 51 tackles, 5 pass defensed, and 2 picks for 45 yards.

I don’t grab the Target Autograph Memorabilia as much as I had in the past because of the lack of names that I had been pulling from them, but wow, I got a nice hit out of the Target grab bag with this one.  Another member of Texas DBU down.

NFL, NFLE

Holcomb, Kelly

flr03plt holcombCard: Fleer 2003 Platinum
Acquired: Albany Acquisition 2014

Kelly Holcomb was part of a wave of talent that honed their craft in the NFLE. He finished his final season at Middle Tennessee State 146/244 for 2,154 yards with 15 TD vs 9 INT  in 1994.

Holcomb joined the Barcelona Dragons in 1996 as a developmental prospect of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  He started all 10 games for the franchise as the Dragons finished the season deadlocked at 5-5.  Kelly’s 2,382 yards ranked 3rd in club history. Cut by the Bucs in 1997, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts but got roughed up, throwing 1 TD to 8 picks.  For the remainder of his time in Indianapolis he honed his game on the bench behind ironman Peyton Manning.

In 2001, Kelly joined the Cleveland Browns- a franchise only 3 years removed from being reborn. With starting quarterback Tim Couch epic struggles and fan frustration mounting, Holcomb began to eclipse Couch at quarterback. A post season game in which he led the Browns to a regulation record 429 yards passing, pretty much signaled the end of the Couch Era. In 2003, he started 10 games, throwing for 1,797 yards and 10 TDs. Still erratic play at the position led the Browns to sign Jeff Garcia- and in 2005, Kelly signed with the Buffalo Bills.

Kelly had perhaps his finest season under center with head coach Mike Mularkey in 2005,  throwing for 1,509 yards and 10 TDs in roughly 10 contests. After the season though the Bills decided to go in a different direction and Mularkey was fired. Dick Jauron was named head coach and JP Losman was named starter at quarterback. Holcomb did not start another game in Buffalo, before being traded to the Eagles in 2007,  who then in turn traded him to the Minnesota Vikings. He started 3 games that year and was cut after the season. Kelly retired in 2008, but had an impressive career run there with occasional flashes of brilliance.

G/Gs  37/24    Att 893    Comp 565     Yds 5916   Pct 63.3
Td  39    Int 38     Rat  79.2
Rush 43        Yds 30       Avg  .7        Td 1      Lg 8

NFLE 10/10   Att  319    Comp 191    Yds 2382  Pct 59.9
Td 14     Int 16     Rat 76.8
Rush38     Yds111     Avg 2.9      Td 2      Lg N/a

 

NFL

Branch, Alan

UD08p BranchCard: Upper Deck 2007 (43/99)
Acquired: 2014, Target Autographed Memorabilia

A dominating run defender in college for the Wolverines, that clocked in at a space eating 6’6″, 325, -Alan Branch was a second round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in 2007.  Coveted for his positional flexibility, Branch could play defensive tackle, nose, or defensive end (in a 3-4 alignment). In 35 games for Michigan, Alan had 56 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, a pick and 3 forced fumbles.

Branch had trouble cracking the Cardinals starting lineup, and did not see very much starting time until his final season with the team in 2010. During that year, Alan started 3 games and posted 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 27 tackles. In 2011, Alan signed with the Seattle Seahawks, and moved into the starting rotation for the squad.  His stop with the team yielded his best 2 seasons of his career, as he posted 4 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, and 37 tackles, for Seattle as a defensive tackle. He’d sign a contract with the Bills and kick out to defensive end, collecting 21 tackles in 13 starts. He re-upped with the team for 2014 but was arrested for DUI. As many teams in the NFL have taken a very hard line approach to any transgressions, the Bills immediately cut Branch. Alan found a home with the New England Patriots later that year and looks to assume a greater role in the defense in 2015 with the departure of Vince Wolfork.