Category Archives: NFL

CFL, NFL, NFLE, XFL

Barnes, Pat

to00 barnesCard: Topps 2000
Acquired: 2014, Albany Acquisition

Pat Barnes played for Cal during the late 90s, and was a second team All-American, under future NFL head coach Steve Mariucci. Putting up great numbers in the West Coast offense and defining himself as a future star, Barnes was a 4th round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 1997. He’d get lost in the shuffle behind Rich Gannon and Trent Green, and sign with the Oakland Raiders the following year.

Pat is best remembered for his time in the NFLE for the Frankfurt Galaxy, where he defined himself as perhaps the best quarterback in that franchise’s extended history. He’d lead the team to a World Bowl victory in 1999 throwing 3 touchdown passes in the win over the Dragons.

In between his two stints with the Galaxy, he’d return stateside to ride the bench for the 49ers in 1999.

Perhaps Pat would have etched his name more definitively into the Galaxy record books if he just had some more time, but with a new league on the horizon, Barnes jumped at the opportunity to play for the San Fransisco Demons of the XFL in 2001, backing up former Cal QB Mike Pawlawski. The Demons played in the Million Dollar Game, but lost to the Los Angeles Xtreme 38-6.

Pat again dabbled in another league, heading North to the CFL, this time to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, in 2002. Another short run on the offseason roster of the Browns the following year, returned him to Winnipeg in 2003 where he retired after the season. Currently he lives in Los Angeles.

NFLE    Att 414     Comp 232    Yds 3422      Pct 56.0      Td 30    Int 18    Rat  89.3   |    Rush  38     Yds   179    Avg  4.7      Td  3      Lg   24

NFL, University of Texas

Brackens, Tony

utud11 brackensCard: UT Upper Deck 2011
Acquired: 2015, Spoodog Box Break

Tony Brackens was an All-American while playing for the University of Texas from 1992-1995. A physical defensive end,  in 32 games Brackens had 247 tackles, 32 tackles for losses, and 24 sacks.

Tony was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round of the 1996 draft.  Used in a platoon of lineman manning the Jacksonville 3-4 alignment, Tony was present for the Jaguars early glory days and saw time in 5 playoff games over 3 seasons.  Tony’s best season came in 1999 when he registered 12 sacks, 55 tackles, and 2 interceptions for 16 yards, a TD, and 8 (not a misprint) forced fumbles. He’d also post 2 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, and a TD in the playoffs that year. After the 1999 season Brackens earned his only All-Pro nomination.

Brackens played through 2003, but retired after multiple leg and knee injuries took their toll on him.  A very popular member of the team, you could almost say that when Brackens retired, it was a passing of the torch to the next generation of Jaguars.  I was very happy to get Tony’s autograph in the box break. He is very difficult to get TTM.

 G/Gs 107/75        Tac          Sac  55.0       Fum 27
Int 5       Yds 54         Avg 10.4       Td  1       Lg 27

NFL

Patterson, Cordarrelle

SaGe13 PattersonCard: Sage 2013
Acquired: 2014, Box Breaker

A boom or bust product since he blew up the college scene, Cordarrelle Patterson was one of the top ranked recruits in the country. Forced to hone his skills at the JUCO level, he again emerged as the top ranked JUCO product and transferred to Tennessee for 2012. Stepping into the starting lineup he blew by opposing offenses as a receiver, return man, and runningback, shattering school records for all-purpose yards, and SEC marks for combined kick and punt return average.

Considered a raw talent due to his lack of true college experience, his underwhelming blocking skills, and difficulty managing physical cover men, Patterson ended up being the 29th pick of the first round of the 2013 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings. Cordarrelle had a strong rookie season as an electric play maker for the team, stepping in and replacing former incumbent wide receiver Percy Harvin’s all-purpose role. Patterson would record the longest TD in NFL history on a 109 yard kick off return, and was the first player to have a 100+ yard kickoff, a 75+ yard TD catch, and a 50+ yard TD run in one season.  He finished his rookie season with 1,393 yards on 43 kick returns, an impressive 32.9 yard average, and 2 TDs. Cordarrelle also contributed 12 carries for 158 yards and 3 TDs on the ground, while catching 45 passes for 469 yards and 4 TDs.  Although many fantasy websites were abuzz with Patterson as the hot sleeper name from the 2013 season to own, Patterson’s 2014  was plagued by inconsistent play.

Still Patterson shows proven value on the market as the Texans inquired about his availability after the Vikings traded for receiver Mike Wallace during the 2015 off season.