Category Archives: NFL

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.

CFL, NFL, WLAF

White, Robb

wcwlaf92 whiteCard: Wild Card WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent: 8/7     Received:  8/16   (9 days)
Failure: 2011, C/o Work

Originally hailing from Amberdeen, South Dakota, homegrown Robb White went collegiality to South Dakota University. By the time he left the Coyotes, Robb would become one of the best defensive tackles to play at the college. Starting the final 25 games over his career with the team, Robb was a two-time All-North Central Conference selection both in 1986 and 1987. He finished his career at the college with 206 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries, 15 sacks, and 18 tackles for loss.

Robb went undrafted but was signed by the Washington Redskins in 1988,  finishing the season on the roster of the New York Giants. He’d remain with the Giants through the 1989 season, and be signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1991. As part of the NFL Enhancement Program allocating players to the WLAF, Robb joined the San Antonio Riders for the 1992 season. A member of quite a formidable front, he teamed up with Willie Fears, Chris Thienamen, and Dick Chapura to control the trenches in the Riders 3-4 defense.  He’d make  4 sacks for the team that season. With the CFL inheriting most of the talent from the WLAF after the World League’s suspension, Robb went on to play for the Sacramento Gold Miners from 1993 to 1994.

Robb has worked in the fluid lubrication industry for some time, and I had been chasing him as members of the Riders franchise take precedence in my WLAF searches.  The first time I found him, there was no response so I assumed he had moved on, and it was back to the drawing board. After a few years I picked up a new Meiselman and shot him out a letter at his home address. Robb kindly responded in under a month, thanking me for bringing back those wonderful memories, and enclosed a business card. Robb was inducted into the University of South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2005.

NFL 25/1   Tac n/a    Sac 2.5   Fum 0
Int 0     Yds 0     Avg -.-      Td 0      Lg -.-

WLAF         Tac  n/a    Sac 4.0  Fum 0
Int 0     Yds 0     Avg -.-      Td 0      Lg -.-

CFL  18       Tac 33    Sac 2   Fum  n/a
Int 0    Yds 0     Avg -.-      Td 0      Lg -.-