Category Archives: NFL

Brantley, John ‘Rambo’ (2)

wclwaf92 brantleyCard: Wild Card WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent:   Received:  (days)
See Also: John Brantley ‘Rambo’

I had to work very hard to get John Brantley, since he has a very strong family line of football playing sons, and John III who plays quarterback for Florida sucks up the Google hits. I finally got an updated Meiselman list with John Sr.’s address, and shot the last card out I had of him. He’s still considered a legend at Georgia where he played college ball, but he is also well regarded for his time with the Birmingham Fire of the WLAF, of which he spent two seasons with.

After playing a season with the Fire, he returned to the NFL, but did not stick on the roster of Cardinals. It is said only some slim 3% of WLAF players stood a chance at returning to the NFL,  His second season with the Fire was even more impressive than the first, as Brantley had 77 tackles, 2 sacks, and 3 fumble recoveries. Brantley became one of the few players that was able to make it back to the NFL however, sticking on the roster of the Washington Redskins for the 1992 season.

John has also been recognized by the Bulldogs for being an outstanding contributor to the Florida-Georgia rivalry and has been inducted to the rivalry game’s Hall of Fame.

 

Adams, Scott (1966-2013)

psetwlaf91 adamsCard: Pro Set WLAF 1991
Acquired: EBay, 2014

Scott Adams was another modest success story of the WLAF. At 6’5″, 275 Adams was a perfect fit for the Barcelona Dragons run oriented offense.  After not making the squads of the Dallas Cowboys (1989) and Atlanta Falcons (1990), Scott was drafted by the Dragons in the 3rd round of the 1991 WLAF draft. Although an impressive guard, Adams had the flexibility to also play tackle as well. He helped key the team’s drive to World Bowl I.

In 1992, Scott signed with the Minnesota Vikings and remained with the team through 1993. He’d then spend a series of one shot seasons with with the New Orleans Saints (1994), Chicago Bears (1995), Denver Broncos/ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1996), and the Atlanta Falcons in 1997.

After a 4 year hiatus, in 2001 Adams was drafted by the San Fransisco Demons of the XFL. He’d block up front for Mike Pawlawski and Pat Barnes, as the team made a late season charge only to lose in the Million Dollar Game against the Los Angeles Xpress. After the season the XFL folded and Adams retired back to Georgia where he eventually became an mortgage banker. Scott unexpectedly passed away on September 16th, 2013. He was just 47 and is survived by his wife and daughter.

 

 

Fluker, DJ

leaf13 flukerCard: Leaf 2013 Draft
Acquired: 2013, Box Breaker

DJ Fluker was considered one of the prizes of the 2013 draft. The Alabama standout logged an impressive 35 career starts at right tackle and earned accolades as an AP Second-Team All-American, where he had 33 pancake blocks, 4 sacks in 267 attempts, and only missed 11 assignments and committed 2 penalties in 728 snaps in 2012. Fluker has all of the athletic tools to exceed at the next level. At 6’5″, 339, he has the huge hands to match his solid build, and can create lanes easily for the running game with at his size, length, and hustle. Zipping up the draft boards in the final days of the draft, Fluker’s knock was that he relies too much on occupying space without bringing his hands up to sustain blocks and can sometimes overextend himself. Still sold overall numbers and pro comparisons for the young tackle.

Fluker was taken by the San Diego Chargers in 2013 with the 11th pick where he immediately became the best young prospect on the line. Still he suffered the usual offensive lineman ups and downs expected for a rookie, switching from right tackle to left after King Dunlap suffered an injury, but stats don’t lie. Fluker through November of his rookie season had only allowed 3 sacks and 24 pressures and has even put in time on special teams and on PAT. Pretty solid numbers right there.