Category Archives: NFL

Alexander, Shaun “The Great”

tnt13g salexanderCards: Top Notch Signature Select 2013
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o CAA
Sent: 12/19    Received: 4/24   (120 days)

Shaun finished as the Alabama’s greatest runningback, smashing the career yardage (3,726 yards) record for the Tide, and single game mark with 295 yards, but his 26 touchdowns also set an SEC single season mark in 1999. In all he held 15 school rushing related records.  An all-around well rounded back, Alexander could do it all, and is as comfortable running between the tackles as he was pp00 salexandercutting back to the outside.

Drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 2000 draft, Alexander sat behind Ricky Watters his rookie year. In 2001 after becoming a fulltime starter, Alexander set the franchise’s single game mark with 266 yards rushing against the Oakland Raiders. He’d go on to be the NFL’s leading rusher in 2005 with 1,880 yards, and break the NFL record (previously held by Priest Holmes) garnering 27 rushing touchdowns, earning Shaun the NFL’s MVP award. A two time All Pro and a member of the NFL’s All 2000’s team, Alexander also holds the pp00 salexander bcareer rushing mark for the Seahawks.  By 2007 injuries had begun to catch up to Shaun, and he was cut in April of 2008. Alexander set to rejuvenate his career with the Washington Redskins, but lasted only 4 games with the franchise. While teams had expressed some interest in him, and he remains in peak physical conditioning, for all points and purposes in 2014, Shaun is retired. He finished only 600 yards short of 10,000 and with an impressive 112 TDs in 123 games.

Shaun has written an autobiographical book about his life and is very involved with CAA. He wrote me a fun note on the back of my envelope encouraging me to taunt some of my friends with his autographed card. He also included a bible verse on the card from Psalms 37:7

“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”

Of note, Shaun has appeared on the cover of both NCAA 2001, and Madden 2008. By the time that Alexander had taken the cover of the game, the Madden Curse was already front page news. -He broke his foot promptly in Week 3 of the 2008 season.

G/Gs 123/96    Rush 2187    Yds 9453     Avg 4.3        Td  100      Lg 88  |
Rec 215     Yds  1520     Avg 7.1       Td 12       Lg 80

 

Miller, Heath “Big Money”

dor&s10 hmillerCards: Donruss Rookies & Stars 2009, 2010
Acquired: 2013 TTM, C/o Home
Sent:  12/10/13  Received: 2/4/14  ( days)

Heath Miller was an impressive specimen who played for the University of Virginia and at the time of his graduation was recognized as the nation’s top TE prospect, eclipsing many of the school’s records for statistical performance from his position. Miller slipped to the 30th pick of the 2005 draft, and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Surprisingly, despite the team’s rich history of staunch running games and play action systems, the tight end had never been an integral part of Pittsburgh’s offensive attack. Miller has been a favorite target of Ben Rothlisberger since his rookie season, and was a key offensive addition to the team’s Super Bowl victory that year. He’s quietly moved up the career charts for the team, and in 9 years has already moved into 3rd place, as of 2013.  Heath has earned Pro Bowl nods for both his 2009 season, when he had a career high 76 receptions, and his 2012 campaign, when he recorded a career high 816 yards and 8 TDs.  Teams have taken note of Big Money, and have slowed his production by stymieing him with double teams.

Chock this one up to impatience. It looks like Heath just throws his autograph requests into a pile and then signs sporadically from there. Case in point, the response time I got from him. I have seen Miller sign in as little as 6 days. I even had friends who sent after me and got their cards signed and returned weeks before me. Evidence also from Sportscollectors.net, suggested that he is a highly reliable signer, but does so after garnering a pile together. I must have been at the bottom of that bin as I had to wait the longest of the particular group.  I really like the Rookies & Stars releases from 2009 and 2010. It’s a shame that they moved so quickly away from this excitingly abstract look to something more compositionally unoriginal, such as their 2011 release, but I guess that was at their discretion.

 

Huff, Michael

ult10 huffCard: Ultimate 2006
Acquired: 2013, Target Autograph Memorabilia
See Also: Mike Huff

Michael Huff is another member of DBU (The University of Texas), to make it to the NFL. Among colleges, UT ranks #1 in defensive backs who have been drafted to or played on NFL rosters. A track and football star in High School, it was a no brainer that colleges coveted Huff’s speed and athleticism. He signed with the University of Texas and played there from 2002-2005. A key cog of the UT defense that stymied USC from winning its 3rd consecutive National Championship in 2005, Huff also won the Jim Thorpe Award after the season concluded. He finished his college career at UT with

The Raiders drafted Michael with the 7th overall pick of the 2006 NFL draft.  Since then Huff has experienced some extreme highs and lows during his NFL tenure. A carousel at head coach, constant changes in defensive staffs, and changing positions didn’t help Huff very much. He’d be named starter at strong safety his rookie year and respond with 78 tackles. Moved to free safety in 2007, Huff had a rough transition and was benched. He’d split time going forward through the end of 2009. Michael in 2010 earned his first AP nomination for his solid season, recording 94 tackles, 3 picks, 3 FF, and 4 sacks. In 2011, Huff was best remembered for his game ending interception of quarterback Matt Schaub in the endzone that preserved the Raiders victory over a furious Texans comeback. (The game is notable as it was the first game played by the Raiders after owner Al Davis’ death.)  Injuries beset the Raiders during the 2012 season. An already weak secondary prompted Huff’s move to cornerback by the team. He’d be cut after the season by the team primarily in a cost cutting move. Michael signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Ravens in 2013, replacing Ed Reed, but found himself by the end of the season on the roster of the Denver Broncos. He did not return to the franchise in 2014 and is a free agent.