Category Archives: NFL

NFL

Robbins, Barret “Big Bear”

pac97 robbinsbow95 robbinsCards: Bowman’s Best 1995, Pacific 1997
Acquired: In Person 5/19, 610 Houston Fan Fest 2013

To say that Barret Robbins has been through a lot is a monumental understatement. Despite everything he’s been through and the mistakes he’s made, I do have a lot of respect for the ex-All Pro. He’s battled drug and alcohol addiction, prescription and pain killer drug abuse and fought bi polar disorder. He’s had run ins with the law, been shot a few times, and spent time in jail.  Barret was even close to death and suffering from Pneumonia. A lot of it has been self destructive and sure, some guys you look at and wonder how they squandered all that talent, but Barret, I see as somebody whose life imploded right on the big stage under the bright lights, and they are just lucky to be here today.

Robbins went to TCU collegiately where he cleared the way  for the Horned Frogs offense. He earned the team’s award as their most outstanding lineman. Drafted in the second round by the Oakland Raiders in 1995, Robbins became the 5th center in the history of the franchise, as only Jim Otto, Dave Dalby, Don Mosebar, and Dan Turk had held the honor, replacing Turk in the starting lineup in 1996. Robbins gave some nasty bite back to the position, clearing the way for guys like Napoleon Kaufman, Harvey Williams, and Tyrone Wheatley, while blocking for quarterbacks such as Rich Gannon, Jeff George, and Wade Wilson. Robbins never relinquished the starting spot at center until 2001, missing out on 14 games that season.

robbinsIn 2002, Barret had his finest season, being named AP and to the Pro Bowl in the Raiders last hurrah in the Super Bowl. Unfortunately the night before the big game, Robbins went AWOL. He was later found in Tijuana, Mexico where he remembers little to nothing of the Super Bowl or that night. The Raiders in the meantime dropped the game to the Buccaneers. Barret played 9 contests in 2003, but did not finish the season and was cut by the Raiders in 2004.

Tough times followed soon thereafter, but a lot of those monsters had been chasing him all along. While Robbins has continued to have issues, I hope that he has found peace in his life. When I looked into his eyes, I could tell that the man deep down is a good person, and that he genuinely wants to be seen as such, but just has made some dumb decisions that were hard to live down. I asked him about the Texas gear he was wearing. He laughed and told me that I should know since he was born in Texas that it was hard not to have burnt orange blood and always wanted to go to UT as a kid. Not the greatest signature here, but still it is nice to grab him on a few cards. I wish Barret and his family all the best in their future wherever it may take them, and I hope people can gain some introspection on their lives and see from Barret’s example that you can survive almost anything.

NFL, ufl

Clarett, Maurice

bo03 clarettCards: TNT UFL 2011, Bowman 2005
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Home
Sent: 12/19    Received: 2/11/14    (58 days)*
* Donation of $10 per flat included.

Maurice Clarett played a key role in Ohio State’s drive to the 2002 National Championship as a true freshman. He’d earn All-Big 10 Honors and be named Freshman of the Year, running for 1237 yards and 16 touchdowns on 222 carries. His game winning touchdown in double overtime in the Fiesta Bowl over the Miami Hurricanes put Clarett on the map nationally, but little did anybody know the difficult road he’d travel from that point further.

Soon thereafter it was revealed that Clarett had been receiving improper benefits (- more than he later earned at 10 games in the UFL,)  leading to his suspension for lying to NCAA investigators and his eventual departure from Ohio State. Maurice decided to declare for the NFL draft. The problem was, the NFL had an agreement in place with the NCAA not to allow high school students who had not been out of school for less than 3 years into the league. Clarett won in court in 2004, and declared for the 2005 draft. Maurice did not fare well at the combine, and was very humbled by the experience. His former Alma Mater refused to allow him to attend their pro day. The Broncos though liked what they saw out of Maurice though. He seemed to be a good fit for their ZBS based on his skillset, and ability to burst through the hole, staying low to the ground, and adjusting his speed and his direction well. They took him surprisingly in the 3rd round of the 2005 draft. Unfortunately Clarett was not prepared for the rigors of the league and found himself cut, before even playing a down.

tnt11 clarettWith his football glory completely stripped of him, and financial troubles setting in, compounded by his legal battle with the league, life was in a downward spiral for the one time shooting star. Clarett hoped to jump start his career again by playing in the NFLE or an Arena affiliate, but instead was arrested after a robbery and high speed chase in 2006.  With his 4 month daughter present at the court room, Maurice took a plea deal, and had 3 years to think about his life behind bars. Maurice began blogging. That’s when I began to catch up with Maurice. Reading his blog, it was obvious that he was ready and chomping at the bit to turn his life around. In 2010 he earned an early release.

The UFL thought that Clarett was a great fit for the league, and he was signed by the Omaha Nighthawks a few days later. The Nighthawks were loaded with former NFL veterans on offense. Jeff Garcia led the way at QB, along with Ahman Green at RB, and Jeb Putzier at TE. Clarett was to be Green’s understudy and heir apparent to the former Packers star. He’d score his first professional touchdown in a Week 7 contest against Las Vegas. He’d not return to the league as financial pressures began to mount, until the UFL’s quiet demise in 2012.

Maurice has spent a lot of time doing speaking engagements, encouraging other future stars not to lose sight of their goals. He’s also become an outspoken celebrity on depression. In 2012, he was invited back home to Ohio State to a reunion of the 2002 National Championship team, wrote an autobiography tell all, and recently was in an ESPN 30 for 30 interview.

I had made this custom of Maurice some time ago, and always wanted to get it signed. Thanks to Deadhorse from the Sportscollectors.net message board, I was able to locate a possible address for him, and shot these two cards out with a donation to his foundation. I had thought that these were long gone, even though 60 days for me is not much to sweat about, so to have these show up on my 4th successful day in a row was a real charge.

UFL       Rush 37       Yds   154        Avg 4.2        Td  1       Lg  15    |
Rec  12      Yds 98      Avg 8.2       Td 0      Lg 17

NFL

Allen, Dwane

leaf12YS d allenCard: Leaf Young Stars 2012
Acquired: 2012, Box Breaker

Dwane Allen was a 2 year starter for the Clemson Tigers. He’s a great pass catching TE who releases off the line effortlessly from a 2 point stance. Dwane declared early after posting 50 receptions for 598 yards and 8 TDs- All career highs in 2011. He finished his Clemson career with 93 receptions for 1079  yards and 12 TDs.  The Indianapolis Colts finished the 2011 season 2-14 after the loss of Peyton Manning. It was obvious that they needed to bulk up at nearly every position. Their first 3 picks were devoted to offense, with Andrew Luck, Coby Fleener, and then Dwane Allen in the 3rd.

It was expected that Colby was going to be Luck’s primary TE since they had played college ball together, but surprisingly Allen came along sooner than expected. Dwane broke the Colts rookie TE record for catches with 45. He’s a great target for the Colts and they utilize him out of the backfield, in motion off tackle, and the infrequent TE screen.  Dwane is a great example of the ‘next generation’ of tight end that is taking the league by storm. He’d lose nearly 100% of his 2013 season to injury and be shelved for 14 games.

As the focus wanes on the New England tight end package of Gronkowski and Hernandez, many have pointed to the AFC South as the next hotbed for such a sensation to take off- even suggesting that Allen could be the next rising star.