Category Archives: NFL

NFL

Anderson, David “Dave” (3)

Card: Donruss Threads 2006
Acquired: 2012 Target Authentic Autograph Memorabilia
See Also: David Anderson, Dave Anderson (2)

After signing Derrick Mason, the Texans cut Anderson in 2011, but the Redskins snatched him up. In 4 games playing for the Redskins in a very similar offensive system under Gary Kubiak offensive apostle Kyle Shannahan, Dave logged 7 receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown.  (He’d record that TD in the team’s loss to the New England Patriots.) Currently he’s an unrestricted free agent, and there’s no word yet as to whether he will sign with the Texans for a 3rd time.

A very popular member of the Texans,  Dave seemed to embody the ‘everyman’ that everybody loves about the sport.  He worked his way into the lineup as a long shot to even make the roster and put his all into it, when the team needed him most in 2009. Dave prided himself on his blocking, but among his best attributes were his ability to sniff out a first down, and also his documented thrown to/reception ratio percentage- one of the highest in the league.

I had heard that he was looking into charitable activities already for after retirement or perhaps cashing in on his short lived fame with the string dance to hone his skills to become a color commentator. I got this autographed card ironically in another Target Memorabilia Package. I had sent this one, along with about 10 other cards of him for him to sign, but sadly he never got back to me, since he was probably overwhelmed with the other cards I sent him to sign for the rest of the team in 2010.

NFL

Barber, Tiki

pp97 barberCards: PressPass ’97, Playoff Contenders 2004
Acquired: In Person 5/19, 610 Houston Fan Fest 2013

Tiki is the black sheep of the New York Giants family. It seems that the job of the media and the fanbase is to judge players for the decisions that they make on and off the field. So when a promising player decides to retire and then is sharply critical of his former franchise, there may be a bit more vitriol aimed at him when he fails. Barber retired suddenly from the Giants after breaking 10,000 yards and becoming the franchise’s all-time leading rusher. He then joined the morning show “Today” and was critical of both his teammates and his coaches. Soon thereafter his contract was not renewed after he was caught cheating on his wife. While there is no such thing as an infidelity clause, Barber drew negative attention to himself which may have had an influence on their overall decision. Barber then decided that he wanted to return to football, but no team, other than the the UFL Las Vegas Locos were willing to touch him, and Tiki wasn’t interested in going there. He has remained in retirement, making occasional public appearances, writing books, and also has appeared as a celebrity judge and commentator on TV and radio.
poff04 barberTiki was a prolific runningback coming out of college in 1997 from the University of Virginia. He’d be drafted in the second round of the draft, as a 3rd down scat back compliment to now aging Rodney Hampton.

While his first two seasons were spent coming off the bench for the Gaints, his ascension to the #1 spot was probably hastened by the retirement of  Hampton after an injury plagued ’97. Barber was not expected to do much other than be a 3rd down option, – at 5’10”, 205, scouts and coaches just didn’t think he had the frame to take an every down pounding, so Tiki set out to prove them wrong.

It was in 2000 that Barber turned the corner, raking in over a thousand yards rushing and a career high 719 yards receiving leading the Giants back to the Super Bowl only to lose to the smothering Baltimore Ravens defense. Still Tiki was content and after an underwhelming 2001, Barber put together 5 straight seasons of 1200+ yards rushing.

tiki barberIn 2006, Barber suddenly retired, after kicking the tires on it all season. A frustrating year didn’t help matters either, and there we have it. Barber’s accolades include being a 3 time AP, the Giants All Time leading rusher, and a member of the Giants Ring of Honor. While the team has been accommodating to Tiki, many Giants fans have not forgotten his criticism. This has translated to his popularity, which seems mired in negativity based on his post retirement decisions. Still Tiki appears to not outwardly let it bother him, and was gracious and kind to all the fans in attendance at the Fan Fest this year and I was really happy to get him, considering his abysmal response rate TTM.

G/Gs 154/109   Rush 2217  Yds 10449  Avg 4.7  Td 55 Lg 95t |
Rec 586  Yds 5183  Avg 8.8  Td 12  Lg 87t  |
KR 27   Yds 544  Avg 20.1  Td 0  Lg 41
Pr 122   Yds 1181  Avg 9.7  Td 1  Lg 85t

NFL

Reed, Brooks

sco12 reedud12 b reed

Cards: Topps 2010, Donruss Rookies & Stars 2010, Upper Deck Star Rookies 2011, Score 2011
Acquired: IP 4/25/2013, 1300 The Zone Texans Draft Party

So after last year’s event with James Casey and Danieal Manning, I pretty much circled the calendar on draft day to ask off early so that I could get to the Texans Draft Party this year. With the original lineup featuring Brooks Reed and Darryl Sharpton, I was pretty enthusiastic about the event, however a last second change forced JJ Moses in for Sharpton and the event was not held at the LaVaca Street Bar & Grille like last time. Still I managed to sidle up to the corporate cut Buffalo Wild Wings where Rod and the crew from 1300 the Zone were held up in, and made my way in about an hour early. Amazingly again, I met another member of the TAC message board right at the door on the way in, and we hit it off immediately talking about our path to the hobby.

dr&s12 reedInitially the Texans organization informed everybody that the players would only sign one card, and only the corporate provided merchandise that they brought with them. I was not happy with that at all, because I love getting cards signed. Furthermore, it brings up a very tricky slope for the organization to climb: Declining fans from getting licensed merchandise signed that they (the fans) have paid for in the first place. I really don’t like the recent efforts of leagues to squish out adult autograph collectors, in favor of kids, especially when adults are the ones who are spending the money in the first place. Within limits I can understand where players and the organization are coming from in regards to resellers, but to make that blanket jump and deny everybody the opportunity to get what they want signed is just plain wrong.  Again I always preach to the player community that if they don’t want resellers taking advantage of them, personalize items in ball point pen only. In the end however the players were more than happy to sign anything that was provided by fans, and after going through the line the first time, – which moved remarkably quick, I got 3 additional cards signed by Reed on my way back around.

to12 reedBrooks bears a startling resemblance to WWE wrestler Shawn Michaels. When I told him about it, he told me that he had heard that 3 times already that day, but still got a laugh out of it. We discussed briefly the status of the linebacker corps and the fact I had so many cards of him, which he was amazed by. I offered him a few to keep, but he declined and signed them all for me instead. Topps finally hit this one on the head, and their 2012 release, is just flat out amazing. With that precious white edge, great focus on the team logo, and a good framed photo, they finally hit the nail on the head on a base release.  It seemed that every card used this hokey workout shot of him from the combine. I absolutely hate combine photos. I’d rather see the player in their college garb instead. Speaking of which, the Upper Deck Star Rookies release does just that, but showcases a hideous photo of Brooks at just the right moment when he looks exhausted and- well like he’s going to the sideline to pick up a phone.

Overall I was very pleased with the results of the event, however, I just don’t like Buffalo Wild Wings. It was so evenly loud across the reedwhole place that I could not hear the 1300 the Zone crew unless I was right on top of them.

Brooks was a second round choice of the Houston Texans from the 2011 draft. An Arizona native, he went to college at Arizona, where he etched out quite a nice career with them recording 85 tackles and 15 sacks. It was thought that he was an insurance play for the departure of either Mario Williams or Connor Barwin. Reed though in his rookie season was forced into the lineup after a pectoral injury to Mario Williams, but performed admirably notching 6 sacks, 3 pass defensed, 2 FR, and 36 tackles in a largely patchwork middle 4. Reed received a lot of buzz entering the 2012 season, as Peter King from CNN said that Reed would be the season’s defensive MVP. King was close, as another teammate of Reed, JJ Watt, earned the honor. In the meantime, after getting settled down for 2012, Brooks started 12 games for the Texans adding 2.5 sacks, 3 more pass defensed, and 19 tackles to his young totals. As the linebacking corps of the Texans continues to mature under defensive coordinator Wade Philips watch, it is thought that he has big plans for Reed and the Bulls on Parade.