Category Archives: NFL

Casey, James (2)


Cards: Score 2009, Donruss Rookies and Stars 2009 (410/999)
Acquired: In person 4/26/2012, 1300 the Zone Texans Draft Party
See also: James Casey

These two cards of James are great examples of good design. They make an otherwise unexciting, in warm-ups and without pads photo shot of James look almost appealing. It certainly was enough for me to want to get them autographed. I met James at the Texans Draft Party in 2011 along with Danieal Manning.  When James autographed them he remarked that I must be a professional because I knew to put talcum powder on the card to dull the sheen on the card. I then told him that I was a big fan, and through Dave, had gotten a lot of autographs from the team in the past on cards I still had. Casey then took an otherwise awkward looking photo with me, and stuck to the book with his interaction. Casey’s autograph in my humble opinion needs some work. It’s a signature, and he needs to juice this one up.

James was moved around on the Texans offense. As a logger jam emerged at Tight End with Owen Daniels, Joel Dreessen, and newcomer Garrett Graham, the Texans liked what they had with Casey’s exceptional hands and straight on blocking. When Vontae Leach left for Baltimore to block for Ray Rice in 2011, the team made the decision to shift Casey to fullback. Casey provided immediate mismatches for teams that looked absolutely baffled when he shifted out of the backfield and out to the flat. He’d rip defenses with 18 receptions for 260 yards a 14.4 yard average including his first professional touchdown this last season in 2011, but he’d also rip his pectoral muscle against the Saints sidelining him for a good portion of the season.
In 2012, the team seems content utilizing him as an H-Back, as he creates many mismatches with his deceptive speed combined with his linebacker size. We didn’t see him much during the preseason, and the Texans with a full docket of weapons and a true fullback blocking up front, are keeping hush hush about how they will sneak Casey into the lineup later in the season for 2012.

Robison, Brian

Card: Playoff Contenders 2007
Acquired: 5/11/12, Target Authentic Autograph Memorabilia

Upon arriving at the University of Texas, Robison was part of one of Mack Brown‘s most impressive recruiting classes, that included Vince Young, Selvin Young, Kasey Studdard, and Aaron Ross. Initially Robison found himself at linebacker, but proved to be most versatile for the Longhorns at defensive end. He’d put himself firmly on the radar with a solid showing at his pro day in 2007 for the NFL draft.

The Vikings, nabbed Robison in the 4th round of the draft and penciled Brian in at defensive end. He’d start 5 games his rookie season and also play on special teams. Although it has taken him some time to crack the starting lineup for the Vikings, he was finally given a starting nod in 2011 where Brian had a career high 8 sacks. He also is known for his temper, and was fined $200,000 by the league for kicking TJ Lang in the groin. Robison apologized and the two have since moved on from the incident.

Johnson, Ted (LB)

Card: Topps Chrome 2008
Acquired: In Person 6/10/12, Houston 610 Fan Fest
See Also: Ted Johnson (2)

Ted Johnson is a man-mountain of a linebacker. When I met him at the Fan Fest, he had his SuperBowl ring available for fans to pick up. It was heavy, loaded with gems to the point of being gaudy, and super heavy. Easily I probably could’ve slipped my two biggest fingers into his ring, which just blew my mind. He was kind enough to sign this card for me, and remarked he had never seen it before.  I really liked this Chrome card, because of its clever layout and design.  (It absorbed the autograph well after I applied baby powder to it and rubbed it thoroughly.) I may even get another and just send it to him to keep for the heck of it.  We talked for a few minutes about the concussion lawsuit former players are filing. I told him that ‘true’ fans would be behind them, and the NFL needed to do a better job of taking care of its gladiators.

A four time AFC champion, and 3 time Super Bowl winner, Ted Johnson was a second round pick out of Colorado by the Patriots in 1995  (- at a time when I began to tune out football with the impending end of the Houston Oilers on the horizon).  A warrior, Johnson stepped into the lineup for the Patriots, playing right and left inside, and middle linebacker for New England over a 10 season career.  He’d play in 125 games, and record 763 tackles.

He’s made a lot of waves since retirement, which was due to concussions. Johnson has battled depression and headaches due to post-concussion syndrome, and things have been rocky from time to time for him suffering from amphetamine addiction and recently joined the players lawsuit as a plaintiff against the NFL in regards to concussions and player safety.

 

 

G/Gs  125/106       Tac   530     Sac 11.5      Fum   7      Int  1      Yds    0      Avg -.-     Td  0        Lg 0