NFL

Barwin, Connor (2) ‘Kramer’

dor&s09 cbarwinCards: Donruss Rookies & Stars 2009, Donruss Gridiron 2009, Topps 2012
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o The Philadelphia Eagles
Sent:  9/22/15     Received: 2/5/16   (136 days)
See Also: Connor Barwin

A lesson in patience, Connor Barwin sports a near perfect response rate through Sportscollectors.net.  To get a better feel for when players respond, I always look at the date that they sign. Do they clump their signings around bye weeks? Do they sign after the season/ before the season? These are things to consider to properly understand your time frame for a response. I know Barwin is a stellar signer, and after a slightly longer than expected wait, the autographs rolled in.

do09 cbarwinWhile Barwin was playing in Houston in 2010, he blew out his ankle during the season opener against Indianapolis. He was in so much pain that it was really sad when they carted him from the field.  Later it was revealed that he was lost for the season. It struck me so deeply that I opened a Twitter account to wish him well and sent my first tweet to him. He recovered from his injury, and was converted to linebacker.

Connor had a banner year in 2011 under new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, setting a personal best with 11.5 sacks.  Barwin frequently made a mess of the Jaguars, breaking the team record with 4 sacks in one game against Jacksonville.  2012 was a contract year for Barwin, and largely a down one if you consider only sacks.  The Texans hoped to resign him, but wanted to do so at a hometown discount.

to12 cbarwinUnderstanding his value, Barwin signed with the Eagles as a free agent in 2013. Ever gracious, Connor took out a legendary full page ad in the Houston Chronicle thanking the team, the fans, and even Blaine Gabbert (quarterback for Jacksonville at the time) for his time with the Texans.  Barwin has become a fixture in the Eagles defense.. He’d earn his first AP nomination in 2014 after recording 14.5 sacks, and followed that up in 2015 with another 7.

Considered the MVP of the defense, big things are expected of Barwin under new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz in 2016.

 

College Football HoF, NFL

Novacek, Jay (2)

scosup90 novacekphomem novacek

sky92 novaceknovacekCards: Skybox 1992, GameDay 1992, Photo Memorabilia, Score Supplemental 1990
Acquired: IP, Bass Pro Shop Grand Opening 6/10/15
See Also: Jay Novacek

gday92 novacekAs far as tight ends go, Jay Novacek was one of the best to play for the Cowboys. He continues to draw decent crowds to autograph signings he attends. I had not been able to get Jay since early in- I guess 1992 training camp. I heard he was appearing at the Bass Pro Shops Grand Opening with Tony Stewart and a few other rodeo and outdoors/ firearms specialists.  It was an absolute zoo. I got there about an hour early and it was a hassle just to park. From there, we were all herded into the hot parking lot- with no water, and promises from an annoying woman that the store opening was at 6PM.  Beyond that we were told that the autograph signing was on the right as we entered the front door. Well when we finally got in, it wasn’t until after the grand opening ceremony that ended at 630. None of us were perepared for the ensuing chaos. I got directed not once- but three times to different lines, before I actually got in the right one.  It then took 2 hours to get to Jay.

He was nice enough to sign three cards and throw in a photo. When I asked him if he was ever going to grow back his mustache, he looked at me like I was a crazy person and said, “Why would I ever do that?”

NFL

Lippett, Tony

sage15 tlippettCard: Sage Hit 2015
Acquired: 2015, Box Breaker

Tony Lippett is following in the footsteps of his defensive back father, former defensive back Ronnie Lippett (NE) in his journey to the NFL.  An intriguing prospect, Lippett is a project with tremendous upside that played both ways for Michigan State at wide receiver and defensive back. He also is a tremendous special teams player that blocked a field goal against the Baylor Bears in the 2014 Cotton Bowl.  He’d be selected in the 5th round by the Miami Dolphins, who decided to turn him into a full-time cornerback. He quickly started turning heads in camp with the team, and made the roster. In 2015, he made 14 tackles and a pass deflection in limited action.

Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.