NFL, University of Texas

Speyrer, Charles “Cotton”

utud11 speyrerCards: UT Upper Deck 2011, UT Upper Deck 2011 Memorable Moments, UT Upper Deck 2011 Icons
Acquired: TTM 2012, C/o Home
Sent: 12/10     Received: 12/13  (3 days)

Playing split end for the Texas Longhorns during the advent of the Wishbone under head coach Darrell Royal, Cotton Speyrer was witness to, and a part of integral moments in Texas football history during the late 60s.  Speyrer was an All-American in 1969 and 1970 and All-SWC in 1969. He led the team in receiving in 1968 and 1969 catching passes from quarterback James Street. In the wishbone, it was block first, catch second for the wide receiver corps. On occasion when the run game didn’t work for the Longhorns, they’d put it in the air to Cotton and the receiving corps. During the 1969 Cotton Bowl versus Notre Dame, Cotton had 161 yards receiving and caught two touchdowns in a 21-17 win. He just had this habit of showing up big, in the big games that counted. During his time with the Longhorns, the team won 30 games straight, en route to two National Championships.
utud11 MM 86 passAfter playing for the Longhorns through 1970, Cotton was taken in the second round of the 1971 draft by the Washington Redskins. He did make the roster of the team, but was traded to the Baltimore Colts later in the year for Roy Jefferson. It was through no fault of his own though because, head coach George Allen preferred older, seasoned veterans, versus young, fresh, rookie talent. He’d break his arm in 1971 before he even took the field for the Colts. Speyrer’s rookie season was essentially 1972, where he was used at receiver and later at returner. His best season came in 1973, returning 17 kickoffs for 496 yards (29.2 average) and a 101 yard touchdown against the Bills.  He’d also makeutud11 speyrer icons 17 receptions for 311 yards and 4 touchdowns for the squad that year, and throw a 54 yard TD on a trick play against the Jets. Cotton played another season for the Colts, and then was traded back to the Redskins in 1975.  Unable to make the ‘Skins roster, Cotton was signed by the Dolphins and played on special teams, where he retired in 1976.  He moved back to the Austin area, and has been involved in numerous charitable activities, golf tournaments, and Longhorn reunions.

Speyer marks the fastest response I have ever gotten from an autograph request, at a speedy 3 days.

G/Gs  36/0        Rec  34         Yds    575     Avg 15.7        Td  5      Lg  47
Kr  39      Yds  1035       Avg  26.5         Td 1      Lg 101t
Pr 8      Yds 54     Avg 5.4      Td 0     Lg 18

NFL

Meggett, Davin

Card: Sage/ Hit Low 2012
Acquired: 2012, Box Breaker

Davin Meggett was a powerful 4 year runningback at the University of Maryland.  A Doak Walker 2011 dark horse candidate before his Senior season, Meggett averaged 74.7 yards per game. He was also dependable in the receiving game, recording 17 catches in his last year.  Before that he split time in a crowded and talented backfield.  A small-ish back at 5-9, with a strong frame (218 lbs), Davin finished his career ranked 7th on the school’s All-Time rushing list with 2,411 yards. He has great vision, thrives running between the tackles, and his short stature allows him to hide behind the line efficiently before making his cut.  This made Meggett an intriguing prospect that many scouts have likened to Jacquizz Rodgers of Oregon State.

He is expected to contribute to a team as a stout, short yardage back who provides a change of pace out of the backfield. Going unselected in the 2012 draft, Meggett signed a free agent contract with the Houston Texans and spent a good deal of the season on the team’s practice squad. He was cut at the end of November and later picked up by the Colts who placed Davin on their practice squad.

NFL

Johnson, Derrick

Card: Sage Hit 2005
Acquired: 2012, Sports Cards Traders of Austin

I was wandering around one of the last good card shops in Central Texas, and I spotted this gem sitting out there for 5 bucks. I just couldn’t pass up Derrick Johnson’s autograph on a card for that price. Sure it’s not certified and all but I trust it enough that it might be the real deal.

Derrick was a monster linebacker at the University of Texas and set the college football record for forced fumbles in a season with a big, fat 9. He averaged over 100 tackles in 4 years with the Longhorns, and finished his career there with 458 in 50 games. He was also credited with 10.5 sacks, 69 TFL, and 9 picks. It seemed a no-brainer that Derrick would be one of the premiere defensive players coming out of college. The 2005 draft was one that I watched intently. I knew the Texans were going to draft defensive talent, and I was confident that if the team was to add local Texas product Derrick Johnson, they wouldn’t be sorry. The Texans pick came up and Johnson was on the board. I got super exited and- they traded down. Johnson came up again and- the Texans drafted Johnson alright- DT Travis Johnson… Obviously I wasn’t enthusiastic about the team’s pick and the Chiefs stepped in with pick #15 in round one and nabbed Derrick.

Derrick had a great rookie season with the Chiefs and started all 16 games at linebacker for the team, transitioning to the pro level effortlessly. His highlights include a 2009 campaign in which he recorded 2 interceptions for touchdowns in the same game, tying an already established record. In 2010, Johnson finally broke the 100 tackle barrier with 121 tackles, 1 sack, 1 pick, 4 FF, 8 TFL, and 16 pass defensed. Derrick topped his numbers again in 2011 and earned his first Pro Bowl honors with 131 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 8 TFL. In 2012, Johnson ranked among the top 5 in tackles, making him an invaluable starter in IDP fantasy leagues that track tackles for points.

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