Tag Archives: Denver Broncos

CFL, NFL

Aldridge, Anthony “Quick-Six”

Card: Bowman Sterling 2008
Acquired: 2012, Target Authentic Autograph Memorabilia

Anthony Aldridge was originally recruited as a wide receiver to the University of Houston in 2005, but coaches liked the potential that “Quick-Six” displayed at runningback and put him to work there. In 2006, he posted an incredible 959 yards on 95 attempts, an NCAA record 10.1 rush per attempt. Taking over fulltime in 2007, Anthony went to work posting 1,597 yards, 6.2 YPC, and 16 touchdowns. A curiosity to the NFL due to his size, at 5’9″, 175 lbs, it was assumed that he could not shoulder the workhorse load needed for a full 16 game schedule. The Broncos signed Aldridge to a free agent contract in 2008 as a scatback. After spending the entire 2008 season on IR, the Broncos waived him in 2009. Both the Redskins and Texans entertained Quick-Six that season, before he landed on the roster of the Redskins in 2010 as a WR. Anthony later moved on to the Canadian Football League signing with the Toronto Argonauts as a practice squad member, but was released in November of that year. Currently Anthony is a free agent.

NFL, ufl

Arrington, JJ

Card: SP Authentic 2006
Acquired: Target Authentic Memorabilia 2012

A surprise diamond in the rough from originally College of the Canyons and then later at Cal, JJ Arrington ran for at least 100 yards in every game for the Golden Bears in 2004 piling up 2,018 yards.  The yards were be the most since Marcus Allen, and this earned Arrington All-American Honors.  He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 2005 draft and immediately penciled in as the team’s starter at tailback to replace retiring Emmitt Smith. It was rough for Arrington to adjust to the pro game. He ended up splitting time with Marcel Shipp and started only 5 games, but gained 370 yards on 112 carries and scored 3 TDs.  JJ got moved to kick returner the following season as the team’s infatuation with free agent runningbacks shifted to Edgerrin James. Arrington saw little time in the backfield. Still he had a banner season as a returner with 67 returns for 1520 yards, a 22.7 average and a 99 yard touchdown. As Arrington finally saw a breakthrough taking the #2 slot behind James in 2007, the team used him sparingly and primarily as a 3rd down back/ kick returner recording 29 receptions for 241 yards and a touchdown. He’d have his best season in 2008 as a kick returner, only returning 36 kicks for 923 yards- but was relegated again to 3rd string behind Tim Hightower. He’d make good for a 25.6 yard average and a 93 yard touchdown. Arrington again caught 29 balls for 255 yards and a TD, helping the Cardinals reach their first Superbowl. When the season concluded, JJ was cut by the Cardinals after undergoing microfracture surgery on his knee.

In 2009, the Denver Broncos took a chance on Arrington signing him to their backfield. He’d be an ideal fit for their system- but failed his physical due to the knee, and was cut. JJ signed with the Broncos again in 2010,  and looked good in camp, so good that Denver traded him to the Eagles, but he’d be released prior to the beginning of the season. JJ played for the  Las Vegas Locomotives of the UFL in 2011 but after a lot of buzz on the signing, he was cut by the team. Currently he remains a free agent.

NFL, University of Texas

Young, Selvin

Card: SP 2008
Acquired:4/9/12, Target Authentic Memorabilia Autograph Edition

Selvin Young joins a string of recent UT starting backs, (dating back to Priest Holmes) who made it good in the NFL.  Selvin struck me as an under the radar player, and with his 5-11, 207 frame, he was slightly undersized to be an every down back. Deceptively speedy, he ran a 4.58 40, but could really cut on a dime and explode which was really his best attribute. As a backup to Cedric Benson his rookie season, he split time as the primary kick/punt returner for the Longhorns. Young started in the 2005 championship over the Trojans, and finished his career with 3,060 all purpose yards and 29 touchdowns at UT.

Selvin was not taken in the 2007 draft and elected to go with the Denver Broncos, – a team that employed a zone blocking system, and really appealed to his strengths as a one-cut runner. He’d work his way into the lineup spelling time for former Bill Travis Henry as well as a 3rd down back, finishing his rookie season with 729 yards and a 5.2 YPC in 8 starts. His numbers led all AFC rookies in rushing yardage. It was an incredible rise for the young rookie, but a herniated disc, (similar to what had troubled former Texan Steve Slaton,) and a torn groin muscle sidelined him for much of 2008. In 2009 it was determined that Selvin needed more time to rehab his neck injury, and with the Broncos now sporting a full stable of runningbacks, -Denver opted to give Selvin an injury settlement. He has not been signed since, but from what I saw on Twitter, he continues to work out and claims now to be 100% rehabilitated.

Great card actually. I really like the super close up on the threads, and overall its a superior effort by SP. I was really happy to get this card, as I had hoped that the UT Upper Deck set would have spotlighted Young, but in the end, it was the luck of the draw from the Target Memorabilia Collection that got me this one. The best part about it is I was just talking about him at the Orange-White Scrimmage!

G/Gs 23/13    Rush 201    Yds 1032    Td 2     Lg 50   |   Rec  38   Yds 247   Avg  6.5   Td 0