Tag Archives: detroit lions

NFL

Hatcher, Keon


Card: Sage 2017
Acquired: 2017, Box Breaker

Considered a premiere receiver coming out of the SEC, a broken foot derailed Keon Hatcher’s aspirations for the NFL. Granted a 5th year medical redshirt, Keon returned to the lineup and led the Razorback receiving corps. He finished his 5 years with Arkansas with 130 receptions for 1866 yards and 19 TDs.  His combine results drew comparisons to former Texans receiver Jalen Strong. Hatcher was not selected in the 2017 NFL Draft. He signed as a free agent with the Oakland Raiders, and caught a spectacular pass from EJ Manuel during the preseason. Although he was cut by the Raiders, Hatcher impressed enough during camp that he was brought back to the teams’ practice squad.

Keon had an outstanding 2018 preseason, catching 3 TDs in the preseason finale. He made the roster but was cut after the first game in favor of Martavius Bryant. The Lions signed him to their practice squad about a week later, but he was released the following day. Currently Keon is a free agent.

NFL

Miller, Blake

Card: Wild Card 1991
Acquired: 2017

It’s a small world. My family had been harassing me about getting a new insurance agent for a while, so I decided to take my father-in-law’s advice and check out his insurance agent at State Farm. It turned out that it was none other than Blake Miller, former offensive lineman. He came up to work to pitch me on life insurance and other amenities that State Farm offered and we ended up talking about football and the upcoming Super Bowl. He was cheering on the Patriots because he was a former member of the team.  We then talked about the good old days of football. I told him that I was a football enthusiast and autograph card collector and he dropped this bad boy out to me in the mail. (He was really amazed at the depth of knowledge I had for many of his former teammates from that era- especially the early 1990s Patriots.)

Blake Miller played for LSU in college. He was a two year starter and letterman for the Tigers at center. A 7th round pick of the New England Patriots in 1991, he started a career high 5 games for the Detroit Lions in 1992 (played in 12), before finishing his career with the New York Giants in 1993. Post NFL, and pre-insurance, Blake climbed the coaching ranks. A seasoned positional coach, he saw fruitful stints at Rice, Texas State, and Northwestern State.

NFL

Martin, Keshawn ‘K-Mart’

Card: Playoff 2012
Acquired: EBay, 2017

Keshawn Martin was quite the enigma. He had respectable numbers at Michigan State as one of Kirk Cousins‘ favorite targets.  K-Mart dabbled in all phases of the game for the Spartans, returning, receiving, rushing, – heck he even threw a pass or 2. He was most dangerous as a speedy return man, evidenced by the 2 punt returns and the kick return he had for a TD. In his Senior season (2011) he had a career high 777 yards on 66 receptions. The Houston Texans needing return and wide receiver help, selected Keshawn in the 4th round of the 2012 NFL draft.

He’d overtake Trindon Holliday in camp and assume return duties. The Texans hoped that Martin would also grow into being a reliable slot receiver along the way. Although Martin’s career was punctuated by some great moments he had a couldn’t crack the starting lineup, because he had a hard time catching passes. It also didn’t help that the Texans went through a quarterback carousel. Martin played for Houston through the 2014 season. In 2015, Houston traded Keshawn to the New England Patriots. He finished his Texans career with 38 receptions, 416 yards, and 3 TDs. As a returner Keshawn had 80 returns for 2001 yards, and 94 punt returns for 858 yards and a TD.

During his lone season with the Patriots, Keshawn saw time in 9 contests catching 24 passes for 269 yards and 2 TDs. Although he was signed to an extension after the season, he’d be released during the final cuts in 2016. He joined the 49ers briefly, later landing on the roster of the Lions in 2017 but as of early 2018 appears to be a free agent.

Really nice card of Keyshawn here. I like the depth of the image, especially the definition to his face.  The design also is very complimentary. I’d give this set high marks. Keyshawn’s autograph is unfortunately pretty terrible and doesn’t compliment the excitement that the card embodies at all.