Tag Archives: Houston Texans

NFL, University of Texas

Thomas, Sloan (2)

bow04 thomasCard: Bowman 2004
Acquired: IP 4/16/2015, Sam’s Wholesale Lakeline Grand Opening
See Also: Sloan Thomas

Again, big props to Nathan for ID’ing Sloan Thomas, who just walked up during the event to say hello to Vince Young and Kasey Studdard. The ‘box’ also came in handy again. I keep it packed full of Longhorns just in case one shows up at an event unexpectedly, and luckily I was packing a card of Sloan that I had gotten a few months ago.

I’m sure he was surprised that so many fans recognized him.  Noticing my Oilers hat, he struck up a conversation about Houston, and how I had to have been a tough fan to be with them through those good years, and bad post season games (- in particular the Buffalo collapse), as he was apparently a big fan too. He asked me if I was a Texans fan or a Titans fan, and I explained how I tuned out pro football for a few years after the Oilers moved to Tennessee- so I obviously wasn’t a tacks fan.

After going out to my car and retrieving the Texans card of him, his eyes lit up and he exclaimed, “Look at that!”, before happily signing my card.  Otherwise Sloan looked quite dapper, and it appears life has been treating him well.

NFL

Brooks, Brandon

mem brooksCards: TNT NFL, Photo Memorabilia
Acquired: IP 7/16/15, Houston Texans Battle Red Stampede

I had started following Brandon Brooks on Twitter way back when he was drafted by the Texans in 2012, where I learned he was an anime fan. When the Texans named that he was coming to the Battle Red Stampede there was collective disappointment by the autograph community on Texas Autograph Club. Another member said, “Austin will always be Dallas country as long as the Texans don’t send decent players.” I thought that was pretty obtuse. While Ryan Griffin is an intriguing prospect who occasionally flashes, Brooks has really improved to a point where he is a bonafide starter that borderlines on Pro Bowl status.

tntnfl bbrooksAn up and coming talent, Brooks has anchored down the right guard position since a strong finish to his rookie season in 2012. After a slow start, where he was roundly criticized by then head coach Gary Kubiak for his weight and conditioning, Brandon has really become a very solid blocker on the offensive line and has only allowed 2.5 sacks in 36 games.

Since Brandon did not have a football card (despite being taken in round 3 of the 2012 draft), I went ahead and created a Top Notch entry of him.  After signing 2 for me, I gave him the rest of the cards to keep. He liked them a lot and not really knowing what to do with them- stuck them all in his pocket.

NFL

Baxter, Jarrod

bow02 jbaxter
Cards: Bowman 2002
Acquired: 2014, Albany Acquisition

When the expansion Texans were making their moves in 2002, it was plainly obvious to me that the Texans were going to draft Baxter (- the highest rated fullback that year) coming out of college from New Mexico at the top of round 5. Why? Because back then when the NFL conducted its annual draft, (that it continually tinkers with,) day 1 were rounds 1-4, and day 2 were rounds 5-7.  Baxter clocked in at an impressive 6′ 1″, 245, and in Chris Palmer’s offense, he liked a traditional strong fullback leading the way. He’d play in the Texans’ 19-10 opening victory over the Dallas Cowboys, and start an additional 9 games that season. Baxter was held back by the team to protect quarterback David Carr, with the team’s anemic offensive line situation. He’d score his first – and only professional touchdown in a 17-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans, on a 14 yard reception. 2003 was wiped due to injury, but Jarrod came back for 2004, suiting up for 8 contests. Baxter signed with the Arizona Cardinals in 2005 and again saw action in 8 contests, retiring after the season. Baxter has found his way into coaching since then and as of 2014, is a coach in the Houston area school district.

G/Gs 32/13     Rush 9      Yds 15       Avg  1.7      Td   0     Lg 6         |    Rec  7    Yds 40    Avg 5.7      Td   1       Lg  14t