Tag Archives: Jacksonville Jaguars

NFL

Ramsey, Jalen

sage16 jramsey artCard: Sage 2016 Artistry (#49/100)
Acquired: 2016, Hobby Box Breaker

Jalen Ramsey is considered the top defensive back of the 2016 draft and is expected to go quite early.  The young cornerback from Florida State has drawn comparisons to both Sean Smith and Richard Sherman. The blue chip DB certainly displays the athleticism needed for the position to be a shut down corner and the versatility to play safety.  A long jump champion, Ramsey is a strong press cover man, that can hop inside and jam a slot man. He ran a 4.41 40 and was the top performer both at the vertical and broad jump at this year’s combine.
He finished his college career at Florida State with 181 total tackles, 15.5 TFL, 5 sacks, and 3 picks for 58 yards. Most draft pundits view Ramsey as a good fit for the Safety position.

Ramsey’s draft stock has remained steady near the top of the 2016 class and has been linked to going as high as #1 overall with the Titans, or as late as #10 with the Eagles.  The Titans pulled off a monster trade though and moved out of the top 5, with the Browns following soon there after. It made a lot of sense that Ramsey moved at #3 to the San Diego Chargers, who were going through a defensive makeover after the departure of longtime veteran safety presence Eric Weddle during free agency, but they signed Casey Hayward, and went with Joey Bosa instead.  The Cowboys were up next but went with Ezekiel Elliot instead. Finally at pick #5 the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Ramsey, where he is expected to contribute immediately to the young squad now undergoing a defensive makeover.

 

NFL

Smith, Kolby

tofi10 kol smithCard: Topps Finest 2007
Acquired: 2013, Target Autograph Memorabilia

Kolby Smith is one of those players who is faster in pads than he looks. He finished his college career at Louisville with 1698 yards on 288 carries as primarily a part time starter. Running a 4.5 at the combine, Kolby was taken in the 5th round of the 2007 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, who were looking for new blood behind Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson.  He’d get into the lineup sooner than anyone expected after the sudden retirement of Holmes and injuries to Johnson. Listed as a fullback, he’d finish 2007 with 112 caries for 407 yards and 2 TDs .  Smith contributed in 2008 with 100 yards on 35 carries, and 10 receptions for 52 yards.  An ankle injury claimed the end of Kolby’s 2009 season and he’d be waived in 2010. Both the Broncos and Jaguars took speculative looks at him, claiming Smith off of waivers, however he’d not see the regular team roster for either squad.

Kolby has already decided to leap into coaching, where he worked at Arkansas in 2012 as a General Assistant, and 2013 at Western Kentucky University as the runningbacks coach.

G/GS 27/9   RUSH 162     YDS  540    AVG 3.3   TD 3     LG 19
REC  34     YDS 209    AVG 6.1    TD 0        LG   17

NFL

Smith, Jimmy ‘Lightning’ (2)

aprks92 jsmithud92 jsmith

Card: Action Packed Rookies 1992, Upper Deck 1992
Acquired: Paid Signing, C/o Gameday Sports Tours
See Also: Jimmy Smith

I had gotten Jimmy at training camp all those years ago in 1992 on a Classic and ProSet card. At the time Action Packed had missed the boat- just barely, on releasing a card in time for the start of training camp. I never was able to get back around to Jimmy, whether it was due to injury at camp or a matter of seeking the bigger plate, it just didn’t happen. It was a wild ride for Jimmy since his departure from the Cowboys, battling his way back up the NFL ranks, through addiction and incarceration to where he is today.  I had given up long ago in getting him to sign TTM since he’s been so enigmatic.

I decided to do a paid signing through Gameday Sports Tours when I saw that he was available. As a member of the board that they are a part of, Gameday even offered me a slight discount, so I went ahead and got a second card signed.  Gameday was quick and prompt with returning my autographs after the event.

I planned on using their services again or attending an event in person, but after later reading a frustrated rant from the owner of Gameday on Texas Autograph Club characterizing some people who attend his free events as loafers who take advantage of him, I  postponed those plans indefinitely.