Tag Archives: leaf rookies & stars 2006

NFL

Bennett, Drew

Leaf Rookies & Stars 2005, #92
Leaf Rookies & Stars 2006, #98

CARDS: Leaf Rookies & Stars 2005 (Purple 206/250), Leaf Rookies & Stars 2006 (Red 070/249)
ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home
SENT: 8/5/22 RECEIVED: 9/7/22 (33 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Played QB at UCLA from 1997-99, converting to WR in his Senior campaign of 2000.
  • Statistically didn’t have much to show, catching 8 passes for 167 yards, while throwing for 788 yards and 7 TDs on 57 of 104 throws, over college career.
  • Signed as a free agent by the Tennessee Titans in 2001 and impressed enough to make squad, catching 24 passes for 329 yards and a TD in rookie season.
  • Started first 16 game slate in 2004, catching 80 passes for 1247 yards and 11 TDs.
  • Spent an additional two seasons in Tennessee posting sub 700 yard seasons.
  • Joined the St. Louis Rams in 2007, logging 34 catches for 379 yards and 3 TDs over the season and the following year.
  • Signed with the Ravens in 2009, but did not make the squad- retiring due to a lingering knee injury.
  • Since retirement has dabbled in broadcasting and commentary, moonlighting as an NFL analyst.

NOTES:

I really liked Leaf’s trading card design at this time- especially how the color hits these parallels. It absorbs the ink well and looks good on most colors- well- besides black.

RECYDSAVGTDLG
307441214.42855
NFL, University of Texas

Thomas, David

Cards: Leaf Rookies & Stars 2006, Upper Deck Rookie Debut 2006, Fleer 2006, Sage Hit 2006
Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o Home
Sent: 12/13 Received: 4/13 (101 days)

David Thomas played tight end at the University of Texas from 2002-2005. Over his 4 years at UT he caught 98 passes for 1367 yards and 15 TDs, quietly setting school marks for TEs at the school. He’d be selected in the 3rd round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots.

Even then the Patriots were stacked at tight end, with stalwart Benjamin Watson leading the way his rookie year. In 2007, an injury sidelined Thomas the entire year. In 2009, David was traded to the New Orleans Saints and saw his greatest success with the squad posting 35 receptions for 356 yards and a TD, with 18 of those catches going for 1st downs, in a hybrid H-Back role. New Orleans went on to notch its first Super Bowl title that year. David had another solid season for the Saints in 2010 with 30 receptions for 219 yards and 2 TDs and 11 firsts. He continued to play for the Saints, retiring after the 2012 season.

My friend Mark gets full credit for finding this one. He got a success a few months ago and shot me the address. After a few months wait David signed these cards for me. I like the Upper Deck Rookie Debut and the Leaf Rookies & Stars cards, while the Sage and Fleer were spot good looking cards.

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80/381029389.2837
NFL, University of Texas

Griffin, Cedric

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Cards: 2006 Leaf Rookies & Stars. 2006 Leaf Rookies and Stars Longevity 030/199, Score 2010
Acquired: In Person 2016, Mighty Fine Burgers Battle of the Beast

Toughness defines Cedric Griffin- the UT defensive back who conquered personal odds, rose to prominence among DBUT, and then forged his career in the NFL with the Vikings and Redskins. A three year starter in the Longhorns secondary, Griffin was valued for his willingness to contribute on special teams and play any position in the secondary. Gifted with great speed, Cedric was a sure handed tackler who finished with 78 tackles in his Senior campaign.   He started 37 consecutive games for Texas, recording 267 tackles,  3 interceptions, 32 pass breakups, and 5 forced fumbles.

sco10 cgriffinCedric was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings with their second round pick of the 2006 draft. The Vikings preferred Cedric play corner- a position he appeared in 89 games for the Vikings. He recovered a fumble for a TD, and had a career high 82 tackles in 2007. After the 2011 season, he was allowed to sign via free agency with the Washington Redskins. He played one season with the team and retired after the 2012 season.

I had missed out on Cedric at the UT Neighborhood Bowling Tournament back in 2011, and then later again during the 2015 Memorial Day Flood, so I was determined to finally get his autograph this time around. I went with Shawn and his wife to the Mighty Fine event, and while we sweated it out until the final moments before the event began, it all worked out when Cedric strolled through the door. He kindly signed these 3 cards for me. I would’ve penned him on a 4th but I gave the Adrenalyn card to Shawn so that he had an extra item to get signed. A really nice signature encapsulated by the bronze color, Cedric told me he that it was a great change of pace and a lot of fun playing for the Redskins.

G/GS  89/72        TAC  350          SAC 0            FUM 3
INT 8         YDS  0           AVG 0.0          TD 0           LG 4