Tag Archives: New York Jets

NFL, University of Texas

Thomas, Sloan

Card: Leaf New Generation Certified Materials 2004
Acquired: 3/20/2012, Target Authentic Memorabilia Autograph Edition

Sloan Thomas played collegiately at the University of Texas and was one of quarterback Major Applewhite‘s favorite targets (at 6-2, 201). He’d finish 10th in career receptions at the school with 88 and seventh in touchdowns with 15. The Houston Texans drafted Thomas in the 7th round of the 2004 draft along with first round picks Dunta Robinson and Jason Babin. Slowed by injuries during the preaseason and faced with a do or die situation to make the roster, Thomas came out in the final contest and singed the Buccaneers for a 72 yard touchdown, but it was too little too late and he’d be released in the final cutdowns. The Texans just didn’t have enough film on Sloan to go on.

Sloan signed with the Titans in 2005. He’d spend one season there and be claimed off of waivers by the Jets in 2006, and then finally head over to the Seahawks later that season and retire after the 2007 season. Thomas immediately afterwards jumped at the opportunity to help establish the football program for the University of Texas- SA where he is the associate director of development for athletics. He also spends a lot of his time doing volunteer work for football camps as well with other former Longhorns and currently lives in the San Antonio area.

NFL

Kerley, Jeremey

Card: Score 2012
Acquired: In Person, Rudy’s BBQ Ribfest 2012

I got late word of the names at the Ribfest this year, only hearing about it 2 days before the event on the radio. Rudy’s decided to post 2-3 Longhorns at every location as coaches for the local high schools to egg the kids on eating as many ribs as they could, with the donations going to Habitat for Humanity. Jeremy was a late add to the Round Rock location alongside James Kirkendoll, and went to TCU, (and not Texas,) setting me into a scramble to even find one card of his. (He did go locally to Hutto High School- home of the hippos.) After calling the local card store and determining that they didn’t have any cards of Jeremy, I searched through my card boxes in a last ditch effort to find one of him, and amazingly I found this Score 2012 card of him buried in a box. While not my favorite design, Score once again rides to the rescue with its depth of available player cards that trumped even Topps in value and typically decent design.

Kerley’s career at TCU certainly started off slowly, as in his first two years at the school he totaled 20 catches converting from quarterback, but then in his Junior year in 2009 he put up 44 receptions for 532 yards and 2 touchdowns from quarterback Andy Dalton. In his senior season, Jeremy capped off his career by recording  56 receptions for 575 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2010. A dangerous return man he won honors in the Mountain West Division in both 2009 and 2010 for his special teams skills.

The Jets took Kerley in the 5th round of the 2011 draft.  Jeremy had a modest rookie year, hauling in 29 receptions for 314 yards and 1 touchdown- mostly after the departure of Derrick Mason. He’d also chip in 29 punt returns for 314 yards and a 10.5 average. Kerley had 5 returns of longer than 20 yards and a long of 53. As 2012 opens it appears that the Jets have more in store for their young multi-talented athlete.

NFL

Cox, Bryan

Cards: Score Supplemental 1991
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o The Miami Dolphins
Sent:  9/2/11  Received: 1/11/12  (131 days)*
*Forwarded from old address.

Powerful. Intimidating. Ahead of his time. That’s the best way I can describe the fearsome caveman, Bryan Cox who played linebacker for the Miami Dolphins. He was a guy who used the word HATE to describe how he felt about other teams and had no problem expressing his lack of respect thereof for his opponent to the media. An unrelenting force in the final years of Don Shula, Bryan Cox’s mouth and presence on the field was contrary to the no nonsense workmanlike attitude of Dolphins teams of the past, and he really foreshadowed a few years there that aggression and smack talking became more and more prominent in the league.

An All-America 1st team recipient in 1990, Cox was drafted in the 5th round of the 1990 draft by the Dolphins. With aggressive tackling, blitzing and special teams play, he blocked 5 kicks in his final season at Western Illinois for the Leathernecks.  A fearsome hitter, he quickly asserted himself, starting 13 contests at right outside linebacker for the Dolphins recording 61 tackles and  2 sacks that rookie season. In 1991 Bryan recorded a career high 14 sacks, 127 tackles and his first career interception earning AP Honors for his efforts.  In 1993, the team moved him to right linebacker, and while the name was only a subtle change, Bryan was utilized differently in coverage. He’d make 122 tackles and 5 sacks and force 4 fumbles. Bryan returned to his ProBowl form in 1994 after he moved to middle linebacker.  He’d again see a return to the ProBowl in 1995, earning 7.5 sacks that season. He’d would depart via free agency to Chicago for 1995.

Two uneventful years playing for the Bears passed and Cox returned to terrorize the AFC East- this time for the Jets, playing both RILB and LILB for them over 3 seasons, recording his first career pick for a touchdown, 3 FR and 12 sacks.  He’d again move in 2001 to play for the Patriots, winning the SuperBowl at the end of the season. Cox then played one final season for the Saints in 2002 retiring at season’s end.

After doing a bit of commentary, Bryan has gone into coaching since his playing days. He has spent his time working for the Jets, Browns, and now the Dolphins as their pass rush specialist, where I got his autograph on a card in a bit over 4 months. I was a tad disappointed in this one since he signed 1 of 3 cards, but you can not look a gift horse in the mouth, and I was more than happy to add this fearsome linebacker to my collection.

G/Gs 165/145     Tac 764     Sac  51.5       Fum  22     Int  4   Yds  65   Avg  16.3     Td 1   Lg 27