Tag Archives: panini rookies & stars 2013

Spiller, CJ

Panini Rookies & Stars 2013, #12

CARDS: Panini Prestige 2015, Score 2010, Panini Rookies & Stars 2013
ACQUIRED: TTM 2020, C/o Work
SENT: 10/17 RECEIVED: 10/26 (9 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • CJ Spiller played RB for Clemson from 2006-09.
  • Ran for 1,212 yards and 12 TDs his Senior season, accumulating 3,547 total yards on the ground over his 4 years with the Tigers.
  • Also displayed explosive skills as a kick returner and punt returner accumulating 8 TDs.
  • Was selected 9th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills.
  • Spiller quickly ascended the depth chart, surpassing both Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch in the lineup.
  • Rookie season was considered a disappointment, but still managed to produce his share of highlights with a 95 yard KR TD.
  • It’d be in 2012, CJ really came into his own, running for a career high 1244 yards and 6 TDs on 207 carries.
  • He’d also catch 43 passes for 459 yards and 2 TDs including a 66 yarder.
  • CJ followed up 2012 with a solid ’13 outing, posting 933 yards on 202 carries.
  • Unfortunately injuries derailed the remainder of his career, as over the next 4 years, he’d be limited to just 7 starts in 29 contests.
  • After his time in Buffalo concluded, CJ hopped over to New Orleans.
  • He’d catch an 80 yard TD that season- Marking QB Drew Brees 400th passing TD.
  • Released in 2016, Spiller saw some playing time with the Seahawks and Jets that season.
  • In his final season with the Chiefs, Spiller was an emergency back for the team, and was literally on and off the roster multiple times throughout 2017.
  • After a few years off, Spiller went into coaching.
  • As of 2022 he’s a RB coach at his Alma Mater, Clemson.

ACCOLADES:

  • College Football Hall of Fame
  • Pro Bowl 2012
  • Jersey Retired #28 (Clemson)

NOTES:

While CJ’s career in the pros was limited, he had moments of absolute breathtaking electricity. The pass he caught from Drew Brees (for Brees 400th TD), sparked some laughs, embarrassment, and controversy. It came in OT against the Dallas Cowboys and was the first play from scrimmage, as OT rules end games if a team scores on the first possession.

Two late card set additions that I like here from Panini in both the 2015 Prestige set and the Rookies & Stars set (2013). I really like how the Prestige set is very minimal, although I’m not a huge fan of the transitioned edges. The focus is on the player and the name. That’s it. Pretty classy.

The Rookies & Stars set from 2013 was something I got into late. I loved the 2009 and 2010 set, but I absolutely hated the 2011 and ’12 sets. That caused me to take my time checking out this set. One of my big complaints about cards is that it doesn’t feel as though they are proud of their designs. They just don’t showcase them on the sides of the box. Spiller’s card is top notch in this set and I like the design and look as it’s pretty unique.

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2530212.1045

Vick, Mike

Panini Rookies & Stars 2013, #74

CARDS: Panini Rookies & Stars 2013, Topps AAF 2019
ACQUIRED: Paid Signing, 2021

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Played QB two years at Virginia Tech, putting up modest stats, throwing for 3279 yards and 21 TDs (12 INT), and 1216 yards rushing on 223 carries (17 TDs) over two years (99-00)
  • With the Chargers trading out of the first overall pick to Atlanta, the Falcons made Vick the first overall pick of the 2000 NFL Draft.
  • Immediately displayed fleet feet, reminiscent of Randall Cunningham, rushing for for 289 yards on 31 carries (9.1 ypc) in rookie season.
  • Ran for 777 yards (2001) and 902 (2004).
  • Started first 16 game slate in 2006- rushing for a career high 1031 yards, while passing for 20 TDs and 2,472 yards.
  • Career came to an abrupt halt as he was suspended for dog fighting in 2007.
  • After two year suspension concluded, signed with the Eagles in 2009.
  • Became starter in 2010, and posted a career high in completion percentage (62.6), TDs (21), passer rating (100.2), and rushing TDs (9).
  • In 2011, threw for a career high 3,303 yards, 423 attempts, and 253 completions.
  • Entered a very short journeyman phase of his career playing for the Jets (2014) and Steelers (2015).
  • Signed a one day contract to retire with the Atlanta Falcons in 2017.
  • In 2018, joined the Alliance of American Football‘s Atlanta Legends as offensive coordinator.
  • Before the season began, Vick was reassigned to Advisor, and by the start of the season was oddly pushed out the door.

ACCOLADES:

  • First African American QB taken #1 overall in the NFL Draft
  • NFL Comeback Player of the Year 2010
  • Pro Bowl 2002, 04-05, 10
  • Archie Griffin Award 1999
  • First Team All-American 1999
  • Bert Bell Award 2010
  • NFL record most yards rushing (career) by a QB
  • NFL record most yards rushing (single season) by a QB
  • NFL record career yards per carry
  • NFL QB record 173 yards rushing (single game)
Topps AAF 2019, #7

NOTES:

I mean, I knew Vick would be nearly impossible to get TTM so I went ahead and just plunked down two cards for a reasonable paid signing. That’s when things went awry as Vick didn’t finish signing the cards he’d agreed to do through the promoter. While he did sign my cards, you can just tell based off the autographs, he just didn’t care.

If there’s any former player who should be trying to endear himself more to fans- especially after supporting dog fighting– I mean it should be Mike Vick.

In regards to Mike’s short stint in the AAF. It was a big deal that he was going to be working as the offensive coordinator of the Atlanta Legends under Brad Childress. Then everything went sideways in ATL. Childress already seeing things weren’t looking good or finding greener pastures hit the road. About a month later, Vick was no longer coaching the offense, and was reassigned as an adviser. Reading the tea leaves, leads ones to believe that Mike just didn’t have the time to devote to the fledgling team that they needed. He made a token appearance during halftime of a home game, briefly popping up to the delight of fans, and the AAF cameras that definitely got him on film.

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Jones, Landry

Panini Rookies & Stars 2013, #155

CARDS: Topps XFL 2020, Topps XFL 2020 Rising Stars, Topps XFL 2020 Certified, Panini Rookies & Stars 2013
ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o Home
SENT: 4/16 RECEIVED: 7/28 (103 days)
FAILURE: 2020, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • 4 year starter at Oklahoma from 2009-12 who was heir to Sam Bradford at quarterback.
  • Completed 405 of 617 passes for 4718 yards and 38 TDs in Sophomore campaign.
  • Finished college career with 123 passing TDs, 63.6 completion percentage, and 16646 yards passing.
  • 4th round selection of the Pittsburgh Steelers who intended to groom Jones to become long term backup or future starter to replace Ben Rothlisberger.
  • Didn’t see any significant action until the 2015 season as quarterback injuries wracked the Steelers.
  • In first game led Pittsburgh to comeback victory over Cardinals throwing for 165 yards and two TDs.
  • Saw sporadic playing time over the next 2 seasons putting together some solid numbers.
  • Cut in early September of 2018 after losing out on a quarterback competition against Mason Rudolph,
  • Joined the Jaguars later that year as an injury replacement for Blake Bortles.
  • After a short stint with the Raiders in early 2019, was courted by the AAF, and the San Antonio Commanders– but declined their offer.
  • Later was reunited with his former college coach Bob Stoops who signed him to play for the Dallas Renegades of the XFL.
Topps XFL 2020, Stars of the XFL, #1

NOTES:

After I saw a few successes from Landry online through Facebook groups, with users who refused to disclose his address- I figured out the address myself and sent it out. I broke a cardinal rule and shared the address with a few friends before I got mine back. Thus they got theirs back signed and I got back… nothing. In the meantime, I got his certified off of Ebay, and waited about a year to resend to which I was able to get him on the three non-certified cards above.

Landry is named after former Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry. In a game that I was attending in Dallas, Houston Roughnecks defensive back Charles James (after the Roughnecks intercepted Landry Jones for the 3rd time in the first half) was caught on a live mic saying, “Get him the f*ck out of here!”