Tag Archives: Seattle Seahawks

NFL

White, LenDale (2)

Cards: Donruss Rookies & Stars Longevity 2009, Score 2009
Acquired: In Person 2018, Heisman House Tour
See Also: LenDale White

Rumor swirled that maybe some former USC alumni would be in attendance for ‘Part III’ of the USC v Texas matchup and I figured the Heisman House would probably be the best place to catch some of them. This added up with the fact that Vince Young was already hosting a get together of sorts between the 2005 National Championship teams (USC v Texas) in Austin during this period. I pulled some cards from the 2005 USC team. I speculated Reggie Bush was too controversial to be there- since he had to forfeit the trophy he lost that VY later rejected. I thought well maybe Matt Leinart, or another USC Heisman winner. My friend Deadhorse suggested Charles White or Marcus Allen. I then thought, maybe LenDale White since he and Bo Scaife are good friend and have their own show called “The Players’ Lounge”- and packed them all in the infamous long box.

See the rule is- always plan as though anybody can be there. That’s how I got Harvey Martin and Roger Staubach. That’s also how I missed on Babe Laufenberg at the Spring League game in 2018. It’s also how I got a hit on Troy Polamalu and Hines Ward.

It was a terribly humid day with thunderstorms forecast for the entire day. I met up with a fellow collector- Jeff. He and I have many parallels in our life. We both had our first kid recently, and we both used to be denizens of autograph alley back when the Cowboys practiced at St. Edwards. I am always eager to network with other like-minded collectors and we make a pretty good fit. His wife and son also came and somehow managed to bare the humidity. (Not only does my wife deserve credit for allowing me to go to such things, Jeff’s wife should get a trooper badge for showing up to them with him.) We waited in line and got Ricky Williams– twice. In the meantime his wife got back in line for VY, so we joined her in that line after we got done with Ricky. Behind us a commotion occurred and I noticed that some USC players were taking photos with somebody with dreads. Before I could ask, he was already leaving to go inside. I found out then it was LenDale White. I pulled the extra cards that I brought of LenDale- numbering some 6, took two for myself and gave the other two to Jeff and then I vigilantly waited for him to appear. 

It turns out that LenDale and Vince Young are really good friends. They got to know each other better when they played on the Titans together, and apparently talk on the phone almost every day. During Vince’s interview about the 2005 National Championship Game, LenDale came out from the trailer connected to the tent and onto the stage and was hanging out in between sets.  It was then I was able to approach him and get him to sign two cards for me. 

LenDale was looking quite svelte. When I asked him what he had been doing with himself to look so cut- he laughed and said, he stopped working out. I always felt like he got a bad wrap coming out of college, and that he was a better back than he was given credit for.  He thanked me for the compliment, and we wished each other good luck for that evening.  A few minutes later Jeff came back with his signed in hand as well. It was a great experience, and we were able to make the weekend signing worthwhile. The initial goal was the clear the table with Ricky and a VY or two. Anything else was just gravy- and nabbing LenDale White was quite the treat.

NFL

Coleman, Justin

Card: Sage 2015   (171/250)
Acquired: 2016, Box Breaker

Justin Coleman played for the Tennessee Volunteers from 2011-2014. He saw action in all four years for the school posting 157 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 5 interceptions for 106 yards and a TD, with 17 pass deflections. Despite his numbers, Coleman’s overall pedestrian 40 time (4.53) combined with his size (5’11”, 185) caused him to drop out of the draft. He’d sign as a free agent with the Minnesota Vikings after the 2015 Draft but be released in August. Claimed by the Patriots, he’d be cut the following day. The Seattle Seahawks signed Justin to their practice squad the day after that- and then the Patriots came back three days later and signed Justin to their active roster. Whew! Talking about a whirlwind tour.

Justin ended up being a key player in the Patriots’ secondary, playing in 10 games and starting 2. He’d finish his rookie year with 23 total tackles, 5 pass deflections, and 1 fumble recovery. Although he played for the team in 2016, he only started 1 game and had 11 total tackles and 3 pass deflections.

The Patriots traded Coleman technically back to the Seahawks in 2017 for a seventh round pick. Coleman started 5 games for the Legion of Boom recording 2 interceptions for 58 yards and 2 touchdowns, to go along with 9 pass deflections, 1.5 sacks, and 35 tackles. Moving forward through 2018 with the departure of Richard Sherman, it looked as though the Seahawks were hoping that Coleman would be a major player for the team. He became their primary nickelback and produced a career high 51 total tackles, .5 sacks, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, 10 pass deflections, and returned a fumble for a TD against the 49ers.

Literally at the time of this post Justin was inking a free agent contract with the Detroit Lions. As offenses continue to evolutionize, defenses are forced to catch up and the specialized slot corner or nickelback is now in extreme demand. That being said, Justin is now the highest paid slot defender in the league.

NFL

Bailey, Dion

Card: Sage 2014 (85/250)
Acquired: 2015, Box Breaker

Dion Bailey is an interesting type of tweener that some schemes call an ‘Elephant’.  He’s a linebacker/ defensive back hybrid that the USC Trojans used all over the field from 2011 to 2013. He earned the Pac-12 honor for being the Defensive Freshman of the Year when he had 81 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 pass deflections, and 1 forced fumble in 2011. He’d settle in at linebacker for 2012 with similar numbers (80 tackles, 1 sack) but have 4 interceptions, before bouncing over to safety in 2013, with 62 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 5 picks, and 6 pass deflections. Dion declared for the 2014 NFL Draft, but went unselected. 

He spent the next year on and off the Seahawks practice squad and injured reserve lists at strong safety. Dion started 1 game and had 3 total tackles for the Seahawks. He was signed by the New York Jets in 2015, and actually saw playing time in 5 games (1 start) with 18 combined tackles, .5 sacks, and 2 pass deflections backing up Calvin Pryor.  He was granted an injury release in 2016 and is for all points and purposes retired from the sport.

Dion spent some time working internships in political government over the last year or two. He studied public policy at USC and has dreams about running for Mayor of Los Angeles.