Tag Archives: sp 2008

Young, Vince ‘VY’ (5)

CARDS: Absolute Memorabilia 2010, Playoff Contenders 2008, SP 2008, Playoff Prestige 2010
ACQUIRED: In Person, 2023

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

An end of year surprise for 2023, my friend Mark G sent me a link to a signing that VY was doing at a Crunch Fitness in South Austin. I was really hesitant to go after my last experience a few years ago at Kickin’ It with Jeff, but in the end I am glad that I went. It was a far cry from that event from a few years ago.

I met up with Mark and I just basically word vomited on him about football for a while. He brought his kids who were SHILs but grabbed a few of their own. The line was long but moved quickly. VY showed up on time and was in a great mood. He signed everything that we had on us, despite the strict rule that he could only sign 2. In the end I got 7 things signed, with the help of Mark.

This made me super happy. I really like Vince. He’s a local football hero, and Htown hero, but to be frank despite his athletic trappings- it doesn’t mean things are come easy or mental health is simple. He’s struggled a lot and I feel that he does deserve the best in life like anyone and everyone else. He looked great too! VY grew in this sweet beard that’s gently whitening out.

We talked for a minute about how he always made the Texans pay for not drafting him and that his OT heroics still live rent free in my head. -And how when he ran, it always looked like he was moving in slow motion- but everyone was moving so much slower.

I loved his Htown Oiler hat, but I thought it’d be in bad taste to ask him where he stood on if the franchise stats, color, and color should be returned to Htown or not. He told me that he really liked my AAF jacket. We chuckled about how it was classic now, since it was from the fire festival of football.

I’m always looking to help out friends, or surprise them, so I dropped three of them in the mail to Joe, Rick, and Jake. Overall it was a great way to close out the year.

Brown, Duane (2)

sp08 dbrown Cards: SP 2008 (#431/1399), Topps 2013
Acquired: IP 2016, Texans Tuesday @ Fuddruckers with Duane Brown
See Also: Duane Brown

Duane Brown has really shaped up into one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL. Already an outstanding run blocker, Duane also made massive strides over the past few years with his pass blocking. Duane earned Second Team All-Pro Honors after allowing zero sacks or penalties in 2011, and First Team Honors in 2012. From 2012-2015 he’s earned a trip to Hawaii to play in the Pro Bowl, with many publications calling him one of the top offensive tackles in football. With the departure of Andre Johnson, Duane Brown was the longest tenured Texan.

to13 dbrownDuane became involved in a long and acrimonious holdout with the Texans in  2017. He wanted to be paid more even though there was two years left on his current contract. The market on offensive tackles had soared in recent years, and Brown felt he should be paid in line with what players of his caliber were being compensated. The team felt otherwise. You see it was a Catch 22 for the Texans. If they paid Duane, they’d be setting precedence for any player who wanted more money just to hold out. In the end, the Texans refused to deal while their offensive line stunk it up. Duane returned for the Texans week 8 tilt against the Seahawks. He suited up and played for most of the game. Two days later right before the trade deadline, the Houston Texans traded him to those same Seahawks for a 3rd round (2018), and a 2nd round (2019) pick. While some fans may argue that the reason he was traded was personal- the Texans probably weren’t acting maliciously, and did right by Duane trading him to Seattle.

I had read that the Texans did a radio show with Brown in Houston at Fuddruckers, but was under the misunderstanding that he didn’t sign autographs. I was certainly wrong, as during the show he was complimented by the radio crew about how he had gotten autograph signings during the break down to a science. He signs one for each fan during breaks, and then after the show finishes up any additional autographs.

The last stop on our marathon Houston Texans autograph tour, Lance and I rushed over to Fuddruckers and arrived with about 30 minutes to go or so. Duane nicely signed these 2 cards for me and a card for Lance right before he left.

 

Galloway, Joey

SP08_Gallowaypoff07_jgalloway
Cards: Playoff Absolute 2007, SP 2008
Acquired: TTM 2016, C/o Work*
Sent:  1/15   Received: 3/7   (52 days)
* Postmarked from Columbus, OH

After a stellar career with the Buckeyes, Joey Galloway was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round (8th overall) of the 1995 draft. The Seahawks needed his speed to stretch the field and to be the heir apparent to Brian Blades.  Gifted with blazing speed and great hands, Joey contributed over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in each of his first 4 seasons receiving, returning, and rushing the ball for the Seahawks. In 3 of those seasons he recorded 1,000 yards receiving, and narrowly missed by 13 yards on a 4th.  Signed to a hefty contract, and then later injured, Joey was traded to the Cowboys for two number one picks in 2000.

Dallas was desperate to get one last shot at the Super Bowl, and with Michael Irvin‘s career unceremoniously ending, Jerry Jones wanted to get Aikman and Smith one more title. It didn’t work out the way that they hoped. Galloway was injured after his first start, and the Cowboys collapsed to a 5-11 record. As age caught up to the Cowboys skill players, the offense became stagnant.  In his final season with the team in 2003, Galloway led the NFL with 19.8 yards per reception.

Joey joined the Buccaneers in 2004. He’d enjoy a renaissance not seen since his days in Seattle. In 2005, Galloway had a career high 1,287 yards receiving. He’d follow his 2005 season up with 2 more back to back 1,000 yard seasons. After an injury riddled 2008, Galloway entered a brief journeyman phase to his career, playing for the Patriots in 2009 and retiring after playing briefly with the Redskins in 2010.

Joey in 2016, is involved in sports color commentary for ESPN.   Galloway is not the fastest signer through the mail, but none the less he boasts a very high TTM success rate.

G/Gs 198       REC 701     YDS 10950     AVG 15.6    TD 77   LG 81T
KR 4         YDS  68         AVG 17.0      TD 0    LG 22
PR 141    YDS 1349    AVG 9.6        TD 5    LG 89T