Tag Archives: ttm football autograph

AAF, NFL, NFLE

Metzelaars, Pete

Cards: ProSet 1989, ProSet 1990, Fleer 1990
Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o Home
Sent: 7/3 Received: 8/13 (41 days)

Pete Metzelaars made his mark at tiny Wabash, as a two sport star playing basketball and football. He was selected in the 3rd round of the 1982 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. After catching just 27 passes in 3 seasons for the Seahawks, Pete was traded to the Buffalo Bills in 1985.

He caught 49 passes for 485 yards and 3 TDs in 1986 starting his first 16 game slate. In 1988, Pete put up another 33 passes for 438 yards and a TD. After a few years being used primarily as a blocking tight end Pete saw an uptick in 1992, and then caught a career high 68 passes for 609 yards and 4 TDs in ’93 starting all 16 games for the first time since 1989. Metzelaars played one more season for the Bills in 1994, adding another 49 catches for 428 yards and 5 TDs.

In 1995, Pete was allowed to walk via free agency. He joined the expansion Carolina Panthers for a season catching 20 passes and recording 3 TDs. He then played 2 more additional seasons for the Detroit Lions in 1996 and 1997 catching 17 passes in both years. Metzelaars retired after the ’97 season, and decided to go into coaching.

Pete spent 5 years honing his craft at the high school level as an offensive coordinator. He then coached in Europe with the Barcelona Dragons in 2003, and Wingate College as well. In 2004, Pete joined the Indianapolis Colts where he saw the most success, coaching the offensive line from 2004-2011. He then saw a one year stint as tight ends coach of the Bills in 2012, and then the Chargers in 2014 and 2015. After spending another two years back at the high school level, Metzelaars coached offensive line for the Atlanta Legends of the Alliance of American Football in 2019.

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235/15728736389.62953

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, WLAF

Nies, John

Card: Ultimate WL 1992
Acquired: TTM 2020, C/o Home
Sent: 4/3/20 Received: 4/13/20 (10 days)

John Nies was a punter for the Arizona Wildcats in 1989. He had a unique one step approach to punts that allowed him to down 15 of them inside the 20 to lead the nation. He only logged one season as a starter for Arizona, but had 58 punts for 2406 yards and a 41.6 yard average. In 1987 and 1988, he saw action primarily on the kickoff team, booming 88 kicks, of which only 29 were returned by opposing teams. He was selected in the 6th round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills, and punted 5 times for 174 yards in 4 games.

In 1991, Nies would be the 4th special teams player off the board in the World League of American Football positional draft, selected by the Sacramento Surge. He then saw time at both kicker and punter, splitting time with Kendall John Trainor. John finished 11 of 12 on extra points and 4 of 7 on field goals. He punted 23 times for 902 yards including a 53 yard long.

He’d return to the franchise for the 1992 season, and although he’d see an uptick in his kicking stats, Nies was relied upon much more as a punter again as Cary Blanchard quickly established himself as the much more consistent kicker.

Since retiring from football, Nies has been a fitness ambassador with Lululemon, a fashion model, actor, and ESPN host. Currently he teaches East meets West health and wellness philosophies at his group fitness and wellness center, The Power Center, in Red Bank, NJ.

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PUNTSYDSAVGLG
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NFL PUNTSYDSAVGLG
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