Tag Archives: Washington Redskins

NFL, WLAF

Brantley, John ‘Rambo’ (2)

wclwaf92 brantleyCard: Wild Card WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent:   Received:  (days)
See Also: John Brantley ‘Rambo’

I had to work very hard to get John Brantley, since he has a very strong family line of football playing sons, and John III who plays quarterback for Florida sucks up the Google hits. I finally got an updated Meiselman list with John Sr.’s address, and shot the last card out I had of him. He’s still considered a legend at Georgia where he played college ball, but he is also well regarded for his time with the Birmingham Fire of the WLAF, of which he spent two seasons with.

After playing a season with the Fire, he returned to the NFL, but did not stick on the roster of Cardinals. It is said only some slim 3% of WLAF players stood a chance at returning to the NFL,  His second season with the Fire was even more impressive than the first, as Brantley had 77 tackles, 2 sacks, and 3 fumble recoveries. Brantley became one of the few players that was able to make it back to the NFL however, sticking on the roster of the Washington Redskins for the 1992 season.

John has also been recognized by the Bulldogs for being an outstanding contributor to the Florida-Georgia rivalry and has been inducted to the rivalry game’s Hall of Fame.

 

NFL

Hagans, Marques

Card: Bowman Chrome 2005
Acquired: 3/6/12, Target Authentic Memorabilia Autograph Edition

Marques Hagans would duel with future NFL starter Matt Schaub for the starting quarterback job at the University of Virginia in 2002, eventually losing out to him when Schaub had a breakthrough season. Hagans, an all-around athlete saw time at receiver and returner for the Cavaliers until he took over after Schaub’s departure to the NFL. Returning to quarterback, Hagans led the team to a victory in the Music City Bowl after the 2004 season. He’d graduate in 2006 and be selected by the St. Louis Rams in the 5th Round of the NFL draft.  Hagans remained on the roster of the Rams through 2008, and has seen time on the rosters of the Chiefs, Colts, and Redskins since that time. He has 9 receptions for 108 yards in his career, and has been listed as an emergency quarterback for the Rams and Chiefs.

NFL

Alexander, Shaun “The Great”

tnt13g salexanderCards: Top Notch Signature Select 2013
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o CAA
Sent: 12/19    Received: 4/24   (120 days)

Shaun finished as the Alabama’s greatest runningback, smashing the career yardage (3,726 yards) record for the Tide, and single game mark with 295 yards, but his 26 touchdowns also set an SEC single season mark in 1999. In all he held 15 school rushing related records.  An all-around well rounded back, Alexander could do it all, and is as comfortable running between the tackles as he was pp00 salexandercutting back to the outside.

Drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 2000 draft, Alexander sat behind Ricky Watters his rookie year. In 2001 after becoming a fulltime starter, Alexander set the franchise’s single game mark with 266 yards rushing against the Oakland Raiders. He’d go on to be the NFL’s leading rusher in 2005 with 1,880 yards, and break the NFL record (previously held by Priest Holmes) garnering 27 rushing touchdowns, earning Shaun the NFL’s MVP award. A two time All Pro and a member of the NFL’s All 2000’s team, Alexander also holds the pp00 salexander bcareer rushing mark for the Seahawks.  By 2007 injuries had begun to catch up to Shaun, and he was cut in April of 2008. Alexander set to rejuvenate his career with the Washington Redskins, but lasted only 4 games with the franchise. While teams had expressed some interest in him, and he remains in peak physical conditioning, for all points and purposes in 2014, Shaun is retired. He finished only 600 yards short of 10,000 and with an impressive 112 TDs in 123 games.

Shaun has written an autobiographical book about his life and is very involved with CAA. He wrote me a fun note on the back of my envelope encouraging me to taunt some of my friends with his autographed card. He also included a bible verse on the card from Psalms 37:7

“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”

Of note, Shaun has appeared on the cover of both NCAA 2001, and Madden 2008. By the time that Alexander had taken the cover of the game, the Madden Curse was already front page news. -He broke his foot promptly in Week 3 of the 2008 season.

G/Gs 123/96    Rush 2187    Yds 9453     Avg 4.3        Td  100      Lg 88  |
Rec 215     Yds  1520     Avg 7.1       Td 12       Lg 80