Category Archives: NFL

NFL, NFLE

Schlecht, John

CARD: Frankfurt Galaxy Team Issue 2003
ACQUIRED: 2022, Private Acquisition

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Homegrown John Schlecht played DT at Minnesota.
  • In his senior season (2000) he posted 10 sacks and 48 total tackles.
  • An impressive specimen, he posted a 450 pound bench press and a 32 inch vertical leap, and saw action in the Senior Bowl.
  • He was not selected in the 2001 NFL Draft.
  • Played for the San Fransisco 49ers seeing action in 8 contests posting 1 TFL.
  • Hopped over to the NFLE where John played for the Frankfurt Galaxy from 2003-’04.
  • After the 2004 season, saw preseason action with the Seattle Seahawks notching 3.5 tackles.
  • After a career ending injury with the Saints, John decided to follow his passion into the world of Strength and Performance.
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NFL
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NFLE
NFL

Rackers, Neil ‘Rickety’

Adrenalyn 2011, #129
Score 2008, #8

CARDS: Panini Adrenalyn 2011, Score 2008
ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Home
SENT: 8/15 RECEIVED: 8/22 (7 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Neil Rackers was a kicker for the Fightin’ Illini from 1996-’99.
  • Over that period he was 96.3% on XP (77/80) and 68% (34/50) on FGs, scoring 179 points.
  • Selected in the 6th round of the 2000 NFL Draft.
  • After a rocky rookie season, he settled in kicking 17 FGs in 2001, and 15 in 2002.
  • He’d join the Arizona Cardinals in 2003.
  • In 2004, he hit 22/29 field goals, including a league long 55 yarder.
  • In that game against the Seahawks, he hit two other field goals of 50+ yards tying the single game NFL record held by Morten Anderson.
  • Then he went on to hit an improbable 31 straight field goals.
  • During the 2005 season, set the NFL record with 40 field goals in a season (42 attempts).
  • He again led the league in attempts in 2006 with 37 (28 FGM).
  • In 2010, Rackers was allowed to test free agency and decided to play for the Texans.
  • He’d provide great stability at the position after the departure of Kris Brown– who’d been with the team since its inception.
  • Rackers posted 27 FGs in 2010, and 32 in 2011.
  • Tied a franchise long 57 yard field goal in 2010 (since surpassed).

ACCOLADES:

  • All Pro 2005
  • Pro Bowl 2005
  • Golden Toe Award 2005

NOTES:

Incredibly underrated over his career, I must admit I was disappointed when the Texans opted not to sign him, in favor of drafting ‘Beercan’ Randy Bullock in 2012.

Rackers was also a head hunter- A rare trait among kickers. From time to time he was known to dish out some jarring hits. I seem to remember some odd fact that he’s the the NFL record holder for career special teams tackles by a kicker.

My old friend Erik, told me stories about chugging beers in the parking lot at NRG with Neil, saying he’s a real cool dude so I had to get him eventually. I was a bit disappointed. I think this Adrenalyn card was the only Texans card they made of Neil. I love how Rackers’ autograph incorporates the goal posts into it.

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NFL

Wright, Alexander (2)

Pro Set 1990, #695
Score Supplemental 1990, #58T
Score 1990, #621

CARDS: Pro Set 1990, Score Supplemental 1990, Score 1990
ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Home
SENT: 3/16/23 RECEIVED: 3/15/23 (364 Days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

Joe, sent me a pack of Score 1990. Inside was this rookie card of Alexander Wright. It was in such fresh condition, it still had some ‘printer’s artifact dust’ on the front of the card. It brought back some memories of going to Cowboys training camp and hustling for autographs.

It seemed serendipitous that I noticed that Wright was signing TTM around that time. He hadn’t done so for many years, so I fired these three out, and thought I’d have them back within a few weeks or something, but it appears I was at the bottom of the mailbag as he kept getting more and more, signing after 11-15 days, while mine languished for a year. Patience pays off however.

Wright had a penchant for signing ‘ACE’, his nickname on his card instead of his full name. I remember the horror fans had when he’d do this at training camp, and when he was asked, he’d rebuff the request. So to see him now sign his full name, I’m good for that on these cards.