Category Archives: NFL

NFL

Williams, Maxx

sage15 mwilliamsCard: Sage 2015
Acquired: 2016, Box Breaker
Failure: 2015, TTM C/o Baltimore Ravens

Maxx Williams was the highest rated tight end during the 2015 draft. A lot of buzz surrounded Williams. He had some great highlights playing for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, and definitely has the hands, size, and speed to make defenders pay.  He drew comparisons to  former Giants/Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey, but scouts felt he needed to improve on his route running to become a more complete tight end.  An explosive pass catching TE, Maxx led all TEs with 9 catches of over 25 yards in 2014, while setting single season school records at TE for the Gophers recording 569 receiving yards and 8 TDs.

The Baltimore Ravens moved up a few spots ahead of the TE needy Steelers to snag Maxx Williams in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft.  As the Ravens struggled with injuries, Williams was given plenty of opportunity to start for Baltimore. One of the youngest players in the league, Maxx finished his rookie year with 32 receptions for 268 yards and a TD in 7 starts. He posted donuts in 2016, as he was sidelined for the entire year with a cartilage tear in his knee.

I was really pumped about Williams. I had hoped the Texans would draft him, but alas, they opted to work on a different part of their offense. I later sent him his Sage Artistry card- a pice of really exciting art work, since he had been signing, but apparently the door of opportunity closed on me before I could get him.

NFL

Jackson, Kareem ‘K-Jax’

dor&s10 kjacksonCard: Donruss Rookies & Stars 2010
Acquired: In Person 12/15/2015, Whataburger Community Player of the Year

I have been looking to get Kareem Jackson for a very long time, but I knew he wasn’t a good through the mail signer. It didn’t really seem that he signed very often at that until this year, so I was very excited to see K-Jax at this gem of an event with 3 other players.

Of all the Texans I have been hard on over the years, Kareem has probably shouldered most of the hostility. A first round choice by the Houston Texans in 2010, he was immediately tabbed into the starting lineup and became a frequent victim of Peyton Manning and other quarterbacks around the league- replacing much maligned Duanta Robinson.  It took Wade Phillips entering as defensive coordinator in 2011 to jump start a change in Jackson’s play style. One of the things that Phillips wanted to change was Kareem’s backpedal style and fundamentals. This really helped out Jackson immensely.  The Texans also gave him support in the names of Johnathan Joseph and Danieal Manning and put an emphasis on putting pressure on the quarterback.  Jackson started at least 13 games in each season since being drafted until injury sidelined him extensively in 2015. Still he returned by the season finale against the Jags, a defensive masterpiece, in which K-Jax intercepted Blake Bortles for a 27 yard TD. He started 12 games in 2016, contributing 1 interception- another critical pick of Blake Bortles that he returned 42 yard for his second career TD.

At the conclusion of the 2016 season, Kareem had 13 career interceptions, 2 TDs and 60 pass break ups. With the Texans doing a little tinkering in the secondary for 2017, rumor is that Jackson may see more time at safety this year.

NFL, Pro Football HoF

Faulk, Marshall


Card: SP Game Used Authentics 2002
Acquired: TTM 2016, C/o Home*
Sent:  1/5/2016     Received: 6/11/2016     (158 days)

Nobody told Marshall Faulk about running too much in college. The 2nd pick of the 1994 draft, averaged over 1500 yards each year he was at San Diego State from 1991 to 1993.  He also demonstrated a nice penchant for catching the ball out of the backfield, with 82 receptions. At runningback, the Colts had a platoon of Roosevelt Potts, Anthony Johnson, and Rodney Culver that just wasn’t working in Ted Marchibroda’s offense in 1993.  Faulk gave the Colts the needed flexibility at the time to do a lot of things with their offense, and he responded by being named offensive rookie of the year in 1994.  His rookie totals included 1282 yards on 314 carries, 11 of which went to paydirt. He also chipped in 52 receptions out of the backfield for 522 yards. Faulk would continue to be the bell cow runningback for the Colts through the 1998 season- fellow teammate Peyton Manning‘s rookie season.

At a bypass in 1999 and wanting a new contract the Colts were unwilling to pay, the St. Louis Rams under Dick Vermeil traded for Faulk the evening before the draft.  Faulk became the catalyst of the Rams Greatest Show on Turf offense. As the Rams felt around in the dark until they found Kurt Warner shortly afterwards, Faulk rushed for 1381 yards and 7 TDs to go along with 103 receptions for 1048 yards and 5 TDs- an NFL RB single season record. The Rams were able to capitalize off of their offensive bonanza and win the next two Superbowls. The wear and tear of the football rigors were catching up with Faulk. In 2004, he’d share the backfield with Steven Jackson, and 2005 was completely injury riddled.  Marshall spent the entire 2006 season on the shelf, and retired in the Spring of 2007.

Marshall left an indelible legacy on the league. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility (2011). A member of the 10,000 yard club, at the time of his retirement Marshall led all runningbacks in career receptions yards and was second in career receptions.  He also is the only runningback to have over 70 TDs rushing and over 30 TDs receiving.

So I remember when the Colts drafted Faulk. I was like, “Oh no,” because I knew he was going to run all over the Oilers in the first game of that season.  And true to form his rookie year, he dominated the Oilers in a lopsided upset, running 23 times for 143 yards and 3 TDs in his rookie debut.

Faulk is a respected commentator on NFL Network. He also has a charitable foundation. I follow him on Twitter where one day he frustratingly Tweeted that all the autographs that people receive from him through his foundation are signed by him personally. He takes a plastic bin with him everywhere and tries to do his best to respond in a timely manner. With this information I scoured the internet and learned of the Marshall Faulk Foundation.  So the trick is, Marshall will sign whatever item you have provided you send a check/money order to the foundation for the total amount of the jersey pictured on the photo or card of him. So the above autograph for example, cost me $28.00.  He does not sign without a donation.

G/GS 176/156    RUSH 2836   YDS 12,280   AVG  4.3  TD 100   LG 71t  REC  767        YDS 6875       AVG 9.0       TD 36       LG 85T