Category Archives: NFL

NFL

Amos, Adrian


Card: Sage 2015
Acquired: 2016, Hobby Box Breaker

At Penn State, Adrian Amos hit the field early for the Nittany Lions at safety. He played in 12 games as a backup in 2011, and started all 37 games over his last three years at the school.  He finished with 101 solo tackles and 48 assists, 9 tackles for loss, 3 sacks and 5 interceptions for 192 yards and 15 pass deflections.  Amos had impressive pro day demonstrating his athleticism and showcasing ability to run with the big dogs, with 21 reps of 225 pounds, and a 4.37 40.  Adrian also was the top performer at the 20 yard shuttle at 4.03 and the 60 yard shuttle at 11.33.  He’d be selected in the 5th round of the 2015 draft by the Chicago Bears.  He ended up turning heads in camp and starting every game his rookie year, as Adrian finished with 57 tackles, 1 sack, and 2 pass deflections.  He’s been a nice bright spot in an otherwise bad team.

 

NFL

Willis, Patrick

Card: Score 2009
Acquired: TTM 2016, C/o Work
Sent: 7/11     Received: 7/30   (19 days)

Patrick Willis played collegiality for Mississippi from 2004 to 2006. Over his final two years at the school, he posted a whopping 265 tackles, 21 sacks, 6 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, and 7 pass deflections.

Considered the complete package entering the 2007 NFL draft, he was drafted 11th overall by the San Fransisco 49ers.  During his career with the ‘9ers, Willis played a combination of middle linebacker and right linebacker through the majority of his starts.  A highly durable linebacker, Patrick earned All Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 5 of his first 7 seasons in the league.  It’s hard to agree on what season serves as Willis’ best year. During his rookie year he had a career high 135 tackles.  Later in 2009, Patrick had 3 interceptions for 33 yards and a TD, and then in 2010 he posted a career high 6 sacks.

After an injury shortened 2014, Patrick elected to retire from the sport after years of wear and tear on his feet.  He went into business where he joined a Silicon Valley startup. I wrote him in 2016 through his company, where he signed this card for me and included a nice metal business card.

G/GS  112/112       TAC  732        SAC  20.5           FUM  5
INT   8         YDS 131         AVG   16.3         TD  2         LG 86T

NFL

Groy, Ryan ‘Yorg’

sa14 rgroyCard: Sage 2014
Acquired: 2015, Box Breaker

Ryan Groy clocked in at an impressive 6’5″, 320 but went undrafted out of Wisconsin. While playing for the Badgers, Ryan had a lot of experience playing on the line at all positions except right tackle. He also played 13 games as a fullback in 2010. Ryan signed a free agent contract with the Bears and was promoted to the team roster late in the season. He’d be traded to the New England Patriots in 2015, but was cut with an injury settlement.  He was later signed to the Bucs practice squad, and then to the Buffalo bills active roster.  Groy continues to blossom as a lineman in the NFL seeing action for the first time in 16 games, while starting 7 of those contests during 2016.