Category Archives: NFL

CFL, NFL, WLAF

Brown, Marlon ‘Spacedog’

psetwlaf91 mbrownCards: ProSet WLAF 1991, ProSet WLAF 1991 World Bowl, Ultimate WLAF 1992.
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o Home
Sent: 5/15    Received: 6/8  (24 days)

Marlon Brown is a member of the deep 1989 NFL class. He was a 12th round pick of the Cleveland Browns after setting the Memphis school record with 19 sacks. His career highlights include a 4 sack performance against Louisville, which garnered him Associated Press Defensive Player of the Week Honors in 1987.   Brown joined the British Columbia Lions of the CFL in 1990 as a defensive end, recording 3 sacks and 7 tackles.

pset91 mbrown WBWith the unveiling of the WLAF in 1991, the London Monarchs selected Brown with the 4th overall pick among linebackers in the inaugural positional draft.  A key component to the Monarchs’ WLAF title run in 1991 and top rated defense, Marlon Brown finished on the All-World League Second Team.  Spacedog had 42 tackles and 7.5 sacks. His 5.5 sacks in a 22-7 win over North American rival New York-New Jersey stand as a single game league record, and he was named player of the week.  In World Bowl I, Marlon also contributed a sack in the Monarchs 21-0 shutout of the Dragons.

Marlon was traded after the season concluded. His fortunes basically went from first to worst, as he’d join the Ohio Glory. He finished his career in the WLAF as a member of the New York-New Jersey Knights.

ultwlaf92 mbrownFrom time to time I network with other collectors about the hobby. I’ve always admired Mark’s Signing Bonus. As a respected collector, I think he is a wonderful resource who cares about TTM and autographs as much as I do. I finally worked around to asking him about a few player successes he had, chief among them- Marlon. (I had emailed a lead  before, but it turned out to be a case of mistaken identity.)  Mark kindly helped me out and before I knew it, Spacedog had responded and included a nice note asking for a copy of his WLAF Ultimate 1992 card.

Marlon barely has even noticed that almost 25 years have passed. He’s still in pretty good physical shape and runs his own trucking business out of Memphis that keeps him on the road a good portion of his time.

CFL   G  5     Tac  7      Sac   3.0    Fum N/a
Int  0     Yds 0     Avg -.-      Td 0     Lg -.-

WLAF         Tac  42     Sac 7.5      Fum  N/a
Int  0      Yds 0    Avg -.-       Td 0      Lg -.-

 

NFL, University of Texas

Vaccaro, Kenny

sage13 vaccaroCard: Sage Hit 2013
Acquired: 2014 BB, Target Autograph Memorabilia

Longhorn Kenny Vaccaro punctuated his college career at Texas by being made a first round choice of the New Orleans Saints in 2013. He logged 231 total tackles (158 solo/73 assists), 14 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 5 interceptions, and 24 pass defensed. With a good overall set of athleticism, loose hips, and strength, Vaccaro was seen as a starting caliber safety in the NFL.

The Saints porous defense was going through transition with new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan trying to retool the defensive backfield. Kenny fit right in playing nickle, strong, and free safety.  He’d start 14 games for the team nabbing 62 tackles, 1 sack, 7 pass defensed, 1 interception for 29 yards, and 1 forced fumble.  He was considered a rising star in the young defense. In 2014, the Saints played him at both free and strong safety, but with the team having a difficult season, Vaccaro was benched after 13 games. While the team values his aggressive play, the double-edged sword was his caliber of recklessness. Vaccaro finished his season with 51 tackles, 5 pass defensed, and 2 picks for 45 yards.

I don’t grab the Target Autograph Memorabilia as much as I had in the past because of the lack of names that I had been pulling from them, but wow, I got a nice hit out of the Target grab bag with this one.  Another member of Texas DBU down.

NFL, NFLE

Holcomb, Kelly

flr03plt holcombCard: Fleer 2003 Platinum
Acquired: Albany Acquisition 2014

Kelly Holcomb was part of a wave of talent that honed their craft in the NFLE. He finished his final season at Middle Tennessee State 146/244 for 2,154 yards with 15 TD vs 9 INT  in 1994.

Holcomb joined the Barcelona Dragons in 1996 as a developmental prospect of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  He started all 10 games for the franchise as the Dragons finished the season deadlocked at 5-5.  Kelly’s 2,382 yards ranked 3rd in club history. Cut by the Bucs in 1997, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts but got roughed up, throwing 1 TD to 8 picks.  For the remainder of his time in Indianapolis he honed his game on the bench behind ironman Peyton Manning.

In 2001, Kelly joined the Cleveland Browns- a franchise only 3 years removed from being reborn. With starting quarterback Tim Couch epic struggles and fan frustration mounting, Holcomb began to eclipse Couch at quarterback. A post season game in which he led the Browns to a regulation record 429 yards passing, pretty much signaled the end of the Couch Era. In 2003, he started 10 games, throwing for 1,797 yards and 10 TDs. Still erratic play at the position led the Browns to sign Jeff Garcia- and in 2005, Kelly signed with the Buffalo Bills.

Kelly had perhaps his finest season under center with head coach Mike Mularkey in 2005,  throwing for 1,509 yards and 10 TDs in roughly 10 contests. After the season though the Bills decided to go in a different direction and Mularkey was fired. Dick Jauron was named head coach and JP Losman was named starter at quarterback. Holcomb did not start another game in Buffalo, before being traded to the Eagles in 2007,  who then in turn traded him to the Minnesota Vikings. He started 3 games that year and was cut after the season. Kelly retired in 2008, but had an impressive career run there with occasional flashes of brilliance.

G/Gs  37/24    Att 893    Comp 565     Yds 5916   Pct 63.3
Td  39    Int 38     Rat  79.2
Rush 43        Yds 30       Avg  .7        Td 1      Lg 8

NFLE 10/10   Att  319    Comp 191    Yds 2382  Pct 59.9
Td 14     Int 16     Rat 76.8
Rush38     Yds111     Avg 2.9      Td 2      Lg N/a