Category Archives: NFL

NFL, WLAF

Welch, Herb

wcwlaf92 welchsco90sup welch
Cards: Wild Card WLAF 1992, Score Supplemental 1990
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent: 6/4  Received: 6/17  (13 days)
Failure: TTM 2010, C/o Home

mem welchAn incredible competitor with great speed, Herb Welch is a great NFL story. Originally a 12th round pick in 1985 who wasn’t considered a pro grade prospect, Welch surprisingly earned his stripes in a great way -as a member of the New York Giants SuperBowl XXI team.  He’d start the big game in place of injured safety Terry Kinard.  In each of his first 3 years in the league, Welch played on special teams and as a backup defensive back, earning 2 interceptions in each season. He’d rip up his knee during the 1988 preseason, but made a full recovery in time for the next year.  After being cut during the 1989 preseason, he’d catch on with the Washington Redskins during mid-season playing again mainly on special teams, tallying 13 tackles.  He’d sign Plan B with the Detroit Lions in March of 1990. He’d start 4 games for the Lions and make a pick, and be with the Lions through the 1991 season. In 1992, Herb picked up his cleats and joined the WLAF. He’d split time between the Sacramento Surge and the Barcelona Dragons.

I had attempted Welch back in 2010 when I still lived in LA. I was disappointed that I did not get a response. I decided to try Herb again in 2014 and was pleased to not only get a response, but also a piece of nice photo memorabilia from him as well.

G/Gs 79/8       Tac  N/a     Sac N/a       Fum 0       Int 7      Yds 53    Avg 7.5     Td  0    Lg  16
WLAF        Tac N/a     Sac  N/a      Fum 0      Int  0      Yds  0      Avg -.-      Td 0       Lg -.-

CFL, NFL, University of Texas

Cavil, Kwame (2)

utud10 cavil iconsCard: University of Texas Upper Deck Icons 2011
Acquired: In Person 2/24/2014, Rudy’s Ribfest 4
See Also: Kwame Cavil, Kwame Cavil (3)

I knew that Ribfest was taking place at a location near my place so I planned to hit two of the locations in anticipation of the event. Taking a  half day from work I called and harassed the employees at Rudy’s until I was able to nail down the names who were going to be there. I decided to go to Round Rock and 183 North. While Round Rock was a minor disappointment because of a no show, I knew Fozzy Whittaker was going to be at 183, but I had no clue who the other player was. Luckily another member of TAC was there to ID Kwame Cavil for me, who I should’ve recognized because he was wearing the Manor High School colors that he was coaching wide receivers at. Kwame had not seen this card and pined over it for a minute before he took a photo of it. While he did tell me he had seen the original UT card, he had not seen this one ever, so I felt obliged to offer an extra to him through the mail, if I could in a few weeks. Truly it is a damn fine card that celebrates the great players in UT history. While the back was a bit underwhelming its the really nice gold design and landscape presentation on the front that takes the cake.

NFL

Gooden, Zaviar

leaf12 goodenCard: Leaf Draft 2013
Acquired: 2013, Box Breaker

Considered merely a solid 3rd day pick, Zaviar Gooden shot up the draft boards after excellent combine and postseason workouts where he dominated his position across the board.  A Pflugerville, Tx native (that’s pronounced Flu-ger-ville) within spitting distance of Austin, Tx, -and the Longhorns, Gooden signed with the Missouri Tigers where he converted from Safety to linebacker. By his Sophomore season he was entrenched at the position, earning a respectable 84 tackles, 3 sacks, and 2 picks. His Junior season was equally impressive with 80 tackles, a sack, and 2 more interceptions. While a hamstring injury limited him to only 10 games in 2012, Gooden managed to still have 61 tackles and an interception to his credit.  After his stellar combine numbers, teams saw him as a linebacker with incredible upside that could play the weakside of the field for the defense, as Zaviar has great speed for the position (4.47).

The Tennessee Titans drafted Gooden in the 3rd round of the 2012 draft, which was a surprise considering the team didn’t really have a dire need at the position with Zach Brown under contract. It is theorized that the team will groom Zaviar in the meantime and let him play on special teams. He finished his rookie season with 12 tackles, including a season high 7 in a 37-34 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.