CARDS: Panini Prestige 2010, Score 2010 ACQUIRED: TTM 2024, C/o The New York Giants SENT: 12/11/24 RECEIVED: 1/6/25 (26 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Mike Kafka played QB at Northwestern from 2006-’09.
He’d initially see the field as a change of pace- rushing for 263 yards in 2006, and 321 in 2008.
It wasn’t until 2009 that Mike would take over as the starting QB for the Wildcats.
He led the conference with 319 completions, 492 attempts, a completion percentage of 64.8 and 3,430 yards.
In the 2010 Outback Bowl he’d break Bowl game records with 78 attempts, 48 completions, 532 passing yards- and 5 interceptions.
Selected in the 4th round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.
2013 led Kafka to the offseason rosters of both the Pats and Jags.
Then it was off to the Bucs (’14), and Vikings (’15).
His final stops landed him with the Titans and Bengals- both on their practice squads in 2015.
By 2016, Mike was off to the coaching world as a graduate assistant at Northwestern.
He joined the Chiefs in 2017 and served in a variety of coaching duties from Offensive quality control, quarterbacks coach, and passing game coordinator through the 2021 season.
2022 led Mike to the Giants as their offensive coordinator.
He’d be promoted to offensive coordinator and assistant head coach in 2024.
NOTES:
Mike had some nice cards and I had wanted to get them signed. The Panini Prestige ’10 really lends itself to an autograph with its clean and parallel design. I had asked Mike to draw up a play for me, but he just kept the index card. No big deal.
CARDS: Fleer 1990, Pro Set 1989 ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home SENT: 10/15/22 RECEIVED: 10/28/22 (13 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Jeff Bryant was a monster defensive lineman who clocked in at 6’5, 270.
He played college ball at Clemson from 1978-’81.
Had 19 tackles for loss and led the team in sacks in his Senior campaign.
A three time ACC defensive player of the week while in college at Clemson, he helped lead the squad to the National Title in 1981.
The number 6 overall selection of the 1982 NFL Draft.
In 1984, he posted a career high 14.5 sacks, 80 tackles, 2 fumbles, and a safety.
Recovered a team record 4 fumbles in 1985.
Highly durable, Bryant started 167 games over his career- 3rd in club history at the time of his retirement, after the 1993 season.
ACCOLADES:
Clemson Hall of Fame 1986
NOTES:
I thought it was odd that Jeff signed one card in manuscript and the other with an actual autograph, but I’ll take it nonetheless. I got extremely lucky on this one hitting a small window when he seemed interested in signing TTM. Unfortunately he’s gone back into hibernation.
Caeveon Patton played DT at Texas State from 2017-’21.
He played 3 years for the Bobcats, racking up 179 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.
After the 2022 NFL Draft, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts but didn’t make the squad.
He joined the Orlando Guardians of the XFL for 2023.
Starting all 10 games on a bad squad, Patton was a space eater, nabbing 40 total tackles.
Signed with the Atlanta Falcons after the season but was cut after camp.
Returned to spring ball where he was selected by the San Antonio Brahmas during the XFL/USFL Dispersal Draft.
A shrewd selection by the Brahmas, Caeveon was eager to get to work for Wade Phillips defense that turns interior defensive linemen into monsters.
In 5 starts (8 games), Caeveon finished with 16 total tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Patton was released in May of ’25, as he needed to rehab an injury and the league wouldn’t allow him to go on IR.
He started 5 games and had 12 total tackles.
ACCOLADES:
All XFL 2023
NOTES:
So at the STH Meet & Greet in ’24 with Wade Phillips and Daryl Johnston, I had a sneaking suspicion that Caeveon would show up, and he did! -But unfortunately I didn’t have his card printed yet. I went home and got it done, then didn’t get him during the regular season.
After the season concluded the team decided to host a Sea World event, and I brought my family with me. We got to pose with the XFL Conference (former Championship) Trophy, meet GM Mark Lillibridge, and Wade. I knew Caeveon would show up, and there he was. He loved the card.
Caeveon remains popular with the fans due to his Central Texas roots and willingness to be involved in nearly all the team’s meet and greet events. His name is pronounced ‘ZA-vee-on’.
I caught him and Tavante Beckett at the Season Kickoff Event for 2025. They were quite surprised I could lift the heavy trophy unaided!
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
