Category Archives: NFL

NFL

Orlovsky, Dan

Card: Sage HIT 2005
Acquired: TTM 2009, Texans Blitz

Dan Orlovsky was a league leading quarterback out of UConn who helped turn the Huskies into a football contender in the Big East during the early 2000s. He would be drafted in the 5th round by the woeful Detroit Lions to compete for 3rd string behind Joey Harrington and Jeff Garcia. After winning a roster spot on the team Orlovsky, he would bounce around the depth chart and after Joey Harrington was traded- Dan would be given the dubious honor of being called “the quarterback of the future” for the Lions. In 2008 he’d finally be give the opportunity to start for the team, almost leading the team to victory but comically stepping out of the back of the end zone against the Vikings for a safety.  (The Lions would eventually lose the game 12-10.)  After the season he’d sign with the Houston Texans to back up Matt Schaub.

In 2009 he was beaten out by Rex Grossman on the depth chart, and in 2010 after a lackluster preseason found himself in a battle with Matt Lineart for the job for the remainder of the season.  Dan’s a real head scratcher to me. He has many of the physical attributes of a starter in the league, with good mechanics, and a nice touch on short routes.  Probably his worst drawback is that he does need to improve his defensive read timing.

Dan has not had to throw a regular season pass since joining the Texans. As we enter 2011, Orlovsky is in the final year of his contract with the Texans, and at this point the team is content with a battle for second string between him, Matt Leinart, and newcomer TJ Yates.

My first Orlovsky sighting actually appeared back around 2005 when I was working on a Tecmo Super Bowl ROM mod called “Tecmo Fiesta Bowl”. I input over 80 teams into the ROM, and when I got to Connecticut, I was extremely surprised to see such a statistically accomplished quarterback playing for the Huskies- who were a doormat of their Conference for a long time. Below are his NFL statistics:

G/Gs  13/7     Att    272    Comp  150    Yds  1679   Pct  55.1    Td 8   Int  8     Rat  71.3

A highlight film of the good and bad of Orlovsky:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KsrNa2wtl0&feature=related

UPDATE: 12/7/11 – Orlovsky would be cut by the Texans, but would find himself on the roster of the Colts shortly thereafter. He now has the distinction of being the only player in NFL history to play for two 0-11 franchises.

 

 

NFL, NFLE

Smith, Antonio

Card: Upper Deck Reflections 2004
Acquired: TTM 2009, Texans Blitz

A 5th round pick of the Arizona Cardinals out of Oklahoma State at 6’4″, 282.  After not starting any games his rookie season in 2004, Smith would be penciled in at right defensive end, starting 8 games. He’d make 3 sacks and 16 tackles. His time at defensive end over the next 3 seasons would continue to grow, and he’d have an impact post season helping the Cardinals make their first Super Bowl appearance in 2008.

In 2009 Antonio Smith would sign with the Houston Texans to play opposite Mario Williams in the lineup. In 2 seasons he’s made 8.5 sacks, forced 3 fumbles, and 49 tackles. With the team’s planned conversion to the 3-4 in 2011,  Antonio’s job appears secure as the team hopes he will buy into the new defensive scheme.

G/Gs  93/70      Tac  149     Sac  23.0   Fum 6   Int   0   Yds  0   Avg -.-    Td 0    Lg -.-

NFL

Jeffcoat, Jim

Card: ProSet 1990
Acquired: In Person 1991, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Jim Jeffcoat played 15 seasons in the NFL after being drafted in the first round by the Dallas Cowboys out of Arizona State in 1983. He’d immediately replace Harvey Martin in the lineup and Jeffcoat would pick up where Martin left off, -harassing opposing ball carriers and quarterbacks of the NFC East opposite “Too Tall” Jones. Over 12 seasons with the Cowboys, Jeffcoat became recognized as one of the best finess rushers in the league recording 5 seasons of 10 or more sacks and 5 seasons of 70+ tackles. As time wore on, and with the eventual arrival of Charles Haley, Jim would share time at left defensive end with Tony Tolbert. He’d oddly sign with the Buffalo Bills in 1995, playing 3 more seasons with them before his eventual retirement, after 15 seasons.

Jim’s 102.5 sacks rank him in the career top 25 for the NFL, and while he was nominated in 2008, Jeffcoat has not made the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Considered one of the finest defensive linemen to come out of Arizona State, he was inducted into their hall of fame in 1994. Since retirement Jeffcoat has worked for the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Cougars as a defensive line coach and at the time of this post he was working for the San Jose State Spartans in that same capacity.

G/Gs 227/129    Tac  709       Sac   102.5      Fum   18     Int  2     Yds  91   Avg 45.5  Td 2   Lg 65