Billy Volek played QB for Fresno State from 1996-’99.
A QB who really knew how to make good decisions on his throws, Volek only threw 12 interceptions in 934 attempts.
In his Senior campaign in 1999, he completed 235 of 355 passes, 2,559 and yards.
His 66.2 completion percentage, 30 TDs, 8.52 yards per attempt, and 152.9 QB rating led the conference.
He was signed by the Tennessee Titans as a UDFA following the 2000 Draft.
Despite his solid numbers, Volek went undrafted- partially because of a growing knock on Fresno State quarterbacks being ‘system quarterbacks’.
He saw little playing time until 2003, winning a week 14 contest against the Buffalo Bills, where he threw for 295 yards and 2 TDs on 26 of 41 throws.
In 2004, Volek was thrust into action as injuries to starter Steve McNair caught up to him.
Although he responded with 2 400 yard contests back to back- the Titans tumbled to a 1-8 record with him as starting QB (5-11 overall).
The season would be Billy’s most successful in the league as he completed 218 of 257 passes for 2,486 yards to go along with 18 TDs and 10 interceptions.
With McNair signing with Baltimore after the 2005 season, Billy was thought to be inline to become the next starting QB of the Titans.
However, the team brought in former QB Kerry Collins to compete with him and then drafted Vince Young.
With the writing on the wall, Volek was traded to the San Diego Chargers.
Seeing only limited snaps behind Phillip Rivers, he threw for only 249 yards and a TD over the remaining 5 years of his career.
NOTES:
I was pretty confident I’d get Billy back in under a year as he’d been tracking out that way. My gripe was that I went out of my way to get a Leaf Rookies & Stars card of his, that he switched out for the pedestrian Topps card. Ah well.
CARDS: Fleer 1990, Topps Stadium Club 1992 ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home SENT: 11/2/2022 RECEIVED: 11/18/2023 (381 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Big and strong, Ken Lanier played OL at Florida State.
Started 46 contests and set the school record in shot put with a toss of 60.2.
He was a 5th round selection of the Denver Broncos in 1981.
Durable and reliable, he became a fulltime starter at RT in 1982 and did not look back.
He played in 169 consecutive games and started 131.
Signed with the Los Angeles Raiders in 1993, seeing action in 2 contests before injury ended his season.
After reaching an injury settlement with LA, resigned with the Broncos in 1994 as a depth move.
Played in 4 contests and retired after the season.
NOTES:
Despite protecting John Elway‘s blindside for the majority of his career, and being a well rounded and respected lineman in the NFL- Ken never got his due or even a Pro Bowl nod. His cards came late in his career but must have been a welcome sight- even in year 10.
The Fleer 90 was a set need, but I really love the old orange crush look. I also miss the style of that era with the neck rolls and extra large padding.
Todd Floyd converted from QB to WR and played at UNLV from 1996-’98.
Caught 45 yard hail mary against Wisconsin in 1996, earning him a spot on ESPN’s Play of the Year.
In 31 contests he logged 77 catches for 1,039 yards and 9 TDs.
After preseason stints in both Buffalo (1999) and Jacksonville (1998), he joined the NFLE in 1999.
He caught 31 passes and scored 3 TDs in 1999.
Then in 2000, Todd put up solid numbers helping Frankfurt reach the World Bowl.
Caught 45 passes for 757 yards and 5 TDs including a 71 yarder.
Played for the Las Vegas Outlaws of the XFL in 2001.
NOTES:
Well Todd was very kind to sign all 3 TTM needs I had. The XFL 2001 cards were laughable at the time, but are now a curiosity of design of that era for me now. It’s just so over the top!
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
76
1080
14.2
8
71t
NFLE
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
3
71
23.7
1
37
XFL
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
