Category Archives: NFL

NFL, XFL

Romo, John Parker

CARD: TNT XFL 2023
ACQUIRED: In Person 2023, Brahmas Purple Heart Event

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • John Parker Romo has had an interesting ride to the professional level.
  • First he kicked for Central Arkansas (2016), Tulsa (2018), and then finally in Virginia Tech (2019-’21).
  • In his lone season starting at VT, Romo hit 34 of 34 extra points, and 18 of 22 field goals for 88 total points.
  • Undrafted he was on the off season roster of the Saints in 2022.
  • In 2023 John Parker joined the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL ’23.
  • He’d nail 17 of 19 field goals on the season and solidify himself as the best kicker in the league.
  • After another off season with both the Lions and Bears in 2023, he spent 2024 on the off season roster of the Vikings.
  • An injury replacement for Will Reichard John was resigned by the Vikings and went 11 of 12 on field goals.
  • As of the time of this post, JPR is on the practice squad of the New England Patriots.

ACCOLADES:

  • All XFL 2023

NOTES:

I finished a slew of these XFL 2023 cards I made for the Brahmas hoping to get many of them signed before the conclusion of the season. At the Purple Heart Veterans event, the entire team showed up, but I was so overwhelmed by a few players that I was unable to get all the autographs I wanted in about 15 minutes.

I reached out to John before the event through Twitter and he responded and told me he’d love to have a card. He sought me out and kindly signed this card, while I gave him the extras to keep.

Romo has a nice little autograph that even has goal posts in it. Brilliant!

NFL

Keenum, Case (2)

Topps 2014, #224
Upper Deck Star Rookies 2012, #67

CARDS: Topps 2014, Upper Deck Star Rookies 2012
ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o The Houston Texans
SENT: 6/8/23 RECEIVED: 8/19/23 (73 days)
FAILURE: TTM 2013, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • See Also Case Keenum
  • Case had career marks in a variety of passing categories during 2018.
  • He went 365/586 for 3,890 yards starting all 16 games for the Broncos.
  • In 2019, Case played for the Redskins, starting 8 contests, throwing for 1707 yards and 11 TDs to 4 interceptions.
  • This led to a two year stint as backup for the Cleveland Browns in 2020 and 2021, followed by the Bills in 2022.
  • Proof positive that you can go home, Case signed with the Houston Texans in 2023.
  • Expected to mentor the Texans quarterback room and perform duties as an emergency QB behind CJ Stroud and Davis Mills, Case suited up for 2 contests.
  • In the game against the Titans, Case went 23/36 for 229 yards and a TD in a surprising 19-16 win.

NOTES:

In bad taste, the Titans decided to wear their ‘throwback’ Oilers uniforms against Houston in Nashville. Furthermore the game was tabbed as a homecoming game for former players, and then head coach Mike Vrabel strolls out wearing a white Stetson- ALA former HOUSTON Oilers head coach Bum Phillips- for the game. (Bum Phillips notoriously didn’t back the Tennessee Titans, Bud Adams, or the Tennessee Oilers. He was HOUSTON through and through.)

Things lined up for the Titans too, as the Texans limped into the contest with injuries across the board to their starting lineup, including Nico Collins and CJ Stroud. Enter Case Keenum.

Keenum helped guide the Texans to the win over the Titans, making Tennessee the butt of all backfired jokes, and contributed to Mike Vrabel getting fired, by leading Houston to the upset- cementing Case’s legacy and place in Houston football lore.

As Case’s playing career enters its twilight, it’s believed that there will be no shortage of teams wanting to help him transition into the coaching ranks.

I really like Case, and when he resigned with Houston, I thought I’d try him again TTM. I was juiced to get him on these two cards. On top of that he’s a big time HOUSTON Oilers and Houston Texans fan, and thinks the colors should come home.

NFL

Alstott, Mike

CARDS: Press Pass 1995, Upper Deck College Legends 2011
ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o The Mike Alstott Foundation*
SENT: 1/11/21 RECEIVED: 2/8/21 (28 days)
* Donation Enclosed

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Mike Alstott played fullback at Purdue from 1992-’95.
  • Well lauded, at the end of his time with the Boilermakers, Alstott held virtually all the school’s rushing records.
  • He ran for 3,635 yards on 644 carries and 39 TDs over 4 years.
  • Mike was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft.
  • In his rookie campaign he only ran for 377 yards, but caught a career high 65 passes for 557 yards.
  • The Bucs decided ultimately to utilize Alstott as a powerback- where he’d compliment RB Warrick Dunn, whom Tampa drafted the following season.
  • Although classified as a fullback, Mike’s numbers slowly grew over his career, culminating in 1999 when he ran for a career high 949 yards on 242 carries.
  • 2001, saw him rush for a career high 10 TDs.
  • During that season he passed former Bucs great James Wilder on the franchise career rushing TDs list.
  • But by 2002, Mike’s physical style of play began to really take its toll.
  • As injuries mounted, Mike was relegated to more of a traditional fullback role.
  • In 2007, he spent the entire season on IR after suffering a neck injury.
  • He’d retire after playing his entire career with the Buccaneers before the 2008 season.

ACCOLADES:

  • All Pro 1997-’99
  • Second Team All Pro 1996
  • Pro Bowl 1997-’02
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers Ring of Honor
  • Purdue Athletics Hall of Fame
  • Indiana Football Hall of Fame

NOTES:

Mike was a powerful downhill runner that reminded me of powerbacks of lore like Earl Campbell. He had a take no prisoners style about him that was very popular with the Bucs faithful.

He’s been nominated to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but at this time hasn’t been inducted because MIke’s statistics aren’t sexy enough, and because he was classified as a fullback. He is considered one of the greatest fullbacks in NFL history.

I had sent to Mike after seeing a success on him in 2021. Back then I was lightning fast at sending TTMs out, so I got lucky on Alstott. He doesn’t really sign TTM anymore, or he’s so far out of the budget of the everyday man, it’s just not worth anyone’s time anymore.

I really liked his Press Pass card, so this one was a treat to get. The Upper Deck College Legends was something I’ve flirted with set chasing, but this one was a bit disappointing as Mike’s just standing there with his hands on hips.

For some reason since 2021, I’d just kept kicking the can down the road on publishing this success. With apologies- I don’t know why.

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