CARD: Topps XFL 2020 ACQUIRED: IP 2023, San Antonio Brahmas v Orlando Guardians
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Eli Rogers played WR for Louisville from 2011-14.
Consistent and dependable, Rogers never failed to catch less than 41 passes every year.
Over his 4 years with the school he posted 176 receptions for 2020 yards and 12 TDs.
He also moonlighted on punt returns, with 29 career returns for 248 yards.
He spent the entire 2015 campaign on IR with the Steelers after signing as an UDFA.
Earning the final (5th) WR spot with the Steelers that year, he ended up starting 8 games, recording 48 receptions for 594 yards and 3 TDs.
24 of his receptions went for first downs.
With an increasingly crowded WR room and an ACL injury, Rogers saw his playtime decrease over the next two seasons.
After being cut in August of 2019, he’d find his way to the XFL 2020 as a selection of the DC Defenders.
He’d catch 19 passes for 164 yards.
After bouncing around between the Montreal Alouettes (2021), and the Bandits (2022), Eli was a first round pick of the Orlando Guardians in 2023.
Despite the franchise’s early on QB woes, Eli posted 20 catches for 173 yards and a TD.
NOTES:
Eli was one of the first players out onto the field for the Guardians, as he serves as a return man for the Guardians. I moved to this really sweet spot that puts me in earshot of the players. I called out his name and he saw me with my card and pen and flashed a smile. After warm-ups finished and the players started returning to the locker rooms, Eli came over and signed his XFL 2020 card for me. We joked about how I was an OG fan of the XFL in 2020 and how the Defenders were fun to watch, before he kindly signed this card for me.
Rick Neuheisel played QB and after his playing days ended became renowned for his offensive coaching system and philosophy.
Rick’s storied college career began at UCLA as a walk on in 1979.
He eventually got to suit up to hold placekicks, then saw playing time in his Junior and Senior years.
In 1983 he was named starter, lost the job to Steve Bono, reclaimed the job after Bono got injured, then went out on top with a win over a Top 5 opponent in the Rose Bowl.
Rick signed with the USFL’s San Antonio Gunslingers in 1984, and somehow managed to survive the legendarily cash-strapped franchise through 1985 (sacked a total of 120 times in two seasons).
During the 1987 Players’ Strike, he suited up for both the San Diego Chargers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a scab replacement.
Returned to UCLA and became a graduate assistant, and later a QB Coach- tutoring future NFL #1 pick Troy Aikman.
Served at UCLA through the 1993 season, leaving for greener pastures at Colorado in 1994.
Named HC in 1995, and stayed with the Buffs through ’98.
Then coached at Washington from 1999-02.
Made first stop at the professional level with the Baltimore Ravens, coaching there from 2005-07.
Returned to UCLA as HC from 2008-2011.
Has an 87-58 (.600) coaching record at the college level.
Team finished with a 5-3 record and a share of first place in the AAF West.
Topps AAF 2019, #40
NOTES:
Neuheisel is well known in coaching circles as a wild card, offensive madman, even adopting ‘The Pistol’ offense at UCLA. He also was an early proponent of the spread offense before it really became en vogue. He’s also got a really interesting coaching tree he’s developing, as well with some of his AAF progeny going on to become successful coaches in their own right.
Initially when the AAF was formed, Mike Martz was tabbed to be HC of Arizona, but when Neuheisel came on board, he wanted to stay close to home- so Rick became HC of the Hotshots and Martz went to SD.
During that ride, Rick was seen as the one coming up with the crazy and wild ideas in the room for the league. Rick even came up with an idea that players would choose their teams instead of the teams doing a territorial draft- sorta like the TV show ‘The Voice’. Apparently Bill Polian didn’t understand or like this, and at one point began to steam, before Charlie Ebersol stepped in and squashed the idea.
When I saw the Hotshots play the Commanders in the league’s final contest, a very, very enthusiastic Rick Neuheisel fan from his Gunslinger days came down in a jersey and helmet during the pregame. Rick was so enthusiastic and excited about it, he invited the fan over the end zone stands and onto the field to meet Rick and talk to the team. It was a very wholesome fan moment.
Rick was one of my early finds from the AAF Topps set. Although it took a bit to get back to me, he did sign it on the back. No harm, no foul. I’d hoped to get his certified autograph before I posted this one, and while I had seen them in the wild, they were for an exorbitant price. Thankfully my friend CFL Fan in Philly came through and offered to fill the rest of my set needs at a really nice price. Rick’s true rookie card- his USFL Gunslingers issue, continues to be a bit overpriced for my tastes, so I was happy to add him on these and close the book on him there.
Jim Fahnhorst played LB for his home state Minnesota Golden Gophers.
4th round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 1982.
Eventually ended up playing in the USFL for the Chicago Blitz in 1983, and the Arizona Wranglers in 1984, making a pair of interceptions and recovering 4 fumbles over his career.
Signed with the ‘9ers in 1984, and was witness to 3 49ers Super Bowl titles over his career.
Hardworking, versatile, determined player, was a chief backup in the ‘9ers LB corps.
Best season came in 1986 starting 14 games, recording 4 interceptions and a sack playing RILB.
Retired after the 1990 campaign.
NOTES:
Jim didn’t receive the trading card accolades due to him until really late in his career, however the Pro Set 1989 was probably enough to blow his socks off. Since he had a Topps ’90 as well, I thought I’d drop that one in too. He appears in the original NES game Tecmo Bowl as a LB for San Fransisco.
He’s got an amazing autograph. Love the blue and the pen pressure on this is solid across the board- powerful. The ligature of ‘Jim’ shortened into a J and the interesting pointedness of his F leading into a series of loops, really is intriguing.
TAC
SAC
FUM
INT
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
N/a
N/a
2
2
19
9.5
0
N/a
TAC
SAC
FUM
INT
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
N/a
1.0
0
7
61
8.7
0
46
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