NFL

Lundy, Wali

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Card: Donruss Gridiron Gear 2006, Topps Finest 2006
Acquired: 2016, EBay

The Texans were retooling much of their offense under new head coach Gary Kubiak in 2006.  Left in a pinch by runningback Domanick Davis who was trying to recover from an (eventual career ending) injury, and not feeling any back in the rotation could handle the load, the Texans drafted Wali Lundy in the 6th round of the draft.

The Texans 2006 draft was the best the team had experienced in its young franchise history. It yielded Mario Williams, DeMeco Ryans, Eric Winston, Owen Daniels, Lundy, and David Anderson.  All of these players saw significant and notable playing time with the Texans. Lundy’s flame burned quick and burned bright.  He’d jump Vernand Morency in the lineup and start the Texans first game of the year.

He’d then battle Ron Dayne and Sakmon Gado for the starting job throughout the remainder of season. A nagging ankle injury he suffered during the season carried through to the 2007 preseason. Lundy ended up being one of the final cuts of the preseason, losing out to Sakmon Gado.

Wali played collegiality at Virginia. There he set many records including ACC records with 52 career TDs.  He finished his career for the Cavaliers with 4,497 all purpose yards.  An arts aficionado, Lundy has appeared on the cover of SI based on his music tastes, and is involved in the national arts and music scene.

G/GS 14/8       Rush 124        Yds 476        Avg 3.8        TD 4         Lg  35
Rec 33    Yds  204     Avg  6.2        Td 0        Lg  15

NFL, University of Texas

Griffin, Cedric

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Cards: 2006 Leaf Rookies & Stars. 2006 Leaf Rookies and Stars Longevity 030/199, Score 2010
Acquired: In Person 2016, Mighty Fine Burgers Battle of the Beast

Toughness defines Cedric Griffin- the UT defensive back who conquered personal odds, rose to prominence among DBUT, and then forged his career in the NFL with the Vikings and Redskins. A three year starter in the Longhorns secondary, Griffin was valued for his willingness to contribute on special teams and play any position in the secondary. Gifted with great speed, Cedric was a sure handed tackler who finished with 78 tackles in his Senior campaign.   He started 37 consecutive games for Texas, recording 267 tackles,  3 interceptions, 32 pass breakups, and 5 forced fumbles.

sco10 cgriffinCedric was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings with their second round pick of the 2006 draft. The Vikings preferred Cedric play corner- a position he appeared in 89 games for the Vikings. He recovered a fumble for a TD, and had a career high 82 tackles in 2007. After the 2011 season, he was allowed to sign via free agency with the Washington Redskins. He played one season with the team and retired after the 2012 season.

I had missed out on Cedric at the UT Neighborhood Bowling Tournament back in 2011, and then later again during the 2015 Memorial Day Flood, so I was determined to finally get his autograph this time around. I went with Shawn and his wife to the Mighty Fine event, and while we sweated it out until the final moments before the event began, it all worked out when Cedric strolled through the door. He kindly signed these 3 cards for me. I would’ve penned him on a 4th but I gave the Adrenalyn card to Shawn so that he had an extra item to get signed. A really nice signature encapsulated by the bronze color, Cedric told me he that it was a great change of pace and a lot of fun playing for the Redskins.

G/GS  89/72        TAC  350          SAC 0            FUM 3
INT 8         YDS  0           AVG 0.0          TD 0           LG 4

NFL

Hurns, Allen

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Cards: Sage 2014, Sage 2014 Next Level
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o The Jacksonville Jaguars
Sent: 11/12    Received:  12/2   (23 days)

Allen Hurns has been an amazing find by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Fighting his way up a decent roster of receivers and draftees, Hurns has emerged as one of young quarterback Blake Bortles consistent targets. Allen also forms with Allen Robinson to be one of the most potent duos in the league at that position.  In 2014, he played more of a split end for the Jags catching 51 passes for 677 yards and 6 TDs. He’d break the 1,000 yard barrier in 2015 on 64 receptions, while hauling in 10 TDs, including an 80 yarder in 2015.  All the more impressive, Allen also set the team record for most consecutive games with a TD reception (7).

sa14 ahurnsA track and football guy in college at The University of Miami, FL, Allen set the single-season school record with 1,162 receiving yards in 2014.  Hurns slipped through the draft unnoticed and was considered a 7th round pick or a priority free agent by many teams.  His tape really didn’t do him justice, but it didn’t help that he was running so many short to intermediate basic routes. Being so nearby to Jacksonville, it made sense that the Jaguars  take a flyer on him.
I don’t have that many Jaguars in my collection, something I’ve been slow to rectify. This is partially due to the fact that they joined the NFL after I had stopped collecting in the 90s and that they are considered a division rival. Still in the last few years, I have flirted with the Jags. I really like what they’ve done offensively to open things up in the last 2-3 years, and I make no secret that I think that Blake Bortles is one of the best QBs to come along in the last few years.  I went ahead and took a shot at Hurns and he signed and personalized these two cards in a pretty short amount of time.

Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.