Arena

Lindholm, Garrett

tntafl14 lindholmCard: TNT Arena 2014
Acquired: IP 2014, San Antonio Talons V New Orleans Voodoo

Before the game against the Voodoo I motioned Garrett over towards the visitor end zone and gave him his cards. He was pretty excited to have his own card and signed one for me.

Garrett Lindholm played for Tarleton State during college but went undrafted in 2010. An accurate kicker with an incredible leg, Garrett once hit a 64 yard field goal to send a game to OT.  He received nibbles from both the Falcons and Colts during preseason, but was cut and found his way to the Arena Football League with the Milwaukee Mustangs. Garrett had an impressive rookie year going 20/31 on field goals and 82/98 on extra points. He’d join the Rattlers in 2013, but the Rattlers didn’t need him to kick too many field goals, since they scored so many TDs, evidenced by 158/167 extra point attempts. He’d join the San Antonio Talons in 2014, kick 89/95 extra points and 10 of 16 field goals. With the Talons going on hiatus after the 2014 season- Lindholm joined the New Orleans Voodoo for 2015.  He’d kick 55/61 extra points and 6 of 11 field goals, before the Voodoo too would go on hiatus…

NFL

Smith, Rodney (WR)

leaf12 rsmithCard: Leaf Draft 2013
Acquired: 2013, Box Breaker

Rodney Smith was an intriguing prospect coming into the 2013 draft. On paper he has many of the athletic tangibles that many teams desire of their prospects at wide receiver, clocking in at 6’5″, with long arms (84″ wingspan) , and a decent 40 at 4.51.
Still the knock on Smith was his lack of production at the college level, and his inability to outmuscle competition at the line of scrimmage (225 lb), especially in press coverage. This comes as quite a mixed bag as he has also been hailed for his aggressive blocking, and his production numbers didn’t really gel until his junior and senior seasons. It is thought that he needs at least another season to develop and put on the bulk that he needs to compete at the pro level and may see a conversion to tight end in the future.

Smith seemed to have fallen into good hands, being reunited with his college quarterback Christian Ponder on the Vikings, after going undrafted in the 2013.  He’d hang onto the practice roster through October of 2014, and after being released,  quickly be signed by the Browns, only to be cut in August of 2015.

Rodney is currently a member of the  Dallas Cowboys practice squad.

NFL

Graham, Garrett

sco10 ggrahamCard: Score 2010
Acquired: In Person 12/15/2015, Whataburger Community Player of the Year

Garrett Graham is another member of the Wisconsin connection to the Houston Texans. Oddly 3 members of the Texans at one point played TE at Wisconsin for the Badgers- Graham, Owen Daniels, and DE JJ Watt within the last 10 seasons.

With Owen Daniels injuries creeping up on him, the Texans decided to draft Graham in the 4th round of the 2010 draft. As a Senior, Garrett had a career high 51 receptions for 624 yards and 7 TDs for the Badgers- leading the team in touchdown catches, and ranking second in both receiving yards and catches.

The Texans love their tight ends, and with Daniels and Joel Dreesen in the fold, Garrett had his work cut out for him to climb into the lineup. He didn’t see significant playing time until 2012, when he became the 2nd string TE behind Daniels, after Dreesen signed with the Broncos. Daniels during the regular season went down with an injury so Garrett got his chance to start. He finished 2012 with 28 receptions for 263 yards and 3 TDs.  Daniels signed with the Ravens in 2013 clearing the way for Graham as starter. Garrett responded with a solid outing in 2013,  posting career highs with 49 receptions for 545 yards and 5 touchdowns.

The Texans in the meantime fired longtime head coach Gary Kubiak, who ran a very heavy tight end oriented offense.  Multiple offense coach Bill O’Brien was brought in to run the show. Graham’s numbers slid to 18 receptions for 197 yards and a TD in 2014.  He made 4 catches in 8 games in 2015, but was passed on the depth chart by Ryan Griffin upon his return from injury.

Graham was the last player on the table at the Whataburger Community Player of the Year event. While his attitude appeared laconic, he quickly warmed up when I came to the table. I told him that he had some really, really ugly cards, and the ones of him in his scouting combine duds were among the worst. He and I caught a good laugh about it before I wrapped up my haul.

On March 3rd, 2016 the Houston Texans cut Garrett Graham.

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