Arena, CFL

Jackson, LaRoche

tntafl14 ljacksonCard: TNT AFL 2014
Acquired: 2014, Trade

A fearsome hitter and defensive back LJ  joined the Gladiators in 2013 and tallied 85 tackles and 5 interceptions in 14 games. He got a fair amount of playing time also at kick returner in 2014, and finished with 26 kick returns for 578 yards and a TD. LaRoche has had an interception for a touchdown in every season he’s been in the AFL including 2014, when he had 3 interceptions for 74 yards, 105.5 tackles, and 2 FF, helping key the Gladiators Arena Bowl run.

LaRoche went to little Clark Atlanta University, becoming a starter at DB in the second game of his freshman season.  He held on to that spot the rest of the year, finishing with four interceptions. Jackson went undrafted in 2006. He’d sign with the then Carolina Speed and was named Rookie of the Year of the AIFA in 2008. The next season he played for the Bloomington Edge of the IFL. After a brief stint with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL in 2010, LaRoche landed in the Arena Football League in 2011. He’d swim with the Sharks of Jacksonville, earning an Arena Bowl title in his first season. En route, Jackson led the Sharks with 119 tackles, recovered two fumbles, and recorded six interceptions. In 2012, he recorded 97 tackles, another four interceptions, and a forced fumble.

Great finished product and even better looking autograph, LJ really tagged this one up nice. Once I got the autographs back I thanked them through Twitter. True to the reason why I do this, I could tell that LaRoche enjoyed getting the cards as much as I did getting the autograph.

NFL

Gentry, Dennis

pset89 gentrysco89 gentry

Cards: Proset 1989, Score 1989, Fleer 1990, Gameday 1992
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o Home
Sent:  4/6   Received: 7/3   (88 days)

gday92 gentryA versatile player who started his career at runningback, Dennis Gentry with his 5-8, 180 frame is perhaps more well known as being a dependable receiver and explosive return man for the Chicago Bears. Gentry played with the Bears from 1982-1992, where he initially served as Walter Peyton’s understudy. Gentry in the meantime spent his time contributing on special teams as a return man and also moonlighting as a receiver. With the arrival of Neal Anderson, Gentry became a scat back for the Bears, coming in on 3rd down, and providing an additional option out of the backfield.

Between 1986 and 1989, Gentry ranked among the top 5 in kick returns in the NFC. In 1986 Gentry led the NFL with a 28.8 kick off return average, and was named AP in 1987. When Dennis retired in 1992, he was the franchise’s all-time leading return man, breaking the yardage and return mark previously held by Bears great Gale Sayers.

Gentry played his college years at Baylor and was distinguished as a return man, blocker, and runner. He rushed for 883 yards and caught eight passes for another 77 en route to all-Southwest Conference honors. Gentry amassed 2,213 yards- good enough to be Baylor’s  second-leading rusher in history.

flr90 gentryA Tecmo Bowl legend, Gentry appeared in both Tecmo Bowl and Tecmo Super Bowl. In both he is featured as a dominant return man and adept receiver.  In media, he is also remembered for being a part of the Bears Super Bowl Shuffle video.

Gentry over the years had some really good classic cards. The Fleer 1990 was among his best in action featuring a full body shot and him breaking a tackle. Not to be outdone, the Score, ProSet, and GameDay entries all were very solid. In fact, I had to drop a ProSet 1990 from the group to send because there were so many quality shots of Gentry. A reliable TTM signer, Gentry has a nice, loopy signature.  Since retirement, he’s spent time in coaching and lives in Texas.

G/Gs 159/30     Rush 137   Yds 764  Avg 5.6   Td 5   Lg 58
Rec 171   Yds 2076    Avg 12.1   Td 7   Lg 80t
KR 192   Yds 4353    Avg 22.7   Td 3   Lg 94t
PR  17    Yds 136   Avg  8.0    Td 0   Lg 47

NFL

Fredrick, Travis

leaf13 fredrickCard: Leaf Draft 2013
Acquired: BB, Leaf Draft 2013

One of the better offensive linemen of the 2013 draft, Travis Frederick was a skilled mauler both at center and at guard for Wisconsin. Opting to declare early for the NFL draft, Travis was rated as the #1 center in the 2013 Draft.  With a run on offensive linemen early in the draft, Frederick’s card moved up into the first round where the Dallas Cowboys carefully decided to select him with the second to the last pick of round 1. Roundly criticized initially for the pick, with more glaring needs on the board, the Cowboys actually made the safest and strongest pick they could by reinforcing the offensive line that was protecting quarterback Tony Romo.

Frederick has anchored the center position since his rookie year, unseating veteran Phil Costa. (It was a milestone as he was the first Cowboys rookie center to do so.) In 2014 Frederick was named to the ProBowl after leading an exceptional line that paved the way for runningback DeMarco Murray to challenge the single season NFL rushing record. Although the Cowboys fortunes sunk early on after a promising start in 2015, Fredrick garnered his  second consecutive 2nd Team All-Pro nomination.

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