NFL

Lofton, James (2)

to03 hof lofton udldg97 lofton ap92 lofton pset90 loftonud97 mm lofton

Cards: Action Packed 1991, ProSet Update 1990, Topps HoF 2003, Upper Deck Legends 1997, Upper Deck Legends 1997 Marquee Matchups
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home*
Sent: 12/5   Received: 12/12   (7 days)
*Donation Enclosed of $30.00
See Also: James Lofton

James Lofton has a great reputation as a fabulous TTM signer. His normal cost is $10.00 per flat, but like many players, he will sign for as little as $5.00 a card. After I had gotten James many years ago in person at Dallas Cowboys’ training camp, I had piled up a significant number of really nice cards of the Hall of Fame player. The big incentive was this really nice Upper Deck Marquee Matchups card that I had previously gotten signed by Drew Pearson in person.
Spurred on by the number of responses I was seeing, I decided to go ahead and shoot a few cards out with a donation. It didn’t take but a week for the Hall of Famer to respond signing all 4 of my cards, throwing in the additional Hall of Fame card. Lofton’s autograph is slightly different from his 1992 signature. It is missing the star in the loop of the ‘J’ and the number 80 inside the ‘L’. He was also kind enough to inscribe each card with his Hall of Fame year. Still it looks legitimate enough that I believe it is from him and not a ghost signer.

NFL

Swearinger, DJ “DJ Swagg”

CR13 Swearinger to13 swearinger

Cards: Crown Royale 2013, Topps 2013, Upper Deck Star Rookies 2013
Acquired: IP 7/17/2014, Academy Texans Stampede Tour

djswaggThe Texans opted not to send players to any Texans Draft Parties outside of Houston. Apparently they decided to draw their wagons this year after their pitiful 2013 performance and keep their guys at home. I wasn’t happy about this at all, as Academy was running promotions with the Titans in Tennessee as part of their draft day program. I know my rancor towards Academy on Twitter- especially being a Texas company touting the traitorous Titans, didn’t make it happen, but I’d love to say somebody paid attention or listened. In mid July the Texans made it down to Austin for their Stampede Tour. I was happy to see DJ Swearinger and Eric Brown were on the list. I quickly made an order to my card shop, as I was surprised not to have any Swagg cards in my collection, and biting my nails off through the wait, 4 of them showed up for me just in time for the event.

Even though the weather was nasty, it worked to my advantage, as the players were late getting to a previous commitment. They were still on the radio at the other event, when I showed up at Academy only 30 minutes early. Being that Austin traffic was unforgiving I knew I was in for a long wait. Academy was smart about it. They issued numbers to everybody who came through the door so that we didn’t argue over spots in line. That was perfect. I ended up with #36. The players showed up over an hour late. That was fine, as it allowed me to get as many cards as I needed signed. I really caught Swearinger’s attention with the Crown Royale card he really pined over. When I got up to DJ again the second time, I asked him if he wanted any of the cards I had. He wanted the SP Gamecocks card, so I made a deal that if he’d sign the other two, it was his. He had no problem with that and the handlers did not make a fuss.

ud13st swearingerThe Texans had a rough 2013. With the departure of safety Glover Quin to Detroit, it left a gaping hole in the secondary. To address the issue, the team ran out and desperately signed still injured Super Bowl champion Ed  Reed to a contract, and then drafted DJ Swearinger in the second round of the 2013 draft to learn from the well versed Reed. Ed however rarely saw the field for the team and was cut midway through the season. In the meantime, DJ Swagg got a trial by fire in the secondary. He’d start 10 games for the Texans, recording 54 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 4 pass defensed, and his first career interception against the Arizona Cardinals (Carson Palmer).

DJ is an active personality on Twitter, who really loves to make the highlight play. A viscious hitter, he’s always the subject of fines and conversation between referees when he lays down a lick, even drawing the ire of Peyton Manning during a preseason game who earned an unsportsmanlike penalty for taunting Swearinger. Swearinger also has a knack for the strip, forcing 2 fumbles within the 10 yard line during the 2014 season. A college teammate of #1 pick JaDeveon Clowney, Swearinger went to bat for him and is very excited about having him on the Houston Texans.

 

NFL

Polk, Chris

sage12 polkCard: HIT 2013
Acquired: 2014, Box Breaker

Chris was a 3 year starter for the Washington Huskies, and rushed for over 1,400 yards in both 2010 and 2011. With well over 4,000 total career yards, he finished second all time in Huskies history. Considered one of the top prospects of 2012, Chris had good size (5’11” and 222), and toughness between the tackles and displays supurb instincts and vision. He was thought to be a decent second round pick. Polk’s position however, tumbled out of the draft completely when concern about a nagging degenerative shoulder condition arose. He did become the most sought after free agent after the draft concluded,  and signed with the Philadelphia Eagles.

He’s been stuck at the back of the runningback rotation, but has shown promise in limited playing time and in special teams situations. In 2013, Chris rushed for 98 yards on 11 carries, and 3 touchdowns, and caught 4 passes for 61 yards and a TD as well.

A great card wasted by a lack of critical endorsements- I’d have thought that Polk had played for Ohio State the way this card looks, since he’s in his Senior Bowl duds. Thankfully the Seattle skyline is displayed in the background, but the name displayed on the front feels like a major faux pas.

 

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