NFL

Hilton, T.Y.

Card: Sage Hit Low Series 2012 Collectors Edition
Acquired: 2012, Target Box Breaker

T.Y. Hilton played at little known Florida International University,  -but scored big for the Golden Panthers, rolling up an impressive college resume. In his Freshman year in 2008, Hilton had 1,013 yards on 41 receptions, a gaudy 24.7 YPC, and 7 TDs. He improved in both his Sophomore and Junior seasons for FIU, recording 57 and 59 receptions respectively. 2011 proved to be T.Y.’s banner season, as he made career highs in receptions, (72) yards, (1,038) and touchdowns (7, tied with his Freshman year).  In FIU’s upset over Louisville, Hilton set the school record for single game receiving yards, singeing the Cardinals for 201 yards. Hilton’s college career concluded with: 229 receptions, 3,531 yards, 15.4 ypc, and 24 touchdowns.  A dangerous return man, Hilton finished with 883 yards and 4 touchdowns on kick returns and was the Sun Belt Player of the Year in 2010. Considered undersized at 5-10, 183, the thought is that he might be in the mold of Percy Harvin, or used primarily as a return man at the next level. At his pro day, Hilton raised some eyebrows with an unofficial 40 of 4.34, shooting his stock up most boards.  The Indianapolis Colts traded back into the 3rd round to select the young speedster with the 93rd pick of the 2012 draft.

NFL

Hosley, Jayron

Card: Sage Hit Low Series 2012 Collectors Edition
Acquired: 2012, Target Box Breaker

A much needed improvement for SaGe Hit, after their disastrous looking 2011 set. What’s most impressive is the offering that they give inside the blaster boxes in including 2 autographs per box. Along with Hosely, that day I also acquired fellow 3rd rounder TY Hilton as well.

Jayron Hosley is an impressive, young, defensive back with a big play nose for the football, that played collegiality at Virginia Tech from 2009 to 2011.  In addition to his duties as a corner, he also returned 18 punts for 228 yards. 2010 was a banner year for Jayron, as had an impressive season lodging 39 tackles and 9 interceptions.  His 9 picks led the nation and earned him All-American Honors and the Walter Camp Award after the season.  A concussion and hamstring injury limited his 2011 Junior performance to 3 picks and 33 tackles. Hosley finished his collegiate career with 109 tackles, 3.5 tackles for losses, 1 sack, and 12 interceptions. Just a bit undersized at 5-10, and 171, Jayron makes up for it with explosive speed off the line and physical play both in run and pass support. He is considered one of the top cornerback prospects in the 2012 draft, but a failed drug test, and sent his stock plummeting. The Giants though nabbed Hosely at the bottom of round three.

 

CFL, Heisman Trophy Winner, NFL, XFL

Salaam, Rashaan (1974-2016)

Cards: SkyBox Impact 1995, Topps XFL 2001
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Home.
Sent: 9/2/11  Received: 3/24/12  (204 days)

Well I had chocked it up to the mail gods that I would not be receiving this one back, but after a 200+ day wait, I received these two beauties back in the mail. Salaam had been signing at a breakneck pace, and I had been tracking him through Sportscollectors.net, so I shot these two cards out as soon as I had a chance back in September of last year. It appears that I was in the first round of signings that had to wait a while. Still I am really happy to add Salaam to my collection and he was kind enough to inscribe the cards with his Heisman year.

Rashaan Salaam first came to my attention when Texas joined the Big 12. An imposing runner, he had 2,055 yards in 1994- still one of the highest numbers in college history. He’d have his best game against the Longhorns, galloping for some 350+ yards against them, (-obviously a CU record), becoming the first Buff to win the Heisman, and grabbing Unanimous All-American honors. While I thought that the Buffs would continue to provide a rival to the Longhorns, unfortunately their 3rd place national ranking after the season was their best, for the rest of Colorado’s time in the Big 12.  Salaam declared for the NFL draft after his amazing 1994 season.

The Chicago Bears in 1995, now led by head coach Dave Wannastedt, tapped Salaam with the 7th pick overall in the 1995 draft. Salaam had a decent rookie season. In his rookie campaign, he amassed over 1000 yards rushing and had 10 touchdowns.  The runningback Sophomore jinx struck in 1996 as Salaam started only 6 games that season, plagued by injuries running for a shade under 500 yards. It also didn’t help that Rashaan didn’t protect the rock well, and after a short 1997, the writing was on the wall with the addition of Curtis Enis to the roster in 1998. Salaam was a free agent, and played briefly for the Browns and Packers in 1999.

Salaam was a rare breed as far as backs go. He could do it all, but the abuse he took running for Colorado clearly had taken its toll by the time he emerged onto the NFL scene. The double-edged sword to Salaam was that the more carries he got, the more dangerous he became. After sitting it out for a few years, the XFL called wanting to know if he was interested in reviving his career in 2001. Salaam took the opportunity by the horns, and was drafted by the Memphis Maniax. In his first game Rashaan ran for a league high 156 yards, but was injured with 4 games left in the season. He’d accumulate 528 yards on the ground (4th), 5 TDs rushing (3rd), 88 YPG (2nd), and  key the Maniax’s league leading rushing game.  The league disbanded after the season.

Salaam attempted a comeback to the NFL, with the Detroit Lions in 2002, but did not make the cut. He then spent a brief time with the Argonauts in the CFL, and retired after the season. Salaam also made an appearance in Tecmo Super Bowl Final Edition for Super Nintendo where he was a very good budget runningback for the Bears.

NFL  G/Gs 33/21 Rush 471   Yds 1684   Avg  3.6     Td  14    Lg 42
Rec 16   Yds  120   Avg 7.5   Td  1   Lg 18

XFL  G/Gs 6/6   Rush  114    Yds 528      Avg   4.6     Td   5     Lg  39t
Rec   6   Yds  41    Avg  6.8     Td 0     Lg  8

UPDATE 12/6/2016: Rashaan passed away today at the age of 42. His body was found at a park less than two miles away from the stadium where he starred at the University of Colorado.  It is believed at this time that he passed away of natural causes.

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