Tag Archives: Arizona Cardinals

Arena, NFL, NFLE, Super Bowl MVP

Warner, Kurt

Proset 1990 Super Bowl MVP HACK, #34

CARD: Pro Set 1990 Super Bowl Insert HACK
ACQUIRED: 2023, Consignment

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Kurt Warner is the true rags to riches story of football history.
  • Played college ball at tiny University of Northern Iowa.
  • Didn’t see any significant playing time until senior season in ’93, posting for 2,982 yards and 17 TDs.
  • Undrafted in ’94, was a camp arm for the Green Bay Packers.
  • Out of football as a grocery stocker, decided to join the Arena Football League, playing for the Iowa Barnstormers in ’95.
  • After setting numerous records for the Barnstormers, signed with the St. Louis Rams in 1997 and allocated to the Amsterdam Admirals of the NFLE for play in ’98.
  • After leading the NFLE in passing, Warner returned stateside and spent the NFL season riding the bench.
  • It’d be in ’99 that fate happened Kurt’s way.
  • With backup QB Steve Bono departing in free agency and starting QB Trent Green injured, Kurt Warner found himself atop the team depth chart.
  • He’d finish 325 of 499 for 4353 yards and 41 TDs leading the Rams to a Super Bowl win against the Tennesee Titans.
  • In 2000, Warner led the Rams back to the playoffs, but the Greatest Show on Turf lost to the Saints.
  • 2001 saw Warner lead the NFL in multiple passing categories and the Rams to a 14-2 record, but the team lost the Super Bowl to the New England Patriots.
  • Warner went into a slump in 2002, that continued into 2003.
  • In 2004, Kurt was cut by the Rams and then joined the New York Giants.
  • It was a tough year for Warner, as lingering issues and injuries, taking their toll, along with numerous sacks.
  • He then packed his bags to play for the Arizona Cardinals for the 2006 season.
  • By this time fans thought of Warner as being washed up, but he saved the best for last.
  • The age was showing on Warner, and he’d have to constantly look over his shoulder as first round pick Matt Leinart was expected to pick up the reins soon.
  • After a great start, Leinart replaced Warner at QB in week 4 for most of the remainder of the ’06 season.
  • With Leinart the starter, Warner replaced him off the bench in week 4 after an injury ended Matt’s season.
  • Warner threw for a career high 484 yards in a loss to the ‘9ers that year.
  • This culminated in him again winning the starting QB job for the Cardinals in ’08.
  • Kurt would lead the Cardinals to an improbable Super Bowl appearance- their first in the modern Super Bowl era.
  • Finished the season with 4,583 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and completed 67.1% of his passes.
  • Lost Super Bowl XLIII to the Pittsburgh Steelers last minute heroics 27-23.
  • Threw for 377 yards in the loss, and compiled a 112.3 QB rating in the game.
  • In 2009 became the first QB to throw for 14,000+ yards for two separate teams, and the second to throw 100+ TDs for two different teams.
  • Cardinals lost in the divisional round to the New Orleans Saints that year, as Warner sustained an injury.
  • He’d retire after the post season concluded.
  • Kurt has spent a lot of time catching up with his kids since retirement while going into coaching.
  • He’s also been a commentator for Spring Leagues, notably the Arena Football League and the AAF.

ACCOLADES:

  • NFL MVP 1999, 2001
  • Super Bowl XXXIX MVP
  • All-Arena 1996-97
  • Iowa Barnstomers Hall of Fame
  • Iowa Barnstormers #13 retired
  • Bert Bell Award 1999
  • Arizona Cardinals Ring of Honor
  • Walter Payton Man of the Year 2008
  • Bart Starr Award 2010

NOTES:

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d secure Kurt Warner at such a friendly price point, but after biting my nails, the consignment came through- and it looks glorious. While Kurt does sign through the mail, he only signs a testament card- which is nice, but leaves collectors in the dust on their own set needs.

I was eager to get him, not only on this beautiful card I created of him, but also because he’s the greatest testament to what Spring Football such as the Arena League and the NFLE can do for a player. In Kurt’s case, he needed to get more experience, confidence, and faith to face what he’d encounter in the NFL. Eventually it ‘all slowed down for him’ and he surpassed all expectations, making 3 Super Bowl appearances.

A devout Christian, some pundits slammed him for thanking Jesus Christ for helping him win his Super Bowl MVP, but myself, personally I found it refreshing that he’d do such a thing. Now it seems commonplace for players to wear their faith on their shoulder after winning a big game.

On occasion when I was attending AAF contests of the Commanders, Kurt gave commentary from a mobile studio on the sidelines very close by. I didn’t have anything then but it was still nice to see him show his skills and support Spring Football as well.

ATTCPDYDSPCTTDINTRATLG
13208181046562.018343N/a46
ARENA
ATTCPDYDSPCTTDINTRATLG
326165210150.615678.847t
NFLE
ATTCPDYDSPCTTDINTRATLG
407026663234465.520812893.785t
NFL
NFL, XFL

Porter, Joey (2)

Adrenalyn XL 2010, #8 SPECIAL

CARDS: Adrenalyn 2010, Upper Deck 2006
ACQUIRED: IP 2023, Wounded Warrior Project Event

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • See Also Joey Porter
  • Worked with the Steelers through 2018 as their LB coach.
  • Popped up again on the radar of the XFL in 2023 as Hines Ward’s LB coach for a season.
Upper Deck 2006, #10SJP

NOTES:

When I heard that Joey Porter was Hines Ward LB coach- I was excited to see if I could add him in person. The Brahmas were very… stubborn about in person events, even though they promised meet and greets. Later in the season, the team had one in Boerne for the Wounded Warrior Project. When the whole team was announced to be attending I selected out a few cards, hoping I could get him. I was really happy to get him on these two, as he had a pretty decent line. Age seems to be catching up to him, as he has a noticeable hobble from all his injuries playing the game.

Of note, was a chance I missed. I correctly IDed his son, Joey Porter Jr who happened to be there with him. He was surprised and amused that I picked him out of the crowd, but grimaced when I suggested he’d be a great fit for the Texans.

AAF, NFL, The Spring League, usfl, XFL

Wright, Scooby ‘Shark-Dog’

Topps AAF 2019 Certified, #AU-SW
Topps AAF 2019, #28
Topps XFL 2020, #11

CARDS: Topps AAF 2019, Topps XFL 2020, Topps AAF Certified 2019
ACQUIRED: 2019, Box Breaker. 2020, Future Considerations. TTM 2023, C/o Home
SENT: 8/15 RECEIVED: 11/4 (81 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Scooby played LB for Arizona and saw playing time right out of the gate as a true Freshman in 2013.
  • In 3 years (27 games), he had 236 total tackles, 38 TFL, 14 sacks, and 6 FF.
  • Drafted by the Browns late in the 7th round (2016), Scooby has seen much of his NFL career on and off the practice squad.
  • Joined the Cardinals late in 2016, and was on and off the regular season squad and practice squad through 2018.
  • In 2018, Wright was a territorial allocation of the Arizona Hotshots of the AAF and played with the team during its abbreviated season in 2019 (8 tackles).
  • Spent 2019 on the practice squad of the New England Patriots.
  • 2020, saw Scoob take his game to the XFL where he played for the DC Defenders, notching 17 tackles, before the league ended operations due to COVID.
  • After playing for the Alphas of the Spring League that year, Scoob reappeared on the radar of Spring Football in 2022 with the Birmingham Stallions.
  • It was with the Stallions, Scoob etched his name into Spring Football lore.
  • He had 52 TT, 3 sacks, and 2 FF for Birmingham in ’22.
  • During the Championship game that year, Shark-Dog had a spectacular pick 6 for the go ahead score.
  • Spent 2023 on IR.

ACCOLADES:

  • USFL 2022 Defensive Player of the Week – Week 4

NOTES:

I am very glad to finally close the book on Scooby. After the Hotshots beat the Commanders in that final game, I tried to get him but he was quick to go to the locker room but I had no luck. In 2020, when he joined the Defenders, my friend Seth, offered to get his autograph at the Defenders team event. He came through in spades and I was able to get him in this beautiful gold pen.

Later Mark (Mark’s Signing Bonus), helped me out with Shark-Dog’s address. I finally got around to sending this XFL 2020 card to him, after I found out that there was going to be no USFL card of him. He was nice enough to sign both XFL 2020 cards I sent, as one was for my friend Seth.

I sorta blew it though because I had a Leaf Draft card I could’ve sent among others, but I guess I’ll just have to get him after the USFL and XFL merge.

During his time in the USFL Scooby has earned the nickname ‘Shark-dog’ based on his unique defensive celebration. As he put it to the sideline reporter: “I had to go Shark-Dog on them. Half Shark, half Dog.”