Torrey Smith converted from QB to WR his Freshman year at Maryland in 2007.
The raw talent speed merchant stepped into the starting lineup for 6 games in 2008 seeing significant time on special teams returning kicks.
Posted a 25.9 Average, returning 42 kicks and 1 99 yards for a TD.
In 2009, he pulled double duty, catching 61 passes for 824 yards and 5 TDs, while leading the NCAA with 51 returns for 1309 yards (2 TDs).
Then in 2010, Smith caught 67 passes for 1055 yards and 12 TDs.
2nd round pick of the Ravens in 2011.
Immediately built rapport with QB Joe Flacco as a deep vertical threat.
Caught 50 passes for 841 yards and 7 TDs his rookie campaign.
In 2013 had a career high 65 catches for 1,128 yards and 4 TDs.
His 2014 campaign would yield a career high 11 TD catches on 49 receptions.
Played 2015 and ’16 with the San Fransisco 49ers.
Posted a league high 20.1 yards per reception in 2015 on 33 receptions.
Joined the Eagles for 2017 winning his second Super Bowl catching 36 passes for 430 yards and 2 TDs.
Final season in 2018 was with the Panthers in primarily a backup capacity, but still managed to catch 17 passes for 190 yards and 2 TDs.
Hugely involved in philanthropic work- an area Torrey has been recognized in for his contributions.
Torrey has expanded his interests into working both in radio and podcasts as a co-host of “The Opening Drive” and “Trending Thoughts with Torrey Smith”.
ACCOLADES:
Library of Virginia – Strong Men & Women of Virginia History
Colonial Beach Park- Named in his honor
NOTES:
A beautiful, beautiful tricolor patch card from Torrey’s Jersey here that I was able to negotiate off the seller at a more than fair price. If you think that the card market is fine, then I’m more than happy to poach mid range memorable Hall of very good, tricolor patches, and select autographs off of you.
CARD: Pro Set 1993 ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home SENT: 4/11/22 RECEIVED: 7/5/22 (85 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Ben Coates played TE at Livingstone College from 1987-’90.
He had 103 receptions for 1,268 yards and 18 touchdowns over his college career.
5th round pick of the New England Patriots in 1991.
Career took off in 1993 with the arrival of rookie Drew Bledsoe.
Caught 53 passes for 659 yards and 8 TDs that season.
In 1994 had a career high 96 receptions for 1174 yards and 7 TDs.
And in 1995 had another 84 catches for 915 yards and 6 TDs.
Had a career high 9 TD receptions on 62 receptions in 1996.
Coates then had two back to back 65+ catch seasons in ’97 and ’98.
After a subpar 1999- Ben played one final season in Baltimore.
Returned to his alma mater as a coach for Livingstone College from 2000-’04.
From there he hopped over to the NFLE working with the Frankfurt Galaxy’s TEs that year.
Worked with Browns TEs from ’05-’07.
Assistant head coach and OC for Central State from 2009-’12.
And then Saint Augustine’s from 2013-’14.
ACCOLADES:
All Pro 1994, ’95, ’98
NFL All-Decade Team 1990’s
Pro Bowl 1994-’98
Black College Football Hall of Fame
Patriots Hall of Fame
Patriots 50th Anniversary Team
Patriots All-90’s team
NOTES:
Ugh! Ben was so gracious to me. I accidentally sent him I think a card of Daniel Graham too! He was kind enough to sign this one and put a note on the other letting me know that it wasn’t him. Not my finest moment.
Coates gets little traction outside of the AFC East and the Patriots for Hall of Fame consideration. He’s got a lot of great skills to do it all and was considered the freak of his day at the position. Greatly overshadowed by Shannon Sharpe out of Denver, Coates could block and catch with ease.
He really should be in the HoF. At the time of his retirement Ben was ranked 4th in receptions among tight ends trailing only Ozzie Newsome, Shannon Sharpe, and Kellen Winslow.
Kyle Boller played QB for California from 1999-2002.
In his Senior campaign Kyle completed 225 of 421 passes for 2815 yards and 28 TDs.
Over his college career he completed 622 of 1301 passes for 7980 yards and 64 TDs to 48 interceptions.
Kyle was the second quarterback off the board in 2003 and was quickly named starter for the Ravens that season.
He completed 116 of 224 passes for 1260 yards with 7 TDs to 9 picks in an injury plagued rookie campaign.
Boller’s best season came the following year in 2004, when he passed for 2559 yards and 13 TDs (11 interceptions) on 258 of 464 throws.
He’d also start 16 games for the only time in his career, and finish with a career high 9-7 record.
Boller’s career from there was a frustrating one, battling quarterbacks and injury along the way.
After sitting out the entire 2008 season with an injury, Kyle played with the Rams in 2009.
He’d move on to Oakland in 2010, finishing out his career the following year.
NOTES:
I don’t often get members of the Baltimore Ravens through he mail, so I was pretty happy to get Kyle’s autograph on a couple of cards.
Kyle carried a huge burden being thrown out there into the fire by the Ravens. I wonder how his career would’ve planned out if he rode the bench for a season, and hadn’t had so much pressure hoisted on him.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
