Tag Archives: baltimore ravens

AAFL, NFL

Milons, Freddie

Card: Bowman Certified 2002
Acquired: 3/27/12, Target Authentic Memorabilia Autograph Edition

So these Target Authentic Memorabilia Autograph Edition cards, well I buy them to feed the beast, since I love to collect autographs. With guys like Matt Ryan, Jim Brown, Michael Vick, and Chris Johnson on the cover, I know that the chances of me getting any of these players in a package are either astronomically non-existent, bordering on false advertising. Still I am happy to get an autograph and a few cards for just 13.00. I pretty much cleared out all the Targets in Central Texas at one point.

Freddie Milons had a stellar career at the University of Alabama. He set the school career receiving record with 152 career catches, and was a valued special teams player. His career 1859 yards ranks second all time on the school charts.

The Philadelphia Eagles took notice, and tabbed him in the 5th round of the 2002 draft. He looked good in the preseason, returning a kickoff 82 yards against the Steelers. Milons though suffered a series of setbacks, and injuries claimed his complete season. Philadelphia traded Freddie before the 2003 season to Pittsburgh, but he did not play a down that year. Freddie hopped over to Baltimore in 2004, and finished the season on the roster of the Bengals. He would be a member of the Bengals through 2005 before being released. After a 2 year hiatus, Freddie was signed by Team Alabama of the All-American Football league, which was to start play in 2008, but the league never got off the ground.

NFL

Patrick, Allen

bow05 apatrickCard: Bowman Sterling 2008
Acquired: 2013, Box Breaker

Allen Patrick joined the Sooners in 2005 and quietly was converted into a runningback by Oklahoma. In 2006 Allen found himself in the national spotlight after incumbent runningback Adrian Peterson went down with a season ending shoulder injury. Patrick made the best of his opportunity, running for 766 yards and 4 touchdowns on 170 carries that year. After Peterson departed, Patrick took over the starting job for the Sooners, where he put up a very respectable 1009 yards on 173 carries splitting time with DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown.  At 6’0″, 190 Allen was considered a bit small by many of the draft pundits, and the 2008 draft was stocked with many, many quality RBs. Singled out for his excellent Special Teams play and considered an interesting change of pace back, Patrick was taken in the 7th round by the Baltimore Ravens. He’d spend his rookie season on the Browns practice squad though, before heading on to be a camp back for the Giants (2009), Jaguars (2009-2010), Colts (2010), and Rams (2010).

NFL, University of Texas

Huff, Michael

ult10 huffCard: Ultimate 2006
Acquired: 2013, Target Autograph Memorabilia
See Also: Mike Huff

Michael Huff is another member of DBU (The University of Texas), to make it to the NFL. Among colleges, UT ranks #1 in defensive backs who have been drafted to or played on NFL rosters. A track and football star in High School, it was a no brainer that colleges coveted Huff’s speed and athleticism. He signed with the University of Texas and played there from 2002-2005. A key cog of the UT defense that stymied USC from winning its 3rd consecutive National Championship in 2005, Huff also won the Jim Thorpe Award after the season concluded. He finished his college career at UT with

The Raiders drafted Michael with the 7th overall pick of the 2006 NFL draft.  Since then Huff has experienced some extreme highs and lows during his NFL tenure. A carousel at head coach, constant changes in defensive staffs, and changing positions didn’t help Huff very much. He’d be named starter at strong safety his rookie year and respond with 78 tackles. Moved to free safety in 2007, Huff had a rough transition and was benched. He’d split time going forward through the end of 2009. Michael in 2010 earned his first AP nomination for his solid season, recording 94 tackles, 3 picks, 3 FF, and 4 sacks. In 2011, Huff was best remembered for his game ending interception of quarterback Matt Schaub in the endzone that preserved the Raiders victory over a furious Texans comeback. (The game is notable as it was the first game played by the Raiders after owner Al Davis’ death.)  Injuries beset the Raiders during the 2012 season. An already weak secondary prompted Huff’s move to cornerback by the team. He’d be cut after the season by the team primarily in a cost cutting move. Michael signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Ravens in 2013, replacing Ed Reed, but found himself by the end of the season on the roster of the Denver Broncos. He did not return to the franchise in 2014 and is a free agent.