Tag Archives: buffalo bills

NFL

Ritcher, Jim

Card: Fleer Ultra 1993
Acquired: Canton Acquisition, 2012

A so well-regarded center coming out of college in 1980, the Buffalo Bills drafted Jim Ritcher in the first round out of NC State. It almost didn’t come to pass, but coach Lou Holtz at the time had the ‘veer’ offense, which required an extremely mobile center. Ritcher was signed by the college to play defense, and had to make the adjustment (- never having played even on the offensive line during high school,) but by the end of his senior season in 1979, he’d win the Outland Trophy for being college’s best lineman.

The Bills liked him at guard so he moved there and Jim became a fixture for the team blocking up front for great backs like Joe Cribbs and Thurman Thomas. It took a while for the Bills to get to a point where they’d contend again, and after some some really lean years Ritcher was the last Bill standing from the original 1980 team when the team reached its first of 4 Superbowl appearances in 1990. By this time the offensive line consisted of Wolford, Hull, Davis, and Ballard- an impressive group. In 1991 and 1992 he’d be honored with Pro Bowl nominations and played for the franchise through 1993.  Ritcher moved to Atlanta and finished his career there after the 1995 season.

NFL

Brooks, Bill (2)

pset89 bbrookssco89 bbrookssky92 bbrookssco90 bbrooks

Cards: Score 1990, Score 1989, ProSet 1989, SkyBox 1992
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent:  3/11    Received: 3/22  (11 days)
See also: Bill Brooks

Some really nice cards of Bill Brooks here I just had to get signed. His ProSet 1989/ Score 1989, (virtually the same photo) are seminal classics.  A true testament to the addage that commitment and dedication will pay off, Brooks did not make waves when he arrived at Boston College, but as time wore on he became an impressive future NFL prospect. He finished his collegiate career as the Golden Eagles all time leading receiver with 228 receptions, for 3,579 yards and 32 touchdowns.  Dependable and always giving 100% each game, Brooks has gone on to become undeniably is one of the most popular players in Indianapolis Colts history, with a career on par with fellow 1986 draftee Ernest Givins.  Although his career has taken him to both AFC East rival Buffalo and then later to Washington where he finished his career, Brooks always remained close and kept his home in Indianapolis.

Bill Brooks name is often forgotten outside of Inianapolis. With greats such as Raymond Berry coming before him, and Marvin Harrison, and Reggie Wayne afterwards, -it’s easy to see why the understated Brooks, who played during some of the most arduous years in team history is often forgotten.

 

Arena, NFL, ufl

Windsor, Rod

tntufl10 windsorCards: TNT AFL 2011, TNT UFL 2011

Acquired: IP 6/15/2014, San Antonio Talons Vs Arizona Rattlers

Failure: TTM 2011, C/o The Sacramento Mountain Lions, TTM 2013, C/o The Arizona Rattlers

Rod Windsor played only one year at wide receiver in college at Western New Mexico, but he made it count earning All-Conference Honors with 1,118 yards on 81 catches to go along with 6 TDs.

Going undrafted, Rod joined the Rio Grande Valley Dorados of the AF2 in 2009 where he made an immediate impact. He’d rack up 184 receptions for 2,364 yards and 59 touchdowns, and his efforts translated into Rookie of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year Honors.

tntafl11 windsorIn 2010 Windsor became a member of the Arizona Rattlers of the AFL. Again he’d have a banner season with 193 receptions for 2,372 yards and 47 TDs, earning Rookie of the Year Honors there as well.  Eager to springboard to the NFL, Windsor joined the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the UFL after the season. He’d have a respectable season with the MoLos with 25 receptions for 379 yards, a 15.2 YPR average, and 3 TDs.

Rod then bounced around in between the Browns and Bills practice rosters, but with the lockout on, and Windsor not being a high priced player, he jumped to the AFL in 2011 to play for the Rattlers. He’d earn First Team All-Arena Honors, as he caught 156 passes for 1,830 yards and 36 TDs. Afterwards, with the strike over, he returned to the Browns, where he was reassigned to their practice squad.

windsor'sgloveRod opted to return to the AFL in 2013 with the Rattlers, earning Second Team All-Arena after totalling 110 receptions for 1,590 yards and 42 TDs. He’d cap his season off with MVP and Offensive Player of the Game Honors for ArenaBowl XXVI, as he pulled in 10 receptions for 145 yards in Arizona’s victory over Philadelphia.

Well, where there is a will there is a way. The Talons game against the Rattlers provided me with the opportunity to get autographs merely by leaning over the rail at my choice seating spot (near the visitors bench in the end zone) and merely getting the player’s attention that I wanted. I then had players daisy chain to the next player that I needed until I got all three members of the Rattlers knocked out who were members of my TNT AFL 11 promo set. I did not have any more extras cards of Rod to give him as I did the others.

Unfortunately I had blown those over the past 2 years on failed attempts through the teams he had played for previously. Still he’s one of the bigger AFL names that I had been wanting, and after explaining to him what happened, he almost looked like he flashed a wry grin of “I got them and thought they were so awesome I kept them all,” so I didn’t feel too badly. He absolutely torched the Talons during the game, adding another 96 yards and 3 TDs on 7 receptions including a diving catch into the back of the endzone I was in. After the game I caught his eye and congratulated him on his great effort and in return he gave me one of his gloves. A nice momento, and a classy move by another Arena player in a league that continues to prove it cares about its fans. Despite the fact that the Rattlers are considered the Talons division rival, they have quickly established themselves as my second favorite team thanks in part to guys like Rod.