Tag Archives: buffalo bills

College Football HoF, NFL

Spiller, CJ

Panini Rookies & Stars 2013, #12

CARDS: Panini Prestige 2015, Score 2010, Panini Rookies & Stars 2013
ACQUIRED: TTM 2020, C/o Work
SENT: 10/17 RECEIVED: 10/26 (9 days)

Panini Prestige 2015, #145
Score 2010, #315

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • CJ Spiller played RB for Clemson from 2006-09.
  • Ran for 1,212 yards and 12 TDs his Senior season, accumulating 3,547 total yards on the ground over his 4 years with the Tigers.
  • Also displayed explosive skills as a kick returner and punt returner accumulating 8 TDs.
  • Was selected 9th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills.
  • Spiller quickly ascended the depth chart, surpassing both Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch in the lineup.
  • Rookie season was considered a disappointment, but still managed to produce his share of highlights with a 95 yard KR TD.
  • It’d be in 2012, CJ really came into his own, running for a career high 1244 yards and 6 TDs on 207 carries.
  • He’d also catch 43 passes for 459 yards and 2 TDs including a 66 yarder.
  • CJ followed up 2012 with a solid ’13 outing, posting 933 yards on 202 carries.
  • Unfortunately injuries derailed the remainder of his career, as over the next 4 years, he’d be limited to just 7 starts in 29 contests.
  • After his time in Buffalo concluded, CJ hopped over to New Orleans.
  • He’d catch an 80 yard TD that season- Marking QB Drew Brees 400th passing TD.
  • Released in 2016, Spiller saw some playing time with the Seahawks and Jets that season.
  • In his final season with the Chiefs, Spiller was an emergency back for the team, and was literally on and off the roster multiple times throughout 2017.
  • After a few years off, Spiller went into coaching.
  • As of 2022 he’s a RB coach at his Alma Mater, Clemson.

ACCOLADES:

  • College Football Hall of Fame
  • Pro Bowl 2012
  • Jersey Retired #28 (Clemson)

NOTES:

While CJ’s career in the pros was limited, he had moments of absolute breathtaking electricity. The pass he caught from Drew Brees (for Brees 400th TD), sparked some laughs, embarrassment, and controversy. It came in OT against the Dallas Cowboys and was the first play from scrimmage, as OT rules end games if a team scores on the first possession.

Two late card set additions that I like here from Panini in both the 2015 Prestige set and the Rookies & Stars set (2013). I really like how the Prestige set is very minimal, although I’m not a huge fan of the transitioned edges. The focus is on the player and the name. That’s it. Pretty classy.

The Rookies & Stars set from 2013 was something I got into late. I loved the 2009 and 2010 set, but I absolutely hated the 2011 and ’12 sets. That caused me to take my time checking out this set. One of my big complaints about cards is that it doesn’t feel as though they are proud of their designs. They just don’t showcase them on the sides of the box. Spiller’s card is top notch in this set and I like the design and look as it’s pretty unique.

RUSHYDSAVGTDLG
71234514.81277
RECYDSAVGTDLG
19814547.5980t
KRYDSAVGTDLG
7417547.52102t
PRYDSAVGTDLG
2530212.1045
AAF, NFL

Simms, Matt

Topps AAF 2019 Certified, AU-MS

CARD: Topps AAF 2019 Certified
ACQUIRED: 2019, Box Breaker
FAILURE: TTM 2019, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • After a year at Louisville, and then Torrance JC, Matt Simms transferred to Tennessee for 2010.
  • He threw for 1460 yards and 8 TDs while completing 113 of 195 pass attempts.
  • After going unselected during the 2012 NFL Draft, he’d sign a free agent contract with the New York Jets, and spent the season on and off the practice squad roster and futures list.
  • Simms saw a promising preseason in 2013, and then later threw his first professional football TD late in the season.
  • After seeing limited playing time again in the 2014 season, the team drafted two quarterbacks during the 2015 NFL Draft.
  • Simms would be claimed off of waivers in 2015 by the Buffalo Bills.
  • He’d join the Falcons practice squad after that and be on and off the team’s practice squad through 2017- when he was released with an injury settlement.
  • Matt was selected during the second round of the ‘Protect or Pick’ AAF QB draft by the Atlanta Legends.
  • The Legends went back and forth all season between Matt and former Georgia star Aaron Murray.
  • Threw for 842 yards and 2 TDs (8 INT) on 79 of 132 passes for Atlanta.
  • After the AAF collapsed in 2019, Matt resigned with the Falcons, but was placed on IR soon thereafter, ending his season and his career.

NOTES:

Great autograph and card. Love the ‘Caesar-esque’ pose. Matt comes from a solid line of QB bloodlines, with his father Phil and brother Chris, both playing in the NFL at the position as well. I took a shot on Matt on his Topps AAF base card at his parent’s house back in 2019, thinking he’d open it over Christmas- but going on 3 years now, no dice.

NFL

Awalt, Robert ‘Rob’ (2)

Pro Set 1989, #328
Fleer 1990 Update, #U-37
Fleer 1990, #330

CARDS: Fleer Update 1990, Pro Set 1989, Fleer 1990
ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Work
SENT: 5/16 RECEIVED: 12/5 (203 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

Briefly here Robert was the longest wait for 2022, but was quickly superseded within two weeks. He’s a great signer- but makes fans wait upwards of a year to get things back TTM. I got him once at training camp. After that I always wanted to add him on at least his 89 Pro Set.

I mean- technically, Robert is German since he was born in Landstuhl, West Germany, however by the time he was in high school he was living in California.