Tag Archives: cincinatti bengals

AAF, NFL

Hackenberg, Christian

Cards: Topps AAF Certified 2019, Topps AAF 2019, Panini Contenders 2015, Panini Contenders 2015 School Colors
Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o Home. EBay, 2019
Sent: 4/26/19 Received: 5/23/19 (27 days)

I really had high hopes for Christian Hackenberg that he’d resurrect his career with the AAF in 2019. He’s been through a lot as a professional and has really put his best foot forward. He even worked with renowned quarterback coaches trying to fix a hole in his throwing motion.

In college at Penn State, he was tutored by future head coach Bill O’Brien. Hackenberg put together some solid numbers playing for the Nittany Lions throwing for 8,457 yards and 48 TDs to 31 interceptions over 3 years. After his junior season in 2015, he’d declare for the 2016 NFL draft, and while rumors swirled that he’d be selected possibly by his former coach Bill O’Brien and the Texans, the Jets ultimately chose him with the 51st pick of the second round where they planned to groom him as the franchise’s quarterback of the future. He rode the bench for the season, and then battled it out in camp during the 2017 season against Bryce Petty and Josh McCown. He had a decent preseason, but again saw no playing time.

Hackenberg then in 2018 was traded to the Raiders, but the trade was cancelled the next day, so he was released outright. A few months later he signed with the Eagles for the preseason, where he saw limited playing time. He’d be released before the regular season, and join the Bengals practice squad for a few months.

He’d opt to join the upstart Alliance of American Football in November of 2018, and was selected by the Memphis Express in the second round of the League’s quarterback Pick or Protect Draft. Hackenberg beat out first round pick Troy Cook, Brandon Silvers, and Zack Mettenberger in camp to nab the starting gig.

Hack then ran into a buzzsaw against the defensive minded Birmingham Iron his first week throwing for 87 yards and an interception on 10 of 23 passing. Memphis was shut out 26-0. Although the Express’ fares improved very slowly over the next two games, Christian wasn’t able to put the rock in the endzone through the air. He’d be benched in favor of Zack Mettenberger, then later passed up for Brandon Silvers, and ultimately in the end by Johnny Manziel. On the season, Hack finished 32 of 62 for 277 yards and 3 interceptions, while rushing for 47 yards on 9 carries- scoring one TD.

Christian was high on my list to get an autograph from, as he had a great selection of cards to choose from. He had these great AAF cards, and also some Panini cards I was itching to get signed at the next game, but before I could do so, the league folded.

My friend Mark, from Markssigningbonus.com came through for me on this collaboration passing this address forward to me so that I could give Hack another shot. He signed all 3 of my cards with his nice, loopy signature. I find it interesting that he abbreviates his first name to just ‘C.’. Also the C has a strong upper loop in it, and leans heavily to the right.

As the market collapsed on the AAF certified’s later in 2019, I was able to pick up his autograph. It’s a nice looking card of him and I hope he continues his football journey in whatever manner it may continue.

NFL, NFLE, University of Texas

Gunn, Lance

Cards: Classic 1993, ProSet 1993, Playoff 1994
Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o Home
Sent: 10/25 Received: 11/5 (11 days)

Lance played college ball for the Texas Longhorns from 1989-1992 at safety. A hard hitting rangy product and solid special teams contributor, he had 298 total tackles, 6 sacks, and 10 interceptions (1 TD) over his 4 years in Austin.

He’d be selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 7th round of the 1993 draft. Lance ended up starting 8 games for Cinci at strong safety recording 25 solo stops and 3 assists, along with one fumble recovery- before a knee injury ultimately cut short his season and his NFL career.

Lance reappeared on the football scene in 1997 playing one year for the Frankfurt Galaxy of the NFLE. He decided to hang up his cleats in 1998 after he donated a kidney to his father.

As a footnote, Lance decided to give football one more shot in 1999 with the Texas Terminators of the IPFL. He made it through training camp and was going to be their starting safety, but right before the first game of the season, Frito Lay made him an offer to come on board that he could not refuse. As of 2019, Lance lives in the Austin area.

I was pretty much ducking out of trading cards by this point. The price to value ratio, combined with the design was just not that great. I do remember being at Cowboys Training Camp at St. Edwards that Summer in 1993, and picking up a few packs of Classic 1993 at Mr. K’s Sports Cards. I was happy to pull the Classic 93 card of Lance while walking back to camp- and then now getting it signed a bit over 26 years later.

NFLTACSACFUMINT YDSAVGTDLG
8/8280100-.-0-.-
NFL

Woodside, Logan

Card: Panini Contenders 2018
Acquired: 2018, Box Breaker

Logan Woodside played quarterback at Toledo, a college team known for its offensive firepower.  After redshirting in 2015, Woodside showed up on the National stage in 2016 posting some impressive numbers, throwing for 4129 yards (69.1% completions) and 45 touchdowns to only 9 interceptions. He’d close out his Senior campaign with an otherwise solid year in 2017, throwing for 3882 yards and 28 TDs. Maybe if these numbers had been reversed for his Junior and Senior years, there would have been at least a little buzz surrounding Logan. Near the end of the 2017 NFL Draft though, he’d be selected by the Cincinnati Bengals.

With a bevy of quarterbacks backing up incumbent starter Andy Dalton (Jeff Driskel and Matt Barkley), it was hard for Logan to get game action, however he finally saw sizable action in the final preseason contest against the Colts. With Barkley sustaining an injury during the game, and Driskel passing the more expensive veteran on the depth chart, it looked like Logan might just make the squad- but he’d be cut anyway right before the regular season began. After a brief stint on the Titans practice squad, Logan was selected by the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Football. Selected almost as an afterthought by the team, Logan had no clue he was even eligible for the league until they contacted him.

Facing an uphill battle as the 3rd man in the rotation behind Dustin Vaughan and Marquise Williams, Logan somehow ended up starting from day one for the Commanders. Although he battled injuries over the last two contests, Logan threw for 1385 yards and 7 TDs to 8 interceptions. He also carried the ball 26 times for 45 yards.

His best game came in week 5 against the Arizona Hotshots. Arizona opted to try to stop up SA’s formidable rushing attack, so Woodside picked them apart throwing for 290 yards on 21 of 27 passes for 2 TDs. The Commanders took the game on the road and Logan won Alliance Player of the Week Honors for his efforts.

After the Alliance folded, Logan resigned with the Tennessee Titans and as of 2020 is their scout team QB.