Tag Archives: cincinnati bengals

NFL

Rackers, Neil ‘Rickety’

Adrenalyn 2011, #129
Score 2008, #8

CARDS: Panini Adrenalyn 2011, Score 2008
ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Home
SENT: 8/15 RECEIVED: 8/22 (7 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Neil Rackers was a kicker for the Fightin’ Illini from 1996-’99.
  • Over that period he was 96.3% on XP (77/80) and 68% (34/50) on FGs, scoring 179 points.
  • Selected in the 6th round of the 2000 NFL Draft.
  • After a rocky rookie season, he settled in kicking 17 FGs in 2001, and 15 in 2002.
  • He’d join the Arizona Cardinals in 2003.
  • In 2004, he hit 22/29 field goals, including a league long 55 yarder.
  • In that game against the Seahawks, he hit two other field goals of 50+ yards tying the single game NFL record held by Morten Anderson.
  • Then he went on to hit an improbable 31 straight field goals.
  • During the 2005 season, set the NFL record with 40 field goals in a season (42 attempts).
  • He again led the league in attempts in 2006 with 37 (28 FGM).
  • In 2010, Rackers was allowed to test free agency and decided to play for the Texans.
  • He’d provide great stability at the position after the departure of Kris Brown– who’d been with the team since its inception.
  • Rackers posted 27 FGs in 2010, and 32 in 2011.
  • Tied a franchise long 57 yard field goal in 2010 (since surpassed).

ACCOLADES:

  • All Pro 2005
  • Pro Bowl 2005
  • Golden Toe Award 2005

NOTES:

Incredibly underrated over his career, I must admit I was disappointed when the Texans opted not to sign him, in favor of drafting ‘Beercan’ Randy Bullock in 2012.

Rackers was also a head hunter- A rare trait among kickers. From time to time he was known to dish out some jarring hits. I seem to remember some odd fact that he’s the the NFL record holder for career special teams tackles by a kicker.

My old friend Erik, told me stories about chugging beers in the parking lot at NRG with Neil, saying he’s a real cool dude so I had to get him eventually. I was a bit disappointed. I think this Adrenalyn card was the only Texans card they made of Neil. I love how Rackers’ autograph incorporates the goal posts into it.

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NFL

Maualuga, Rey

Score 2009, #389

CARD: Score 2009 Inscriptions
ACQUIRED: EBay, 2019

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Rey played MLB at USC from 2005-2009.
  • He was part of an incredible fearsome foursome of LBs that included Clay Matthews Jr, Brian Cushing, and Kaluka Maiava.
  • Maualuga was a second round pick of the Bengals in 2009.
  • Had best season in 2012, posting up 122 total tackles, a sack, 4 pass deflections, and a fumble recovery.
  • Signed with the Dolphins in 2017 and saw action in 6 contests.
  • Was waived after being arrested for battery of a employee at a nightclub.
  • Has not seen the field since then- and has continued to battle alcohol throughout his life.

ACCOLADES:

NOTES:

I just remember when the Texans played against the Bengals in the playoffs. At the time it was peak Texans in 2012- and Arian Foster was on full display in NRG. Foster took a handoff, blasted through a hole and left Rey there moving in slow motion. It was an incredible display of power.

Arena, NFL

Bentley, Ray (2)

Topps 1990, #201
Pro Set 1990, #436

CARDS: Topps 1990, ProSet 1990
ACQUIRED: TTM 2024, C/o Home
SENT: 1/23 RECEIVED: 2/7 (15 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

Besides getting a variety of children’s books published he created, Ray has also been involved in the Spring football league scene. He served as an advisor at one point for the USFL. When writing him I went off on a giant tangent about Spring football and how important it is to me and these players. He kindly responded with a nice greeting card of his Darby the Dinosaur, and inside he wrote that he also enjoys watching Spring football as well.

Originally I sent Ray 3 cards, and included a Score 1991, forgetting that I had already acquired this as part of the Akron Acquisition back in 2011. I threw in his Topps card because Ray was one of the original players who dolled themselves up with the eye paint back in the day. His Pro Set 1990 photo is an extremely underrated action shot perfectly encapsulated on this card.