Tag Archives: cleveland browns

NFL

McCardell, Keenan ‘Thunder’ (2)

Playoff Contenders 2001, #40
Upper Deck 1997, #65

CARDS: Atomic 2001, Playoff Contenders 2001, Upper Deck 1997
ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o The Minnesota Vikings
FAILURE: TTM 2022, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

I had been wanting to get a few more Jaguars’ players autographs, and with very few of them who signed I thought I’d loop back and get Keenan, since I’d never gotten him TTM. Since I met him way back in 2012 or 2013 at Houston Fan Fest, I had developed a passing interest in Atomic and Playoff Contenders sets. The die cut gimmick with the large logo really got me, and the autographs look great on it so, it’s slowly become my 2001 favorite.

The Unknown Commodity card from Upper Deck was selected because it’s very much a card that emulated the zeitgeist of the era. Over the top large lettering as the background with an image on top of it. I mean, it’s not bad. Certainly catches the eye, but at the same time, feels dated and makes you smirk a bit.

McCardell has been enjoying a surge through the coaching ranks. After a stop at Maryland as the WR coach, as of 2022 he’s with the Minnesota Vikings in the same capacity.

NFL, NFLE

Niklos, J.R.

VGF 2005

CARD: VGF 2005
ACQUIRED: 2022, Private Purchase

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Solid athlete started career as a DB for Ohio State in 1997 and 98.
  • Transferred to Western Illinois and was moved to TE by coaches who said he reminded him of Marv Cook.
  • Playing for the Leathernecks from 99-01, broke school receiving records.
  • At pro day as FB ran a 4.5 40 and was nicknamed ‘The Fastest Fullback in the NFL’, by then head coach Mike Martz.
  • Undrafted in 2002, was signed to the active roster of the Rams off of the Seahawks as a TE
  • Spent a total of 4 seasons with the Rams, joining the Frankfurt Galaxy in 2005 playing RB.
  • After league folded following the 2007 campaign, Niklos saw time with the Raiders (2005-06), Cleveland Browns (2007-08), and was briefly on IR with the Chiefs before deciding to hang up the cleats.
  • As of 2023, runs a sports performance business in Illinois.

NOTES:

A special bonus card thrown in when I purchased the remaining AAF sets I needed, I really get a kick out of these ‘deep cuts’ like JR Niklos.

NFLE

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AAF, NFL

Arbuckle, Charles

Score 1990, #639

CARD: Score 1990
ACQUIRED: TTM 2020, C/o Home
SENT: 4/3/2020 RECEIVED: 9/4/2022 (884 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Played for UCLA from 1986-89.
  • Increased productivity every season despite being limited by injuries.
  • Finished 1989 on a high note with 33 receptions for 309 yards and a TD.
  • In 4 years had 73 total receptions for 821 yards and 4 TDs.
  • Selected by the New Orleans Saints in the 5th round of the 1990 NFL Draft.
  • Spent 1991 on the off season rosters of the Browns and Chargers.
  • Didn’t see action until 1992- as a member of the Indianapolis Colts.
  • Had no receptions until 11/29 against Buffalo, but burst onto the scene catching 9 passes for 106 yards.
  • Finished season with 13 receptions for 152 yards and a TD.
  • Played next 3 seasons in Indianapolis, retiring after the 1995 season.
  • Has spent post playing career in the booth as a color analyst for college football and NFL games.
  • Spent 2019 as a positional coach with the Arizona Hotshots of the AAF.

NOTES:

Barely missing the top 10 cut of longest waits is Charles Arbuckle. Obviously I felt I was never getting this one back but lo and behold at my old address, there it was some 880+ days later.

I never noticed until now that the UCLA logo was airbrushed off the helmet. By 1990, I thought that card companies stopped doing this, but I guess the NCAA or UCLA had something to say to Score about their logos. Great card though. The photography and color is spot on.

Once I knew that Charles was on the coaching staff of the Hotshots I moved him up in the queue to write to.

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