Tag Archives: cleveland browns

Settle, John (2)

Cards: Score 1990, Action Packed 1990, Topps 1990
Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o The University of Wisconsin
Sent: 2/4 Received: 2/14 (10 days)
See Also: John Settle

John still has it after all these years. He signed these cards in only 10 days care of Wisconsin. Much to my chagrin he did sign the autograph box on the back of the Action Packed card, but still these were very nice to add to my collection and probably wrap up any card of his that he had over the years.

After coaching for the Panthers from 2011 to 2012, John served one season with the Cleveland Browns in 2013. He returned to the college ranks and picked up a year with the University of Pittsburgh, before returning to the University of Wisconsin. John is a fixture as a RB coach since retirement, and has worked wonders tutoring many young backs to the pro ranks.

Little, Greg (WR)

Card: Upper Deck College Legends 2011
Acquired: Box Breaker, 2019

A second round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2011, Greg Little was a talented basketball and football player from North Carolina. While playing for the Tarheels at runningback and receiver from 2007-2009 he posted 1,774 yards from scrimmage. Greg had his best year in 2009 when he posted 62 receptions for 724 yards and 5 TDs.

Little had a solid rookie year for Cleveland with 61 catches for 709 yards and 2 TDs, but his number declined in subsequent years. After hauling in 41 receptions for 465 yards and 2 TDs in 13 starts during 2013, he’d be released in the offseason. After a quick stop in Oakland, Greg was on and off the roster of the Bengals through 2015, posting 6 catches in 6 games. He then was in camp with the Bills (2016) and Cardinals (2018). As of 2019 Greg is considered an active NFL Free Agent.

I never really understood why Greg didn’t manage to latch on with the Browns. His career seemed very bright with them. Then when you look closer at his stats, you realize he rarely caught more than 50% of his targets- an increasingly modern important measurement of receiver’s hands.

This is a great card with clear, strong shadows, and vibrant colors. The autograph, while big- well… It’s a ‘G’ that looks like a hatchet and an ‘L’. That’s it… Not really inspiring -more than reckless looking.


Furrey, Mike

Cards: Topps XFL 2001, Score 2010
Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o The Chicago Bears
Sent: 2/4/19 Received: 4/2/19 (59 days)

Mike Furrey has made a very interesting professional football journey. After not being drafted out of Northern Iowa in 2000, he’d sign with the Colts but not make the squad.

Undeterred, he’d join the renegade XFL in 2001, where he’d play wide receiver for the Las Vegas Outlaws. He’d snag 18 catches for 242 yards and a 41 yard TD. As the team’s primary punt returner Mike also returned 11 punts for 94 yards.

After the XFL folded, he’d play for the New York Dragons of the Arena football league, spending two years with them in 2002 and 2003. During both seasons he posted 1000+ yard seasons and display a knack for playing defensive back, intercepting 6 passes. He’d also play for the St. Louis Rams in both of those years as well and oddly enough play both wide receiver and defensive back for the team, posting 21 receptions for 197 yards, and then intercept 4 passes for 143 yards, deflect 8 passes, and return one 67 yards for a TD from free safety.

Obviously Mike’s curious stat lines drew him attention in the open market as he signed with the Detrot Lions in 2006. He’d have his finest season as a WR, with 98 receptions for 1086 yards and 6 TDs in 14 starts, and follow that up in 2007 with 61 receptions for 664 yards and a TD. After a subpar 2008, Mike made a stop with the Cleveland Browns in 2009- where he saw significant time again starting 4 games at WR while moonlighting at safety as well. After the season concluded he joined the Washington Redskins but did not make the squad.

Very soon thereafter, Mike went into college coaching and as of this post in 2019, is the wide receivers coach for the Chicago Bears.

Some very interesting design between these two cards. I love the Score 2010, almost as much as Score 2009. It’s got great color, and the slightly off white helps the image stand off the canvas just a little more. I especially like the use of the designs in the top corners of the card to give it that painted effect. This set felt like a direct heir to the 2009 set that I adore.

The Topps XFL card represented everything gaudy about the Attitude Era that bled from WWE into the XFL. It’s an underused design to have both the player’s face and an action image on the front of the card, but this one pulls it off- albeit just a bit over designed.

NFL G/GSRECYDSAVGTDLG
94/41221229810.4749
NFL TACSACFUMINTYDSAVGTDLG
7705414335.7167T
NFL PRYDSAVGTDLG
232139.3028
ARENARECYDSAVGTDLG
182262914.473N/A
ARENA TACSACFUMINTYDSAVGTDLG
78006162.70N/A
XFL RECYDSAVGTDLG
1824213.4141T
XFL PRYDSAVGTDLG
11948.5021