Tag Archives: cleveland browns

NFL

Patrick, Allen

bow05 apatrickCard: Bowman Sterling 2008
Acquired: 2013, Box Breaker

Allen Patrick joined the Sooners in 2005 and quietly was converted into a runningback by Oklahoma. In 2006 Allen found himself in the national spotlight after incumbent runningback Adrian Peterson went down with a season ending shoulder injury. Patrick made the best of his opportunity, running for 766 yards and 4 touchdowns on 170 carries that year. After Peterson departed, Patrick took over the starting job for the Sooners, where he put up a very respectable 1009 yards on 173 carries splitting time with DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown.  At 6’0″, 190 Allen was considered a bit small by many of the draft pundits, and the 2008 draft was stocked with many, many quality RBs. Singled out for his excellent Special Teams play and considered an interesting change of pace back, Patrick was taken in the 7th round by the Baltimore Ravens. He’d spend his rookie season on the Browns practice squad though, before heading on to be a camp back for the Giants (2009), Jaguars (2009-2010), Colts (2010), and Rams (2010).

NFL, University of Texas

Whittaker, Foswhitt “Fozzy” (2)

fwhittakerCard: SP 2012
Acquired: In person 2/24/2014, Rudy’s Ribfest 4
See Also: Fozzy Whittaker

I had gotten Fozzy at Fan Fest in Houston the previous year in 2013. He is really good with fans and at this event he was no different. After a bit of time on the practice squads of both the Cardinals and Chargers, he signed with the Browns where he remained the rest of the year.

A change in winds for the Browns led to questions about the roster from top to bottom. With Pat Shurmur sacked after 2012, and then Chudzinski in 2013, the Browns were looking in a new direction with former Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine.  In the meantime Fozzy recorded his first 2 NFL touchdowns as a change of pace receiver out of the backfield, including a career long 35 yard scamper.

When I asked Fozzy about what was going to happen to the team or the offensive set, he told me that he was just as in the dark as I was- but he was super excited for the future. Unfortunately he’d be one of the final cuts in 2014, but quickly found a home with the Carolina Panthers where as of midway through 2014 he remains.

 

 

 

NFL

Hoard, Leroy

pset90 hoardCards: Action Packed Rookies 1990, Score Supplemental 1990, ProSet 1990.
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Work*
Sent: 3/12      Received: 3/20   (8 days)
* Donation enclosed

Leroy Hoard is one of the legendary backs that came through the University of Michigan. A punishing frunner who left it all out on the field, he ran 314 times for 1706 yards and 19 TDs playing for the Wolverines as primarily a short yardage back. Considered one of the best backs of this function of the era, Hoard was drafted in the second round of the 1990 draft by the Cleveland Browns. The Browns were a team struggling to maintain positioning in a contentious arms race in the AFC Central between the Bengals, Oilers, and Steelers and still feeling the long presence of former head coach Marty Schottenheimer over the franchise. Still head coach Bud Carson had put his stamp on the team, drafting do-it-all scat back Eric Metcalf the previous year and maintaining the continuity of the offense with Bernie Kosar at the helm. It was an interesting pick however, as the team already boasted a power fullback in the name of Kevin Mack. The team however struggled early and often that year, and Carson found himself ousted during the season. Hoard had a very plain rookie season, but still managed to grab 3 touchdowns rushing, which was quite a feat since the team scored only 224 points en route to a 3-13 season.

sco90sup hoardBill Bilichick was brought in the following season to turn things around. As he remade the team over the next few seasons, Hoard became a more intergral part of the offense.  In 1991 Leroy demonstrated a knack as a receiver, catching a career high 48 passes for 567  yards and 9 touchdowns, including a 71 yarder against the Kansas City Chiefs that year.  In 1994, Hoard rushed for a career high 890 yards and had 1,335  yards from scrimmage earning him his one and only Pro Bowl berth.

In 1996, Leroy made the transition with the Browns franchise to Baltimore. During the season he’d be traded, and spend time on the roster of the Carolina Panthers, before finally landing with the Minnesota Vikings. Although Leroy’s time as a starter had begun to wane, he was still an important part of the Vikings offense. Starting 6 games that year, he ran for 420 yards and 3 touchdowns and caught 10 passes for 129 yards. Hoard remained with the Vikings through the 1999 season, – a year in which he ran for a career high 10 touchdowns on 138 carries.

aprks90 hoardLife has been difficult for Leroy since his playing days have ended. Because of his brutal playing style, Leroy suffered multiple concussions and head injuries during his playing time in college and the NFL.  Due to the lack of information on the subject, Hoard, like many players shrugged off the effects and went back into the game, compounding the effects. Today Leroy suffers from frequent and painful headaches and has bouts of ‘forgetfulness’ that plague his memory. I felt it was my responsibility as a fan paying homage to him and asking for his autograph to include a donation. Leroy has found some therapy through sports talk radio, and currently lives in the Miami, FL area.   A member of Tecmo Super Bowl, Hoard is one of the feared ‘popcorn backs’, a runningback so powerful that all you had to do was tap the B button and he’d throw would be tacklers aside as he ran up the field.

 

 

 

G/Gs 144/66       Rush  1008       Yds  3964        Avg 3.9         Td  36    Lg  53
Rec  238     Yds  2430     Avg  10.2    Td  15    Lg  72t