Tag Archives: Denver Broncos

NFL

Gaffney, Jabar

Card: SPX 2002 Rated Rookies (229/650)
Acquired: 2017, EBay
Failure: 2011, C/o The Washington Redskins

Jabar Gaffney was a talent who left it all on the field for the Florida Gators back in 2000 and 2001. In both years he had almost 1200 yards and over 10 TDs receiving.  He declared for the 2002 NFL draft and was selected at the top of round 2 by the Houston Texans expansion squad. It was expected that Gaffney would become young quarterback David Carr‘s preferred target as they’d grow together as an up and coming talent. Among receivers looking back, his selection was a fair one. He’d finish 2nd in total WR yardage in an otherwise lackluster class.

Jabar caught only 1 TD  his rookie season, in a week 6 snoozer against the Buffalo Bills. The following week he’d record his first and only professional TD throw against the Cleveland Browns. In total that rookie year, Jabar had 483 yards on 41 catches.  Later in 2004 Gaffney had his best season as a Texan with 632 yards on 41 receptions.  In 2005, the Texans experimented with utilizing Gaffney as more of an inline receiver. He’d make 55 receptions, but as David Carr regressed, so did the Texans record.  The entire team from the front office down was fired and a new regime was brought in.  Jabar was a free agent.

Gaffney found a home with the Philadelphia Eagles, but was a surprise cut before the beginning of the season.
He’d then sign with New England where he’d play for the Patriots over the next 3 seasons. In 2007 he’d have a career high 5 TD receptions.  Jabar then signed with the Denver Broncos in 2009. In two seasons with the franchise he’d post near career highs in receptions (54, 65) and yards (732, 875). He’d be headhunted by the Redskins for 2011, again posting career highs in receptions (68) and yards (947) and tied his career high with 5 TDs.  Jabar returned to the Patriots, but was cut shortly there after.  He later signed with the Dolphins, but ran into legal trouble.  Miami cut him and Gaffney was unable to resuscitate his career.

In 2016 he was arrested in Jacksonville for marijuana. Gaffney has attempted to remain low key otherwise, despite some run ins with the law.

G/Gs 158/103     Rec 447    Yds 5690    Avg 12.7    Td 24   Lg 69

College Football HoF, Heisman Trophy Winner, NFL, Pro Football HoF

Dorsett, Tony ‘TD’ (2)

pset89_tdorsettCard: ProSet 1989
Acquired: 2016, 34 Wine & Spirits Bottle Signing
See Also: Tony Dorsett

Tony Dorsett made an appearance in Austin at a local 34 Wine & Spirits to promote a vodka brand. Since Ricky Williams owns the 34 Wine & Spirits he was also in attendance and signing as well.  Ricky, as usual was pretty conversation, but somewhere along the way the handlers didn’t get the memo. As me and Ricky started chatting, his handler tried to shoo me off, but Ricky in his usual nonchalant manner explained to the handler, that I was cool and I was with him.

When Tony appeared it was more of the same. I bought two bottles of the vodka so I could get his autograph on 2 cards, but the handlers announced that he’d only sign the bottles. After a few minutes of negotiation, the handlers then announced that he’d sign only one outside item. Regardless, Tony was in good spirits when I saw him. He signed the bottles and a card for me which worked out okay.

There are so many players that switched teams during the twilight of their careers who look out of place in their new team uniforms, but this 89 ProSet of Tony looks solid. His autograph still holds up, and he was kind enough to put an inscription on it as well.

CFL, NFL

Posey, DeVier

to12str-deposeyCard: Topps Strata 2012 Clear Cut
Acquired: 2016, EBay

Posey had his breakout season at Ohio State in his Sophmore year, 2009, with 60 catches for 828 yards at 8 TDs. 2010 resulted in equally strong numbers with 54 catches for 848 yards and 7 TDs. After controversy surrounded payments being made to players on the Buckeyes, Posey found himself suspended.  An athletic talent who is a good route runner, Posey had a solid performance at the combine and clocked a 4.5 40.

There was some hype around this pick when the Texans selected DeVier Posey in the 3rd round of the 2012 draft.  At this point Houston was looking for a new compliment to future HoF receiver Andre Johnson, and was feeling really thin at the position after Kevin Walter left.  Posey could not crack the Texans starting lineup while with the team.  A combination of injuries and a changeover in coaches didn’t help either. He finished with 22 receptions for 272 yards in three years.  The Texans traded him during the 2015 draft to the New York Jets to select Jalen Strong. Posey was cut by the Jets and then signed with the Broncos in 2016.

After being released he was claimed by the CFL Toronto Argonauts but spent the season on IR. DeVier quickly developed a rapport with QB Ricky Ray in 2017 and was second in the league in receiving with 280 yards, before he missed 6 games due to injury.  He returned to the starting lineup in late August.

The market certainly marked Posey as a future star and had him sign a bevvy of cards, but this one just stuck out. A great looking card and autograph to boot. Topps for once completely raised the bar. A partially translucent design integrated into a patch autograph card? Take my money please!