Tag Archives: Denver Broncos

NFL

Crick, Jared

pa12-jcrickCard: Playoff Contenders 2012
Acquired: 2016, EBay

Jared Crick was the other big playmaker on Nebraska’s line along side Ndamukong Suh.  He came on his Sophomore season, with 70 tackles, 12.5 TFL, and 9.5 sacks in 2009. In 2010, Crick matched his previous efforts with 9.5 sacks, 14.5 TFL, and 70 tackles. A torn pectoral muscle in 2011 maligned his campaign, and dropped his draft stock. The Houston Texans wanted to groom some talent behind Antonio Smith and JJ Watt. They felt they got good value selecting Jared in the 5th round of the 2012 draft.

In the Texans 3-4 defense Crick saw only spot duty his first two years. It wasn’t until 2014 that he really saw extensive action as a starter. Still as a 3-4 defensive end, he was able to contribute 29 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 6 pass defensed.  His 2015 campaign netted him another 2 sacks, 28 tackles, and a forced fumble.  After the season, Jared was allowed to bolt for greener pastures, signing with the Denver Broncos, reuniting him with former head coach Gary Kubiak and defensive mastermind, Wade Philips. Jared has slowly blossomed in Denver becoming a consistent force on the line for the Broncos, posting 48 tackles and 2 sacks in 2015, and 53 tackles and 3 sacks in 2016.

 

NFL, University of Texas

Neil, Dan

Card: University of Texas Upper Deck 2011
Acquired: 2014, Spoodog Box Break

A well decorated lineman at the time of his graduation from the University of Texas in 1996, Dan Neil was an All-American in his final season for the Longhorns. Over his time with the burnt orange, Dan started 49 straight contests at either guard or center.  He’d be selected in the 3rd round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Broncos, and be a surprising contributor to Denver’s Super Bowl runs, blocking up front for John Elway. A durable and reliable presence he’d start 104 games playing primarily at right guard. As of 2017, he lives in the Austin area and does radio work. He was inducted as a Longhorn Legend into the Football Hall of Honor in 2008.

NFL, University of Texas

Johnson, BJ

utud11 bjjohnson icons

Cards: UT Upper Deck Icons 2011, UT Upper Deck All Time Alumni 2011, UT Upper Deck 2011
Acquired: Spoodog Box Break 2015, IP 2015, MVP Bottle Signing Spec’s Liquor

utud11 bjjohnson ATAConsidered one of the University of Texas’ best receivers in school history, BJ Johnson played alongside the much hyped Roy Williams and Sloan Thomas, and formed the greatest trio that the Longhorns have seen at receiver from 2000-2003.  He became the first Freshman to start at wide receiver since 1992 for the Longhorns, and finished 2nd in receptions and receiving yards among all Freshman wide receivers nationally. He broke the school single game Freshman receiving record with 9 catches for 168 yards against Baylor that year.  Later on,  BJ set the school record for the longest TD reception, a 92 yard bomb against the Houston Cougars and averaged a walloping 44 yards per TD reception. Johnson finished in the Top 10 All-Time for the Longhorns in receptions (152,
ranked 6th), touchdowns (16, ranked 5th), and yards receiving (2,359, ranked 5th) as quarterback Major Applewhite‘s favorite target. He considers his first TD grab as a Freshman in a losing effort to Stanford as his favorite play.

utud11 bjjohnsonJohnson played unknowingly on a broken tibia in 2003, causing him to tumble off draft boards, after he strained an oblique during the Senior Bowl. He’d be signed by the Denver Broncos to a UDFA after the draft. He rehabbed and made the team, but injuries kept mounting for BJ. He’d break his ankle and then the following year tore his hamstring. BJ signed with Tampa in 2005, but messed up his shoulder, deciding to hang up his cleats.

In 2015, Johnson launched a line of Vodka called MVP with Roy Williams, that he’s been marketing around Texas. Appearing alongside other former Longhorn greats as well at bottle signings, I decided to give it a shot with Shawn and Nate when I saw that it was a nice cast of Johnson, Williams, and VY. Johnson was more than happy to sign a few cards for a Longhorn fan, and discussed with us the almost medieval sounding hoops that his company had to jump through with the different alcohol sellers- since it is still dominated by mom and pop stores.

I have 3 or 4 more cards of BJ that I hope to get signed in at a future MVP event near Austin, but it appears that their advertised meet and greet events are on hiatus around town for the time being.