Tag Archives: Denver Broncos

Arena, CFL, NFL, NFLE

Johnson, Lee

tntafl14 lee johnsonCard: TNT AFL 2014
Acquired: IP 5/17/14, San Antonio Talons vs. New Orleans Voodoo

Coach Johnson is a veteran of many leagues as both a player and a coach. He’s spent time in the NFL, CFL, NFLE, and AFL. Among his highlights, Johnson coached the defensive line of the Berlin Thunder to two consecutive World Bowl Championships in both 2001 and 2002. He then coached the Denver Crush to the Arena Football Championship in 2004. After taking the reins of the Talons, he coached them to a 14-4 record and a division title, in 2012.

After the San Antonio Talons game against the Iowa Barnstormers I gave out my custom cards to many players on the field. It created such a stir that Coach Johnson came over and asked me where his was. After I joked with him a few seconds about sharing the same first name, he quickly extracted a promise from me to make a custom for him as well.

I arrived at the Talons game versus the Voodoo early as usual. After talking to the COO of the Talons and giving him a copy of the set, he went over to Lee to show him what I had done. Coach immediately came over and talked to me with a broad smile, signed the card and thanked me for the extras. He asked me what I wanted for the cards I made and gave to him, but as usual the most important thing for me is the autograph gracing the card for my own collection, and their enduring happiness and willingness to chase their dreams. You know, on that note, I have always subscribed to the ultimate belief that a true gift is one that is not expected, and for purposes of what I had given to each of these players I know it meant a lot to them.

 

NFL, University of Texas

Brockermeyer, Blake

utud11 brockermeyerCard: UT Upper Deck 2011
Acquired: BB 2015, Spoodog Box Break

Blake Brockermeyer played tackle for the University of Texas from 1992-1994, earning All-American honors in 1995.  He’d be taken by the Carolina Panthers with their second first round choice of the ’95 draft at 29th overall.  Blake was a 4 year starter at left tackle for Carolina, before jumping over to the Chicago Bears in 1999. He played for the Bears from 1999-2001, but unknowingly blew out his shoulder badly that season in a game against Detroit. After not getting correct advice from team doctors, he continued to play on the bad shoulder- ultimately shortening his career.  Blake joined the Broncos in 2002, where he played through 2003 as a solid reserve player, starting 3 games.

After football Brockermeyer has  become a certified Performance Coach, and a Strength and Conditioning Specialist at the High School level.  He has his own website as well where he promotes Brockermeyer Core Performance.

G/Gs 136/103

NFL

Brown, Eric (DB)

UD98BD ebrown UD98 ebrown

Cards: Upper Deck Black Diamond 1998, Upper Deck 1998
Acquired: IP 7/17/2014, Academy Houston Texans Stampede Tour

A devestating hitter for the Denver Broncos, the Texans were surprised to see Eric Brown available in 2002. Originally drafted by the Broncos back in the second round of the 1998 draft, he spent 4 seasons there, starting 52 of 53 games. Over that period Eric tallied 273 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 6 fumble recoveries and 6 interceptions, earning a Super Bowl ring in XXXIII.

eric brownNeeding a presence at Strong Safety, Brown started opposite Matt Stevens and anchored down an intimidating group that included corners Aaron Glenn and Marcus Coleman. Eric recorded 60 tackles, .5 sacks, and 2 interceptions for 7 yards in 2002. Brown in 2003 had 72 tackles, .5 sacks, a pick, and 3 forced fumbles. Eric only started 4 games in 2004, and due to a lingering knee injury was shelved for the majority of the season. In 2005, head coach Dom Capers and GM Charlie Casserly boneheadedly decided to get rid of nearly all of their expansion players and veteran free agents that joined the franchise during the expansion season. Brown was cut and his career ended shortly thereafter.

While Brown has been quoted as saying that his heart was always in Denver with the Broncos, he’s joined the Houston Texans Ambassador program. Last year, when I attended the Kemah Kickoff, I gambled that I might need a few cards of his in the future and scrounging around for a few of Eric paid off. Appearing alongside DJ Swearinger for the Houston Texans Stampede Tour at Academy in Austin for 2014, he was surprised to see a card of his, and told me that he hadn’t signed one in a long time.

G/Gs 97/87     Tac 365    Sac 6.5    Fum 5    Int 9    Yds 34    Avg 3.7    Td 0    Lg 13