Tag Archives: dj swagg

NFL

Swearinger, DJ (2)

Card: Panini Contenders 2013
Acquired: 2017, EBay
See Also: DJ Swearinger

To say that DJ Swagg’s career went off the rails with the Texans would be an understatement.  After the tumultuous 2013 season, the Texans coaching staff was cleared out. In the meantime DJ started 12 games and contributed 2 interceptions, 6 pass deflections,  3 forced fumbles, a sack, and 52 tackles in 2014.

He’d be a surprising cut in 2015, and the Texans attempted to stay mum on the situation, but as these things go, somebody leaked to the media that Swagg refused to play special teams because of his lofty draft status (2nd round). Swagg was claimed by the Bucs for the season. He’d contribute in 7 games, forcing a fumble, and recording 8 tackles, before joining the Cardinals for 4 games.  Arizona liked what they saw, and employed DJ in almost every safety capacity they could use him in during 2016.  In 12 starts, he’d post 56 tackles, 2 sacks, 8 pass deflections, and 3 interceptions.  DJ signed a 3 year contract with the Washington Redskins in 2017 where he is expected to be their starting strong safety. He started all 16 games and posted his best year as a pro, lodging 79 tackles, .5 sacks, 10 pass deflections, and 4 interceptions for 32 yards. So far in 2018 he has put together a banner year for the Redskins improved defensive alignment balling out against the Giants recording 2 picks.

The 2013 Panini Contenders set had pretty solid, if not ordinary, design to it.  It’s purely designed in strong rectangles that break down the canvas into workable columns. The vertical autograph field is also somewhat unique. DJ’s autograph however, looks tired and sloppy on this card. The 2013 NFL draft was a terrible, terrible draft for the Texans of their 9 picks, only 3 players remain from that pool on the team.

NFL

Swearinger, DJ “DJ Swagg”

CR13 Swearinger to13 swearinger

Cards: Crown Royale 2013, Topps 2013, Upper Deck Star Rookies 2013
Acquired: IP 7/17/2014, Academy Texans Stampede Tour

djswaggThe Texans opted not to send players to any Texans Draft Parties outside of Houston. Apparently they decided to draw their wagons this year after their pitiful 2013 performance and keep their guys at home. I wasn’t happy about this at all, as Academy was running promotions with the Titans in Tennessee as part of their draft day program. I know my rancor towards Academy on Twitter- especially being a Texas company touting the traitorous Titans, didn’t make it happen, but I’d love to say somebody paid attention or listened. In mid July the Texans made it down to Austin for their Stampede Tour. I was happy to see DJ Swearinger and Eric Brown were on the list. I quickly made an order to my card shop, as I was surprised not to have any Swagg cards in my collection, and biting my nails off through the wait, 4 of them showed up for me just in time for the event.

Even though the weather was nasty, it worked to my advantage, as the players were late getting to a previous commitment. They were still on the radio at the other event, when I showed up at Academy only 30 minutes early. Being that Austin traffic was unforgiving I knew I was in for a long wait. Academy was smart about it. They issued numbers to everybody who came through the door so that we didn’t argue over spots in line. That was perfect. I ended up with #36. The players showed up over an hour late. That was fine, as it allowed me to get as many cards as I needed signed. I really caught Swearinger’s attention with the Crown Royale card he really pined over. When I got up to DJ again the second time, I asked him if he wanted any of the cards I had. He wanted the SP Gamecocks card, so I made a deal that if he’d sign the other two, it was his. He had no problem with that and the handlers did not make a fuss.

ud13st swearingerThe Texans had a rough 2013. With the departure of safety Glover Quin to Detroit, it left a gaping hole in the secondary. To address the issue, the team ran out and desperately signed still injured Super Bowl champion Ed  Reed to a contract, and then drafted DJ Swearinger in the second round of the 2013 draft to learn from the well versed Reed. Ed however rarely saw the field for the team and was cut midway through the season. In the meantime, DJ Swagg got a trial by fire in the secondary. He’d start 10 games for the Texans, recording 54 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 4 pass defensed, and his first career interception against the Arizona Cardinals (Carson Palmer).

DJ is an active personality on Twitter, who really loves to make the highlight play. A viscious hitter, he’s always the subject of fines and conversation between referees when he lays down a lick, even drawing the ire of Peyton Manning during a preseason game who earned an unsportsmanlike penalty for taunting Swearinger. Swearinger also has a knack for the strip, forcing 2 fumbles within the 10 yard line during the 2014 season. A college teammate of #1 pick JaDeveon Clowney, Swearinger went to bat for him and is very excited about having him on the Houston Texans.