Tag Archives: Donruss Rookies & Stars 2009 freshman orientation

NFL

Brown, Andre (RB)

CARD: Donruss Rookies & Stars 2009 Freshmen Orientation
ACQUIRED: eBay, 2025

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Andre Brown played RB at NC State from 2005-’08.
  • Displayed a good mix of rushing and receiving running 523 times for 2539 yards and 7 TDs, to go along with 70 receptions for 631 yards and 2 receiving TDs over his college career.
  • Selected in the 4th round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the New York Giants.
  • His entire rookie season would be a wash as he suffered a ruptured Achilles.
  • Waived by the Giants in 2010, he’d see a little playtime with the Broncos.
  • Claimed off of Waivers by the Colts mid season, Brown was also seen on the rosters of the Panthers and Redskins before the end of 2010.
  • Resigned with the Giants in 2011.
  • Andre finally got his day in the sun in 2012 after starter Ahmad Bradshaw went down with injury.
  • Saw action in 10 games, starting 2, rushing for 385 yards on 73 carries scoring 8 TDs.
  • Ended his season that year on IR after breaking his tibia.
  • During the preseason the following year, Brown injured his leg and missed the first 8 contests of 2013.
  • Ran for a career high 492 yards on 139 carries and 3 TDs, with 20 receptions for 103 yards.
  • Signed with the Houston Texans after the season in 2014, but did not make the squad.

NOTES:

I thought that Andre Brown was going to turn it around with the Texans but he wouldn’t even make it out of camp that year. He fell behind early in camp and didn’t even take a snap in the team’s first pre season game, falling behind Jonathan Grimes and Alfred Blue.

NFL

Smith, Jason (OT)

CARDS: Donruss Rookies & Stars 2009 Dress for Success, Donruss Rookies & Stars Freshmen Orientation, Score 2009 Certified Inscriptions
ACQUIRED: Ebay, 2025

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Jason Smith played OT at Baylor from 2004-’08.
  • Over that time there he bulked up to 6’5″, 308, and became a darling at the combine, recording impressive and quick numbers for a big man.
  • He’d be selected number 2 overall by the St. Louis Rams in 2009, and was slated immediately in to start seeing action at both tackle positions.
  • Quietly he’d be beaten out in camp in 2010.
  • Traded to the Jets in 2012 in exchange for T Wayne Hunter.
  • Signed with the Saints in 2013 but did not make the squad.
  • Rejoined the Jets but was released a week later, effectively ending his playing career.
  • Jason has transitioned into coaching where he’s worked at North Texas and Abilene Christian.

NOTES:

I like this era of football cards and the subsets Dress for Success and Freshman Orientation were really great looking cards. It was nice to find these patch certified autographs at such a bargain.