Cards: Playoff Prestige 2009 Xtra Points, Topps Lettermen 2009, Upper Deck 2009 Black (2/25) Acquired: 2019, Future Considerations See Also: Steve Slaton, Steve Slaton (2)
Runningbacks have always held a special place in my heart- especially after the Texans took center stage for me. After Dominick Davis/ Williams knee gave out- Slaton stepped in for the Texans and really carried that rock- but just like Davis- he suffered a similar injury changing moment to his career when he injured his neck. I loved Steve. He was a little guy who did it all- and like Davis looking back he’s one of the players I missed graphing in person, because I didn’t really come back to the hobby until 2010.
The Upper Deck Black card? – Now that- that is a piece of art and the gold autograph really compliments it well. If I was Steve I would’ve told them to give me a copy of this card blown up for his wall. It’s that nice. I love the subliminal laurels there on the card. Everything about it is framed perfectly and the legibility and delivery is spot on.
Panini Prestige 2009 is a bit over dressed- but I am okay with that. It is a great action shot of Steve, with very vibrant color. Otherwise there’s nothing too amazing about it.
The Topps Letterman card- I’m not sure what is going on. The patches are nice, even if it isn’t authentic material, but the placement of everything around it feels slap-dashed from the imagery on either side to the autograph itself on a sticker sorta thrown on top.
I got this friend that I’m helping with autographs up in NY, much like Deadhorse and Lance. Since I get a few more events and things going on here, I spot him from time to time, and he in return looks out for me. These were bonuses for helping him out on a few Longhorn autographs he needed- even though there are still some big fish out there I am looking for.
Matt Leinart attended USC and played QB for the Trojans, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2004 and multiple awards during his college career. After taking over for Carson Palmer in 2003, Leinart won Associated Press National Championships in 2003 and 2004, and would’ve capped off his Senior year with another victory- if not for that pesky Texas Longhorns squad in the Rose Bowl. He’d finish as the Trojans all-time leading cumulative passer in many categories including completion percentage (64.8%) and TDs (99).
He’d be selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the 10th overall pick of the 2006 draft. Contentious negotiations caused a holdout, and as a result Kurt Warner stepped up as starter. Still Matt played well during his rookie season, setting a new benchmark for a rookie, in single-game passing yardage with 405 yards, against the Vikings. He’d start 11 games in the end, but sprain his shoulder to conclude his rookie year. The numbers weren’t bad for a rookie campaign, especially since it was the Cardinals. Matt had 2547 yards and 11 TDs to 12 interceptions. – This would actually represent a high mark statistically for his career.
Handed the starting QB job by new coach Ken Whisenhunt in 2007, Leinart broke his collarbone in early October- ending his season. He’d finish with 647 yards passing and 2 TDs in 5 starts. Warner took over as starter in 2008 as Matt rode the bench playing sporadically through 2009. He’d again regain the mantle as starter in 2010, but lose out in camp to Derek Anderson, and later be cut by the team.
The Houston Texans signed Matt as their backup to incumbent Matt Schaub, but he didn’t see any significant playing time. The Texans were having one of their finest seasons in 2011, but after Matt Schaub suffered a lins franc injury, Leinart stepped in as starter against the Jags. At first everybody waited with baited breath to see what Leinart would do, but he came out firing going 10 of 13 for 57 yards and a TD- before he broke his collarbone and yielding to the legend known as ‘TJ Yates’. Leinart again finished on IR for the season.
Cut by the Houston Texans in 2012, Matt played for the Raiders for one season- backing up former teammate Carson Palmer. He’d then be in camp briefly for the Bills in 2013, but after being cut, elected to retire.
I was not a great fan of Matt Leinart. After he played at USC, and then lost to the University of Texas in the Rose Bowl, he was I guess, caught off guard, and just said all the wrong things to the camera. It pretty much set up my dislike for him, as I felt he was trying to take something away from UT for beating the Trojans in the game.
It’s whatever. I think we’re the better football team. You know, they just made the plays in the end.
What I got out of it was, “The best team didn’t win today,” And unfortunately when you lose any game, you are not the best team on that given day- so I though the comment reeked of bad sportsmanship- especially when the best team is the one that always wins!
When he came to the Texans, I was initially not happy about the arrangement at all, but mellowed on him after listening to how he’d changed his life and abandoned his hard partying ways. He grew on me, and I was actually sad when the team cut him in 2012.
As of 2019, Matt does studio analysis for Fox Sports College Football. I had hoped to corral Matt at the Longhorns USC game in 2018, but he didn’t appear, so I went ahead and gave him a shot in the dark after getting some encouragement and tips from my friend Deadhorse. After 4 months or so I got quite a jolt out of getting both of these autographs back- that’s for sure!
Marinas Rankin played tackle for Mississippi State from 2015-2017. In 2017, he earned first team All-SEC Honors and the Kent Hull Trophy (which is given annually by the state of Mississippi for the best offensive lineman in the state).
He’d be selected near the top of Round 3 by the lineman needy Houston Texans. The Texans had an abysmal offensive line in 2017 and it didn’t get any better after trading longtime stud Duane Brown to Seattle. In the offseason Houston cut guys who underperformed and signed a few free agents to try to shore up the front. Rankin started off slowly as a foot injury slowed him during camp, but he returned before the preseason concluded to get some much needed playtime.
Martinas would be thrown into the fire however as starting RT Sentrel Henderson broke his ankle during the first game of the season against the Patriots. The Texans shuffled the line and Rankin entered the starting lineup at Left Tackle playing there the next three games. He started one last game late in the season against the Eagles and finished the season garnering experience at both tackle and left guard.
Going into 2019, Martinas has received a fair amount of praise with his improved play at guard and with Zach Fulton locking down the left guard position, Rankin is in a battle with Senio Kelemete for the RG spot.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
