Tag Archives: indianapolis colts

NFL, University of Texas

Redding, Cory “C-Red”

poff03 reddingleaf03r&s reddingCards: Score 2007, Bowman 2003, Leaf Rookies & Stars 2003, Playoff Prestige 2003
Acquired: In Person 2/15/13,  Redd’s Haircutz

An impact linebacker at the high school level, Cory Redding was the recruit that all the colleges wanted. In the end he became the linchpin to Mack Brown‘s 1999 recruiting class at the University of Texas.  He’d earn a mountain of accolades, including Big 12 rookie of the year, posting 26 tackles, 2 sacks, and 13 special teams stops. As each year progressed with the Longhorns, the awards and watch lists for Cory increased. In 2000, he was honorable mention All-Big 12, with 52 tackles, 17 TFL, and 6.5 sacks, starting at defensive end. In 2001, Cory was tabbed for 2nd Team All- American and first team Big 12 with 57 tackles, 5 sacks and 14 TFL. The 2002 season was the culmination of it all, when he was the first Texas Lombardi finalist since Tony DeGrate. He finished the season as 1st Team All-American with 76 tackles, 8.5 sacks and 24 TFL.

sco07 reddingSurprisingly, C-Red was not drafted until the 3rd round of the 2003 Draft by the Detroit Lions. He didn’t get into the starting lineup until the following season. Redding strung together 66 consecutive starts from defensive end, and then later kicked inside to tackle for the Lions. His best season came in 2006, when Cory recorded 39 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 8 sacks. He was rewarded with a generous contract by the Lions who made him team captain and the highest paid defensive tackle in the league.By 2008 injuries ended C-Red’s streak, as groin and knee injuries placed him on injured reserve in December of that season. Needing to free up some cap space and fix their team, the Lions traded Cory to the Seattle Seahawks in 2009 in exchange for LB Julian Peterson and a 5th round pick. Starting 3 games that season, Redding had 2 sacks, 18 tackles, and 2 FF. Left unprotected, he’d sign with the Baltimore Ravens and have some memorable situations showing up at the right time in big games, starting 22 games over the next two seasons and recording 7.5 sacks and 60 tackles. After the 2011 season, (much to my chagrin,) he’d play his final season for the Indianapolis Colts.

bow03 reddingI had gotten word on the radio of Cory’s new shop opening up in Austin off of 1300 the Zone. I then checked out his Twitter feed to confirm and then ordered the cards I needed since I hadn’t been able to find any the last time I visited the card shop. He apparently comes from a family that loves to cut hair, and he grew up around that environment, so going into the clipping business seems like quite a natural fit for the former defensive tackle. C-Red’s shop handles all the old fashioned trimmings and cuts, but also does the warm towel treatments and flat razor shaves- something I enjoyed immensely. Cory was really nice and engaging with fans. It did start off slowly, but as the 5 O’clock hour approached, things seemed to be extremely happening. I could tell he was very excited about the whole thing. He was more than happy to sign a few cards and take a photo with me.  When I asked him why he didn’t respond to my twitter question, he told me that “He doesn’t talk to people who wear masks.” He and I then shared a laugh about it since in my profile picture I do have a mask on. There were a few Longhorns who showed up including Rod Babers, Rodrique Wright, and Mark Henry “The Strongest Man in the World”. I briefly had a stare down with Mark- and quickly lost.

redd'sI later saw Cory again at the Austin Longhorn Youth Foundation’s Bowling tournament the next day. He smiled and told me I was looking dapper with my new haircut.  All in all a very good experience meeting Cory and well worth taking the small amount of time off from work to see him open his shop. You can visit his barber shop’s web portal at: http://www.reddshaircutz.com.

 

 

G/Gs  145/114       Tac  263    Sac  27.5    Fum 10      Int  1    Yds 0   Avg 0.0  Td 0  Lg 0

 

CFL, NFL

Davis, Anthony “A-Train”

Card: Upper Deck Signatures 2005
Acquired: 2012, Target Authentic Autograph Memorabilia

A ‘slasher-back’ with a deceptive burst, Anthony Davis was a sensational runningback in college for Wisconsin. During his Freshman year in 2001, Davis’ 1466 yards ranked only behind Ron Dayne, Tony Dorsett, Herschel Walker, and Alex Smith (Pitt), while his 10 100 yard plus games were an NCAA Freshman record. For an encore in ’02 he had 300 carries for 1555 yards and 13 TDs. His 119.6 YPG was ranked only behind Willis McGahee and Steven Jackson. Already though, nagging ankle and knee injuries began to set in 2003. He would however finish with 116 carries for 682 yards and 7 touchdowns. Again in 2004, Davis missed 5 contests due to a deep thigh bruise and a fractured orbital socket, but he still managed 201 carries for 973 yards and 11 touchdowns. At the time of his graduation, Anthony’s yards and total touchdowns placed him second on the school’s rushing list, only behind Ron Dayne and Billy Marek.

His draft stock was really hurt by injuries. It also didn’t help that Davis had a small frame at 5′ 7″, 205lb- he was considered more of a 3rd down specialist in the league, and the 908 carries didn’t help either (even though he just fumbled once in his career). Still the Colts had him tabbed on their board and liked something about him, grabbing him near the bottom of the 7th round of the 2005 NFL draft. He would make it all the way through training camp- seeing the turk in the final cuts. Despite this, he was signed back to the practice squad later in the season as the Colts were plagued by injuries to their RB corps. He’d jump over to the Canadian Football League in 2006, signing with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL. Davis played 2 seasons for Hamilton, carrying the ball 86 times for 457 yards and a TD. Near the end of 2007, Anthony was traded to the Toronto Argonauts in exchange for Yo Murphy, but was released in 2008.

Anthony’s other passion has always been teaching. He has been sighted at Loras College in Dubuque, IA, where he is currently Director of Inter-Cultural programs for the Hawks.

NFL

Meggett, Davin

Card: Sage/ Hit Low 2012
Acquired: 2012, Box Breaker

Davin Meggett was a powerful 4 year runningback at the University of Maryland.  A Doak Walker 2011 dark horse candidate before his Senior season, Meggett averaged 74.7 yards per game. He was also dependable in the receiving game, recording 17 catches in his last year.  Before that he split time in a crowded and talented backfield.  A small-ish back at 5-9, with a strong frame (218 lbs), Davin finished his career ranked 7th on the school’s All-Time rushing list with 2,411 yards. He has great vision, thrives running between the tackles, and his short stature allows him to hide behind the line efficiently before making his cut.  This made Meggett an intriguing prospect that many scouts have likened to Jacquizz Rodgers of Oregon State.

He is expected to contribute to a team as a stout, short yardage back who provides a change of pace out of the backfield. Going unselected in the 2012 draft, Meggett signed a free agent contract with the Houston Texans and spent a good deal of the season on the team’s practice squad. He was cut at the end of November and later picked up by the Colts who placed Davin on their practice squad.