Tag Archives: indianapolis colts

NFL, NFLE, ufl

Gray, Quinn


Cards:  UD MVP 2003, Topps 2008
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Florida A&M Rattlers
Sent: 11/8   Received:  11/21   (13 days)

A strong armed quarterback that resembled Daunte Culpepper, (6’3″, 246) Quinn Gray set benchmarks at Florida A&M with 7368 yards passing and 57 touchdowns. Undrafted, Gray would be signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2002, and then be allocated to NFL Europe to play for the Frankfurt Galaxy in 2003. While with the Galaxy, Quinn would have a good season (58/131, 1099 yards, and 11 tds to only 5 picks) playing alongside former Texas Terminator and Texas Longhorn James Brown, leading the Galaxy to a World Bowl victory (XI). He’d return stateside, and not throw a pass in the NFL through the 2004 season.

Gray in 2005 saw some cleanup action, and again in 2006, earning a reputation as a solid backup. With the Jaguars jettisoning Byron Leftwich, Gray slid into the backup position behind incumbent David Garrard in 2007. He’d hop into the starting role near the end of the season as the injury bug would sideline Garrard. Quinn started 4 games, completing 80 of 144 passes for 966 yards and 10 touchdowns, including a head stomping of the Houston Texans. At the end of the season, Gray became a free agent and ironically signed with the Texans. Facing stiff competition, Gray would lose out on the backup job to Matt Schaub against Sage Rosenfels. Quinn later saw time also on the rosters of the Colts and Chiefs before being named the starting quarterback of the New York Sentinels of the UFL in 2009. The team would finish a woeful 0-10 and relocated to Hartford. In the meantime, Quinn has gone into coaching in what he calls, “A dream come true,” with his former Alma Mater, Florida A&M where I got his autograph in under two weeks via the school.

This Upper Deck MVP card is one of the ugliest I’ve seen and lacks any subtly to its design and texturing. The flagrant abuse of the jersey stock, not only on the front but the back as well, renders much of the type distracting and illegible, especially when there is use of thin black 6pt type on a gray backdrop. How did this get past QC? The Topps card, -probably the only one of Quinn in a Texans uniform, is a conservative yawner attempting to capture a look from years past in the use of the type. The framing and insistence of having the Topps logo front and center is ugly and makes me feel like I am looking at a one toothed monster, but I digress. I am none the less happy to add Quinn to the collection with his illustrious NFLE, NFL, and UFL careers behind him. Below are Quinn’s shockingly good limited NFL statistics:

G/Gs  12/4    Att  188     Comp   108      Yds 1328      Pct   57.4     Td  13      Int   5      Rat  91.4
Rush 25    Yds  111   Avg  4.4    Td  2    Lg 27

NFL, Super Bowl MVP

Manning, Peyton ‘The Sheriff’

Card: Score 2009
Acquired: 2011, C/o The Peyback Foundation
Sent: 11/9    Recieved:  11/19 (10 days)

As of late, I have been writing a few current players for their autographs and while my dislike of the Colts has almost reached epic proportions on occasion, I still respect them immensely for the success they have had on the field- sans 2011. Case in point and de facto franchise MVP, I present to you: Peyton Manning.

Born into good bloodlines (his father Archie was a QB for the Saints and his younger brother Eli plays for the Giants,) Peyton Manning was a poised and professional grade quarterback coming out of college from the University of Tennessee in 1998. At the time of his graduation, Peyton held virtually all Volunteer passing records, and set an SEC mark for wins with 39.

A debate shortly raged over if the Colts would pick Manning or Ryan Leaf with the #1 in the draft, but in the end Manning was Indanapolis’ guy, replacing departed Jim Harbaugh at quarterback. His rookie season saw a multitude of records, including most touchdown passes and attempts for a rookie, however it would be punctuated by a 3-13 record and his league leading 28 interceptions. Manning responded with a brilliant Sophomore campaign, leading the Colts back into the playoffs and also posting his first 4,000 yard season of his career, – a milestone considering he’d repeat the feat for 5 straight seasons after 1999. In 2003, Peyton earned his first MVP honor, leading the NFL in attempts, completion percentage and yards. Manning threw for a then record 49 touchdown passes, in 2004 earning his second straight MVP title and a 121.1 passer rating.

It’d be finally in 2006, that Peyton garnered the elusive Super Bowl title he was after, as the Colts easily dispatched the Bears in 29-17 in SuperBowl XLI. Peyton earned the MVP honors with 28 of 35 passing for 247 yards and a touchdown. He’d pick up again where he left off with his 7th 4000 yard season, continuing his assault on the record books with 4000 yards in each of the next 4 seasons, winning MVP honors a 3rd time for his 2008 performance and a 4th time in 2009 where the team returned to the Super Bowl but lost to the New Orleans Saints.

Unfortunately Peyton’s 2011 came to a thudding end before it even began, at 208 regular season starts (second only to Brett Favre), as it was revealed that Peyton was suffering from various debilitating neck and back injuries, which have put his career on hold. Manning holds virtually all the Colts passing records, and many NFL records.  An 11 time Pro Bowler, 5 time AP, 2005 Pro Bowl MVP, and member of the NFL 2000 All- Team team, Peyton becomes a shining jewel in my collection and his historical legacy, virtual shoe-in status for the HoF, and impact can not be overlooked in the annuls of NFL history. Although Manning’s team is considered a bitter rival, no opponent should have their career ended by injury, and thus I wish him a speedy recovery so that the Colts and the Texans may do battle again.

I had heard that Peyton was a difficult autograph to attain TTM prior to 2010, however Manning has been graciously signing this year for fans through his Peyback Foundation. I was astounded to get his autograph in the mail- free of charge and in roughly 10 days.  I am a big fan of Score 2009 and really like the design that they put into these cards. Although they lost some of that magic again by their 2011 set, 2009 stands as an inspirational and cutting edge look that really highlights how far the company has come in 20 years.

 

NFL, NFLE, WLAF

Titley, Michael

Card: Wild Card WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Home.
Sent: 7/26  Received: 8/8  (13 days)

After transferring from JC to Iowa in 1989, Michael Titley would provide stability at the tight end position for the Hawkeyes with his size (6’3″, 235) and hands (tied for team lead with 29 receptions) in 1990, replacing Marv Cook at the position. He’d post at least a reception in each game his senior season. Don Shula‘s Miami Dolphins would pull the trigger on Titley drafting him in the 10th round of that year’s NFL draft.

In 1992, Michael would sign with the WLAF’s Orlando Thunder. As a speedy, pass catching tight end, Titley would fit in well with the Thunder’s hybrid spread offense, under Galen Hall’s direction. He’d post a respectable 22 receptions for 215 yards catching passes from quarterback Scott Mitchell. After the Thunder lost to the Surge in World Bowl II, Michael would have to put his football playing days on hold with the reorganization of the WLAF. In the meantime, he’d return to Iowa and complete out his degree.

With the reemergence of the WLAF as NFLE in 1995, Titley would return to play in the league, this time as a member of the London Monarchs. He’d post his best season as a pro, making 45 receptions for 457 yards and 3 touchdowns. Michael would play for the Monarchs an additional two seasons hauling in almost 30 receptions and just over 300 yards in both seasons. He’d retire after the 1997 season, but not before having experienced professional experience on the rosters of the Eagles, Colts, Vikings, Bills, and Broncos over his career.

He currently lives in Houston, Texas where I tracked him down via Spokeo. For some reason I was able to get a bunch of addresses via the paid social crawl tracking service for free and Michael was on my list. He responded in a brief 13 days and thanked me for writing him and told me that he’d be more than happy to keep in touch. At some point, I’ll probably write him at a later date to get feedback on his WLAF/NFLE experience.

Below are his WLAF/NFLE statistics.

Rec 124    Yds 1281       Avg  10.3      Td 8      Lg 45