Tag Archives: Jacksonville Jaguars

CFL, NFL

Rodgers, Jordan

sage12 jrodgersCard: Leaf Rookies 2012, Sage Hit 2012.
Acquired: 2013, 2014 Box Breaker

The first thing you’re going to say is, “Wait a minute…” when you see the all too famous last name. Yes, Jordan is the younger brother of Green Pay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and much like Aaron, Jordan is trying to forge his own path in the face of a lot of adversity. Following a similar path as Aaron, Jordan split time at JuCo for 2 years before heading off to Vanderbilt. (In fact he’d go to the same JC (Butte) and shatter his brother’s passing records.) The SEC has always been a real difficult conference for the Commodores to excel in, but he was a winner for the team, and led Vandy to two surprising consecutive bowl appearances- the first in the history of the college. In his senior season he threw for a respectable 2,500+ yards and 15 touchdowns, putting together one of the best seasons since Jay Culter played there. As he quietly crept into the back of some sleeper experts’ draft boards, Rodgers pulled a groin muscle before the combine. Jordan was able to throw it at a pro day that Vanderbilt and Tennessee State hosted together.

leaf12 jrodgersHis good showing helped put him back on the map for many teams that attended.  After the 2012 draft Jordan was signed as a camp arm by the Jacksonville Jaguars, but was out on the street by July.  Chicago next kicked the tires on Jordan, but did not sign him. In the end, the Buccaneers looking for a new scout quarterback signed Jordan in October, after releasing Josh Freeman from their active roster. With head coach Greg Schiano bounced by ownership after the 2013 season, a new coaching staff was put in place led by Lovie Smith and Jeff Tedford. Although Tedford was Aaron Rodgers offensive coordinator in college at Cal, in February of 2014, the Bucs cut Jordan.

He went North to the CFL and landed with the British Columbia Lions.  Placed on their practice roster, he decided to go ahead and retire in 2015.

 

NFL

Brown, CC

leafr&s05 ccbrownCard: Leaf Rookies & Stars 2005
Acquired: 2014, Albany Acquisition

In 2005, CC Brown was drafted by the Houston Texans out of Louisiana-Lafayette, where he was twice decorated as an All-Sun Belt player.  A good special teams performer and run supporter who had no problem laying down the wood, CC was definitely an enforcer at the line of scrimmage. Although lacking in pass coverage, Brown started right out of the gate for the Houston Texans his rookie year splitting time at both free safety and strong safety. He’d record 54 tackles, 1 forced fumble, and an interception in 13 games. The Texans dropped to 2-14 that season and fired head coach Dom Capers. The team converted to a 4-3 defense as Gary Kubiak was brought in to replace Capers.  2006, was Brown’s best year statistically, with 67 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and an interception. Although 2007 brought a slight dip in CC’s stats, he’d still manage a pick and 64 tackles. A broken arm in late September, meant he lost most of the 2008 campaign to injured reserve. The Texans elected not to resign him for 2009, comfortable that Eugene Wilson and Dominique Barber were going to adequately replace him.  CC signed with the New York Giants in 2009.  He played one season for Big Blue, starting 7 games, making 49 tackles and 3 forced fumbles at free safety. He’d then jump over to the Lions and Jaguars for a season a piece before retiring after the 2011 season.

G/Gs   83/62          Tac  279      Sac  1.0     Fum 6       Int  3      Yds   14       Avg   4.6      Td  0      Lg 9

CFL, College Football HoF, NFL, NFLE

Ware, Andre ‘Air Ware’ (2)

pset90 wareCards: Pro Set 1990, Upper Deck College Legends 2011
Acquired: 4/30/15, Houston Texans Draft Party
See Also: Andre Ware ‘Air Ware’

Lance and I arrived at the 2015 Houston Texans Draft Party with high hopes, but were ultimately disappointed when we didn’t have cards of the Ambassadors who showed up, and the players I did have a card of were only taking photo ops. Queue the Astrodome air raid siren, because Andre Ware came to the rescue.

As Lance and I made our way towards the photo op booth, I heard a familiar voice on TV. Andre Ware was being interviewed on Fox Spots Southwest. Recognizing that the broadcast was taking place in the stadium, I walked over to one of the people working at the stadium and asked them where Andre was. The stadium employees identified it as being at radio row where only the VIP fans were allowed. We got as close as the elevator, and after borrowing a pen and waiting for about 15 minutes, Lance and I decided to locate the ground floor exit of the VIP area to get a better vantage point.  We walked for about 5 minutes, and emerging out of the crowd from the other direction, wasudlgd11 ware Andre Ware. Kudos to Andre for cheerfully signing 2 cards for me and Lance, even though he had his hands full with two kids by his side and all their stuff.

I can’t encourage collectors enough to build out a compact and expanded box of cards that covers the full gamut of players, former players, and sports personalities. With Andre covering the Texans on the radio as a color commentator and also being  a local legend, it made sense to have a few extras on the off chance he did make an appearance.  Otherwise  these are great cards of Ware, and leaves me with only a handful of extras that I would love to have autographed for my collection.