Tag Archives: los angeles chargers

AAF, NFL, NFLE, ufl, XFL

Novak, Nick ‘The Kick’

Cards: TNT UFL 2011, Topps AAF 2019, Topps AAF 2019 Certified, Topps XFL 2020 Certified
Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o Home
Sent: 7/6 Received: 7/15 (8 days)

Nick Novak is just one of those kicking mercenaries- and he’s been all over now FIVE different leagues. It started at the University of Maryland in 2001. As a four year starter for the Terps, Novak was 153/159 on extra points, and 80/107 on field goals. He finished overall with 393 total points (5th all-time in college history), and lurked near the top of the college leaderboards for both total points and field goals made in 2002 and 2003.

Going unselected in the 2004 NFL Draft, Nick tried out with both the Bears and Cowboys, before ultimately landing on the Redskins in 2005 as an injury sub for John Hall appearing in 5 games. Nick was then snapped up by the Cardinals- who also had an injured kicker. After failing to unseat incumbent Neil Rackers in camp the following year (2006), Nick found himself in a familiar place again- back with the Redskins as an injury replacement for John Hall. After losing out to Shaun Suisham, Nick was signed by the Bears and allocated to NFL Europe.

Novak had a solid campaign with the Cologne Centurions. He’d finish 25/25 on extra points, and 10/17 on field goals (including a game winner) with a long of 49. Although Nick had a solid preseason with the Bears, he lost out in camp to All Pro kicker Robbie Gould.

After trying out for the Jaguars and Chargers, Nick made the roster of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2008 but after an inconsistent start to his season, he’d be cut in mid-October. Not one to give up, Nick then joined the Chargers in 2010 but he’d again lose out, this time to incumbent Nate Kaeding.

Nick then took the path less traveled. He joined the upstart United Football League. While playing for the Florida Tuskers, Nick was 24/24 on extra points and 15/18 on field goals (69 points). He’d also hit a league record 54 yard field goal. He’d earn Special Teams Player of the Week Honors twice, and then later be named the UFL Special Teams MVP at the conclusion of the season.

Again after signing with the Jets this time, Nick lost out to Nick Folk. He’d be welcomed back to the Chargers, where he spent the next five seasons. Over those meritorious seasons Nick set field goal percentile records and consecutive field goal records for San Diego and ended up 6th all-time in scoring for the franchise with 503 points.

Nick signed with the Houston Texans in 2015, where he again set franchise records hitting 35/41 field goals in 2016. The Texans in 2017 decided to get younger at the position, and went with Ka’imi Fairbairn.

Novak proved you could indeed return home- well sort of- as he was signed by the nomadic Los Angeles Chargers in 2017 replacing the current kicker Younghoo Koo, but Novak himself was injured just two short months later.

Nick joined his 4th league in 2018, playing for the Birmingham Iron of the AAF. He finished 13/16 on field goals, including a 47 yard long, and earned AAF Special Teams Player of the Week Honors for his Week 1 effort. – The league would be shuddered after the 8th game.

For some reason his certified autograph has hovered pretty solidly at about $10.00 on Ebay. – Most expensive kicker ever! Anyway I got lucky and got a great deal on his certified for not even half that price.

In 2019, Nick’s journey continued as he was drafted by the LA Wildcats of the XFL 2020 initiative. He was 2-5 with a long of 47 yards before he aggravated an injury after 4 games.

AAF, NFL

Hunt, Cole

Card: Topps AAF 2019 Certified, Topps AAF 2019, Topps AAF 2019 Future Stars
Acquired: EBay 2019. TTM 2020, C/o Home
Sent: 4/8 Received: 4/17 (9 days)

TCU alum Cole Hunt was an interesting name to watch for the San Antonio Commanders of the AAF in 2019. Unfortunately nagging injuries slowed his playing time. He saw action in a few games, logging 2 catches for 13 yards.

At 6’6″, 254 Cole provides nice size and blocking skills that most teams look for out of a tight end. Never logging more than 10 catches in a season, he finished with 25 receptions for 242 yards and 2 TDs, while splitting time between Rice (2014-2015) and TCU (2016-2017). After being cut by the Chargers in 2018, he’d join the Commanders for the ‘abbreviated’ Alliance football season, and quickly find a home with the Carolina Panthers in late April of 2019.

Cole did not make the roster of the Carolina Panthers, and later signed with the St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL 2020, but was placed on IR early in the season.

NFL

Facyson, Brandon

Card: Panini Contenders 2018
Acquired: 2018, Box Breaker

A redshirt-medical double major senior who specialized in medical science, Brandon Facyson played cornerback with Virginia Tech from 2013 to 2017. 
He made an impressive 5 interceptions as a freshman, but injuries and teams looking away from him ensured he did not have another takeaway- outside of fumbles for the rest of his college career. Notably, in 2016 he had 11 pass deflections and 2 forced fumbles, and finished his time with the Hokies with 131 total tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 5 interceptions, 39 pass deflections, 1 fumble recovery, and 3 forced fumbles. Possessing the size and football intelligence, teams were intrigued by Facyson as a situational starter in the right defensive alignment- but he’d go unselected in the 2018 NFL Draft- thanks to a series of leg injuries that impacted his college career.

Undeterred Brandon signed with the Los Angeles Chargers. He’d make the 53 based on his impressive preseason efforts, with 2 pass deflections and a pick. During the regular season he’d notch xx tackles for 2018

Congratulations to Brandon Facyson and Panini Contenders 2018 for probably the worst and most uninspiring autograph of the year. This one is absolutely terrible. Who puts just the first letter of their last name as their autograph? Not to mention it just looks slowly and lazily done. It even drops off the bottom of the sticker.