Well, true to form Bob made me wait almost two years between two returns. When I opened up the Panini Classics pack and found this patch inside, I thought it’d make a great canvas on which to get his autograph. I was not disappointed.
Large and mobile QB in the mold of Duante Culpepper.
Completed 680 passes for 8,078 yards, 44 touchdowns and 34 interceptions in 35 career games- and a school record 8427 yards.
Was the 17th overall pick of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
By midseason, was established as Bucs starter at QB.
In 2010, led Bucs to 10-6 record, passing for 3451 yards and 25 TDs to just 6 interceptions.
Tied for NFL lead with 5 4th quarter comebacks that year.
Passed for career high 4065 yards and 27 TDs in 2012.
Threw 95 yard pass to Vincent Jackson to lead NFL that season.
In 2013, Tampa decided to go in a different direction at QB- and after 5 games was cut.
Spent the remainder of the 2013 season on the roster of the Minnesota Vikings.
Signed and cut by the Giants in 2014 before camp.
Spent 2015 on the preseason roster of the Miami Dolphins.
After failing to latch on with Dolphins, played for the FXFL Brooklyn Bolts.
Joined Indianapolis Colts late in season, and was released the following year.
Caught the attention of the Calgary Stampeders and signed with team in 2018- but retired soon thereafter.
Score 2009, #358Panini Rookies & Stars 2010, #139
NOTES:
I always thought Josh got a bad wrap. His 2010 was a really solid campaign, and while he did survive the Raheem Morris epoch, he was able to rally the team to a decent 7-9 record while posting some pretty decent numbers.
I had worked with my friend Chris in tracking down Josh’s address. He wasn’t at the top of my list, so I let Chris at him first. After he got a success, I went ahead and put my cards together and sent them out.
Incredible speedster and track man at Northwestern State.
Second round pick of the Miami Dolphins in 82.
Saw little action his rookie season partially due to the NFL strike.
Posted first 1000 yard season following year on 51 catches, scoring 10 TDs.
Had a career high 71 receptions in 1984 to go along with 1306 yards receiving.
Had a career high in receiving yards (1313) and TDs (11) in 1986.
Cracked the 1000 yard plateau one final time in 1991 with 1085 yards.
After being cut following the 92 season, Mark played one final season in 1994 for the Miami Hooters of the Arena Football League.
ACCOLADES:
Pro Bowl 1983
Pro Bowl 1984
Pro Bowl 1986
All- Pro 1983
All-Pro 1984
League’s longest reception from scrimmage 1986 (85 yards)
Dolphins Honor Roll 2003
At the time of his retirement was the Dolphins all-time receiving yardage leader at 8,869 yards.
2005 N-Club Hall of Fame (Northwestern State University)
NOTES:
Duper along with WR Mark Clayton formed the famous ‘Marks Brothers’ that gave opposing defenses fits. Duper was well known for wearing the single bar helmet throughout his career. He was diagnosed with CTE in 2013.
Mark only recently started signing through the mail, so I went ahead and picked up his certified via EBay back in 2020. Later when I saw successes flood in with a donation in early 2022, I launched out these two other cards.
NFL
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
511
8869
17.4
59
85t
ARENA
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
8
93
11.6
1
N/a
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
