Tag Archives: Miami Dolphins

NFL

Pead, Isaiah

Card: Topps Strata Clear Cut 2012
Acquired: 2017, EBay

A playmaker for the Bearcats of Cincinnati, Isaiah Pead had over 1000 yards from scrimmage in three out of four years.  A shifty runner with soft hands,  Pead had career highs every year he played at the college. In 2010 he rushed for 1029 yards on 157 carries and 6 TDs. He’d eclipse those numbers in 2011 with 1259 yards, and 319 yards receiving (39 receptions).  Isaiah did everything the scouts wanted and more at the combine. He was the combine leader in the 3 cone drill at 6.95 seconds, and his 40 was a respectable 4.47 seconds.  At 5’10”, 197, Pead was all muscle and flash, but criticized for his lack of blocking.  Isaiah was selected in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft by the St. Louis Rams.

The Rams liked Pead a lot, and hoped he’d help spell ageless wonder Steven Jackson on 3rd down.  Isaiah spent his rookie year on special teams, while rushing for 54 yards on 10 carries.  He’d get swallowed up in the runningback competition after the departure of Jackson the following year behind Zac Stacy and Benny Cunningham. Pead got to show his skill as a gunner on special teams and the Rams floated him for a trade during the 2014 NFL draft. During the 2014 preseason, he blew out his ACL and was lost for the season.

After the selection of Todd Gurley in the 2015 NFL Draft the writing was on the wall for Isaiah. He’d be cut in late September. He later worked out for the Jets and then signed with the Steelers as an injury replacement for Le’Veon Bell. Within a month Pead was cut. In 2016 Isaiah found a home with the Miami Dolphins. He’d impress during the preseason behind Arian Foster and Jay Ajayi, but a hamstring injury during the preseason sidelined him. He was cut during the first month of the season.

Tragically in November of 2016, Isaiah was almost killed when his Cadillac CTS careened off the highway and down a 40 foot embankment. His left leg was severed and his right one was badly mangled. He survived and after some 8 surgeries, has made an amazing transformation in his life. Isaiah has a vehicle moving service called Stampede Trucking and also wants to be an inspiration to those who have suffered a physical calamity in their lives.

Great card of Isaiah here punctuated by his solid autograph. The patch on this card is really nice. Even though I do not like the fact that resellers retail two and three color patches at a premium, I can understand why especially when you look at this solid card.

G/Gs 30/1    Rush 27      Yds 100    Avg 3.7      Td 0     Lg 19
Rec  15           Yds 100      Avg 6.7      Td 0           Lg 14
KR  18             Yds 413     Avg 22.9      Td 0         Lg 32

NFL

Gaffney, Jabar

Card: SPX 2002 Rated Rookies (229/650)
Acquired: 2017, EBay
Failure: 2011, C/o The Washington Redskins

Jabar Gaffney was a talent who left it all on the field for the Florida Gators back in 2000 and 2001. In both years he had almost 1200 yards and over 10 TDs receiving.  He declared for the 2002 NFL draft and was selected at the top of round 2 by the Houston Texans expansion squad. It was expected that Gaffney would become young quarterback David Carr‘s preferred target as they’d grow together as an up and coming talent. Among receivers looking back, his selection was a fair one. He’d finish 2nd in total WR yardage in an otherwise lackluster class.

Jabar caught only 1 TD  his rookie season, in a week 6 snoozer against the Buffalo Bills. The following week he’d record his first and only professional TD throw against the Cleveland Browns. In total that rookie year, Jabar had 483 yards on 41 catches.  Later in 2004 Gaffney had his best season as a Texan with 632 yards on 41 receptions.  In 2005, the Texans experimented with utilizing Gaffney as more of an inline receiver. He’d make 55 receptions, but as David Carr regressed, so did the Texans record.  The entire team from the front office down was fired and a new regime was brought in.  Jabar was a free agent.

Gaffney found a home with the Philadelphia Eagles, but was a surprise cut before the beginning of the season.
He’d then sign with New England where he’d play for the Patriots over the next 3 seasons. In 2007 he’d have a career high 5 TD receptions.  Jabar then signed with the Denver Broncos in 2009. In two seasons with the franchise he’d post near career highs in receptions (54, 65) and yards (732, 875). He’d be headhunted by the Redskins for 2011, again posting career highs in receptions (68) and yards (947) and tied his career high with 5 TDs.  Jabar returned to the Patriots, but was cut shortly there after.  He later signed with the Dolphins, but ran into legal trouble.  Miami cut him and Gaffney was unable to resuscitate his career.

In 2016 he was arrested in Jacksonville for marijuana. Gaffney has attempted to remain low key otherwise, despite some run ins with the law.

G/Gs 158/103     Rec 447    Yds 5690    Avg 12.7    Td 24   Lg 69

CFL, NFL

Boston, David

Card: Topps 2002
Acquired: Future Considerations, 2016

At Ohio State, Boston was head and shoulders above the competition. He set school records as a receiver, and his 1998 was among the best single season marks in Buckeye history (85 catches, 1435 yards and 13 TDs.  After 3 years at Ohio State, Boston decided to declare for the 1999 NFL draft.  The 1999 draft was pretty star studded.  David was the second receiver taken off the board overall (behind Torry Holt) with the 8th pick overall by the Arizona Cardinals.

After a not so convincing rookie season (40 receptions, 473 yards, 2 TDs in 8 starts), David really took off in 2000. He put up 71 receptions for 1156 yards and 7 TDs. He followed his second season in the NFL with a dominant 2001 campaign earning his only probowl and All-Pro Nomination with 98 receptions for 1598 yards and 8 TDs. He’d be the second youngest receiver ever to break the 1,500 yard plateau. Before he could continue his career march towards stardom further, he blew out his knee after 8 games. The tragedy of it is, that David has really worked on becoming not only more disciplined as a player with his routes, but also disciplined mentally- not drawing the unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and the self-destructive behavior that plagued him early in his career. It was also a contract year…

Arizona couldn’t match San Diego’s offer to David Boston- who had become so lean and mean looking, he should’ve been playing tight end or linebacker instead of wide receiver. The guy was a walking 8 pack with 21-inch biceps! The Chargers deal was a mega contract at $47 million over 7 years.  Who knows why things didn’t workout in San Diego, but the Chargers jettisoned him just after one season (70 catches for 900 yards, and 7 TDs) in 2003. It has been rumored that the Chargers didn’t like David’s work ethic or his attitude- but regardless, he was traded to the Dolphins in 2004, in the midst of a spate of legal issues.

Boston was ready for a clean start in Miami, but then was suspended for 4 games because of steroids, and soon thereafter he tore some knee ligaments ending his season.  He returned to play briefly in 2005, but tore his knee ligaments again. In 2006 he joined the Buccaneers, however before the season began he was arrested for a DUI and GHB. Tampa quickly cut him.  David attempted to resurrect his career in 2008 in the CFL with the Toronto Argonauts, but a stress fracture in his foot ended his career after just one game.

Lance hit up a boat show from what I remember and David Boston along with a few other random players were at this event. I had always wanted Boston on a card or two. His history as a physical specimen and his subsequent burnout of the league has always fascinated me.

G/GS 75/61    REC  315     YDS  4699    AVG  14.9    TD 25    LG 70T