Tag Archives: Minnesota Vikings

NFL, ufl

Moats, Ryan (2)

Card: Playoff Contenders 2005
Acquired: 5/11/12, Target Autograph Memorabilia
See Also: Moats, Ryan

Really nice card and presentation by Playoff here on the Moats card. I wasn’t too impressed with their last entry of his, but this one really is framed well and also has a great look and design too. The Contenders cards really had an original look to them, and practiced really concise, proper typography. It’s clean and for the most part, very easy to read.

Ryan Moats was drafted by the Eagles, in 2005 but stacked at runningback he didn’t see much playing time initially behind encumbant Brian Westbrook. Although he’d see limited playing time in 2006, an injury forced him completely out of the 2007 season. Unable to crack the lineup by 2008, Ryan was released in final cuts. Moats signed and was cut by the Cardinals to their practice squad.

He’d go onto greater glory playing for the Texans, who at the time were having a difficult time at runningback with injuries to Steve Slaton and Ahman Green, and fumbles limiting Chris Brown‘s effectiveness. The team turned to Moats, and he responded leading the charge at runningback splitting time with Slaton and Brown throughout 2009 season until the emergence of Arian Foster. He’d be cut during 2010 and find a home with the Vikings.

In 2011, the UFL announced their ‘protected player list’- (which amounts to a supplemental draft of veterans from the NFL who were cut from squads that the clubs want).  Moats was among the names selected by the Omaha Nighthawks, but Ryan elected not to play in the young league.

 

Arena, NFL, WLAF

Schlichting, Craig

Card: ProSet WLAF 1991
Acquired: TTM 2012, C/o Home
Sent: 8/9    Received:  8/17

A monster defensive lineman, Craig Schlichting played for the Wyoming Cowboys in college. As Team Captain, there he’d amass 135 tackles, 19 sacks, and 5 fumble recoveries over 4 years. He also won Weight Lifter of the Year honors from the college in 1989. The Minnesota Vikings scouts liked the 6-5, 270 pounder, and drafted Craig in the 8th round of the 1990 draft. Although he didn’t make the team, he eventually spent 5 games on the practice squad of the Pittsburgh Steelers that season. The WLAF’s New York- New Jersey Knights drafted Schlichting in the 2nd round of the league’s 1991 positional draft.  Craig ended up starting all 10 games for the Knights that season at defensive end, raking in 28 tackles, 6.5 sacks,  and a recovered fumble. His 52 yards for losses, led the team. Perhaps his best day came against the Montreal Machine, where he manhandled their line for 4 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 33 yards in losses. Craig returned for the 1992 season, and put up another 3 sacks. After the WLAF reorganized following the 1992 season, Craig headed over to the Arena leagues, playing for the Cincinnati Rockers for one season recording 6 tackles, 3 sacks, and a forced fumble.

Oddly along with Paul Berardelli (who I received back on the same day), Craig entered into the educational system and has been with the Triton Public School System since 1993. He’s earned his Master’s in Educational Leadership and is currently a Principal at a Dodge Center Middle School in Minnesota. He wrote me perhaps the longest and kindest letter I’ve received to date from a player talking to me about his experience in the WLAF. In his letter he discusses the ‘quality of experience’ (ie. allowing fans onto the field and the affordability) that the league brought to the table. Craig went on to tell me about a fan who said he couldn’t get a Giants ticket for even $100.00, but for the Knights, he could get tickets, parking, and a hot dog for less than that. Craig also agreed that the WLAF could have been successful if the NFL had just committed to the WLAF’s success instead of just letting it die on the vine in North America. Such a shame really, because based on the fan’s reaction to Craig, it sounds like there were a few crazed fans out there just like myself that appreciated what WLAFers were doing. I gave Craig an extra card, that I hope that he takes the time to frame somewhere for the great memories.

Tac N/a   Sac 9.5   Fum N/a  Int  0    Yds  0    Avg  -.-   Td 0   Lg  -.-

NFL, University of Texas

Robison, Brian

Card: Playoff Contenders 2007
Acquired: 5/11/12, Target Authentic Autograph Memorabilia

Upon arriving at the University of Texas, Robison was part of one of Mack Brown‘s most impressive recruiting classes, that included Vince Young, Selvin Young, Kasey Studdard, and Aaron Ross. Initially Robison found himself at linebacker, but proved to be most versatile for the Longhorns at defensive end. He’d put himself firmly on the radar with a solid showing at his pro day in 2007 for the NFL draft.

The Vikings, nabbed Robison in the 4th round of the draft and penciled Brian in at defensive end. He’d start 5 games his rookie season and also play on special teams. Although it has taken him some time to crack the starting lineup for the Vikings, he was finally given a starting nod in 2011 where Brian had a career high 8 sacks. He also is known for his temper, and was fined $200,000 by the league for kicking TJ Lang in the groin. Robison apologized and the two have since moved on from the incident.