Tag Archives: New England Patriots

NFL, XFL

Beavers, Willie

Topps XFL 2020, #171

CARD: Topps XFL 2020
ACQUIRED: IP, XFL 2023 Championship Game

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Willie Beavers was a 4th round pick out of Western Michigan by the Minnesota Vikings in 2016.
  • Beavers has kept the dream alive and his agent busy since then, seeing tours with the Vikings, Patriots and Seahawks in 2016-’17.
  • After concluding his time with the Seahawks in 2018, spent a bit of time with the Bears as well that year.
  • After a short stint with the 9ers in 2019, played for the XFL Dallas Renegades in 2020.
  • Great film allowed him to return to the NFL, where Willie got practice squad for the Falcons later that year and into 2021.
  • Signed with the Commanders in ’22, but was injured and released.
  • Returned to the XFL to play with the Arlington Renegades in 2023, starting 5 contests.

NOTES:

The Renegades had just pulled off a huge upset in the XFL Championship game over the Defenders, and after the celebration at midfield, Dallas players were rightfully a combination of delirious, elated, and exhausted. Willie was slowly milling off the field, and as the throng of people around me called him over, he didn’t budge until I called him by name. He slowly ambled over took selfies and signed a card for me. I told him how much I appreciate every one of them and to keep living the dream!

NFL

Rakoczy, Gregg

Fleer 1990, #57
Fleer 1991, #41
Pro Set 1990, #476

CARDS: Fleer 1991, Pro Set 1990, Fleer 1990
ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Home
SENT: 4/12 RECEIVED: 4/22 (10 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Gregg Rakoczy was a versatile OL that was a 2nd round pick out of Miami (FL), by the Cleveland Browns in 1987.
  • 2 year starter at center, returned to guard after the return of longtime stalwart OL Mike Baab 1990.
  • Ironically signed with the Patriots in 1991, essentially replacing Mike Baab at center.
  • Played for NE through the 1992 season, playing in 81 games, starting 48.

ACCOLADES:

  • All-Rookie Team 1987

NOTES:

Gregg’s 1990 Fleer is just an excellent in the dirt shot. He has a great autograph for a big man, and while I find his Fleer 1991 card to be absolutely abysmal, it’s not a bad addition to my collection. His Fleer 1990 has an uncorrected error, with the blurb on the back referring to him as ‘Greg’. Only had 7 cards, but two of them (Pacific 1991 as well) made this mistake.

NFL

Jefferson, Shawn

CARD: Action Packed Rookies 1991
ACQUIRED: 2023, Consignment
FAILURE: TTM 2015, C/o Tennessee Titans

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Shawn Jefferson played college ball at UCF from 1988-1990.
  • He caught 67 passes for 1087 yards and 11 TDs over his college career.
  • Boasting a 4.45 40, Shawn was a 9th round pick of the Houston Oilers in 1991.
  • He was traded almost immediately to the San Diego Chargers along with a #1 pick in exchange for DE Lee Williams.
  • He played the next 5 seasons with the Chargers, and had two back to back 40+ catch, 620+ yard seasons.
  • Shawn joined the Patriots in 1996, and immediately bested those numbers.
  • In 1997, he had a career high 841 yards.
  • In 1998, Shawn posted a league leading 22.7 yards per reception (34 catches).
  • He’d sign with the Atlanta Falcons in 2000, and post a career high 60 receptions (822 yards).
  • Played with the Detroit Lions in 2003.
  • Finished career with 13 years under his belt, 470 receptions, and over 7k yards- Pretty good for a 9th round pick.
  • Went into coaching, working his way up with the Lions to the wide receivers coach position (2006-2012).
  • Served in same capacity with the Tennessee Titans from 2013-15, the Miami Dolphins (2016-18), New York Jets (2019-20), Cardinals (2021-22), and currently the Panthers (2023).
  • At all his more recent stops, (Jets, Cardinals, Panthers) Shawn has also been an associate/assistant head coach in addition to his wide receivers coaching duties.

NOTES:

I’d swear, I’ve tried Shawn at least 3 times, but the tape doesn’t lie. I just flushed cards on him once, back in 2015. I went ahead and did a consignment to knock him out at last.

The Action Packed Rookies 1991 card of him was one of my favorites. When the Oilers drafted him, I thought he had outstanding potential, so needless to say when Bobby Beathard shrewdly peeled him off the Oilers along with a first round pick in exchange for DE Lee Williams, I was still a bit disappointed, as I thought Jefferson was having a pretty good preseason.

Shawn talked a lot of smoke during his early days with the Chargers. -And when he mocked the Oilers, before their meeting in 1992, he became bulletin board material in Houston’s locker room. The Oilers would pummel the Chargers 27-0.

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