Tag Archives: new orleans saints

NFL

Porter, Rufus ‘Roof’

Gameday 1992, #469
Action Packed 1990, #256
Skybox 1992, #56
Action Packed 1991, #256
Pro Set 1989, #400

CARDS: Fleer 1990, ProSet 1989, Skybox 1992, Action Packed 1990, Action Packed 1991, Gameday 1992
ACQUIRED: TTM 2021 & 2023, C/o Home
SENT: 1/19/21 RECEIVED: 1/25/21 (6 days)
SENT: 9/25/23 RECEIVED: 10/13/23 (18 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Rufus Porter was a big, rangy LB that played college ball at Southern.
  • Going undrafted in 1988, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks and was a surprising diamond in the rough found by the franchise.
  • Recorded 16 special teams tackles, and saw time as a defensive end and nickle situations later in the season.
  • Recorded 10.5 sacks, and led Seattle with 4 forced fumbles in ’89.
  • Had another 10 sack appearance in ’91, and a 9.5 effort in ’92.
  • After two consecutive down seasons with the Seahawks, Rufus took his game to New Orleans in ’96.
  • Earned a gameball for his play against the Colts that season.
  • Played one final season in Tampa in 1997.

ACCOLADES:

  • 1988, ’89 Pro Bowl
  • Steve Largent Award 1991
Fleer 1990, #272

NOTES:

Rufus was blessed to come onto the NFL scene and get in on nearly all the big sets from the Big Bang of cards during the late 80s and early 90s. As he was on all my set needs, I got him on two cards back in 2021 and then realized he was in every other set. I didn’t want to put him on blast so soon after he started signing so I waited 2 years to ask for his autograph on these remaining set needs.

Oddly Rufus appears in the Action Packed series 3 times, almost scoring a trifecta at #256 in every set- only to appear as #257 in 1992.

It can not be emphasized how awesome many of these cards are. The neck roll was obligatory for many of the linebackers during this period and the Action Packed 1990 and the Skybox Impact ’92 really show it off. If you wanted to be an intimidator, a neck roll was a first good step.

Porter appears in all Tecmo Super Bowl games. He was affectionately referred to as ‘ROOF!’, By the Kingdome faithful who would yell his name after he made a big play.

AAF, Arena, NFL, XFL

Folkerts, Brian

Topps XFL 2020, #41

CARD: Topps XFL 2020
ACQUIRED: IP 2023, San Antonio Brahmas V Arlington Renegades

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Brian Folkerts played college ball for tiny Washburn University from 2008-11.
  • During that time for the Ichabods, Folkerts played both RT and LT for the school.
  • Although possessing the ideal size (6’4″, 306), he’d go unselected in the 2012 NFL Draft.
  • After being cut by the Saints in 2012, Folkerts joined the Arena Football League, playing FB for the San Jose Sabrecats in 2013.
  • He followed that up with a stint playing for the Carolina Panthers from 2013-15.
  • After a short stint with both the ‘9ers and Rams in 2015, Brian rejoined the Panthers briefly again in 2017.
  • Sprained his ankle in the preseason and was cut.
  • In 2019, signed with the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Football.
  • Played C and blocked up front for one of the league’s better ground games.
  • After the AAF folded, Brian was selected by the St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL in 2020.
  • With COVID scrambling the XFL before the season concluded, Brian stayed in playing shape.
  • In 2023, was selected by the Arlington Renegades of the XFL 3.0.
  • Has been dabbling in coaching since COVID and in the XFL offseason works as an OL coach for Wingate University in North Carolina.

NOTES:

I was partially miffed and shocked at how many Commanders and former AAFers ended up with the Renegades in 2023. I packed a bunch of Renegade players cards along with my Kenneth Farrow’s, and while Kenneth was signing, both Brian and De’Vante Bausby came over to pay high respects to my Farrow Commanders jersey. I was extremely flattered.

Later my neighbors with me at the game, got field passes for after the game to wander around. They had enough for 5, and invited me, so I said, “Why not?” I rushed the field for a few autographs, and saw Brian standing there with his family taking photos. He was gracious enough to sign his card, take a photo with me, and talk about the Alliance and the Commanders with me. (He also agreed that the league was second to none as far as entertainment was concerned.)

After the game I posted this photo up on Twitter. (I didn’t realize how nice the Renegades icy whites look up close.) He also retweeted it and again had nothing to say but high praises of the Commanders faithful.

With the Commanders gone and the Brahmas reeling, the Renegade players were doing their hardest sell to adopt me.

NFL

Ruud, Barrett

Upper Deck 2009, #183

CARDS: Score 2009, Score 2010, Upper Deck 2009
ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o Work
SENT: 10/20 RECEIVED: 11/4 (15 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Barrett Ruud played LB for the Nebraska Cornhuskers from 2001-2004.
  • He posted 432 total tackles, a pick, and 7 forced fumbles over college career.
  • Selected in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
  • Finally broke into the starting lineup full time in 2007.
  • Had 4 straight seasons of 100+ tackles from 2007-2010.
  • Best season came in 2009, with 142 total tackles, 1 forced fumble and 7 pass deflections.
  • Signed with the Titans in 2011, but finished season on IR after 9 games.
  • In 2012, signed with the Seahawks, but was later traded to Saints.
  • After Saints cut Barrett, he found a home on the Texans who were desperately thin at LB.
  • As a depth move, Ruud came off the bench for 16 tackles, a sack and 2 pass deflections.
  • Retired after the 2012 season, Ruud coached LBs with the Huskers from 2018-2022.
Score 2010, #275
Score 2009, #280

NOTES:

Yeah so I was eager to get Barrett since he had a short stint on the Texans way back in 2012. The team was at the height of its power and he really helped out any way he could. My friend Lance got him first and passed along the info to me, so I went ahead and hit him up.

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