Tag Archives: New York Jets

CFL, NFL

Evans, Shaquelle ‘Shaq’

Card: Sage 2014
Acquired: 2017, Box Breaker

Shaquelle Evans played for the Bruins of UCLA from 2011 to 2013, and Notre Dame in 2010. In 2012 he had 60 receptions for 877 yards and 3 TDs. He followed that up with 47 receptions for 709 yards and 9 TDs in 2013.  Evans was selected in the 2014 NFL Draft by the New York Jets in the 4th round. He blew out his shoulder before he even finished training camp and spent 2014 on IR. Subsequently in 2015 he’d be waived in final cut downs.

Shaq was quickly snapped up by the Jaguars and spent the next year with the franchise on their practice squad. After a short stint on the Patriots in 2016, he joined the Cowboys in January of 2017, but later was suspended for violating the league’s drug policy.  

In January of 2018, Evans joined the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL and caught 50 passes for 785 yards in his rookie year with the team. He followed that up with an equally impressive 2019 catching 108 balls for 1334 yards and 5 TDs.

NFL

Berrios, Braxton ‘Honey Nut Berrios’

Card: Panini Contenders 2018
Acquired: 2018, Box Breaker

Braxton Berrios played 4 years for the Miami Hurricanes from 2014 to 2017 at wide receiver and punt returner. His best year came as a Senior, when he logged 55 receptions for 679 yards and 9 TDs. He finished at Miami with 100 receptions for 1175 yards and 14 TDs, to go along with 47 punt returns for 488 yards and a TD. He’d be selected in the 6th round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots with the idea of grooming him into the next slot receiving sensation.

With Julian Edelman, Philip Dorsett, Chris Hogan pretty much set at the starting spots, and Cordarrelle Patterson, Eric Decker, Kenny Britt, Malcolm Mitchell, and Jordan Matthews battling it out for scraps it looked like Berrios might the rookie caught looking in. As the preseason progressed however, the smoke cleared, and with Matthews, Mitchell, and Britt, all leaving the team before the end of the preseason, it looked like Braxton might stand a dark horse chance of making the roster and having a real impact. Injuries too impacted Braxton’s tape during the preseason- and ultimately he’d end his rookie season on IR. He’d be cut after training camp in 2019, but quickly scooped up by the New York Jets. On the season he’d make 6 catches for 115 yards including a 69 yard long, while returning kicks (4 for 48 yards) and punts (21 for 240 yards) for the Jets.

OK. Gotta give Panini credit on this card. It is a really nice one. Braxton’s face is really clear in this image, and colors are all spot on. A highly slanted autograph with really pronounced ‘B’s, Braxton’s autograph even compliments this canvas well.

AAF, NFL

Wolford, John

Cards: Topps AAF 2019 Certified, Topps AAF 2019
Acquired: IP 2019, The San Antonio Commanders v The Arizona Hotshots, BB 2019

John Wolford is a perfect example of why the AAF existed. After setting numerous Freshman passing records at Wake Forest, John really caught fire in his Senior year during 2017- passing for 29 TDs to just 6 interceptions. He’d sign with the Jets as a free agent but not make the squad.

Wolford ended up on the radar of the AAF in 2018. He’d be selected by the Arizona Hotshots during the Pick or Protect QB draft during the second round. Although Trevor Knight was heavily favored, Wolford won the job in camp and ended up starting 7 contests for the Hotshots. He’d end up winning offensive player of the week honors- twice. In Week 1, he completed 18 of 29 passes for 275 yards, 4 TDs and two 2-point conversions against the Stallions. Later in the season he’d earn his second player of the week honors when he completed 15 of 19 passes for 212 yards, 2 TDs, and a 35 yard scamper.

John led the Hotshots to their final win of the year over the Commanders in week 8- tossing a bomb to Rashad Ross to start the scoring early on. He and Knight were gracious enough to come right over and sign cards for me when they came out to do warm ups. It was about what I had envisioned when I bought the seats in the visitors’ end zone. On the season Wolford finished 130/206 for 1617 yards, 14 TDs to 7 interceptions. He also rushed 36 times for 160 yards and a 35 yard TD.

In April of 2019, John was part of the first wave of players that signed with the NFL after the AAF suspended operations- joining the Los Angeles Rams.