Tag Archives: New York Jets

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.

NFL

Bowles, Todd

Card: ProSet 1991
Acquired: TTM 2018, C/o The New York Jets
Sent: 10/1 Received: 12/31 (91 days)

Admittedly, it’s a bit grim when you get a player or coach’s autograph in the mail from them right after they get cut or fired. Case in point- Todd Bowles. He took over Gang Green after Rex Ryan was dismissed from the franchise in 2015. He posted a solid 10-6 record right out of the box that year, but the team did not make the playoffs. Over the next 3 seasons, the Jets failed to rally back into the AFC East race, finishing dead last each year with identical 5-11 records in 2016 and 2017, and a 4-12 mark in 2018.

The franchise hired a new GM and then couldn’t find a quarterback to hitch the team to until the 2018 season. In the meantime they constantly missed on draft choices or had a lack there of and in the 2018 season lost 6 games by less than a TD. Todd was released after the season, but not before he dropped this card in the mail – signing one of two for me. He was quickly snatched up by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for their open defensive coordinator position in 2019 reuniting him with Head Coach Bruce Arians.

Todd has a rich coaching history. Technically a disciple of the Al Groh coaching tree, Todd served at a variety of stops in college before hitting it big in the NFL with the Jets as a secondary coach in 2000. He served as a defensive coordinator and secondary coach in 1997 for Morehouse and in 1998 and 1999 in the same capacity for Grambing State. Bowles joined the Browns in 2001 and remained with the franchise through 2004, eventually becoming the franchise’s secondary coach. He then coached with the Cowboys under Bill Parcells from 2005-2007, again in the secondary, before working with the Dolphins in 2008, where he’d get a taste of head coaching in 2011 going 2-1 as the interim head coach. Todd spent a year with the Eagles, and then in 2013 was the defensive coordinator for the Cardinals, where he enjoyed the most success paired with head coach and offensive guru Bruce Arians. He earned AP Assistant Coach of the Year Honors before embarking on his whirlwind tour of New York.

Amazingly- Todd has a very long playing resume as well. Going undrafted out of Temple in 1986, he signed with the Redskins playing Free Safety with the franchise through 1990- earning one Super Bowl ring. Bowles hopped over the 49ers in 1991 spending one season with the team. He’d then return to the Redskins for two more seasons before heading into coaching.

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