Chad Hansen was a late bloomer and a very surprising prospect from the 2017 NFL Draft. He played for Idaho St for one year before joining Cal. With the Golden Bears his numbers increased every season culminating in his Senior year, when he posted 92 receptions for 1,249 and 11 scores. Scouts loved Hansen and felt that he was going to sneak up draft boards. Chad managed to climb into the 4th round where he was selected by the New York Jets. He worked his way onto the field during the final few games of 2017, recording his first 3 receptions against the Bucs. Chad finished 2017 with 9 receptions for 94 yards and a 24 yard long.
He’d be claimed off of waivers by the Patriots, and then later spend time on the practice squad of the Titans. Currently he’s on the practice squad of the Denver Broncos.
Marcus Murphy played collegially at Missou. A dangerous and versatile player, Marcus scored TDs receiving, rushing, and returning punts and kicks throughout his career. He finished his college career with 357 carries for 1957 yards and 16 TDs, to go along with 50 receptions for 318 yards and 2 TDs in just 2 years. A 7th round pick of the New Orleans Saints, Murphy drafted to fill the role that Darren Sproles and Reggie Bush had before him. He spent the next two years as a return man on both kicks and punts, but couldn’t crack the runningback lineup. He’d finish with 34 kick returns for 318 yards and a 74 yard TD, and 19 punt returns for 405 yards. He’d be waived in 2017, and found his way onto the practice squads of the Jets, Colts, and Bills. Eventually the Bills decided to take a closer look at Marcus as a strictly a running back. He carried the ball 7 times for 41 yards and caught 2 passes for 7 yards in his Bills debut. Marcus made the roster of the Bills in 2018 and has seen a lot more playing time touching the ball 19 times in 3 games.
Great looking card here of Marcus. I just wish the rest of the Sage 2015 set was this consistent. The striking clouds and heroic pose by Murphy look like a pretty solid throwback to the old public relations photos.
I absolutely love this card of Sloan. Leaf had a habit of breaking the design grid with their Rookies & Stars set in such a unique way, but in a sense with such deliberation, and the autograph is showcased so well. About the only thing I don’t like is how tiny the Texans logo is, but overall it’s a quality design. Leaf continually and slowly tweaked the design of their Rookies & Stars set so professionally over the years, it felt like I was buying a Corvette every year.
Sloan finished out his degree at UT in Communication after his NFL career concluded. After helping UTSA put itself on the map in division one football, he moved on to the corporate world and as of 2017 is with Alamo Title Company working in their Commercial and Corporate Business Development department.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
Card: Panini Contenders 2017
Card: Sage 2015
Card: Leaf Rookies & Stars 2005 (030/150)