Tag Archives: panini contenders 2016 school colors

CFL, NFL, XFL

Jones, Cardale

CARDS: Topps XFL 2020, Topps XFL 2020 Future Stars, Topps XFL 2020 Certified, Panini Contenders Draft Picks 2016 School Colors, Topps XFL NOW 2020 #2, Topps XFL NOW 2020 #8, Panini Contenders 2016 Gameday
ACQUIRED: Box Breaker, 2020. Future Considerations, 2020. Paid Signing, 2024

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Cardale Jones played QB for the Ohio State University from 2013-2016.
  • He got his first start in the Big Ten Championship Game in 2014, when he threw for 257 yards and 3 TDs- and was named MVP of the game.
  • After a battle with JT Barrett for the starting role, Jones earned the starting nod in 2015.
  • Started 7 games throwing for 1460 yards and 8 TDs (5 INT), while rushing for 193 yards on 64 carries (2 TD).
  • Declared for the 2016 NFL Draft.
  • Selected in the 4th round by the Buffalo Bills.
  • Buried on the depth chart behind Tyrod Taylor and EJ Manuel, he completed 6 of 11 passes for 96 yards and an interception his rookie year.
  • Traded to the Chargers in 2017.
  • Spent 2018 on the Chargers practice squad.
  • Released in 2019, and joined the Seahawks for a bit over a week.
  • Joined the DC Defenders of the XFL20 later that year.
  • Had a solid debut in the league completing 16 of 26 passes for 291 yards and 2 TDs for the team’s first win.
  • Finished the abbreviated season with 674 yards on 61 of 113 passing (4 TD to 7 INT).
  • Briefly was on the radar of the Edmonton Elks of the CFL and then later the Massachusetts Pirates in ’22.

NOTES:

My good friend Seth Lessans- a season ticketholder of the Defenders in 2020, was willing to help me get any autographs I wanted, so I cashed in big time with a bunch of players including Cardale on his Panini Contenders School Colors card. I’ve tried to keep up with Seth, but our communication is spotty for whatever reason. I hope he’s doing okay.

I got a few of these really nice XFL cards of Cardale, but I didn’t want to risk them TTM or pay the going rate I’d seen at a few events of roughly 50 bucks per item. Eventually I was able to find an event through the same broker that got me Pete Mandley a few months ago for an extremely reasonable price. I went ahead and cashed in nearly all my set needs.

Cardale maintains that he still loves the game and is ready to suit up at any time.

AAF, NFL

Hackenberg, Christian

Cards: Topps AAF Certified 2019, Topps AAF 2019, Panini Contenders 2015, Panini Contenders 2015 School Colors
Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o Home. EBay, 2019
Sent: 4/26/19 Received: 5/23/19 (27 days)

I really had high hopes for Christian Hackenberg that he’d resurrect his career with the AAF in 2019. He’s been through a lot as a professional and has really put his best foot forward. He even worked with renowned quarterback coaches trying to fix a hole in his throwing motion.

In college at Penn State, he was tutored by future head coach Bill O’Brien. Hackenberg put together some solid numbers playing for the Nittany Lions throwing for 8,457 yards and 48 TDs to 31 interceptions over 3 years. After his junior season in 2015, he’d declare for the 2016 NFL draft, and while rumors swirled that he’d be selected possibly by his former coach Bill O’Brien and the Texans, the Jets ultimately chose him with the 51st pick of the second round where they planned to groom him as the franchise’s quarterback of the future. He rode the bench for the season, and then battled it out in camp during the 2017 season against Bryce Petty and Josh McCown. He had a decent preseason, but again saw no playing time.

Hackenberg then in 2018 was traded to the Raiders, but the trade was cancelled the next day, so he was released outright. A few months later he signed with the Eagles for the preseason, where he saw limited playing time. He’d be released before the regular season, and join the Bengals practice squad for a few months.

He’d opt to join the upstart Alliance of American Football in November of 2018, and was selected by the Memphis Express in the second round of the League’s quarterback Pick or Protect Draft. Hackenberg beat out first round pick Troy Cook, Brandon Silvers, and Zack Mettenberger in camp to nab the starting gig.

Hack then ran into a buzzsaw against the defensive minded Birmingham Iron his first week throwing for 87 yards and an interception on 10 of 23 passing. Memphis was shut out 26-0. Although the Express’ fares improved very slowly over the next two games, Christian wasn’t able to put the rock in the endzone through the air. He’d be benched in favor of Zack Mettenberger, then later passed up for Brandon Silvers, and ultimately in the end by Johnny Manziel. On the season, Hack finished 32 of 62 for 277 yards and 3 interceptions, while rushing for 47 yards on 9 carries- scoring one TD.

Christian was high on my list to get an autograph from, as he had a great selection of cards to choose from. He had these great AAF cards, and also some Panini cards I was itching to get signed at the next game, but before I could do so, the league folded.

My friend Mark, from Markssigningbonus.com came through for me on this collaboration passing this address forward to me so that I could give Hack another shot. He signed all 3 of my cards with his nice, loopy signature. I find it interesting that he abbreviates his first name to just ‘C.’. Also the C has a strong upper loop in it, and leans heavily to the right.

As the market collapsed on the AAF certified’s later in 2019, I was able to pick up his autograph. It’s a nice looking card of him and I hope he continues his football journey in whatever manner it may continue.