Tag Archives: panini contenders 2016

NFL

Williams (-Lambert), Jordan


Card: Panini Contenders School Colors 2016, Sage 2016 (13/250)
Acquired: 2016 & 2017, Box Breaker

A solid receiving option in the Ball State offense, Jordan Williams – Lambert was a 2nd team All Mac selection in both his Junior and Senior seasons.  Scouts liked his size, but after a poor showing at the combine, Williams-Lambert left them scratching their collective heads.  Jordan’s tenuous draft stock fell. Going unselected in 2016, he was picked up by the receiver needy New Orleans Saints. He got some playing time in during the preseason catching 3 passes for 58 yards, including a nice 30 yarder.  The Saints liked what they saw out of Jordan and kept him in the family, signing him to their practice squad, and later again for 2017.

NFL

Jones, Cyrus

Card: Panini Contenders 2016
Acquired: 2016, Box Breaker

Cyrus Jones was an intriguing prospect coming out of Alabama in 2016.  A decorated punt return and cover man, Jones was a bit undersized for the pro level, but the Patriots liked what they saw and selected Jones in the second round of the 2016 draft. It was a rough debut to say the least for Cyrus, but give Bill Belichick and his staff credit for not giving up on him.

Cyrus finished with 7 tackles on defense, as he contributed mainly on special teams. There he had 11 punt returns for 46 yards, and 8 kick offs for 180. While his bottom line wasn’t horrible for a rookie, it’s the fact that he fumbled 5 times (recovering 2) that really got him in trouble.  It was difficult for Cyrus. Even though the Patriots won the Super Bowl with him, he didn’t really feel a part of it, because of his performance that ended with him on the bench.

Cyrus wanted to become a better player and opted to spend his offseason training for 2017.  Things were looking up for the young speedster, until he suffered a torn ACL in training camp, ending his season before it began.

NFL

Nassib, Carl

Card: Panini Contenders 2016
Acquired: 2016, Box Breaker

Carl Nassib has a nice frame clocking in at 6’7″, 277.  A great story out of Penn State, Nassib was a walk on with a motor that never quit. In his final year at Penn State, Carl led the nation with 15.5 sacks (single season sack record) and 6 forced fumbles from defensive end.  Going into the 2016 draft a lot of scouts liked what they saw, but felt that Carl was still pretty raw. The Cleveland Browns selected Carl near the top of round 3 and he played a fair amount during his rookie season despite suffering from a broken hand. The former Nittany Lion started 3 games and earned 15 tackles, 4 pass defensed, and 2.5 sacks.