Tag Archives: philadelphia eagles

Westbrook, Brian

SP 2008, #60

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Brian Westbrook played RB at Villanova from 1997-01.
  • In 46 college games, he carried the ball for 4,298 yards, with 84 TDs, caught 219 passes for 2,582 yards (11.79 avg.) and gained 2,289 yards and four TDs on kick returns.
  • He holds the all-time NCAA record with 9,512 all-purpose yards.
  • Selected in the 3rd round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.
  • Worked his way into the starting lineup in 2004.
  • Had back to back 1200+ yard rushing seasons in 2006-’07.
  • A gifted receiver out of the backfield, caught 50+ passes in 5 straight seasons, with a career high 90 for 771 yards in 2007.
  • Played with the Eagles through 2009, concluding his career with a final season with the ‘9ers the following season.

ACCOLADES:

  • Pro Bowl 2004, ’07
  • All-Pro 2007
  • Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame
  • Philadelphia Eagles 75th Anniversary Team
  • College Football Hall of Fame
  • Villanova University Varsity Club Hall of Fame 2016
  • Walter Payton Award 2001
  • Senior Bowl Hall of Fame

NOTES:

I had heard that Brian was a player rep for the league. I had packed cards on occasion and kept hoping he’d appear. Along the way I had lost the two cards I wanted signed the most. Knowing the XFL Championship was coming up and that’d be the best chance I’d have at getting him, I packed these three cards.

When I got inside the stadium I found my seat, and IDed him almost immediately, but I wasn’t 100% sure. He was in a crowd so I Googled him to be sure, and then called out his name. He looked surprised a fan IDed him in the stands and ambled over. He signed my three cards for me and asked me what team I was cheering on. I told him that I thought the Renegades would win. I had a good feeling. The energy was with them and they were surging. Westbrook shook his head and said no way! It’s gotta be the Defenders. They had a solid season and are stacked!

-The Renegades ended up winning 35-26.

Unfortunately after the USFL and XFL merged, Brian’s position was considered redundant.

RUSHYDSAVGTDLG
138563354.64171
RECYDSAVGTDLG
44239408.93062

Higgs, Mark

GameDay 1992, #247

CARDS: Skybox Premium 1993, Skybox 1992, Action Packed Rookies 1991, Action Packed 1992, Gameday 1992
ACQUIRED: TTM 2020, 2024, C/o Home.
SENT: 9/24/20 RECEIVED: 10/3/20 (9 Days)
SENT: 3/21/24 RECEIVED: 4/5/24 (15 Days)
FAILURE: TTM 2017, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Mark Higgs played RB from 1984-’87 for the Kentucky Wildcats.
  • In his senior season he ran for 1,278 yards on 193 carries.
  • He finished his career at Owensboro with 2,892 rushing yards- good for second all-time on the school’s rushing list.
  • Originally a 8th round choice of the Dallas Cowboys in the 1988 NFL Draft.
  • Buried on the depth chart and relegated to special teams his first 3 years in the NFL playing for the Cowboys (’88), Eagles (’89), and Dolphins (’90).
  • His first TD was a blocked punt he returned 19 yards for a TD against the Patriots in 1990.
  • He’d finally get his shot starting at RB in 1991, in place of Sammie Smith, running for 146 yards in the season opener.
  • The following week Higgs ran for 111 yards, marking the first back to back 100 yard performance by a Dolphins RB since ’82.
  • He finished the season with 231 carries for 905 yards and 4 TDs- the highest season total by a Dolphin since… 1978.
  • Mark topped those numbers in 1992, running for 915 yards and 7 rushing TDs.
  • Starting in 8 contests in 1993, Mark ran for 693 yards and 3 TDs primarily in a backup role behind Terry Kirby.
  • During the 1994 season he’d be cut and sign with the Arizona Cardinals.
  • After spending the majority of the 1995 season on IR due to a back injury, Mark opted to retire.

ACCOLADES:

  • University of Kentucky Hall of Fame 2006

NOTES:

Mark missed out on Pro Set 1989, but he sure did make up for it with a bevvy of set needs in Skybox, Gameday, and Action Packed sets. He provided a nice shot in the arm along with the rejuvenation of the Dolphins offensive line to buy Dan Marino a few more injury free years.

I finally got Mark back in 2020, and then realized I didn’t ask him for his autograph on his Skybox card. Time flew by really quickly after that and I lost track of sending out to him again for it. In the meantime the premium set from the year afterwards became more interesting to me, so it made a lot of sense to send both of them out together.

RUSHYDSAVGTDLG
79429593.71431
RECYDSAVGTDLG
403037.6021

Burnett, Deontay

CARDS: Panini Contenders Season Ticket 2018, Score 2018
ACQUIRED: IP 2023, San Antonio Brahmas v Houston Roughnecks

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Played for USC from 2015-’17 at WR.
  • Had a dominating Junior season posting 86 receptions for 1114 yards and 9 TDs.
  • Signed with the Tennessee Titans in 2018 but did not make the squad.
  • Spent time on and off the practice squad and regular season roster of the New York Jets in 2018.
  • Saw sporadic play with the Jets that season catching 10 passes for 143 yards.
  • Waived in 2019, and spent some time later in the year on the practice squad of the 49ers.
  • Joined the Eagles near the end of the year, and saw some action catching 2 passes for 48 yards.
  • During the ’20 season, he bounced on and off the starting roster, collecting another 3 catches for 19 yards.
  • Joined the XFL in 2022 playing for the Houston Roughnecks in the 2023 season.
  • On the year he caught 27 passes for 378 yards, and was good for 6 TDs including an 85 yarder.
  • Selected by the Arlington Renegades during the 2024 UFL Dispersal Draft.
  • For 2024 he had 33 catches for 306 yards and 2 TDs.
  • The Cowboys signed Burnett to a contract in late July.

ACCOLADES:

  • All XFL 2023

NOTES:

I really wanted Deontay because I love the Panini college GameDay inserts. I called out Deontay and he had no problem coming over and signing a few cards for me before the Roughnecks entered the tunnel after pregame practice had been concluded. I knew I was off to a fast start at my spot next to the visitor’s entrance.