I’ve been digging deep into the Topps XFL 2001 set recently, and when I saw that Big Saab was signing TTM all of a sudden, I quickly dropped these cards in the mail to him.
I sometimes send out 5 or 6 requests at a time and I accidentally sent out Big Saab’s envelope without it being prepped. I felt like such an idiot opening up my PO Box and finding the empty envelope inside. Luckily I had only flushed a GameDay 1992 card and had a duplicate on hand to reload with.
Card: Panini Contenders 2000 European Ticket Acquired: 2021, Future Considerations
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Jim Kubiak was a traditional dropback passer who played for Navy from 1991 to 1994.
Over 4 years he threw for 6008 yards (558/969) and 23 TDs.
His career yardage and completion totals represented a school record.
Commitments to the Navy prevented him from playing immediately out of college.
As a member of the NFL, he was an off-season member of the Panthers (96), Colts (98-99), Jets (00), and Colts again (03).
Jim garnered extensive experience from his time in the World League playing for the Dragons (99) and Admirals (00).
Threw for 7 TDs and 2 INT for the Dragons in 99, and 4 TDs and 817 yards in 2000 for Amsterdam.
Over the next 5 years, Kubiak honed his skills in the Arena Football League, playing for the Buffalo Destroyers (01-02), Dallas Desperados (03), Detroit Fury (04), and Georgia Force (05).
Best year in the AFL came in ’03 with the Desperados, throwing for 4762 yards, 97TDs/17 Int, on 388 of 557 passing.
Spent the entire 2004 season on IR with the Fury.
Retired after blowing out his knee early in the 2005 season with the Georgia Force, but worked in their front office in both 06 and 07.
After a few college stops, also worked with the Soul (05) and the Force (08-12) as their OC.
NFLE
ATT
CPD
YDS
PCT
TD
INT
RAT
231
124
1370
58.2
11
7
80.9
AFL
ATT
CPD
YDS
PCT
TD
INT
RAT
1242
788
9985
63.4
189
36
114.4
ACCOLADES:
2nd Team All Arena 2003
NOTES:
Jim Kubiak is not related to Gary Kubiak. Kubiak spent time working as a color man for a few years in Buffalo for the Bills. Currently he is a director of the WNY QB Academy.
Card: SP Authentic 2003
Acquired: 2016, Kenny’s Grab Bag
Juston Wood went undrafted after putting up some solid numbers at Portland State. In 2001, he put up 23 TDs to only 5 interceptions in 366 attempts for the PSU Vikings. Going undrafted, he signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2003, but didn’t make the roster. Afterwards, Wood signed with the Arena Football League 2’s Central Valley Coyotes. He had a solid 2005 campaign with the squad, throwing for 89 TDs and 4,361 yards. He’d then have short stints on the New York Dragons and Philadelphia Soul over the next few years, retiring in 2009. As of 2016 he’s an assistant coach at Cal Poly State.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
