Tag Archives: pittsburgh steelers

NFL

Miller, Heath “Big Money”

dor&s10 hmillerCards: Donruss Rookies & Stars 2009, 2010
Acquired: 2013 TTM, C/o Home
Sent:  12/10/13  Received: 2/4/14  ( days)

Heath Miller was an impressive specimen who played for the University of Virginia and at the time of his graduation was recognized as the nation’s top TE prospect, eclipsing many of the school’s records for statistical performance from his position. Miller slipped to the 30th pick of the 2005 draft, and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Surprisingly, despite the team’s rich history of staunch running games and play action systems, the tight end had never been an integral part of Pittsburgh’s offensive attack. Miller has been a favorite target of Ben Rothlisberger since his rookie season, and was a key offensive addition to the team’s Super Bowl victory that year. He’s quietly moved up the career charts for the team, and in 9 years has already moved into 3rd place, as of 2013.  Heath has earned Pro Bowl nods for both his 2009 season, when he had a career high 76 receptions, and his 2012 campaign, when he recorded a career high 816 yards and 8 TDs.  Teams have taken note of Big Money, and have slowed his production by stymieing him with double teams.

Chock this one up to impatience. It looks like Heath just throws his autograph requests into a pile and then signs sporadically from there. Case in point, the response time I got from him. I have seen Miller sign in as little as 6 days. I even had friends who sent after me and got their cards signed and returned weeks before me. Evidence also from Sportscollectors.net, suggested that he is a highly reliable signer, but does so after garnering a pile together. I must have been at the bottom of that bin as I had to wait the longest of the particular group.  I really like the Rookies & Stars releases from 2009 and 2010. It’s a shame that they moved so quickly away from this excitingly abstract look to something more compositionally unoriginal, such as their 2011 release, but I guess that was at their discretion.

 

NFL

Brown, Kris

sco09 kbrownCard: Score Inscriptions 2009
Acquired: 2014, Albany Acquisition

Kris Brown is best known as the Texans first placekicker, and at this time is the franchise’s all-time leading scorer. Originally drafted by Pittsburgh in 1999 out of Nebraska, Kris had a strong leg and some impressive kicks for the Steelers.  When the expansion Texans arrived in 2002, they poached the protected Brown off of the Steelers roster for a mere 7th round pick. It worked out pretty well for both sides. Brown returned home to Texas, got a nice raise, and the Texans got an experienced and proven kicker for the price that they’d normally pay for somebody fresh out of college.

Brown for most of his time with the franchise had a stellar career. He tied an NFL record making 3 field goals of 54+ yards in one game, and between the Capers and early on into the Kubiak years, he was leaned upon heavily to put points on the board for the offense. He’d earn an AP nomination in 2007. When 2009 rolled around Brown’s accuracy waned, and the pressure mounted for the team to get rid of him. He’d lose out a training camp battle to venerable Neil Rackers in 2010. Kris Brown was the last player of the ‘original’ franchise when he was cut, and he had a good run.

Brown joined the San Diego Chargers as a mid-season injury replacement for Nate Kaeding, helping them beat the Texans. He’d be cut with the return of Kaeding to the lineup. Kris signed with the Dallas Cowboys at the end of the year, but was cut in July of 2011. He’s embraced retirement and owns a chain of Dunkin’ Donuts franchises.

G 179         XPA 362      XMP 355      PCT 98.1%            FGA  331     FGM 256        PCT 77.3%       PTS  1123

NFL

Ford, Jason

Hit11 JFordCard: Leaf Rookies 2012
Acquired: 2013, Target Autograph Memorabilia

Jason Ford was a beast coming out of High School ranking in the Top 50 nationally among runningbacks. He chose Illinois over a strong push from fellow Big 10 schools Minnesota and Wisconsin. While never rushing for 1,000 yards, and splitting time with Mikel Leshore, Ford finished his 4 year career at Illinois in 2012 with 1970 yards and 27 touchdowns- 16th on the school’s all time rushing list.  With a nose for the endzone and first downs, Jason is a stout (251 lb), downhill runner, with good hands, evidenced by his 46 receptions. He’s definitely a bam back that you bring in for those goal line and short yardage situations.

Ford was expected to be a late round pick in the 2012 draft, but due to an April 2011 arrest for driving with a suspended license, and allowing himself to be ineligible for the bowl game this past season because of academics, Jason’s stock took a blow. Jason signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a free agent after the draft. In camp the team was worried about Rashad Mendenhall’s recovery from a season ending injury from 2011, and was trying out new blood. Jason got his chance in the team’s second preseason game, a Monday Night contest against the Indianapolis Colts. The bruiser rushed 8 times for 42 yards, prompting the commentators to remark how he looked like the second coming of Jerome Bettis. During the game, Jason pulled his hamstring and sat out the 3rd contest. The Steelers cut him after finally coming to terms with  WR Mike Wallace.  Currently, he’s a free agent, but I think he’d make a great fit for the AFL as a fullback.