Tag Archives: score 2008

College Football HoF, NFL, XFL

Westbrook, Brian

SP 2008, #60
Playoff Prestige 2010, #149
Score 2008, #240

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.

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NFL

Rackers, Neil ‘Rickety’

Adrenalyn 2011, #129
Score 2008, #8

CARDS: Panini Adrenalyn 2011, Score 2008
ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Home
SENT: 8/15 RECEIVED: 8/22 (7 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Neil Rackers was a kicker for the Fightin’ Illini from 1996-’99.
  • Over that period he was 96.3% on XP (77/80) and 68% (34/50) on FGs, scoring 179 points.
  • Selected in the 6th round of the 2000 NFL Draft.
  • After a rocky rookie season, he settled in kicking 17 FGs in 2001, and 15 in 2002.
  • He’d join the Arizona Cardinals in 2003.
  • In 2004, he hit 22/29 field goals, including a league long 55 yarder.
  • In that game against the Seahawks, he hit two other field goals of 50+ yards tying the single game NFL record held by Morten Anderson.
  • Then he went on to hit an improbable 31 straight field goals.
  • During the 2005 season, set the NFL record with 40 field goals in a season (42 attempts).
  • He again led the league in attempts in 2006 with 37 (28 FGM).
  • In 2010, Rackers was allowed to test free agency and decided to play for the Texans.
  • He’d provide great stability at the position after the departure of Kris Brown– who’d been with the team since its inception.
  • Rackers posted 27 FGs in 2010, and 32 in 2011.
  • Tied a franchise long 57 yard field goal in 2010 (since surpassed).

ACCOLADES:

  • All Pro 2005
  • Pro Bowl 2005
  • Golden Toe Award 2005

NOTES:

Incredibly underrated over his career, I must admit I was disappointed when the Texans opted not to sign him, in favor of drafting ‘Beercan’ Randy Bullock in 2012.

Rackers was also a head hunter- A rare trait among kickers. From time to time he was known to dish out some jarring hits. I seem to remember some odd fact that he’s the the NFL record holder for career special teams tackles by a kicker.

My old friend Erik, told me stories about chugging beers in the parking lot at NRG with Neil, saying he’s a real cool dude so I had to get him eventually. I was a bit disappointed. I think this Adrenalyn card was the only Texans card they made of Neil. I love how Rackers’ autograph incorporates the goal posts into it.

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NFL, University of Texas

Griffin, Cedric (2) ‘Griff’

Cards: Upper Deck 2006, Score Select 2008, Adrenalyn 2009
Acquired: In Person, 2018
See Also: Cedric Griffin

Wow, so I went out to this unbearably hot event at Del Valley stadium to get Cedric Griffin and Aaron Ross in the middle of July. That’s dedication. Anyway, it was a really good and encouraging camp for the kids. There were some great speeches from the players, and they were more than happy to provide autographs to anyone and everyone.

I patiently waited until the end. A kid kept backing up nervously, so I told him to go ahead and get Cedric’s autograph before me. Cedric and the kid looked at me and laughed. It was his son.

Cedric told me that he loved every moment of the NFL experience and cheerfully penned these 3 cards for me in no time flat.

I previously had gotten Griffin on a card or two a few years ago. I gave away the Adrenalyn card -even though I really liked it, so I had always wanted to get Cedric again on a few more cards including the Upper Deck 2006 rookie debut- which I seem to have carved out a small niche in collecting. I don’t like that particular card. It appears that somebody Photoshopped the background very poorly. The Score Select 2008 is an okay card, but the chrome is a bit garish. Thankfully, Cedric’s bold silver autograph makes up for the design descrepancies on each card.