Tag Archives: score 2011

NFL

Reed, Brooks

sco12 reedud12 b reed

Cards: Topps 2010, Donruss Rookies & Stars 2010, Upper Deck Star Rookies 2011, Score 2011
Acquired: IP 4/25/2013, 1300 The Zone Texans Draft Party

So after last year’s event with James Casey and Danieal Manning, I pretty much circled the calendar on draft day to ask off early so that I could get to the Texans Draft Party this year. With the original lineup featuring Brooks Reed and Darryl Sharpton, I was pretty enthusiastic about the event, however a last second change forced JJ Moses in for Sharpton and the event was not held at the LaVaca Street Bar & Grille like last time. Still I managed to sidle up to the corporate cut Buffalo Wild Wings where Rod and the crew from 1300 the Zone were held up in, and made my way in about an hour early. Amazingly again, I met another member of the TAC message board right at the door on the way in, and we hit it off immediately talking about our path to the hobby.

dr&s12 reedInitially the Texans organization informed everybody that the players would only sign one card, and only the corporate provided merchandise that they brought with them. I was not happy with that at all, because I love getting cards signed. Furthermore, it brings up a very tricky slope for the organization to climb: Declining fans from getting licensed merchandise signed that they (the fans) have paid for in the first place. I really don’t like the recent efforts of leagues to squish out adult autograph collectors, in favor of kids, especially when adults are the ones who are spending the money in the first place. Within limits I can understand where players and the organization are coming from in regards to resellers, but to make that blanket jump and deny everybody the opportunity to get what they want signed is just plain wrong.  Again I always preach to the player community that if they don’t want resellers taking advantage of them, personalize items in ball point pen only. In the end however the players were more than happy to sign anything that was provided by fans, and after going through the line the first time, – which moved remarkably quick, I got 3 additional cards signed by Reed on my way back around.

to12 reedBrooks bears a startling resemblance to WWE wrestler Shawn Michaels. When I told him about it, he told me that he had heard that 3 times already that day, but still got a laugh out of it. We discussed briefly the status of the linebacker corps and the fact I had so many cards of him, which he was amazed by. I offered him a few to keep, but he declined and signed them all for me instead. Topps finally hit this one on the head, and their 2012 release, is just flat out amazing. With that precious white edge, great focus on the team logo, and a good framed photo, they finally hit the nail on the head on a base release.  It seemed that every card used this hokey workout shot of him from the combine. I absolutely hate combine photos. I’d rather see the player in their college garb instead. Speaking of which, the Upper Deck Star Rookies release does just that, but showcases a hideous photo of Brooks at just the right moment when he looks exhausted and- well like he’s going to the sideline to pick up a phone.

Overall I was very pleased with the results of the event, however, I just don’t like Buffalo Wild Wings. It was so evenly loud across the reedwhole place that I could not hear the 1300 the Zone crew unless I was right on top of them.

Brooks was a second round choice of the Houston Texans from the 2011 draft. An Arizona native, he went to college at Arizona, where he etched out quite a nice career with them recording 85 tackles and 15 sacks. It was thought that he was an insurance play for the departure of either Mario Williams or Connor Barwin. Reed though in his rookie season was forced into the lineup after a pectoral injury to Mario Williams, but performed admirably notching 6 sacks, 3 pass defensed, 2 FR, and 36 tackles in a largely patchwork middle 4. Reed received a lot of buzz entering the 2012 season, as Peter King from CNN said that Reed would be the season’s defensive MVP. King was close, as another teammate of Reed, JJ Watt, earned the honor. In the meantime, after getting settled down for 2012, Brooks started 12 games for the Texans adding 2.5 sacks, 3 more pass defensed, and 19 tackles to his young totals. As the linebacking corps of the Texans continues to mature under defensive coordinator Wade Philips watch, it is thought that he has big plans for Reed and the Bulls on Parade.

NFL

Yates, Taylor Johnathan “TJ”

Card: Score 2011, Austin American Statesman Sports Page Clipping Dec 12, 2011.
Acquired: TTM 2012, C/o Home
Sent: 4/23       Received:  5/25  (32 days)

As I was sitting at home and heard the name TJ Yates come off the draft board to the Texans in 2011, I glanced up for a second and thought, “Why did they drop a 5th rounder on him? He’s going to be a third stringer behind Schaub and Lienart.” Analysts loved or hated the pick, but one thing was for sure at the conclusion of the Texans 2011 season, I was sure glad to be wrong about TJ Yates in what has become to be the steal of the 5th round of the much ballyhooed 2011 class.

Well TJ was a pretty decently regarded quarterback at North Carolina, but you see we are talking about the Tar Heels- a college that has never had a quarterback from its school start a game at the NFL level, and is more regarded as a powerhouse in basketball than ever in football. Yates wasn’t even technically invited to the combine. They needed a local guy who could sling the rock to the talent at the combine. It was there that TJ raised some eyebrows, making every throw and strike after strike to receiver. This got him on the radar of many scouts, as while marquee quarterbacks such as Newton, Gabbert, and Andy Dalton, did not attend or were limited in their repetitions, Yates did everything they wanted and was on target with his audition at the combine.

Yates started off quietly enough after a prolific career at North Carolina, where at the time of his graduation he held the school records for single season passing yards, and most yards passing (career) with 9,337.   TJ clawed his way onto the Texans depth chart beating out Dan Orlovsky for 3rd string, but fate had something much more in mind for Yates and the Houston Texans in 2011.  The Texans clearly were the lead dog in the division after the sudden fall of the Manning-less Colts. Guided by a rebuilt defense and a strong offense, there appeared to be no stopping the Texans and their destiny as division champs, but then that’s when injury struck the team. With the Texans easily powering by the Buccaneers in week 11, quarterback Matt Schaub took a meaningless dive to get his team out of the shadow of his own endzone. Unfortunately for him, Albert Haynesworth ‘fell’ on his leg during the play causing Matt to be lost for the season with a Lins Franc injury. Matt Leinart stepped in, and played well in the first half of the next contest against the Jags, but he too would succumb to injury, so the Texans turned to young TJ Yates- their 3rd string quarterback to lead the charge for the remainder of the season.

He’d take the reins over for the team and lead the Texans into the postseason for the first time in the team’s 10 year existence, clenching the division in exciting fashion by driving the team down the field on the final drive against the Bengals to throw a last second strike to Kevin Walter, and then later help the team win its first playoff game against the Bengals again 31-10.  While the Texans did lose the next contest against the Ravens in Baltimore, all things considered, the Texans and Yates were able to make the best of the season. He’d finish with 949 yards, 3 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 61.4% completions, and an 80.4 quarterback rating in 2011.

Going into 2012 it appears that the Texans backup job is now comfortably in Yates hands, as the team opted not to resign Leinart or make any splashes in the free agent market. I saw Yates address on Sportscollectors.net and immediately wrote him a letter, including the newspaper clipping of him beating the Bengals during that exciting contest to clinch the division on December 11th, and a card. He signed both in a bit over 30 days, and thanked me for writing him on the clipping. Class act!

 

NFL

LaFell, Brandon

Card: Score 2011
Acquired: 2011 Score Box Breaker
See also: Brandon LaFell (2)

After putting together one of the most productive seasons for LSU in 2008,  Brandon LaFell would be drafted by the Carolina Panthers with their 3rd round pick in the 2010 draft. During his rookie season he slowly worked his way into the lineup as a slot receiver, and established a reputation as a solid route runner that is not afraid to block or take a hit in order to make a catch. With deceptive speed and good size, LaFell had to deal with quarterback issues all season long, but still recorded 38 receptions for 468 yards, scoring his first career TD against the Rams on a 17 yard grab. Brandon also displayed some of that speed and took an end around 60 yards against the Falcons in Week 17.  With the drafting of Cam Newton by the Panthers in 2011, the team established that consistency at quarterback that it direly needed. For Brandon, after scoring his second and third career touchdowns, he is poised to post career highs in all receiving categories this season.

I bought a cheap box or Score 2011, since they have autographs scattered throughout the boxes, and was happy to find an autograph inside. I did not purchase these cards because of the designs- rather I did so because I was after an autograph, and current players that I wanted. These Score 2011 are stodgy and are disappointing when compared to their 2010 and 2009 offerings. The Score logo is just too large, and the corner cutting by the logo just feels so 80s. I did like the back on these cards, but I frown when the photo utilized is the same from the front. After I got a hit on the first box, I ran out and bought 3 more hobby boxes and got nothing out of them. That’s karma for you. Still I can’t look this gift horse in the mouth and I am happy to have acquired LaFell for my collection.