Tag Archives: Seattle Seahawks

NFL, University of Texas, usfl

Millard, Bryan

Cards: ProSet 1989, Score Supplemental 1989, ProSet 1990, Topps Stadium Club 1992
Acquired: TTM 2018, C/o Work
Sent: 5/4   Received: 6/4  (30 days)
Failure: TTM 2017, C/o Home

Bryan Millard is regarded as one of the greatest Seahawks linemen ever, but it took him a while to get there, and still to this day he does not receive the respect and accolades he deserves.  He flies under the radar when it comes to great linemen, and even when retrospect sets come out, like the two University of Texas sets from both Upper Deck and Panini, Millard is conspicuously left out.

Bryan played college ball at the University of Texas from 1979-1982. While playing for the Longhorns, Millard honed his skills at both Guard and Tackle- winning All-SWC recognition for the latter in 1982. Surprisingly, he went undrafted in 1983 by the NFL, but the upstart USFL took a flyer on Bryan in the 12th round with the New Jersey Generals. He’d block upfront for the next two seasons for both Herschel Walker and Maurice Carthon helping pave the way for the Generals vaunted rushing attack.

With the league beginning to implode by 1984, Millard headed to the West Coast and joined the Seattle Seahawks, but did not join the starting lineup until midway through the 1985 season. Bryan saw action at both tackle positions before settling on the right guard spot- a position he’d anchor down for roughly the next 6 seasons. Durable, dependable, and strong (a weightlifting advocate who could bench press some 550 pounds), Millard somehow flew underthe radar while opening up holes for Curt Warner and John L Williams. Most notable about Bryan was that despite his size (6’5″, 282), he was nimble enough to trap on the off-side while also being able to take on the larger bull rushers of the era.  He earned one ProBowl nomination in 1988. Thanks in part to injuries, Bryan was forced to retire after the 1991 season.

Bryan lives in the Austin, Texas area. After dabbling in commercial real estate and pharmaceutical sales, he is now a full time real estate broker. I tried sending a few cards out last year, but they were RTS, so I attempted a new address and struck paydirt. Among Bryan’s other hobbies is actually collecting football cards, however I am not sure if he still partakes in the hobby since it has changed so much over the years from the 5 and dime, stick of gum.

CFL, NFL

Wood, Cierre

Card: Panini Contenders 2013
Acquired: 2017, EBay

Cierre Wood was a solid runningback for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 2010-2013. In his Sophomore year he led the team with 603 yards on 119 carries, scoring 3 TDs. He also displayed nice hands out of the backfield with 20 receptions for 170 yards and 2 TDs. Cierre put together a solid Junior year, with 1,102 yards and 9 TDs on 217 carries. He returned for his Senior campaign in 2013 and posted 742 yards on 114 carries. Scouts were underwhelmed by Wood’s blocking, questioned his ball security, and were concerned about a suspension for breaking team rules during his Senior season. He went unselected during the 2013 NFL Draft.

Cierre signed with the Houston Texans for 2013. The Texans were in transition at runningback and beginning to seek a future heir for Arian Foster. With Foster oft-injured, Ben Tate locked into the second string job and the departure of Justin Forsett to greener pastures, it was a straight up battle between Dennis Johnson, Cierre Wood, and Ray Graham for the 3rd back spot. In the end Wood won out on the runningback derby.  The Texans kicked off the season 2-0, but then dropped the next 14 games. It was really a snakebitten squad. Injuries abound, quarterback issues, Kubiak having a heart attack during a game- it was just one thing after another. In the midst of the descent Cierre was released with two other players for violating unspecified team rules. He’d finish the season on the practice squad of the New England Patriots.

In 2014, Cierre spent some time on the rosters of both the Baltimore Ravens and Seattle Seahawks. He joined the Buffalo Bills in 2015 but blew out an ACL, ending his season.  Wood rehabbed and decided to give the CFL a shot, signing with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2017. In early May he was traded to the Montreal Alouettes but did not make the squad.

Panini’s Contenders set is always pretty solid. I found the split design of this particular card to be both daring and unique as there are very few column grid cards like this one. The photo is touched up well and it’s a solid action shot of Cierre. Even the typography of this card looks good, and there is plenty of space for the autograph.

NFL

Michael, Christine ‘C-Mike’

Card: Crown Royale Silhouette 2013 (222/299)
Acquired: 2018 BB, Walmart Autographed Memorabilia

Christine Michael played college ball for Texas A&M from 2009-2012. He posted solid numbers while at the school and finished his career there with 529 carries for 2791 yards and 34 TDs. With a whopping 5.4 yards per carry, C-Mike was also an effective receiver out of the backfield posting 44 receptions for 323 yards and a TD.  His numbers during the combine were effective enough to help his draft stock. He’d be selected in the 2nd round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks.

C-Mike played sparingly over the next few years. Fantasy Football owners regarded him as a sexy deep sleeper, especially with questions about Marshawn Lynch and Robert Turbin. He’d be traded to the Dallas Cowboys in 2015. Looking for depth after the departure of DeMarco Murray, Michael was viewed as a forward thinking trade by the Cowboys. Instead of fighting for a starting nod, Christine was on the street quickly in November. He’d be briefly on the roster of the Redskins, before returning to the Seahawks.

The Seahawks knew how to use C-Mike right. He’d post career highs in rushing twice over the next few weeks filling in for Lynch and Thomas Rawls. He’d re-up with the Seahawks in 2016.  Michael appeared to be the starter for the following season, but with the emergence of CJ Prosise and the return of Rawls, C-Mike was inexplicably cut. He quickly found a home with the runningback starved Green Bay Packers and finished 2016 with the franchise.  He’d finish with a career high 148 carries for 583 yards and 7 TDs, along with 22 receptions for 107 yards and a TD- in his Frankenstein season between Seattle and GB. Michael signed with the Colts in 2017 but did not see a snap as he was placed on IR before camp began. He made it to the regular season of 2018- but was cut after the first game. Currently he is a free agent.

I got a really nice two for one deal when I bought this little box. Inside was Jarrett Dillard and for the patch card, an autographed Christine Michael. It was quite the charge as these boxes are just supposed to have one autograph and one patch in them, but I’ll take it! This is a great patch card! It’s just the right size where it isn’t jumbo, but at the same time, it’s not too tiny where I feel like I’m just being given a taste. The patch is also a ‘tri-color’ to boot. Otherwise, the design is a bit garish. I was never really too much of a fan of Crown Royale, and the gold fleurons combined with the spiral bound look at the bottom and top of the card, just really doesn’t- sing to me.