Tag Archives: tampa bay buccaneers

NFL

Hackett, Chris

Card: Sage 2015
Acquired: 2016, Gunderson Trade

Chris Hackett played for the TCU Horned Frogs from 2012-2014 at defensive back and safety. His best season came in 2014, when he posted 75 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 6 passes defended, and 7 interceptions for 131 yards. Over his career at TCU he posted 224 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 11 passes defended, 1 fumble recovery, and 12 interceptions for 154 yards. Chris declared early and headed to the NFL.  Scouts were mixed about his talent at the next level, and an unimpressive combine sealed his fate.

Hackett was not selected in the 2015 NFL draft.  He’d sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but was released during final cutdowns. Later that year, Hackett was signed by the Oakland Raiders to their practice squad. He’d be released during the 2016 preseason. Currently he’s a free agent.

NFL

Swearinger, DJ (2)

Card: Panini Contenders 2013
Acquired: 2017, EBay
See Also: DJ Swearinger

To say that DJ Swagg’s career went off the rails with the Texans would be an understatement.  After the tumultuous 2013 season, the Texans coaching staff was cleared out. In the meantime DJ started 12 games and contributed 2 interceptions, 6 pass deflections,  3 forced fumbles, a sack, and 52 tackles in 2014.

He’d be a surprising cut in 2015, and the Texans attempted to stay mum on the situation, but as these things go, somebody leaked to the media that Swagg refused to play special teams because of his lofty draft status (2nd round). Swagg was claimed by the Bucs for the season. He’d contribute in 7 games, forcing a fumble, and recording 8 tackles, before joining the Cardinals for 4 games.  Arizona liked what they saw, and employed DJ in almost every safety capacity they could use him in during 2016.  In 12 starts, he’d post 56 tackles, 2 sacks, 8 pass deflections, and 3 interceptions.  DJ signed a 3 year contract with the Washington Redskins in 2017 where he is expected to be their starting strong safety. He started all 16 games and posted his best year as a pro, lodging 79 tackles, .5 sacks, 10 pass deflections, and 4 interceptions for 32 yards. So far in 2018 he has put together a banner year for the Redskins improved defensive alignment balling out against the Giants recording 2 picks.

The 2013 Panini Contenders set had pretty solid, if not ordinary, design to it.  It’s purely designed in strong rectangles that break down the canvas into workable columns. The vertical autograph field is also somewhat unique. DJ’s autograph however, looks tired and sloppy on this card. The 2013 NFL draft was a terrible, terrible draft for the Texans of their 9 picks, only 3 players remain from that pool on the team.

NFL

Rhodes, Luke

Card: Sage 2016
Acquired: 2016, Box Breaker

Luke Rhodes played inside linebacker at William & Mary- not exactly a powerhouse of football.  But give credit where credit is due. He did manage to land on the radar of scouts finishing with 341 career tackles (5th in school history) from his inside linebacker position. Rhodes passed the eyeball test but what some teams coveted from him was his long snapping capability- something that he seldom had done since high school.

After the 2016 NFL Draft, Rhodes signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, however he was released during final cuts. He’d be signed by the Colts about a month later and added to their practice squad. In 2017, Luke won an open competition for the job and became the Colts full-time long snapper.