Tag Archives: topps 2014

NFL

Orakpo, Brian (4)

CARDS: Topps Magic 2009, Topps 2014, Score 2019, Panini Donruss 2018, Score 2014, Bowman 2009, Panini 2019, UT Upper Deck 2011 HACK
ACQUIRED: IP, 2025

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

Brian’s been really good to fans over the years appearing around Austin for signings. I got a really late notice of this one, and had to choose between this signing and two to three others- proof positive that maybe, just maybe 5 years after COVID we’re getting back to normal with signings. After getting the blessing from my wife to go, I arrived a little early and then waited downstairs at the HEB. He then passed me by on the escalator so I went into hot pursuit mode and followed him to the event.

He was in a great mood. I gave him one of my Upper Deck UT 2011 HACK cards, and he loved it! I demonstrated that it was a ‘real card’- glossy and not with some flimsy thickness by banging it slightly on his arm. It was a last second idea to get these cards signed in bronze, but it turned out to be a stroke of genius as these autographs came out spectacular!

I had to dig to find the UT HACK card I did. I wasn’t too happy with how it turned out as the marquee was darker than I expected. Nonetheless with the autograph it vaults into my top three customs with an autograph.

We then talked for a few minutes about the card market, since he knows I’m a collector. (I got the impression he was thinking about investing in it either through participating in breaks or co-hosting one.) I am firmly of the belief based on the sets I collect and watch through eBay that the market is tapering off and I shared that with him. Also the fact there are just too many people making it too hard just to collect the sets they want, and how it used to be you’d go to the store, and buy a 20-30 dollar blaster and get 2 autographs. Now you’re lucky to get a parallel… Anyway it was such an illuminating conversation that I decided to take a photo with Rak!

NFL

Keenum, Case (2)

Topps 2014, #224
Upper Deck Star Rookies 2012, #67

CARDS: Topps 2014, Upper Deck Star Rookies 2012
ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o The Houston Texans
SENT: 6/8/23 RECEIVED: 8/19/23 (73 days)
FAILURE: TTM 2013, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • See Also Case Keenum
  • Case had career marks in a variety of passing categories during 2018.
  • He went 365/586 for 3,890 yards starting all 16 games for the Broncos.
  • In 2019, Case played for the Redskins, starting 8 contests, throwing for 1707 yards and 11 TDs to 4 interceptions.
  • This led to a two year stint as backup for the Cleveland Browns in 2020 and 2021, followed by the Bills in 2022.
  • Proof positive that you can go home, Case signed with the Houston Texans in 2023.
  • Expected to mentor the Texans quarterback room and perform duties as an emergency QB behind CJ Stroud and Davis Mills, Case suited up for 2 contests.
  • In the game against the Titans, Case went 23/36 for 229 yards and a TD in a surprising 19-16 win.

NOTES:

In bad taste, the Titans decided to wear their ‘throwback’ Oilers uniforms against Houston in Nashville. Furthermore the game was tabbed as a homecoming game for former players, and then head coach Mike Vrabel strolls out wearing a white Stetson- ALA former HOUSTON Oilers head coach Bum Phillips- for the game. (Bum Phillips notoriously didn’t back the Tennessee Titans, Bud Adams, or the Tennessee Oilers. He was HOUSTON through and through.)

Things lined up for the Titans too, as the Texans limped into the contest with injuries across the board to their starting lineup, including Nico Collins and CJ Stroud. Enter Case Keenum.

Keenum helped guide the Texans to the win over the Titans, making Tennessee the butt of all backfired jokes, and contributed to Mike Vrabel getting fired, by leading Houston to the upset- cementing Case’s legacy and place in Houston football lore.

As Case’s playing career enters its twilight, it’s believed that there will be no shortage of teams wanting to help him transition into the coaching ranks.

I really like Case, and when he resigned with Houston, I thought I’d try him again TTM. I was juiced to get him on these two cards. On top of that he’s a big time HOUSTON Oilers and Houston Texans fan, and thinks the colors should come home.

NFL

Long, Jake (2)

Upper Deck Football Heroes 2008, #151
Upper Deck Football Heroes 2008, #152
Score 2009, #157
Topps 2014, #64

CARDS: Score 2009, Upper Deck College Heroes 2008 x2, Topps 2014
ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Home
SENT: 1/3/23 RECEIVED: 1/17/23 (days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • See Also Jake Long
  • Long returned in time for the 2015 season, but was released in a cost saving move by the Rams.
  • He signed a one year contract with the Falcons.
  • In 2016, Jake briefly flirted with Baltimore, but ended up in Minnesota.
  • He’d tear his Achilles in week 10 ending his season.
  • Long retired during the 2017 offseason.

NOTES:

I had been meaning to get back to Jake for a while after getting a freebee back in 2014. I think I’d been kicking the tires on him for 3 to 4 years, so it makes sense he’s the first calendar success of 2023.

These Upper Deck cards- meh- they’re okay, but they were better than the junk that was designed for the ’08 season. The Score ’09 was definitely a set need, while the Topps 2014 was the slow evolution of the product from I think 2011. The design started resembling more of a fender, but eh I’m sorta okay with that. I thought it’d be nice to get one of him in his Rams attire- even if it is St. Louis.