Tag Archives: toronto argonauts

CFL, NFL

Dorsey, Ken

leaflim03 dorseyCard: Leaf Limited Phenom 2003
Acquired: 2013, Target Autograph Memorabilia

The 2003 draft for the most part is considered a train wreck of quarterback talent.  Carson Palmer, taken #1 overall, is the only quarterback from the draft to even make a Pro Bowl.  Ken was selected in the 7th round by the San Fransisco 49ers.

A two-time runner up for the Heisman, Ken Dorsey finished his college career at Miami, FL going 668/ 1153 for 9,565 yards and 86 TDs to only 28 interceptions.  During his time playing for the Hurricanes Dorsey led the team to a 38-2 record and a National Championship appearance in 2002.

His tenure in San Fransisco was… less than desired as he split time with Tim Rattay.  SF was going through a rough transition searching for their QB of the future. The combined Frankenstein effort resulted in a 2-14 record for the 49ers. Starting 7 games Ken posted a career high 6 TD passes and 1,231 yards and 9 interceptions.  After the season the 49ers switched from Dennis Erickson to Mike Nolan, and then drafted Alex Smith in the 1st round of the 2005 draft. Still Dorsey was able to post a 1-2 record throwing for 481 yards and 2 TDs.

In 2006, Dorsey was traded to the Cleveland Browns. He’d ride the bench for the next two seasons, before briefly stopping back into the starting lineup in 2008.  Starting 3 games for the Browns,  Dorsey threw for 370 yards and 7 interceptions.  Ken briefly resurfaced with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL in 2010 , retiring after the season concluded.

Ken joined the Carolina Panthers staff first as a scout in 2011, and then later as a quarterbacks coach- a capacity he’s held through the 2016 season.

Ken’s certified autographed cards briefly experienced a surge in value back in 2015, as he is one of a long line of starting Browns quarterbacks. Steiner Sports ran a promotion to apologize to fans who’d ever gotten a Browns starting QB certified autograph and was offering a $50+ dollar in store credit for any fan who sent in those autographs.  However now that the promotion is over, these autographs along with other former starting Browns’ QBs autographs have returned to normal.

G/GS  17/13     ATT 408    COMP 214     YDS 2082     PCT 52.5
TD  8       INT 18        RAT 55.2
RUSH 11        YDS 18      AVG  1.6      TD 0      LG  6

 

 

CFL, NFL

Slaton, Steve (2)

sage08__sslatonCard: Sage 2006, Score 2009 Inscriptions Gold
Acquired: 2016, EBay
See Also: Slaton, Steve

Among the pantheon of Houston Texans runningbacks, I liked Steve Slaton only second to Domanick Davis. The dimunitive Slaton much like Davis also met his end in Houston due in part to injury.  After having his neck fused and then a shoulder injury the following season, Slaton always seemed a bit more hesitant when hitting the hole. He was also limited to 3rd down back and kick return duties, sco09 sslatonafter the emergence of Arian Foster.  The Texans facing tough decisions, released the former RotY 3 games into the 2011 season. Slaton caught on immediately with the Miami Dolphins and finished the season with the team. Steve had tryouts with other teams, and eventually ended up heading North to the CFL in 2014.

Steve signed with the Toronto Argonauts and had a decent season for the Argos logging 94 carries for 510 yards and a TD. In addition Slaton had 46 receptions for 388 yards and 4 TDs. He’d retire after the season.

At last glance in 2016, Steve is training to be a culinary chef in Houston.

NFL   45/26    Rush 442         Yds  1896     Avg  4.3      Td  12       Lg   71t
Rec   100         Yds  8058      Avg  8.1        Td   5         Lg    46      |
Kr  42             Yds  852         Avg   20.3         Td  0       Lg  50

CFL    Rush 94     Yds  510      Avg  5.4      TD  1    |
Rec  46         Yds 388        Avg 8.4         TD 4

CFL, MLFB, NFL, University of Texas

Davis, Mike (WR)

sage14 mdavis to14 mdavissage14 mdavis NL

Cards: Sage 2014, Sage 2014 Next Level, Topps 2014
Acquired: In Person, 1/8/16 Bud Light/ BAM Sports Tour

Mike Davis played at UT where he piled up the numbers despite issues at quarterback for the Longhorns in the twilight years of the Brown era.  He finished with 200 catches, 2,753 yards and 18 TDs to rank fourth, fifth and fourth on the career charts for the Longhorns. He is one of 5 receivers (Jordan Shipley, Roy Williams, Jaxon Shipley, and Quan Cosby) in school history to record 200 or more catches and his 10 100-yard receiving games rank second in school history. Mike Davis did well enough to earn an invitation to the Senior Bowl.

Projected to go in the 7th round of the NFL Draft, I had hoped that the Texans would select him in the 2014 draft, however he would not be selected. Davis signed a free agent contract with the Oakland Raiders after the draft but he’d be released in August.  Mike signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL in 2015, and later had a tryout with the Panthers and Chiefs.  In 2016 he was selected by ‘Team Texas’ of the fledgling MLFB.

I was able to get his autograph on these three cards, thanks in part again to my friend Shawn.  He gave me the Topps and one of the Sage cards to get signed. The bronze colored sharpie is quickly becoming my favorite as it rescues a fairly pedestrian looking autograph. Mike was nice to all the fans who attended the event in the cramped corner of the convenience store.  After a rough start with BAM a few years ago, I’ve been impressed with the handling of events by the promoter and his staff.