Tag Archives: ttm autographs

NFL

Brooks, Bill (2)

pset89 bbrookssco89 bbrookssky92 bbrookssco90 bbrooks

Cards: Score 1990, Score 1989, ProSet 1989, SkyBox 1992
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent:  3/11    Received: 3/22  (11 days)
See also: Bill Brooks

Some really nice cards of Bill Brooks here I just had to get signed. His ProSet 1989/ Score 1989, (virtually the same photo) are seminal classics.  A true testament to the addage that commitment and dedication will pay off, Brooks did not make waves when he arrived at Boston College, but as time wore on he became an impressive future NFL prospect. He finished his collegiate career as the Golden Eagles all time leading receiver with 228 receptions, for 3,579 yards and 32 touchdowns.  Dependable and always giving 100% each game, Brooks has gone on to become undeniably is one of the most popular players in Indianapolis Colts history, with a career on par with fellow 1986 draftee Ernest Givins.  Although his career has taken him to both AFC East rival Buffalo and then later to Washington where he finished his career, Brooks always remained close and kept his home in Indianapolis.

Bill Brooks name is often forgotten outside of Inianapolis. With greats such as Raymond Berry coming before him, and Marvin Harrison, and Reggie Wayne afterwards, -it’s easy to see why the understated Brooks, who played during some of the most arduous years in team history is often forgotten.

 

CFL, WLAF

Rice, Tony ‘Antonio Arroz’

psetwlaf91 riceCards: Pro Set World League 1991, Ultimate WLAF 1991
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Work
Sent: 9/10/13   Received:   5/17/14   (250 days)
Failure: TTM 2011, C/o Blue & Gold Magazine

An amazing quarterback at Notre Dame, Tony Rice finished with an incredible 28-3 record for the Irish. When the nation was in full bloom love the Notre Dame football during the late 80’s, if Rocket Ismail gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated, they were talking about Rice’s ability to come alive and win games with his will and sheer athleticism. During that period, Tony led the Irish to the National Championship in 1988 and narrowly missed one in 1989.

The college ranks were a completely different animal back then. Players weren’t scouted and groomed for NFL success like they are today.  Rice was looked down on by scouts because he was an option quarterback with great rushing stats, but not so amazing passing stats. He did not get drafted in 1990, so Tony played in the CFL for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Unable to crack the lineup ult92 ricebehind starter Kent Austin, Rice elected to join the WLAF in 1991. Drafted by the Barcelona Dragons, the league attemped to lean on the Dragons to trade Rice to the Knights, because he was still popular in the states, but Barcelona refused. In the meantime, he’d split time with Scott Erney as the team rolled to World Bowl I against the London Monarchs.  During the season the Spanish translation of his name became quite popular and he was referred to in the media as ‘Antonio Arroz’.  Again, much like his time at Notre Dame,  Rice would demonstrate his ability to wreck opposing defensive gameplans with oppritune scrambling. He’d rush for 210 yards and 2 TDs in 33 carries. The Dragons finished as European Division Champs in 1992, but lose to the eventual World Bowl Champion Sacramento Surge. While the WLAF would reorganize after the season, Rice decided to hang around in Europe for an additional season, playing for the Munich Thunder of the Football League of Europe.  At the time of the league’s suspension, Tony was the leading rusher in WLAF history, at the quarterback position.

He worked for the Notre Dame “Blue and Gold” magazine publication for a few years, and I had heard rumors through the grapevine as to where he was at. Currently he’s with HUB International. Cross referencing with other sources I was able to peg down his actual location and shot these cards out to him last year. After failing previously in 2011, I was gunshy about giving him another shot, but when it comes to TTM autographs, -with no risk, there is no reward. I was pretty happy to get this one back with a small note inside “Apologizing for the wait, Your Friend, Tony Rice”, and the two autographed cards.

WLAF    Att 186     Comp 91     Yds 1228      Pct 48.9%        Td 1     Int 5      Rat  61.0  |
Rush 44      Yds 312    Avg 7.1     Lg 24     Td 3

 

NFL

Watt, JJ “Swatt” (2)

sco11 jjwattCards: Topps Inspiration 2013, Score 2011
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Home
Sent: 8/20 /13   Received: 2/14/14       (174 days)
See Also: JJ Watt

Well you can’t look a gift horse in the mouth. JJ Watt is a great signer through the mail, so much so he receives a mail bag full that he’s rumored to take with him into the off season and into bye weeks to sign. I don’t blame him for short handing his autographs to ‘JJ 99’ at this point, though I fault the fans who abuse his charity, and the companies that own the rights to his autograph signings. I doubted I was going to get the opportunity to get JJ again, in person, so I thought I’d take a stab at him TTM before it was too late. I thought that this one was gone. His response time has really atrophied over the past year and I fully expect that he will peter out of the TTM business in the next few years.

JJ since his rookie season has really cemented himself as an impact player in the league. A fearsome pass rusher and special teamer, Watt is a team leader that leads by example for the Texans. During the playoffs in 2011, Watt intercepted an Andy Dalton throw at the line, and returned it for a touchdown. Over the next season, Watt sparked a revolution on the defensive line, as other players became more aggressive about blocking passes at the line of scrimmage. In 2012, JJ led the NFL with 20.5 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, and an unheard of 16 passes defensed- a number higher than even most defensive backs. Even more impressive was the fact that Watt did this all in a 3-4 alignment. After the season Watt earned NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Pro Bowl, and All Pro Honors.

to12insp jj wattWhile the Texans planned to go deeper into the 2013 playoffs, about everything that could go wrong did for the team, with disastrous results. After winning their first 2 games in exciting comebacks, the team imploded and lost 14 straight. Free agency and injury had stripped the Texans of much needed depth on defense and on the offensive line. The quarterback rotation fell apart, and finally head coach Gary Kubiak had a mild stroke. Still Watt despite facing constant double teams and new schemes specifically designed to frustrate him, was able to come through with another 10.5 sacks and 65 tackles. Again Watt earned NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Pro Bowl and All Pro Honors for his efforts.

The Texans cleaned house after the 2013 season. Even beloved defensive coordinator Wade Philips was sent packing. With a new coordinator in Romeo Crennel joining the staff under rookie head coach Bill O’Brien, and the #1 pick in the 2014 draft, who knows what’s in store for JJ Swatt? A thoughtful and caring individual JJ gives much of his time to charity and to his youngest fans.