Tag Archives: ttm football autograph

NFL, Super Bowl MVP

Manning, Peyton ‘The Sheriff’

Card: Score 2009
Acquired: 2011, C/o The Peyback Foundation
Sent: 11/9    Recieved:  11/19 (10 days)

As of late, I have been writing a few current players for their autographs and while my dislike of the Colts has almost reached epic proportions on occasion, I still respect them immensely for the success they have had on the field- sans 2011. Case in point and de facto franchise MVP, I present to you: Peyton Manning.

Born into good bloodlines (his father Archie was a QB for the Saints and his younger brother Eli plays for the Giants,) Peyton Manning was a poised and professional grade quarterback coming out of college from the University of Tennessee in 1998. At the time of his graduation, Peyton held virtually all Volunteer passing records, and set an SEC mark for wins with 39.

A debate shortly raged over if the Colts would pick Manning or Ryan Leaf with the #1 in the draft, but in the end Manning was Indanapolis’ guy, replacing departed Jim Harbaugh at quarterback. His rookie season saw a multitude of records, including most touchdown passes and attempts for a rookie, however it would be punctuated by a 3-13 record and his league leading 28 interceptions. Manning responded with a brilliant Sophomore campaign, leading the Colts back into the playoffs and also posting his first 4,000 yard season of his career, – a milestone considering he’d repeat the feat for 5 straight seasons after 1999. In 2003, Peyton earned his first MVP honor, leading the NFL in attempts, completion percentage and yards. Manning threw for a then record 49 touchdown passes, in 2004 earning his second straight MVP title and a 121.1 passer rating.

It’d be finally in 2006, that Peyton garnered the elusive Super Bowl title he was after, as the Colts easily dispatched the Bears in 29-17 in SuperBowl XLI. Peyton earned the MVP honors with 28 of 35 passing for 247 yards and a touchdown. He’d pick up again where he left off with his 7th 4000 yard season, continuing his assault on the record books with 4000 yards in each of the next 4 seasons, winning MVP honors a 3rd time for his 2008 performance and a 4th time in 2009 where the team returned to the Super Bowl but lost to the New Orleans Saints.

Unfortunately Peyton’s 2011 came to a thudding end before it even began, at 208 regular season starts (second only to Brett Favre), as it was revealed that Peyton was suffering from various debilitating neck and back injuries, which have put his career on hold. Manning holds virtually all the Colts passing records, and many NFL records.  An 11 time Pro Bowler, 5 time AP, 2005 Pro Bowl MVP, and member of the NFL 2000 All- Team team, Peyton becomes a shining jewel in my collection and his historical legacy, virtual shoe-in status for the HoF, and impact can not be overlooked in the annuls of NFL history. Although Manning’s team is considered a bitter rival, no opponent should have their career ended by injury, and thus I wish him a speedy recovery so that the Colts and the Texans may do battle again.

I had heard that Peyton was a difficult autograph to attain TTM prior to 2010, however Manning has been graciously signing this year for fans through his Peyback Foundation. I was astounded to get his autograph in the mail- free of charge and in roughly 10 days.  I am a big fan of Score 2009 and really like the design that they put into these cards. Although they lost some of that magic again by their 2011 set, 2009 stands as an inspirational and cutting edge look that really highlights how far the company has come in 20 years.

 

NFL, usfl

McNeil, Gerald “Icecube”(2)

Cards: ProSet 1989, ProSet 1990, Score 1991
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o The Cleveland Browns
Sent: 10/6  Received: 11/17  (40 days)
See Also: Gerald McNeil

Gerald McNeil was one of my favorite players as a kid, as I had vivid memories of seeing him play for the Browns, so when the Oilers signed him I was really excited to see what he could do. While those twilight years weren’t as successful as the time he had with the Browns and Gamblers, it was unfortunate that in his final year with the Oilers he suffered a quadriceps injury that ended his career. During his heyday he was one of the most dangerous returners of that age ala the same diminutive size but shifty speed as Lionel James. Gerald’s nickname apparently came about from William “The Refrigerator” Perry. One of McNeil’s teammates remarked that Gerald was so small that he could fit inside The Refrigerator, – and along with his penchant for escaping tackles and scoring touchdowns, the nickname stuck.

I had been after Gerald for quite sometime, and finally was able to find him via… SotL.com. (Notice a recurring theme here yet?) After geeking out for a while, I exchanged some communication with him, where he told me the best way to get an autograph was sending it via the Browns who he acts as an ambassador for (along with the Texans). I zipped out a few cards and after about 40 days, I finally got my hands on the slippery Ice Cube again and completed out the collection of cards that I owned of him- sans the nasty Topps cards of that era.

NFL

Holman, Rodney

Cards: Pro Set 1990 PB, Fleer Ultra 1991, Fleer 1990
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Home
Sent:  6/22    Received:  11/15  (146 days)

The Bengals during the late 80s and early 90s had an impressive offensive lineup featuring a variety of soft handed receivers, but one who received much less credit than he deserved was Tulane University grad, Rodney Holman.

At 6-3, 238, Holman was ideally suited for the Bengals offense as a tight end or h-back and while Rodney’s rookie season in 1983 was a wash, he’d begin to come into his own in his second season grabbing 21 balls for 239 yards and his first touchdown. He’d continue setting career highs in 1985 (38 catches, 479 yards, 7 touchdowns) and 1986, (40 receptions, 570 yards, 2 touchdowns). His unparalleled blocking and pass catching at the time was ahead of the tight ends of his age, and he was crucial in the team’s run to SuperBowl XXIII.  Holman would bottle the magic again in 1989 with a career high 50 receptions for 736 yards and 9 touchdowns. Rodney would also earn ProBowl and AP nods for his 1988-1990 seasons, and also be enshrined in Tecmo Super Bowl with the Bengals.

With the dawn of free agency, Rodney signed with the Lions in 1993 and play there two additional seasons before retiring. Since then he’s been an assistant coach with the Saints. In his spare time Rodney is an avid fisherman and hunter. He is also a cousin of Preston Pearson.  At this time Rodney remains the all-time leader in career receptions for the Bengals at tight end with 318.

G/Gs 212/146     Rec  365    Yds  4771    Avg 13.1       Td  36       Lg  73t