Tag Archives: ut ud 2011

NFL, University of Texas

Hager, Britt

udut11 hagerCard: UT Upper Deck 2011
Acquired: 2/16/2013, Longhorn Neighborhood Foundation Bowling Tournament

Britt Hager was a ferocious tackling machine over his three years playing for the Texas Longhorns from 1986-1988. He is the school’s single season leader in tackles (195- 1988) and also the school’s career leader with 499. Hager was named All-SWC in 1987 and 1988. Declaring for the NFL draft in 1989, Britt was taken in the 3rd round, with the Eagles’ second pick of that round. With a motor that never quits, Britt fit the mold of the type of tackle stuffing monster that coach Buddy Ryan envisioned in his 46 defense. Added for depth, Hager spent time on the bench behind incumbent middle linebacker Byron Evans making only 11 tackles and 2 fumble recoveries his rookie season. Evans held out for the 1990 season, so Britt started the first game of the season. Evans quickly returned and Hager was sent back to the bench and finished with only 7 tackles that year. Hager didn’t get his chance to start until 1993, and in 7 games recorded 78 tackles, a pick, and a sack.

Hager signed with Denver and started 5 more games in 1994, and then made the conversion to right linebacker in 1995. He spent another season with the Broncos, before retiring with the Rams after the 1997 season.

I talked to Britt at the Bowling Tournament about the concussions lawsuit that he was a member of and told him that they were doing the right thing. He told me that it was paramount that the NFL really put the time and the money into the problem and try to fix it. We also talked about his number, which I also wore in high school. He told me it was a great number. 🙂

G/Gs 121/18     Tac 198        Sac   2.0    Fum 4       Int  3     Yds  38     Avg  12.1   Td 0   Lg 19

 

NFL, University of Texas

Holmes, Priest

utud11 holmes ATApoff02 holmesleaf04 holmessp99 holmesleaf03 r&s holmespoff01 holmespoff04 holmes

Cards: UT Upper Deck 2011, UT Upper Deck 2011 All-Time Alumni, Leaf Rookies & Stars 2004, Playoff Contenders 2001, 2002, 2004, SP 1999, SP 2004 Authentic Materials, TNT 2013 Greats.
Acquired: In Person 2013, GMC NFL Texas Tour (October & November)

The GMC NFL Texas event in October was a big success for me. I was able to get plenty of big names with minimal effort, knocking them off my set needs. Priest Holmes was the first to arrive on Saturday, and there was just about zero people in line. This made for a great and more personable experience with Priest, since he could spend more time with each and every fan. When I got up to him, I requested the two UT cards, a photo for myself, and two personalized photos for my collecting friends. When I told Priest that it seemed like a lot and apologized, emphasizing that I am not an EBayer, he kindly said, “Anything for a fan.” Priest has been doing a lot of analyst work for The Longhorn Network. He had been doing signings in Dallas and San Antonio, but nothing around Austin. It had begun to work me up into a frenzy to get him. In fact we talked about his workholmes on LHN, and about him covering Ricky Williams statue unveiling that we both attended.

At the November event I had properly reloaded for Priest’s appearance with a boat load of cards. I test drove all morning so that I could get as many autographs I needed. To be courteous to other people in line, I only got 6 the first time around and asked if I could come back through. Again, Priest was gracious and threw in an autographed photo for being so thoughtful. I came through again and presented a second group of cards. He was shocked as to how many I had and the variety of them. He really liked the custom TNT card I did, and signed kindly everything he saw. We had a brief conversation about how all his cards were bursting with action, his Baltimore SP card, and how some players have problems signing cards for certain teams that they played for. He said he had no hard feelings for the Ravens and even owns a home in the city. Afterwards I told the woman who was with him coyly that I would ask for her autograph too if she had a card, since she was so pretty, which got a nice laugh out of Priest.

sp04 holmesPriest Holmes was not drafted coming out of the University of Texas. There were always flashes of brilliance there early on in his career at UT, such as the 1994 Sun Bowl MVP, when he rushed for 161 yards on 27 carries and a whopping 4 touchdowns against North Carolina (ironically coached by future head coach Mack Brown). A knee injury in 1995, and the emergence of future Heisman Winner Ricky Williams and scatback Shon Mitchell though forced Holmes to bide his time. He’d work his way into the lineup as a short yardage change of pace back, but really, Holmes was a runningback itching to wear down defenses with his well conditioned and aggressive play.

tnt13g holmesSigning with the Baltimore Ravens in 1997 as a free agent, the Ravens were a team still searching for an identity after their separation from Cleveland. Runningback was settled with Bam Morris and Earnest Byner as starters. Again Holmes had to patiently bide his time suiting up for just 7 games. He didn’t have to wait long as the Ravens retooled their whole offensive backfield in 1998 making him the team’s starter. Priest turned in a respectable season rushing for 1008 yards on 233 carries while also showing a nice touch as an option out of the backfield with 43 receptions. In 1999 the team utud11 holmesapproached the backfield load by committee, with Holmes splitting time with Errict Rhett. After that, it seemed like Holmes college experience was repeating itself in the pros, as the team benched him in favor of juggernaut Jamal Lewis. The Ravens offense rode Lewis (1364 yards) and Holmes (588 yards) to a Super Bowl victory after the 2000 season.

The third chapter of Holmes’ career began after the season. He’d sign as a free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs. He immediately became the team’s bell cow back under new head coach Dick Vermeil, and he ran Priest like he was the second coming of mem holmesMarshall Faulk. Holmes went on to lead the NFL in rushing yards in 2001 with 1555 yards, and 62 receptions out of the backfield. His 2,169 yards from scrimmage was also tops in the league. In 2002, he’d top his career best with 1,615 yards, 70 receptions, and a league leading 21 touchdowns. Again his 2,287 yards from scrimmage led the NFL. In 2003 he’d rush for 1420 yards, grab a career high 74 receptions, and set an NFL record with 27 rushing touchdowns (since broken). In all three seasons in Kansas City (2001-2003) he earned Pro Bowl and All Pro Honors. While off to the same feverish pace in 2004, averaging a league high 111.5 yards a game, Priest injured his hip and spent half the season on IR. Still he managed to tag on 14 more touchdowns to his career totals.  Refreshed for the 2005 season, Priest started 7 games in 2005, before suffering a cumulative barrage of hits to his head and neck in a contest against San Diego. Many speculated that Holmes’ career was over as his rehabilitation continued through the 2006 season. In 2007 he’d make a return that’d even surprise the Chiefs, starting two games in place for Larry Johnson, but after mem holmes 2noticing tingling in his extremities after taking some hits, he decided it’d be best to hang up his cleats for his family and his health, right there and then.

Priest’s impact on the Chiefs’ organization can not be understated. In 63 starts he ran for 6,070 yards, 76 touchdowns, and accounted for 8,447 yards from scrimmage. He is the franchise’s all-time leader in total touchdowns (83), yards, and rushing touchdowns cementing Priest as one of the greatest street free agent finds of all time. While Priest never won a Super Bowl ring, during a 3 and a half year period, he was the most  unstoppable force in the league. He is an avid Kansas City fan, and hosts radio shows and attends Sunday game events frequently supporting his old team.

I’m pretty surprised and happy with the results I’ve had in the past two meetings with Priest. I can probably say that I’ve closed the book on the cards that I wanted to get autographed by him… but you never know….

G/Gs 113/82     Rush 1780     Yds 8172   Avg 4.6    Td  86     Lg 72t   |
Rec 339     Yds   2962    Avg 8.7      Td 8      Lg 67

NFL, University of Texas

Williams, Aaron

udut11 a williamsCards: Upper Deck 2011, UT Upper Deck 2011
Acquired: 2/16/2013, Longhorn Neighborhood Foundation Bowling Tournament

The #4 rated cornerback prospect coming into the draft, Aaron Williams was the 2nd round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 2011. Posting pretty solid numbers, Williams ran a 4.4 40 on his Pro Day, and finished his rookie season with 32 tackles, 5 pass defensed, 1 forced fumble, and 1 pick in 6 starts. In 2012 Williams had 10 starts and notched 32 more tackles, and 7 pass defensed.

The mercurial Williams went to school locallyud11 awilliams in Austin, and then to the University of Texas in 2008. UT is frequently known in circles as ‘DB U’ because it produces more defensive backs that are NFL ready than nearly any other school in the nation. He appeared in 37 games for the Longhorns, including 23 starts at CB. Williams was also an outstanding special teams player, known for his knack to block and return kicks. Williams recorded 106 tackles, 12 TFL, 3 sacks, 4 picks, 6 forced fumbles, and 5 blocked punts during his time at UT. He declared after his Junior season for the NFL.

Williams, along with Keenan Robinson, and James Kirkendoll all sat at a table with me and ate lunch. I did not realize who each was (outside of J-Kirk), but later got their autographs on their respective cards. I had an extra that I let Chuck from the Zone get autographed for himself since he went to High School with Williams. Aaron is a skilled bowler and was tearing up the lanes at Highland during the LNF Bowling Tournament.