Tag Archives: Washington Redskins

Arena, NFL, The Spring League

Fafaul, Mike

Card: Sage 2017
Acquired: 2018, Box Breaker

Mike Fafaul went to UCLA where he played sparingly for the Bruins as a backup (behind Brett Hundley and Josh Rosen) until 2016. Participating in 8 contests, Mike threw for 1602 yards (135 of 259 passes) for 12 TDs and 11 interceptions. He set a school record when he threw 40 completions, 5 TD passes and a bit over 500 yards against Utah. Going unselected in the 2017 NFL Draft, Fafaul went to a few mini camps in the NFL (Ravens, Redskins) and CFL.

Ultimately he’d end up as Tommy Grady’s backup playing for the Albany Empire of the Arena Football League. During his rookie season Mike was 3 of 9 for 18 yards and an interception.  In 2019, he was spotted in Austin working with The Spring League. Mike later signed with the Jacksonville Sharks of the National Arena League.

Heisman Trophy Winner, NFL

Griffin, Robert ‘RGIII’

Cards: Upper Deck College Football Heroes 1991
Acquired: TTM 2018, C/o The Baltimore Ravens
Sent:  4/19  Received: 10/19  (183  days)

I remembered two years ago when RGIII took a pitstop in Cleveland. I noted that he signed a few cards TTM for fans via the team facilities. I missed out on getting his autograph earlier in 2018 when he opened a Dick’s Sporting Goods in Waco-  and that one I was kicking myself over.  Spoodog gave me this giant box of cards, and in it was a set of College Football Heroes Robert Griffin cards. Since these beauties really stood out, I said, “Why not?” I decided to shoot out this beautiful card of his to Baltimore and give it a shot.

A few days before I got this back I started seeing some activity/ returns from him and was cautiously optimistic, so when I opened this letter and got this beautiful autograph, I was quite happy. This is a great looking card accented by a perfectly placed autograph.

Robert Griffin is the gem in the crown of the Baylor Bears sports program. He had a storied career playing in Waco, really putting the forgotten about sports program back on the map from 2008-2011. Under the tutelage of Art Briles, he matured as a passer, while displaying incredible speed slashing up defenses -and pulling rabbits out of his hat while in the pocket. Shattering many long held single, season, and career records for the school, it was his 2011 season that earned him the Heisman Trophy for his efforts. RGIII finished with 4293 yards, on 402/291 (72.4%), with 37 TDs to just 6 interceptions. He also rushed the ball 161 times for 699 yards and 10 TDs. 

Pushing himself into the conversation as the #1 overall pick of the 2011 NFL Draft, Griffin was selected by the Washington Redskins (who traded away a king’s ransom to select him) at the #2 overall spot. Robert had an overall solid rookie season, leading the Redskins to the playoffs. He’d throw for 3200 yards flat with 20 TDs to 5 interceptions, but it’d be on the ground he’d carve up and frustrate opposing offenses. RGIII finished with a rookie QB record 815 yards on 120 carries- going in for 7 TDs including an improbable 76 yard long. His 815 yards, 76 yard long, and 7 TDs would all be rookie QB records. RGIII also led the NFL with a 6.8 yards per carry average. Robert won the Rookie of the Year Honors and was named to the Pro Bowl.

It’d be during the playoffs that he’d push himself a bit too much. Trying to heroically play through a  knee injury against the Seahawks Griffin ended up tearing both his LCL and ACL. He was able to recover in time for the 2013 season but experienced Sophomore jitters. Then he got caught in a QB controversy with Kirk Cousins in 2014 and by 2016, Griffin, was unceremoniously cut.

Snatched up by the Browns, it was expected he’d rejuvenate his career there with Cleveland, but with little tools to work with RGIII struggled in his lone season there. He’d win one game as starter, while posting a line of 87 completions (59.2%) for 886 yards, 2 TDs and 3 interceptions. Robert also rushed 31 times for 190 yards and 2 TDs. Again cut after the season, RGIII was eventually signed by the Baltimore Ravens after a long free agency period. By then RGIII was being treated as an afterthought.

But in the feel good NFL story of the 2018 year, Griffin forced his way into the conversation in Baltimore. After the franchise selected Lamar Thomas- the heir apparent to Joe Flacco, it was thought that the Ravens- a franchise notorious for carrying only 2 QBs would not keep RGIII. Griffin had a spectacular preseason and made the final roster for 2019. 

AAF, NFL

Stewart, Orion

Cards: Topps AAF 2019, Topps AAF 2019 Certified
Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, EBay 2019
Sent: 4/11 Received: 5/3 (22 days)

When the different AAF groups were talking about what players they were impressed by, I was surprised that they brought up the lumber laying Orion Stewart. He was apparently really impressing in camp for the Commanders. He quickly proved to me during that first game what a force he was for SA in the secondary, laying down the law against the Fleet. In that first game he hauled in a pick, deflected two passes, and made 6 tackles. At the end of the game, he and a gaggle of players came over to the visitor’s endzone and mugged my sister and me for hugs… well primarily my sister- but still it was a great memory to make- and Stewart became one of my favorite players.

Orion was a 3 time All-Big 12 safety at Baylor, playing in 49 games while starting 36 of them. He recorded 12 interceptions over his time playing for the Bears, and ended up third on the school charts with 227 career interception return yards.

Stewart was not selected in the 2016 NFL Draft- and saw brief stops with the Broncos, Redskins, Giants, and Bills. In 2018 he signed with the Commanders and he and Derron Smith made the most fearsome safety duo in the league. He also came up with a nickname for the secondary (- which was one of the league leaders in creating turnovers), calling their group “Area 51”. In fact at the last game, I brandished a homemade sign with it on there as well.

After the league collapsed, Orion signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019. He signed his base card in 22 days- which was a day after his certified arrived in the mail. I got an incredible deal on the certified autograph. I got 4 for about half the price of a hobby box, and a hobby box typically comes with 3 autographs, so you do the math.

AAF G/GSTACSACFUM
7/72500
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329045.0068