COMC Black Friday: Part Six - Defense

I knew there wouldn't be too many cards of the defense in my shipment but I was surprised at how few there were to show. I wonder if that is a bias in how I was looking for cards to buy, or if it is just still so much that the card companies are putting out so many more cards of players at the skilled positions on offense.

2000 Topps Gallery #157

The former number 1 pick of the 2000 NFL Draft, after his rookie season he had trouble staying healthy. He showed flashes when healthy, but was a disappointment for a first overall pick. I hope we do better with this year.

Left: 2006 Bowman Chrome - Uncirculated Rookies #71 (#/519)
Middle: 2006 Playoff Absolute Memorabilia #176 (#/999)
Right: 2006 Topps Chrome #166

Kamerion Wimbley was the Browns first round draft pick in 2006, number 13 overall.


He had 11 sacks in his rookie season, and then 15.5 in the next three seasons. Following his four seasons with the Browns, he played two with the Raiders and then three with the Titans.




L-R: 2007 Donruss Classics #214 (#/1499); 2007 Topps Chrome - Refractors #TC257

Eric Wright was a second round pick for the Browns in 2007. He ended up starting 13 games at the left cornerback position during his rookie season. After playing with the Browns through the 2010 season, he moved on to play with the Lions, Buccaneers and 49ers over the next three seasons.

Top (l-r): 2008 Score - Red Zone #76 (#/100); 2008 Score Select #76
Bottom: 2008 Score Select #75

Three more parallels of the base 2008 Score set. The Bodden card is in the base set, as well as the regular parallels of the base set (Glossy, Gold Zone, Red Zone, Scorecard), but is not in a Browns uniform in any of the Super Bowl variants so I don't need to chase those.


I liked Sean Jones while he played safety for the Browns after being a second round pick in 2004. From the 2005-08 seasons he had 5, 5 and 4 interceptions for the team. After four years with the Browns he finished his career with one season with the Eagles, and two with the Buccaneers.


An undrafted free agent, Leigh Bodden worked his way up the depth chart to become a starting cornerback with the Browns from 2005-07. He had six interceptions in his 2007 season, and after the season was traded to the Lions with a draft pick for defensive lineman Shaun Rogers. He played on the 0-16 Lions for that one year before being released and signing a one-year contract with the Patriots. After intercepting 5 passes with the Patriots in 2009, he signed a new four-year contract. He then suffered a shoulder injury, was placed on injured reserve for the 2010 season. He retired after he was released after playing one game for the Patriots in 2011.

L-R: 2009 Topps National Chicle - Mini #C189; 2011 Topps Magic Rookies #65

Both of these players are still playing in the NFL, just not with the Browns.


Jackson was a second round pick in 2006, and after seven seasons with the Browns, has played the last three seasons for the Colts.


Also a second round pick (in 2011), after four seasons with the Browns, Sheard has played the last two seasons with the Patriots.

 

L-R: 2011 Topps Chrome - Orange Refractors #126; 2011 Topps Magic Rookies #92

Taylor was the Browns first round pick in 2011. Another player that had a good rookie season, but then had injuries strike. He played four seasons with the Browns.

Top: 2013 Topps Mini - Black #282 (#/5)
Bottom: 2013 Topps Mini - Black #417 (#/5)

I felt pretty lucky to get these two cards combined for $6.50 during the Black Friday sale. I really don't count on getting many cards numbered out of five or less.


The Browns first round pick in 2013, number 6 overall, Barkevious Mingo, after playing three seasons with the Browns, he was traded to the Patriots last August for a fifth round pick in this year's draft. He played in all 16 games for the Patriots this year, starting one of them.

L-R: 2014 Panini Crown Royale - Green #189 (#/5); 2015 Topps Valor - Speed #27

And finally, a couple of parallels of Browns first round picks from 2014 and 2015. The Gilbert card, numbered out of five, set me back $3.85.


Justin Gilbert was drafted 8th overall in 2014, ahead of the Browns other first round pick that year, Johnny Manziel. Sadly, playing wise, he probably brought less to the team in his two years. The Browns thought so highly of him that they traded him to the division rival Steelers for a 2018 sixth round pick before this season started. He really hasn't made an impact with the Steelers this year.


Danny Shelton had a very good second year with the Browns this year after an uneven rookie season where he seemed to battle some weight problems. Much more will be expected of him next season.


There you have it, the cards that I picked up for the defense. You can see a lot of fairly high draft picks in there. I think that some of the players may have had a better chance with the team had they not switched defensive coordinators, and systems, so often. There was a lot of talent, the Browns just couldn't seem to use it.