Former New Orleans Saints Tackle Stan Brock and PGA Tour Star Joe Ogilvie

Admittedly things have been a bit slow of late on this blog, and that's a direct result of my being sidetracked with other aspects of life. I've been unable to send any requests lately, so everything that's come in over the last month has largely been those that have been out for a while.

Hopefully in the next few weeks I'll be able to resume with the request writing.

In the meantime I am glad to have two successes to report today. First up is Stan Brock, whom I mailed a pair of cards to 152 days ago. They both came back signed today.

Brock was a tackle for the New Orleans Saints from 1980-1992, and then with the San Diego Chargers 1992-1995.

On the golfing front, I've added the signature of Joe Ogilvie to my collection as well today. I wrote Ogilvie 50 days ago.

The former Duke golfer has won four times on the Nationwide Tour. He picked up his first PGA Tour title at the 2007 U.S. Bank Championship.

Day of the Year: 222
Number of Autographs This Year: 237

July 26 Report: New Orleans Saint and Former USFL Champions Quarterback Bobby Hebert

Getting the week off to the right start, adding a pair of signed items to the collection from Bobby Hebert.

I first saw Hebert play in the USFL, which is a league I am still quite fond of to this day. Hebert starred for the Michigan Panthers and Oakland Invaders. He passed for the most yards in USFL history (10,039), not bad considering the league also boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly.

Hebert led the Panthers to the USFL championship in 1983, and he was named the game's MVP. That year he was also Player of the Year.

Hebert would later go on to play in the NFL, for the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons. He was a Pro Bowl QB in 1993.

I'm happy to add items from both of Hebert's leagues today. I simply love the inscription on the 3x5 card, which is a boost to my USFL collection.

Day of the Year: 205
Number of Autographs This Year: 233

Former New Orleans Saints Running Back Dalton Hilliard

Well this week is starting off with a success, which is a welcome sign considering the sluggish pace of late.

I'm quite happy to add the signature of Dalton Hilliard to my collection.

I first saw Dalton Hilliard play in the 1980s when he was a star at LSU. It was no surprise to me that Hilliard has a 1,200-plus yard season in 1989. He also made the Pro Bowl.

Sadly injuries cut short the career of a terrific SEC talent. He finished his NFL career with 4,164 yards and 53 TDs.

Day of the Year: 192
Number of Autographs This Year: 225

March 24 Report: Archie Manning, Murray Armstrong and Olaf Kolzig

My love for golf is well documented on this blog, so it should come as no surprise that I've added a few more golf balls signed by athletes from other sports who have become smitten with the game.

First up is Archie Manning, who, among other things, has run a golf tournament to benefit cystic fibrosis for several years.

Manning, of course, is most well know as the former University of Mississippi QB who went on to star in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints. In the first national prime time college football broadcast (1969) Manning threw for 436 yards and three TDs, while adding 104 rushing yards in a 33-32 loss to Alabama. That 540-yard performance is still tied for the Southeastern Conference record for most total yards in a game. Manning was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989.

Manning was drafted second overall by the Saints in the 1971 NFL Draft. He played on some pretty poor teams but still managed to complete 2,011 of 3,642 attempts and rack rack up 23,911 yards.

Today's second autographed golf ball comes from 94-year-old hockey legend and avid golfer Murray Armstrong. Armstrong's playing career spanned much of the 1930s and 1940s, and he later coached the University of Denver hockey team, leading them to five NCAA Championships. His career summary can be found here on the Legends of Hockey web site.

Today's final autograph is a bit more traditional -- a hockey player signing a hockey card. Olaf Kolzig played most of his career with the Washington Capitals, where he basically owns the team's record book for goalies. His career NHL save percentage is above 90 percent and he has a 2.71 GAA.

Day of the Year: 83
Number of Autographs This Year: 116