2005 Press Pass SE Alex Smith

Who is this? Cleveland Browns Tight End Alex Smith.
What is this? An autograph card from 2005 Press Pass Signature Edition.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Alex at Patriots' Training Camp in 2009.
How much did it cost? I got it when I bought a set of 2005 Press Pass SE in 2005.

Why is this so special? On the day of the NFC Championship Game when QB Alex Smith will lead his 49ers against the Giants, I am shamelessly trying to generate a little site traffic with some old-fashioned "bait-and-switch."

But, since you're already here and reading this, why not learn a little bit about Edwin Alexander "Alex" Smith?

First, he was born Edwin Alexander Smith on May 22, 1982 in Nassau, Bahamas. His father, Ed Smith, played for the Denver Broncos and is believed to be the first player born in the Bahamas to be drafted in the NFL.

Second, Alex Smith attended Stanford University, where he was a three-year starter. In 2004, Alex was a runner-up for the John Mackey Award, given to the nation's top collegiate Tight End and a second-team All-American.

After college, Smith was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Third-round (71st overall) in the 2005 NFL Draft. That was 70 picks after QB Alexander Douglas Smith from the University of Utah was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers with the First-overall pick.

Overall, Alex Smith has had a solid career. So far, Smith has spent seven years in the NFL, playing for the Tampa Bay Bucaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Cleveland Browns catching a total of 147 passes for 1,414 yards 12 touchdowns.

In April of 2009, Smith was traded by the Bucs to the New England Patriots, but he was cut at the end of the preseason and signed with the Eagles a few days later. It was during his brief stint with the Patriots that Alex signed these cards for me. He seemed like a nice guy and cool enough to sign a total of four cards for me.