Category Archives: NFL

Tunsil, Laremy

sage16 ltunsilCard: Sage 2016 #144/250
Acquired: 2016, Hobby Box Breaker

So I thought that I’d grab a hobby box of Sage 2016 and then break it live over Twitter. It was a really good experience and I will probably do it again in the future. Beyond the bevvy of autographs and top end players, I ended up winning a Sage Twitter promotion and earning two more gems for my collection.

Laremy Tunsil is regarded as the top offensive blue chip lineman available in the 2016 draft. A stud at tackle, Tunsil displayed all the power, arm length, and foot shuffle that you’d expect from a top prospect.  Although he has some injury history (dislocated ankle, broken leg, and torn biceps), Laremy has displayed no signs of rust. Laremy considers himself more of a finesse blocker, and displays a nice punch in run blocking.

The Titans with the overall #1 pick of the 2016 draft were linked to Tunsil well before the draft, and asked for a king’s ransom to trade up to the spot, which they eventually got from the reborn LA Rams. In the days before the draft, Tunsil expressed his sadness about not being the overall #1 pick, his step father sued him, and minutes before the draft somebody hacked his Twitter and posted a picture of somebody smoking weed in a gas mask. Ugh. How nightmarish. A certain amount of discomfort could be registered coming off of Tunsil in the Green Room as he awaited to be drafted while he free fell to #13, where the Dolphins were waiting. Laremy will be penciled in as an immediate starter protecting young quarterback  Ryan Tannehill.

Ramsey, Jalen

sage16 jramsey artCard: Sage 2016 Artistry (#49/100)
Acquired: 2016, Hobby Box Breaker

Jalen Ramsey is considered the top defensive back of the 2016 draft and is expected to go quite early.  The young cornerback from Florida State has drawn comparisons to both Sean Smith and Richard Sherman. The blue chip DB certainly displays the athleticism needed for the position to be a shut down corner and the versatility to play safety.  A long jump champion, Ramsey is a strong press cover man, that can hop inside and jam a slot man. He ran a 4.41 40 and was the top performer both at the vertical and broad jump at this year’s combine.
He finished his college career at Florida State with 181 total tackles, 15.5 TFL, 5 sacks, and 3 picks for 58 yards. Most draft pundits view Ramsey as a good fit for the Safety position.

Ramsey’s draft stock has remained steady near the top of the 2016 class and has been linked to going as high as #1 overall with the Titans, or as late as #10 with the Eagles.  The Titans pulled off a monster trade though and moved out of the top 5, with the Browns following soon there after. It made a lot of sense that Ramsey moved at #3 to the San Diego Chargers, who were going through a defensive makeover after the departure of longtime veteran safety presence Eric Weddle during free agency, but they signed Casey Hayward, and went with Joey Bosa instead.  The Cowboys were up next but went with Ezekiel Elliot instead. Finally at pick #5 the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Ramsey, where he is expected to contribute immediately to the young squad now undergoing a defensive makeover.

 

Ryan, Jake

sage15 jryan sage15 ryan LCard: Sage Hit 2015, Sage Hit 2015 Gold (4/250)
Acquired: 2015, Box Breaker

Jake Ryan is a highly instinctive player who started 41 games for the Michigan Wolverines and was the team’s MVP for 2014. Early on at Michigan Ryan floated around the defense, spending time at both defensive end and strongside linebacker, before being plugged in at ILB. He finished with 267 tackles including 45.5 for a loss.

After a majority of the Packers linebackers were either cut or left via free agency, it was obvious that Green Bay was in to reload the middle of their defense. They’d tab Ryan in round 4 where he was expected to contribute immediately in the Packers defensive alignment. Jake started 5 out of 14 games in 2015 and recorded 50 tackles.