Tag Archives: ottawa redblacks

NFL

Brown, Garry

Card: Sage 2017
Acquired:  2017, Box Breaker

Garry Brown is an intriguing prospect out of little known football school University of California, Pennsylvania.  Garry brings a lot of intangibles to the table. He’s a competitive student of the game, with a lot of potential, willingness to learn, and special teams experience.

While playing for the Vulcans, Garry paced wide receivers at all NCAA levels in scoring, averaging 13 points per contest, and averaging 4th in the nation with 184.9 all-purpose yards.  His 2106 stats were truly astounding as he piled up 91 receptions for 1,475 yards and 22 TDs.  At the conclusion of the year, he earned was the Harlon Hill Trophy- the D2 equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.

While he posted some truly outstanding numbers, he faced stiff competition from a very competitive WR field in 2017.  Considered a 7th round pick or a high priority free agent, he signed after the draft with the Oakland Raiders. After he was cut he joined the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ practice squad, and then in 2018 signed with the Ottawa Redblacks. Currently he’s a free agent.

Arena, CFL, NFL

Smith, Brett

Card: Sage 2014 (#178/250)
Acquired: 2016, Box Breaker

Okay, let’s forget about the shirt that Brett is wearing. It’s a one of a kind on a card though as I’ve never seen a curse word sneak through. Sage’s entry is not a pretty one here, but rarely are their photos ever exciting. It’s a pretty basic entry and not very risky. Kudos though for showcasing what matters: the certified autograph.  I didn’t really like the cards out of this set, but for what it matters, you can still find hobby boxes of this set at an extremely reasonable price (2017), fattening up your collection by 7-10 autographs in each box.

Brett Smith played for Wyoming from 2010-2013. Despite setting numerous records for the Cowboys including career offensive yards (10,390), passing TDs (76), career TDs (97), and most total yards passing in a game (640), he was not selected in the 2014 NFL Draft. He’d sign as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Bucs and later join the CFL as a member of the Toronto Argonauts, and then the Arena Football League with the San Jose SabreCats.

In 2015 Brett rejoined the CFL, signing with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He’d win the 3rd string job, but end up starting a fair amount of the season, after injuries hit the quarterback position. Smith finished with a respectable 15 TDs to 9 interceptions on the season. After the season he spent time on the rosters of the Redblacks (2016) and Eskimos (2017).  Currently he is a free agent.

CFL, NFL

Hill, Austin

leaf15 ahill sage15 ahill

Cards: Leaf Draft Metal 2015, Sage 2015
Acquired: 2016, Box Breaker

His Sophomore season was a breakout year at Arizona, as Austin Hill had 1,364 yards and 11 touchdowns. Unfortunately he tore his ACL, going down in the second-to-last practice of the spring. After he returned in 2014, his numbers fell to 48 receptions for 630 yards and 4 TDs.  Concern lingered into the draft about his knee, and Austin went undrafted.

Austin has kept the dream alive, and his agent must be commended for how he’s kept Hill in the face of executives and scouts. He has been on the rosters of no less than 5 teams including the Raiders, Jets, Patriots, and the CFL Ottawa Redblacks. He became a fan favorite on NFL’s Hard Knocks with the Los Angeles Rams at his last and most recent stop, with his pure love for the game and his daughter.  He was among the final cuts made by the team, but may make an impression on an NFL team’s practice squad somewhere.