Tag Archives: sage 2015

Thomas, Pete

sage15 pthomasCard: Sage 2015
Acquired: 2016, Hobby Box Breaker

Pete Thomas is an intriguing quarterback prospect with a history reminiscent of former pocket passer- Pitt QB Tom Savage. A rare 2 school transfer, Thomas’ long march originally started with the Colorado State in 2010.  He’d spend two years with the Rams and play in 21 games.  Pete put up a decent statline, going 414/652, for 9117 yards, with 36 TDs to 36 picks.  Sitting out a year, Thomas played in 9 games in 2013 for the NC State Wolfpack.  He’d throw 9 TDs, and complete 149 of 247 attempts.

Thomas again changed gears after the 2013 campaign, and transferred to Louisiana-Monroe.  Pete had a good year with the Warhawks, with 301 completions on 501 attempts, 3181 yards and 14 touchdowns. Going undrafted in 2015, Pete was an early mini-camp arm for the San Diego Chargers and New York Giants, but was unable to stick.

Eventually Pete signed with the Minnesota Havok of the Indoor Football League, but the team folded before it even took the field.  Released from his contract he was assigned by the Arena Football League in 2016 to the LA KISS.  Thomas came in during the first game of the 2016 season and didn’t relinquish the starting job all season, leading the team into the playoffs. Pete for the record completed 166 of 294 attempts for 2094 yards, 42 TDs and 8 INT. As the Arena Football League went through a massive reorganization the LA Kiss bowed out of the league. Thomas had his rookie option exercised  by the Tampa Bay Storm for 2017.

Williams, Maxx

sage15 mwilliamsCard: Sage 2015
Acquired: 2016, Box Breaker
Failure: 2015, TTM C/o Baltimore Ravens

Maxx Williams was the highest rated tight end during the 2015 draft. A lot of buzz surrounded Williams. He had some great highlights playing for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, and definitely has the hands, size, and speed to make defenders pay.  He drew comparisons to  former Giants/Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey, but scouts felt he needed to improve on his route running to become a more complete tight end.  An explosive pass catching TE, Maxx led all TEs with 9 catches of over 25 yards in 2014, while setting single season school records at TE for the Gophers recording 569 receiving yards and 8 TDs.

The Baltimore Ravens moved up a few spots ahead of the TE needy Steelers to snag Maxx Williams in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft.  As the Ravens struggled with injuries, Williams was given plenty of opportunity to start for Baltimore. One of the youngest players in the league, Maxx finished his rookie year with 32 receptions for 268 yards and a TD in 7 starts. He posted donuts in 2016, as he was sidelined for the entire year with a cartilage tear in his knee.

I was really pumped about Williams. I had hoped the Texans would draft him, but alas, they opted to work on a different part of their offense. I later sent him his Sage Artistry card- a pice of really exciting art work, since he had been signing, but apparently the door of opportunity closed on me before I could get him.

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.