Tag Archives: sage 2015

NFL

Richards, Jordan

sage15 jrichardsCard: Sage 2016 (#146/250)
Acquired: 2016, Box Breaker

Jordan Richards played for the Stanford Cardinal football team at Safety. He excelled in run support and earned All-Conference honors in 3 seasons while at Stanford. Expected to be a third day choice, Richards was a surprise selection at the end of Round 2 by the New England Patriots.
A smart and determined player,  Jordan is a strong character guy who is a willing run enforcer despite his 5’11”, 2011 frame.  He played for the Patriots on special teams and in sub packages, and displayed that nose for the run, and was pretty decent in underneath zone support. Richards finished 2015 with 2 starts 2 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble, and 14 tackles.  He played in 11 games in 2016 contributing a fumble recovery. Considered on the roster bubble for 2017, Jordan impressed during the preseason, and as of the 4th week has played in 3 games starting 1, with 5 tackles, and a forced fumble.

NFL

Johnson, Gus

sage15 gjohnsonCard: Sage 2015 (#61/250)
Acquired: 2016, Hobby Box Break

Gus Johnson was an intriguing prospect out of Stephen F. Austin. In 2014, he added the Southland Conference Player of the Year honors to his impressive resume, which also included being a 3 time All-Southland Conference selection. A bowlegged and stout runningback (5’10”, 215), Gus was a gritty player who has a nice, deceptive burst at the second level.  He finished his career with the Lumberjacks with 631 carries for 3892 yards and 51 TDs. Gus also had 57 receptions for 417 yards and a TD. He went unselected in the 2015 draft.

After a brief stay on the Falcons, Gus signed with the  Dallas Cowboys.  The Cowboys were reloading at runningback after the sudden departure of DeMarco Murray. Gus led the Cowboys in the preseason in rushing, but confident in the stable of Darren McFadden, Joseph Randle, and Lance Dunbar, they opted to cut Johnson.  He was signed to the practice squad, and then cut later in the month. Gus quickly signed with the Atlanta Falcons and was placed on their practice squad. He remained with the Falcons through mid-2016. Afterwards Gus has spent time on a variety of rosters around the league including the Chargers, Falcons (2nd time), Chargers (2nd time), and finally the Steelers. He is currently a free agent.

NFL

Wegher, Brandon

sage15_bwegherCard: SAGE 2015
Acquired: 2015, Box Breaker

Brandon Wegher went undrafted out of tiny Morningside College, located in Sioux City, Iowa, where he rushed for 2610 yards on 327 carries and 39 TDs, –in one season. Wegher averaged an incredible 200.5 yards a game, en route to setting an NAIA single season rushing record.

Wegher signed with the Carolina Panthers after the 2015 NFL Draft and then battled Cameron Artis-Payne and Jordan Todman for the 3rd string running back spot behind Johnathan Stewart and Fozzy Whittaker. During the preseason Wegher demonstrated many of the capabilities that the team looked for in an every down back, scoring 3 TDs during the preseason, and he became an endearing underdog favorite to Panthers fans.  In the end Carolina kept Wegher over Todman, and were so afraid of losing him to another team, they signed him to the active roster. He dressed for one game in 2015, but did not see any action.

In 2016, Brandon was among the final cuts coming out of training camp. Late in the year, he signed a futures contract with the Los Angeles Rams but in May of 2017 was cut. He currently is a free agent.

I love this card. It has the right balance of just about everything you want from a portrait card.  The photo is outstanding and that clump of grass in his helmet just says that Wegher isn’t afraid of getting down and dirty to get the extra yards.