Category Archives: Arena

Arena

Johnson, DJ

tntafl14 djjohnsonCard: TNT AFL Talons 2014
Acquired: IP 5/17/14, San Antonio Talons vs. New Orleans Voodoo

DJ was a local product from Austin I met at the Talons ticket party in the back of the Lion & The Rose in San Antonio. At the time I sat down and talked to him I did not have a card for him, but we shared our experiences from Austin, how its grown at an astronomical rate, and the increasing commute times. Like many of the other players there at the event, he did not let on that he wanted a card made of him. At the start of the season, DJ was not suiting up, but as injuries mounted, the team leaned on him to play more and more.

I caught DJ after the Voodoo game. He was sitting in a row for the autograph session with Doug Pierce and a couple of other guys. I shoved my way up and said, “Austin guy right? Hey I got these cards I made of you.” His eyes got really big and Doug reached over and started asking why I didn’t have one of him too, so I slapped his on the table too. The players were really excited and created quite a stir.

An AFL rookie in 2014, DJ played for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, and was named All-Big 12 Honorable Mention in 2010 as he tallied 3 interceptions, 43 tackles, 2 TFL and 4 PBU. In 2011, he earned 83 tackles, 3 FF, 2 picks, 5 TFL, and 3 PBU, following it up with a stellar Senior campaign in which he had 90 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 2 interceptions, and 5 PBU. DJ’s had 14 tackles in his final game at the Mineke Car Care Bowl.

 

Arena

Taylor, Collin

tntafl14 taylorCard: TNT AFL 2014
Acquired: Future considerations, 2014

A walk on at Indiana, Collin Taylor started out as a wide receiver but was converted to free safety during his junior season.  He made his biggest impact on special teams and was named the IU special team’s player of the week 10 times while appearing in 27 games.  Collin was also Indiana’s nominee for the 2009 Rudy Award, honoring Division I football players who demonstrate the exemplary values of inspirational football legend Daniel ‘Rudy’ Ruettiger.  He had an OK pro day at Indiana, but was not invited to the combine for the 2010 NFL draft.

Taylor has seen some serious playing time in the indoor leagues since making his debut in 2010 with the Oklahoma City Yard Dogs. Orignally slated at safety, he had an interception for a touchdown in his only appearance. He then played for the Tulsa Talons (2010) where they allowed Taylor to shift back to his natural position of wide receiver.  He later spent time with the Reading Express (2011), and the Iowa Barnstormers in 2012-2013, before becoming an integral part of the Cleveland Gladiator offense in 2014.

Collin along with a host of other Gladiators came signed to me care of a friend of mine who loves collecting my custom cards. They went over quite well with the players, but I was not able to make any more traction with the league on a contract.

 

Arena

Reed, L.A.

tntafl14 reedCard:  TNT AFL Talons 2014
Acquired: IP 5/17/14, San Antonio Talons vs. New Orleans Voodoo

I met L.A. Reed at the previous game against the Iowa Barnstormers when I was getting the autograph of another injured player. I think he felt miffed that I didn’t have a card of him yet, as the only thing I had found was a photo of him going face first into the turf, so I was resolved to finding something more exciting and suitable. I must say this one really hit it out of the park. While I was wandering around the field, a woman in a walker beckoned me over to see him at the trainers’ table. He was extremely gracious and asked me what I wanted for the card. I told them the price was an autograph, and the rest that I gave him that evening were free.

I understand that players are just as much as fans as we are. Their own football card, especially at the level of Arena football, is a way of a player actualizing one of those dreams they’ve always wanted. It is a way of saying that they have indeed arrived on a professional level.

A four-year letterman for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, L.A. switched from wide receiver to safety as a Senior in 2008. He collected 19 tackles and 3 pass breakups that season, and is considered a blistering hitter and special teams demon. As a wide receiver, Reed had 39 receptions for 482 yards and 2 TDs. He was a surprising find for the San Antonio Talons in 2014 and really started laying down the wood before he was injured in Week 8 against the Barnstormers.

I ran into LA hiding out in the crowd in the same section as me after the Talons loss to the Rattlers,  with some of his rehab team. We talked briefly about basketball and the angst he was feeling as a LeBron fan being in a city full of Spurs fans.  After discovering that I was a Spurs fan, he told me that he still liked me, – since I did such an awesome card of him.