Category Archives: Arena

Arena

McBroom, Troy

tntafl11 mcbroomCard:  Top Notch Arena 2011
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent: 7/5  Received: 7/17  (12 days)

McBroom attended St. Mary’s from 2001-02. He then attended two seasons at Delta College, and two final years at McPhereson College, an NAIA institution in Kansas, earning a degree in Physical Education & Sports Medicine in 2006. During his Senior season at McPherson, Troy had 659 receiving yards (3rd in Conference) and 6 TDs (2nd). He interviewed with the Browns and Titans but went undrafted in the 2006 NFL Draft.

Eventually McBroom ended up on the radar of the Arena Football league. He signed with the Stockton Lightning of the AF2. In his rookie year (2008), he appeared in the final four games of the regular season with the Lightning. Head Coach Chad Carlson liked Troy’s size and work ethic. In his debut McBroom had 10 catches for 110 yards and 4 TDs against the Tennessee Valley Vipers. He’d finish 2008, tallying 30 receptions for 296 yards and eight touchdowns, while averaging 74.0 yards per game.

In 2009, McBroom led the Lightning offense with 114 receptions for 1463 yards and 24 touchdowns, averaging 91.4 yards per game. He ended the regular season ranked 15th in the af2 in receiving yards per game, 10th in receptions, and 6th in reception yards.

With the Lightning suspending operations for the 2010 season, McBroom joined the Tulsa Talons of the AF1 in 2011. He earned nominations for Offensive Rookie of the Year, with 149 receptions (4th), for 1,747 yards (4th), and 31 TDs. His 9.9 receptions per game led the league. A separated shoulder in the final contest of 2011 ended his season prematurely as Troy had already set the Talons single season record for receptions, and posted 2nd highest single season receiving yard total in franchise history. Troy also had been invited to camp with the New York Jets, but was unable to attend due to his injury. In 2012, McBroom was assigned to the Chicago Rush, and finished the season on the roster of the Philadelphia Soul.

I approached Troy through Twitter and he was really excited to get his card. He still has the itch to play and is currently in the midst of a comeback bid. I built his Wikipedia entry, that is currently in approval wait hell with the site.

Arena

Ruffins, Moqut

tntafl14 ruffinsCard: TNT AFL Talons 2014
Acquired: In Person, 5/3/2014 Talons vs. Barnstormers.

An imposing player on the field clocking in at an impressive 6’5″, 320, Moqut Ruffins is a versatile athlete, who played defensive line during his time at Louisiana Tech. He recorded 79 tackles and 3 sacks for the Bulldogs before joining the AFL in 2010 with Bossier-Shreveport. There he’d make the jump to offense and started playing offensive line and tight end. Along the way he’s also played for the New Orleans Voodoo (2011) and the Pittsburgh Power (2012), before joining the San Antonio Talons. Moqut recorded a career high 17 receptions for 181 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2013, and then again in 2014 with 19 catches for 151 yards and another 5 scores. The Talons in particular enjoyed utilizing Moqut on tight end screens where he was a devastating option for the San Antonio offense.

Arena

Bassuener, Matt

tnttal14 baussuenerCard: TNT AFL Talons 2014
Acquired: IP, 7/2014  San Antonio Talons v. Jacksonville Sharks

Matt is a very well-traveled quarterback. He’s seen action on 4 different continents, including stops with the Seinajoki Crocodiles, Fluminense Imperadores, Gold Coast Stingrays, Upsalla 86ers. A mobile and savvy veteran of gridiron and the Arena leagues, Matt was back on his second stint with the Talons in 2014.  During his tours in the Arena leagues, Bassuener (pronounced: Baw-zing-r) had also played for the Louisville Fire, Amarillo Dusters, and Fairbanks Grizzlies. He got his first crack at the AF1 league in 2011 with the Tulsa Talons throwing for 1,803 yards and 27 touchdowns. A dangerous and crafty scrambler, Matt had 12 TDs rushing that year as well. He’d earn a tryout with the Barnstormers in 2011 before landing with the Gladiators in 2012.

Arriving roughly halfway through the 2014 season, Matt spent most of the time fighting Shane Boyd for the starting job. Allowed to finally lead the team during the final few contests, Bassuener, led the Talons to wins over the LA Kiss and New Orleans Voodoo in the consecutive final two contests. Matt also helped power San Antonio’s highly ranked rushing attack, finishing 4th in the league in rushing with 228 yards on 48 attempts and a TD.  After settling in Matt ended up with 23 TDs to 8 INT while throwing for 1,207 yards on 107 completions.

100MEDIA$IMAG0840Coming to games every week and giving cards to the team’s COO paid off, as he upgraded myself and my wife up to field seats before the game. With a few minutes to decide, I chose to sit at the 30, then moved down just a bit to the 25. A few minutes later a young woman came and sat beside us. After striking up a conversation, we found out the young woman turned out to be Matt’s girlfriend. Occasionally she’d lean over the front and scream at him in Portuguese, cheering him on or yelling at the Sharks’ players. A few minutes later I caught an errant pass from Matt in the stands. It’d be a nice memento to keep of our adventures with the Talons and the Arena league.  After the game I gave Matt his card. He was almost as excited as his girlfriend to get his own football card, and put it up on his Twitter account. He lives in Austin, and continues to train and play as an ambassador to the sport of football.

Of note, Matt was a stunt double for J.D. McCoy from the TV show Friday Night Lights. Over his college time at Georgetown, Bassuener threw for 3,233 yards and 23 touchdowns, while also gaining over 400 yards rushing on a healthy 5 YPC average.