Category Archives: CFL

CFL, NFL, The Spring League

Trail, Lynden

Card: Sage 2015
Acquired: 2016, EBay

Lynden Trail was one of the darlings of the Houston Texans venture onto Hard Knocks.  Going to college at Norfolk State, he finished his Senior season with 91 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks. Undrafted in 2015, Trail signed a free agent contract with the Texans, but he tore his quad during the preseason and received an injury settlement from the Texans.  He’d recover and sign with the Washington Redskins spending time on and off their practice squad throughout 2016.  A project player with great physical attributes (6’7″, 269), Lynden has seen the field briefly during the NFL regular season recording 2 tackles and a pass deflection.  After a brief stint with the La Rams that year, he’d rejoin the Redskins.  I saw him play in the Spring League during 2018, and soon thereafter he signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL.

I had high hopes for Trail as a project for the Texans but obviously they didn’t have the patience that I did. He’s a real down to Earth story of humility and the everyday man you cheer for.

CFL

Wilson, Dontre

Cards: Sage 2017, Sage 2017 Peak Performance
Acquired: 2017, Box Breaker

Dontre Wilson played college ball for Ohio State. A school known for cranking out NFL grade talent, Dontre WIlson was not selected in the 2017 Draft, thanks in part to injuries incurred over his college career. During his time at the Horseshoe, Dontre rushed, received, kick returned, and punt returned for the Buckeyes. He finished with 77 receptions for 925 yards and 10 TDs, rushed 65 times for 428 yards and 2 TDs, had 53 kick returns for 1280 yards, and 31 punt returns for 243 yards.

Dontre initially was rumored to be signing with the Chargers, but a doctor scuttled the free agent contract because of a previous foot injury.  Dontre signed as a free agent with the BC Lions in October of 2017 and spent the remainder of the season on the franchise’s practice squad.

I really like these Peak Performance insert cards. They look great with autographs on them. The design on them seems random enough, but the gloss, finish and colors are all very vibrant, making the player pop from the canvas.

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.