Tag Archives: Atlanta Falcons

AAF, CFL, NFL

Sims, Blake

Cards: Topps AAF Certified 2019
Acquired: 2019, C/o EBay

Blake Sims was Alabama’s starting quarterback in 2014. Starting all 14 contests, he was 252 of 391 for 3,487 yards and 28 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. He also ran 78 times for 350 yards and 7 TDs. Blake was not selected in the 2015 NFL Draft and teams tried to pigeonhole him in at another position other than quarterback. Sims headed north to the Canadian Football League. There he was on the roster of both the Argonauts and the Roughriders during the 2015 season.

Blake then took his skills to an unusual destination: Australia. He was going to play for the Wollongong Devils of the National Gridiron League- but the league never got off the ground in 2016, so he returned to the United States and signed with the Falcons and spent time on their practice squad before ultimately ending his season on the practice squad of the Bucs.

After he was waived by the Bucs, Sims eventually signed with the Alliance of American Football. He was assigned to the Birmingham Iron and then later re-selected by the team with their second round pick during the QB Draft. Unfortunately he’d be injured and subsequently waived by the team before taking a regular season snap.

AAF, NFL

Odom, Chris

Card: Topps AAF 2019
Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o The Atlanta Falcons
Sent: 4/18 Received: 6/20 (63 days)

Chris Odom played defensive end at Arkansas State from 2013-2016. Also renowned for his special teams prowess, Chris had quite the penchant for blocking field goals during his career. He’d finish with 87 total tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, 4 pass deflections, and 4 forced fumbles.

Chris signed with the Atlanta Falcons, after not being selected in the 2017 NFL Draft. A final cutdown candidate, Chris was claimed by the Packers and spent a year with the team logging 6 tackles. Later in 2018, he’d sign with the Salt Lake City Stallions of the AAF. Chris played in 8 games for the stacked Stallions defensive front. He’d post 10 total tackles and 2.5 sacks.

After the dissolution of the Alliance, Chris re-signed with the Atlanta Falcons. The next morning I dashed this card out the door that he signed in about two months. Chris was the first player in a 12 responses to request a copy of his trading card from me.

He’d join the Redskins practice squad in early September, and later be promoted to the active roster, where he saw action during Week 13.
In 3 games he had 2 sacks, 19 total tackles, and 1 forced fumble. Currently he’s a free agent.

AAF, CFL, NFL

Daniels, BJ

Card: Topps AAF 2019 Certified
Acquired: 2019, EBay

BJ Daniels has always been an intriguing dual threat quarterback prospect. Playing for the University of South Florida Daniels played for the college from 2008-2012. He took over the starting job for the team in 2009, passing for almost 2000 yards and 14 TDs while rushing for 772 yards and 9 TDs. He averaged 8.7 yards per completion that year. His best year came in 2011, when BJ threw for 2,604 yards and 13 TDs, while rushing for 601 and 6 TDs. Daniels was selected during the 7th round (237th pick) of the 2013 draft by the San Fransisco 49ers.

After being cut by the 49ers, Daniels was claimed by the Seattle Seahawks 2013. He’d spend time on and off their practice squad, and then moved to wide receiver by 2015. Cut again, the Houston Texans claimed Daniels and placed him on their practice squad. With the Texans having issues at QB due to injury, Daniels was able to get into a game near the end of the season in Wildcat situations. He’d run for 6 yards, and pass for 7.

In 2016, BJ was signed by the Giants, but later found himself on the roster of the Bears. He did not make the final cut. Late in 2016, BJ was claimed by the Falcons, who then tried to convert him to runningback. Again he’d find himself cut in 2017.

BJ decided to try his hand at Canadian Football in 2018, signing with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, but was cut.

He’d be assigned to the Orlando Apollos of the AAF, however BJ was selected in the second round of the AAF QB draft by the Salt Lake City Stallions. With a strong camp it looked like BJ might get the starting nod going into the regular season, but a freak injury during the preseason contest against Memphis ended his AAF season. He was 5/9 for 40 yards and a TD before the injury.

Daniels was placed on IR, and attended a few team away viewing parties for Stallions fans during the season.