Tag Archives: chicago rush

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

Rodgers, Kelvin

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

A well travelled defensive specialist and speedy return man, Kelvin has played for the San Antonio Talons since 2012- a season that saw him on the roster of 5 other teams, however it was during his rookie season of 2011, he had a banner year with 71 tackles, 6 interceptions for 120 yards, 3 fumble recoveries, and 13 pass break ups. In 2012, Kelvin returned 60 kicks- 6 of which went for touchdowns, which is the second highest season total in AFL history.

After suffering an injury in 2013 that sidelined him for most of the year, Rodgers had a fine 2014 for the San Antonio Talons ranking among league leaders with an impressive 12  interceptions and 83 tackles, earning Second Team All-Arena Honors. In addition Rodgers had 32 returns for 532 yards and a 57 yard TD.

In the final game of the franchise’s history, Rodgers paced the squad with 8 tackles, 3 PBU and a critical interception in the Talons exciting 38-35 overtime victory, and was voted the AFL MVP for Week 20 of the season.

Leading by performance, Rodgers remained a calm presence, in a San Antonio defensive backfield that changed weekly due to decimation from injury and trades.

 

Arena

Quiroga, Robert “Q”

TNTAFL11 RQuirogaCard: TNT AFL 2011, TNT AFL Talons 2014
Acquired: Acquired: IP, 3/1/14  Talons Season Ticket Party, 5/3/14 San Antonio Talons vs. Iowa Barnstormers

During Robert’s college career at Baylor, he caught 131 passes for 1,478 yards and 9 TDs in 46 games. Starting his career with the Los Angeles Avengers in 2006, Quiroga was a two way star for the team, playing both receiver and linebacker.  His 2007 totals included 27 receptions and 11 TDs, 49.5 tackles and a fumble recovery.  In 2010, Q joined the roster of the Orlando Predators again playing both sides of the ball. The Predators liked Robert so much that they traded the Chicago Rush to get him back for 2011. Robert stepped into the starting line up and recorded a career high 1,553 yards and 26 TDs on 126 receptions. With the Talons now in San Antonio, Robert elected to play for his hometown team in 2012. He’d make 32 receptions for 457 yards and 11 TDs. Although he only made one start in 2013, Q is looking forward to returning to form in 2014.

tntafl14 quirogaRobert was the first player I got at the Talons Season Ticket Party. I started talking to some of the members of the staff, and I asked them where he was, and he turned around! We talked for a few minutes about his career, and time in Orlando with Nick Hill. He liked his card, but he lamented that it was a Predators card.

Since he wanted something different than his Predators card, I burnt the midnight oil and punched out this Talons card of Robert in no time. I really like how it turned out. After the Barnstormers game I had him sign the Talons card.  Too bad he signed it with a black marker before I could hand him my silver one…