Tag Archives: cleveland browns

AAF, NFL

Schult, Karter ‘Karter Sauce’

Card: Topps AAF NOW 2019
Acquired: TTM 2020, C/o Home
Sent: 5/9 Received: 8/22 (105 days)
Pending: TTM 2020, C/o Work

Karter Schult was the darling of the Salt Lake City Stallions defense in the Alliance of American Football. The tweener defensive end/ linebacker paced the stubborn Stallion defense with 7 sacks, 25 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. He graces the cover of this Topps AAF Now card- the only one oddly enough the Stallions and Karter ever appeared in. For his 2 sack, 4 QB hit effort, Karter was named AAF Defensive Player of the Week. It should also be noted that this takedown of Zach Mettenberger ended his season.

 Schult is Northern Iowa’s all-time leader in tackles for loss and second in sacks as just a two year starter.  His final season there in 2016 was a tour de force, as he earned the Buck Buchanan Award as the best defensive FCS college football player. With a non-stop motor, Karter had 74 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, 1 pass deflection, 2 forced fumbles and a pick that year. 

He wasn’t selected in 2017, but spent time in camp with the Cleveland Browns where he had a very good preseason, with 11 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 4 games. He’d be inexplicably cut, and join the Spring League, recording 3 sacks in two contests, and then after his barn burner 2019 season with the Stallions, was in camp with the Vikings.

I was surprised that Karter was not selected by any XFL squads during the 2020 draft. I ever talked to some personnel on the Roughnecks, who told me that they wanted to select him, but were prevented to do so by the league’s main offices which really made me shake my head.

I contacted Karter through email, and he kindly offered to sign his card for me. It took a bit longer than expected because of COVID, but he did get it done. He liked the custom I did as well, and I was flattered he wanted one so after a few months, I got this out to him, but I’m still waiting for one to come back.

I’d say- outside of his adorable wife- I am one of his most ardent supporters, and I hope that he will get another shot and keep plugging away at his pro dreams.

AAF, NFL

Stribling, Channing

Card: Topps AAF 2019 Certified
Acquired: 2019, Box Breaker

Channing Stribling played defensive back collegially at Michigan from 2013-2016. He amassed 69 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 15 pass deflections, and 6 picks for 91 yards and a TD. After going unselected in the 2017 NFL draft, Channing was on and off the practice squads of Cleveland and Indianapolis that year. In 2018, he was in camp with the 49ers- later returning to the Colts, and then to the Chargers.

After being cut in October of 2018, Stribling decided to give the Alliance of American Football a shot. He was assigned to the Memphis Express and started in the team’s young secondary, posting 19 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 4 pass deflections, and an interception for 31 yards.

Although the numbers didn’t show it, Stribling was key in helping shut down the Iron’s passing attack, as the Express upset the Iron in OT 31-25.
NFL, XFL

Coates, Sammie

Cards: Topps Valor 2015, Sage 2015 Artistry, Sage 2015, Sage 2015 Next Level, Panini Prestige 2015, Panini Prestige Blue Chips 2015, Topps Air 2015, Panini Contenders 2016, Topps 2015, Leaf Draft 2015
Acquired: IP 2019, XFL Roughnecks Meet and Greet. Box Breaker 2020

Wow. What a haul. After seeing Sammie was drafted by the XFL Roughnecks I quickly pulled out as many cards of him as I could in anticipation of some sort of event or draft party and just bode my time. A few events passed by, and knowing I had a chit to burn to Houston for an event or two, I thought I’d wait it out and see. Lo and behold a triple billing of Head Coach June Jones, QB Connor Cook and Sammie popped up- so I made my move and went to the event.

I took a half day and drove down to North Houston. I’d never been to The Woodlands. It’s name is pretty apt as the bar they were at was in the middle of a shopping strip in a forest. I was one of the first people there, and immediately bumped heads with a fan who did not want to hang out with any other fans- little less one from Austin. He was quick to flip on me, constantly bagging on Austin, or saying, “There’s too many liberals in Austin,” – And not in a joking way. I tried to not let it spoil my enthusiasm for the team, but it was frustrating having that as my first experience. Part of the point of the league is no political drama, and here’s a guy making political theater out of it.

Anyway, Sammie, Connor, and June strolled in the door. I waited them out until after they’d eaten. Sammie was destroying some hot wings when I came up. He saw my cards and his eyes lit up, and after washing his hands and coming back signed every one of them. He liked the Sage 2015 cards so much, I gave him my extras I had for his PC. I asked him what position of WR that June Jones would have him at, but he said that it hadn’t been hammered out. We discussed his brief stay in Houston, where he called, Bill O’Brien, “Quite unique,” but notably had nothing bad to say about the ball coach. It was an easy pickup. Sammie signed 11 cards for me total- with an extra going to my friend Jeff, who was unable to go.

There is a thick stack of great cards that Sammie had for me to choose from. Thankfully he signed all of them. I really enjoyed the design on nearly all of them, with the Valor is the easy kill. The Sage Artistry was dreamy to me. I felt like there was a bit extra attention paid to creating this image, but the Panini Blue Chip was a well designed canvas, along with the Contenders which was a pleasant surprise.

Sammie Coates attended Auburn, where with his crisp routes, hands and speed, he burst onto the scene during his Sophomore year with 902 yards receiving on 42 receptions. He declared for the 2015 NFL Draft after finishing with 741 yards on 34 receptions to go along with 4 TDs in his Junior campaign, and was selected in the 3rd round of the draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Coates had a rough go of it and got buried on the depth chart. He played sparingly his rookie year. In 2016 Sammie caught 21 passes for 435 yards and 2 TDs, however injuries drug down a good portion of his efforts for the year and early into training camp for 2017. Traded to the Browns, Sammie was with the team through Spring of 2018, where he then joined the receiver needy Texans. Cut by the Texans, Sammie went through training camp with the Chiefs, but did not make the roster.

He’d be selected in the 3rd round of the XFL Draft by the Houston Roughnecks where he is expected to see serious playing time in the Run N Shoot offense under guru June Jones.

I ended up drafting Sammie for my fantasy team. He had some near misses on TD grabs during the XFL regular season. Over the course of 4 games he caught 6 passes for 61 yards. I tried to see if he’d sign his XFL card for me TTM, but I didn’t get a response.