Tag Archives: new orleans saints

NFL

Ambrose, Ashley (2)


Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1992, Classic Blister 1992, GameDay 1992
Acquired: TTM 2018, C/o Colorado
Sent:  3/16   Received: 3/29  (13 days)
See Also: Ashley Ambrose

So Ashley’s autograph has come a long way since 1992 or 1993, when it more or less represented a signature, at least compared to what I got through the mail in 2018.

Since his time as the defensive backs coach for the Golden Bears of Cal, Ashley has been quite busy. He worked as an intern for the Saints in 2013, and followed that up with one year stints with the Idaho Vandals (2014) and Texas State (2015) as their cornerbacks coach. From 2016 to 2017, he coached for the Broncos of Boise State, and currently is at Colorado as their defensive backs coach- a capacity he held with the Buffs way back in 2010.

Ashley gets no respect. The venerable cornerman finished with 42 career interceptions, which is quite respectable in this day and age of football. He had some great cards over the years. After I got his autograph on his Star Pics cards, I had always wanted to get back around to him and get his Action Packed Rookies card signed- really as a set need, however his GameDay card really takes the cake in this spectacular action shot. It’s well framed and the action barely breaks the image plane at the top of the card.

Ashley’s TTM trail had grown cold. I noticed a few attempts through colleges he had previously coached with, so I made sure I had his current whereabouts in mind before I sent this out.

NFL

Barnes, Tavaris

Card: Sage 2015
Acquired: 2016, Box Breaker

Tavaris Barnes comes from a long line of successful defensive lineman from Clemson. At 6-4, 275 Barnes certainly passed the eyeball test for most pro scouts, but his stats suffered due to his lack of full-time playing status.  Over 4 years for the Tigers, Barnes had 46 total tackles, 9 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks. His Sportscenter moment happened when he recovered a fumble against the Louisville Cardinals for a touchdown during the 2014 campaign. Many teams regarded Tavaris as an intriguing project, but he was not selected during the 2015 NFL Draft.

Barnes instead took the free agent route and has seen one year stints at a variety of stops.  He made the Saints roster in 2015 and recorded 5 total tackles. In 2016, he joined the Seahawks, but did not see any playing time. 2017 saw Tavaris on the rosters of both the Bucs and Redskins throughout the season.

NFL

Calhoun, Taveze

Card: Panini Contenders 2016
Acquired: 2016, Box Breaker

Taveze Calhoun played cornerback for Mississippi State from 2012 to 2015. A 3 year starter, he posted 158 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 21 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles, and 6 interceptions for 98 yards. He was invited to the combine, and while scouts loved his overall frame, grit, and leadership, they feared that his lack of top overall speed would not translate to the NFL. After not being selected in the 2016 NFL Draft, Taveze signed with the Chicago Bears, but would be released during final cuts. The New Orleans Saints signed Calhoun to their practice squad a few days later, but he’d be again released during final cuts in 2017. As of early 2018, Taveze is a member of the Miami Dolphins.