Tag Archives: orlando predators

Arena, MLFB, NFL

Jean, Lestar ‘Star’

Cards: Sage 2011 Houston Rookies Dual Auto, Sage 2011
Acquired: 2017, EBay

Lestar Jean had an upwards ticking career while at Florida Atlantic. The wide receiver increased his production in every year while playing at the college. In 2010, his Senior season, Jean had 64 receptions for 988 yards and 8 touchdowns. He finished his 4 years at FAU with 146 receptions for 1992 yards and 15 TDs.  Considered still pretty raw, scouts loved his build, size, and his explosiveness. They felt he was a sneaky developmental prospect for the pro level. After not being drafted, he’d sign with the Houston Texans as a free agent.

He’d lose his entire rookie season to a shoulder injury, but after a strong preseason in 2012, he entered the season as the 4th wide receiver on the roster after an impressive preseason. During a 31-25 win over Denver, he’d make a 46 yard grab- displaying his big play potential. Although he tore his Meniscus on the catch he returned later in the season, rocking a 54 yard bomb for his first professional TD in a 24-10 shellacking of division rival Tennessee.  In the meantime he’d bide his time on special teams.

Things came apart for the Houston Texans in 2013. They’d go from rags to riches, both in record and quarterback play, as Matt Schaub and a bevvy of other quarterbacks struggled in his place.  Did Jean just not get the ball? Did coaches have enough of him hearing footsteps and dropping passes? Regardless, the Texans opted not to tender him after the season after only recording 4 receptions for 35 yards on the season.

Lestar would go on the free agent tour, trying out for the Dolphins and Panthers, eventually signing with the Vikings.  He’d be placed on IR and released with an injury settlement in 2014 before even taking the field for Minnesota.  Lestar rehabbed from injury and was part of the NFL’s first NFL Veteran Combine. Teams kicked the tires on Jean but did not sign him. He’d throw his hat in with the new MLFB (selected by Team Florida), but when a major investor backed out, the well intentioned league was left adrift.  He was later assigned to the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League in 2016 but did not take the field for the squad.

I remember when I played football, my coach came up to me on a few occasions after practice. He’d say to me, “I can’t tell what’s up with you. Some days you look like prime rib out there. Other days you look like a butt steak…” I feel like I found my pro equivalent in Lestar Jean.

Arena

Turner, Leslie ‘Pierre’

tntafl14 pturnertnttal14 turner2

Card: TNT AFL Talons 2014
Acquired: IP 5/17/14, San Antonio Talons vs. New Orleans Voodoo

I liked the second photo of Pierre so much more than the original I decided to get his autograph on it as well. He liked it, but told me that I didn’t have to keep doing this… (referring to making cards of him).

Pierre Turner collected 76 tackles and 8 sacks playing linebacker during his 4 years with the Richmond Spiders. He joined the Arena Football League in 2011 splitting time with the Cleveland Gladiators and Orlando Predators tallying 22 tackles, 3 sacks, and a forced fumble.

In 2012, he’d join the San Antonio Talons where he racked up 30.5 tackles, 5 sacks, and a forced fumble.  He’d have another 26 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 2013.  An injury riddled 2014 resulted in 19 tackles and 2 sacks. With the Talons going on ‘hiatus’ after the 2014 season, Pierre was signed by the Jacksonville Sharks and had 14 tackles and a sack. In addition to playing linebacker, Turner briefly moonlighted as a fullback for the Talons carrying the rock 6 times for 11 yards and 2 touchdowns.

 

 

NFL, WLAF

Floyd, Victor

ult92 vfloyd psetwlaf91 vfloydCards: ProSet WLAF 1991, Ultimate WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o Work
Sent: 10/19    Received: 11/29 (41 days)*
Failure:  TTM 2011, C/o Work
* School donation enclosed

Victor Floyd was the running mate to Sammie Smith at FSU. As a Sophomore, he led the team with 681 yards and 6 TDs. Injuries derailed what could’ve been a spectacular career for Floyd, but he still managed 5.8 yards per carry, 1,548 yards, and 12 TDs in his career.

A member of the 1989 draft, Floyd was selected in the 11th round by the Chargers. He briefly saw playing time that year, rushing for 15 yards on 8 carries.

Victor was drafted in the 3rd round of the runningback portion of the WLAF draft in 1991.  He did it all for the Surge leading  the team in rushing with 406 yards and 2 TDs, and averaging 4.4 yards per carry. Victor also caught 13 passes out of the backfield, including a 60 yarder for a TD against Montreal.  His best rushing game came against the Knights– a 102 yard 13 carry effort.  Floyd also led the team in kickoff return average with 21 yards on 9 returns.

In 1992 the Surge was massively retooling their offense and allowed him to sign elsewhere. Possibly impressed by his performance against them, the Knights signed Floyd to the team’s runningback stable of Eric Wilkerson and Chris McLemore.  He finished the season with 8 carries for 12 yards, and 6 catches for 166 yards and a 65 yard TD. He then played for the Orlando Predators in the Arena Football League, before retiring.

Victor has been coaching since then at the high school level. He’s held a variety of positions from basketball, track, and head football coach. He is currently an Algebra instructor and head football coach at Agape Christian Academy. Under his watch the school advanced to the playoffs for the first time in history.

NFL               RUSH 8                   YDS  15             AVG 1.9        TD 0       LG 5
REC  1          YDS 6                    AVG 6.0                TD 0           LG 6
WLAF          RUSH  100            YDS 418           AVG 4.2        TD 2        LG 25
REC 19             YDS 352          AVG 18.5          TD 1               LG 65t
KR  9                  YDS  189         AVG 21.0          TD 0               LG 33