Tag Archives: sage 2015

CFL, NFL, The Spring League

Mason, Hutson

Card: Sage 2015
Acquired: 2016, Gunderson Trade

The heir apparent to Aaron Murray at QB at Georgia, Huston Mason saw some emergency action in relief of Murray, before taking over full time as starter in 2014. He passed for 2,167 yards, 21 touchdowns, and four interceptions on 188 of 277 throws that year- making him the most accurate passer in Georgia history. Mason made the best of his career in college, but scouts were unimpressed with his arm. He would not be selected in the 2015 NFL draft and eventually signed as a free agent with the Washington Redskins. Later he’d briefly pop up in the CFL with the Roughriders. To keep his football mind fresh he’s done some high school coaching and most recently participated in The Spring League during 2017.  He’s also dabbled in broadcasting as well for ESPN3.

Pretty solid card here from Sage of Hutson Mason. The colors really stand out on the canvas and while he doesn’t have the ball he certainly serves some leadership with his extended finger pointing there off canvas.

CFL, NFL, The Spring League

Trail, Lynden

Card: Sage 2015
Acquired: 2016, EBay

Lynden Trail was one of the darlings of the Houston Texans venture onto Hard Knocks.  Going to college at Norfolk State, he finished his Senior season with 91 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks. Undrafted in 2015, Trail signed a free agent contract with the Texans, but he tore his quad during the preseason and received an injury settlement from the Texans.  He’d recover and sign with the Washington Redskins spending time on and off their practice squad throughout 2016.  A project player with great physical attributes (6’7″, 269), Lynden has seen the field briefly during the NFL regular season recording 2 tackles and a pass deflection.  After a brief stint with the La Rams that year, he’d rejoin the Redskins.  I saw him play in the Spring League during 2018, and soon thereafter he signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL.

I had high hopes for Trail as a project for the Texans but obviously they didn’t have the patience that I did. He’s a real down to Earth story of humility and the everyday man you cheer for.

NFL

Mauldin, Lorenzo

sage15 mauldin
Card: Sage 2015
Acquired: 2015, Box Breaker

Lorenzo Mauldin had a difficult life growing up, but had football to lean on.  The day before signing day, South Carolina decommitted from him. He ended up with Louisville where they used his unique set of skills as a pass rushing specialist.  He had 22 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 6.5 TFL in 2012 as a defensive end. In 2013 Lorenzo was involved in a hit and run while riding his moped to school, but still managed to start a full slate of games that year and had 41 tackles, 14 TFL,  4 forced fumbles and 10 sacks.  He’d be moved to linebacker in his senior season but was equally as successful with 51 tackles, 13 TFL, and 6.5 sacks in 2014.

Scouts loved Mauldin. He could’ve given up at anytime, but he just developed the belief that the worst has already happened so nothing can stop him stop him now.  Lorenzo applies this by working extra hard and putting in the extra effort.  He’d move up draft boards and eventually be selected by the New York Jets in the 3rd round of the 2015 draft with the intention of utilizing him as a pass rush specialist. During the season, Lorenzo sustained a concussion that left him momentarily unconscious. He ended up completing his rookie season with 17 combined tackles, 4 sacks, and 1 forced fumble as a rotational linebacker behind Calvin Pace and Quinton Coples, while also contributing on special teams.

Coach Todd Bowles remained optimistic about Lorenzo’s future with the Jets, saying that Mauldin could develop into a full time linebacker. Lorenzo started 3 games in 2016, lodging 16 combined tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2 passes defended, and an interception, but his 2017 was an unmitigated disaster. After off the field issues arose, Mauldin was placed on IR with an undisclosed back injury.  Time will tell as Lorenzo faces stiff competition entering 2018 to make the Jets roster.