Tag Archives: sage 2017

AAF, NFL, ufl

Ward Jr., Greg (2)

CARDS: Topps AAF 2019 Certified HACK, Sage Hit Premium Portrait 2017, Sage 2017 Peak Performance, Sage Hit 2017, Panini Unparalleled 2017 Pink, Panini Prestige 2017 Parallel, Jersey
ACQUIRED: In Person, 2025

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • See Also Greg Ward Jr.
  • Greg was promoted to the active roster by the Eagles after injuries decimated the WR corps in 2019.
  • Over time he became sort of a folk hero to Eagles fans.
  • He saw action in 7 games, starting 3 in 2019.
  • Caught 28 passes for 254 yards and a TD, and most notably 18 first downs.
  • In 2020, started 10 games, catching 53 passes for 419 yards and 6 TDs.
  • Caught QB Jalen Hurts first TD throw.
  • Used primarily in gadget plays in 2021, and saw seldom play time.
  • Returned to the Eagles practice squad in 2022 and remained there through 2023.
  • Signed with the Colts in 2024, but didn’t make the squad.
  • Joined the San Antonio Brahmas in November of 2024.
  • In a Frankenstein patchwork like offense, Greg managed to haul in 17 receptions for 116 yards and a TD.

NOTES:

Greg was one of my favorite players on the Commanders, and after the league folded, I got a jersey of him off of DHGate back in 2020. When the XFL returned in 2023, I wore this jersey to the meet and greet with Hines Ward. I wore it to the first game, and I wore it when the UFL took shape. I wore it even though other fans were telling me it was time to let go. I couldn’t believe it when Greg was signed by the Brahmas. I thought it had to be a publicity ploy or something but I kept pinching myself hoping he’d make the team.

When the meet and greet was announced, I speculated that the players in attendance would probably be new QB Kellen Mond, someone like Tavante Beckett… Caveon Patton always shows up since he’s local… and maybe an old head like Greg Ward. I absolutely nailed it.

He was nice enough to sign these cards and the jersey I was wearing. It is the first jersey- surprisingly in all these years- that I’ve had signed. Sure in hindsight, I should’ve had Jamie Sharper sign his or Kenneth Farrow.. but now I gotta figure out how to frame this thing. The cards! Ah the cards… These were cards I wanted him to sign dating back to his time with the Commanders and I had and the Ultimate and the Peak Performance cards were burning a hole in my pocket! So glad to get them all signed while the hack card is the cream of the cake. Yes!

Despite the wear I put it through, I was gentle with the jersey and it will look great on the wall. I did have a few nitpicks about it but considering there were no player jerseys made, this isn’t bad at all.

Later after the event I bought an XFL player practice jersey off of Ebay of his current number with the Brahmas. Then I realized it was probably for 2023 or ’24…. And then I realized it was too small to fit on me. I’m sure it will look good on my daughter at a game.

AAF, XFL

Folston, Tarean

Cards: Topps AAF 2019 Certified, Topps AAF, Sage 2017
Acquired: 2019, Ebay. 2020, Houston Roughnecks/ Tampa Vipers Joint Practice

Tarean Folston was a runningback for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 2014-2017. Over his 4 years he ran for 1,712 yards on 343 carries, scoring 11 TDs. Although seldom called upon, he caught 31 passes for 294 yards and a TD. He was not selected in the 2017 NFL Draft, but stayed in playing shape.

Keeping his dream alive, Folston joined the fledgling Alliance of American Football. He’d be assigned to the Atlanta Legends. The Legends were a snakebitten franchise when it came to their coaching staff, but Folston remained a constant in the backfield for Atlanta. He’d finish as the franchise’s leading rusher with 223 yards on 53 carries, scoring a TD. Tarean also showed some vision and hands catching 26 passes for 163 yards and 2 TDs.

After the league folded, Tarean joined the Tampa Bay Vipers of the new XFL in 2020. I attended the open practice between the two teams, and was fortunate enough to get Folston’s autograph on these 2 cards of his. Folston had switched numbers with another player, but recognizing De’Veon Smith, he called Folston over for me- because they loved the fact I was a true fan of the AAF. Tarean still has his trademark dreds, that he told me took 5 years to grow out to such magnificence.

I was lucky enough to watch most of the last half of the AAF season on their app, before they shuddered it in early 2020. I always had a soft spot for the Legends, and studied the team’s offensive woes, but was shocked to see Tarean back there pounding the rock out with authority for Atlanta like a poor man’s Joseph Addai. He quickly became my favorite player on the team.

NFL

Bisnowaty, Adam

Card: Sage 2017
Acquired: 2018, Private Break

Adam’s autograph opens up around the top 10 worst autographs I’ve gotten over the years. The additional problem is that this is not a very exciting looking card. He’s just standing there in front of empty bleachers.  If initials can look rushed, to a point of not caring, this is pretty close to it. 

A four year starter at Pitt from 2014-2017, Adam Bisnowaty played left tackle for the Panthers. A fine specimen at 6’6″, 304, he was considered one of the top 20 or so tackles entering the 2017 selection class, but his status in the draft was punched down, due to injuries, even with a pretty good combine showing.

The Giants needing lots of line help traded up with the Titans during the 6th round, giving Tennessee a 6th and 7th round pick to select Adam.  He’d be cut at the end of camp after losing out in a battle for the backup job with Chad Wheeler, and then be resigned to the practice squad. Following were a successive list of waiver claims by interested teams taking a stab at Bisnowaty: First Detroit and then Carolina both took a look at him for about a month in mid-2018. Then in October of that year the Vikings picked him up, who held onto him until the following year. He’d sign with the Redskins in 2019 and then later the Broncos before Adam was selected by the Dallas Renegades of the XFL 2020- but did not make the squad.