Tag Archives: san antonio talons

Arena

Ransom, Jamar

tntafl11 jransomtntafl14 ransom

 Card: TNT AFL 2011 promo set, TNT 2014 AFL Talons
Acquired: 2014 IP, San Antonio Talons v. New Orleans Voodoo

Jamar Ransom was the heart and soul of the Talons defense going all the way back to the franchise’s day as the Tulsa Talons, where he was a member of the Talons 2007 AF2 Championship squad. As the ‘Jim’ linebacker, Jamar has recorded at least 50 tackles in each season since the team joined the AFL back in 2010, and over his first three seasons, he was also utilized as a fullback, adding  24 rushes and 11 touchdowns to his name.  To top things off, Jamar’s been involved in causing 20 turnovers in 4 seasons. Ransom’s best season came in 2013, when he recorded 70 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 10 pass blocks, 2 forced fumbles, and 7 interceptions for 76 yards and count ’em- 3 touchdowns, earning him AFL first team honors. He garnered quite a reputation around the league as a punishing enforcer with a hard hitting and relentless style of play.  The Talons in turn promoted him as their defensive leader with jersey sales.

Ransom had been a dodgy guy for me to track down. Jamar not only skipped the season ticket holder event- he wasn’t even available for the Talons game against the Barnstormers. Luckily after the game against the Voodoo, I tracked him to the autograph tables and pushed my way into him. When I gave him his card, Jamar was absolutely estatic. He told me that he had never had his own card before, and clasped the two cards I had created of him as though they were a cherished toy of his. He gleefully signed the two cards for me and it was very obvious I had made Jamar’s day. It is moments like those that I truly cherish. Jamar later got in contact with me asking for a few new customs. I speced out some ideas, but I did not hear back from him.  The Talons in the meantime went on hiatus for 2015.

Arena

Berry, PJ ‘Superman’ (2)

tntafl14 berryCard:  TNT AFL Talons 2014
Acquired: IP 5/17/14, San Antonio Talons vs. New Orleans Voodoo
See Also: PJ Berry

PJ Berry is a model for the AFL as far as I’ve observed. He’s exciting to watch, posts big numbers, and above all else is extremely fan friendly. At games, I always see him talking to other fans, letting young kids hold his helmet, and he always gives a shout out to everybody in the stands to make them feel special and unique. That is the type of player that the league should tout. I lament at the fact it appears that PJ has never had his jersey printed for general fan consumption and hope that the AFL can capitalize off of this.

After a slow start, the team traded Jomo Wilson back to the Jacksonville Sharks. This cleared the way for Berry to start opposite DJ Stephens at receiver. In the meantime PJ tore it up on returns. With lightening speed and fluid hips, Berry’s greatest assets are his vision and ability to turn on a dime.

I made it down to the field after the Voodoo game and gave PJ his new card, which he really liked a lot. I’m glad I replaced the previous photo I had of Berry. This is a solid shot of him. I got a couple of requests for PJ’s card I went ahead and fulfilled for other fans. It always makes me feel good that other fans might just appreciate my work.  PJ had a decent season in 2014, but probably not up to his monster statistic levels. He finished with 61 receptions for 809 yards and 10 TDs, to go along with 36 kick returns for 689 yards, and 2 touchdowns, powering the Talons to one of the top ranked return units in the league.

Arena

Jones, Colton

tntafl14 cjones

Card: Top Notch Talons 2014
Acquired: 2014 IP, San Antonio Talons vs New Orleans Voodoo

I went to the San Antonio Talons Season Ticket Holders Party in San Antonio earlier in the year, where I got the autographs of many of the players on my custom cards. The next thing I knew I was surrounded by a cadre of big men, led by Colton, who complained about me not having a card of them. Being the fair guy I am I exchanged contact information with Colton and promised him that I’d crank out a card of him before he knew it. I got to work and before I knew it, I had made cards for nearly the 2014 team- front and back. The next game I could make it down to was the Barnstormers event, -so I was in for a long wait.  In the meantime I networked out to other players on the team on Twitter and prepared to have some fun.

When I arrived at the Barnstormers game, I got tickets in the area called the “player’s endzone’. That is the nickname for the side of the field where the players have their seating areas at. It’s a great spot if you want an upfront experience with players. I made my way down to the front of the stands and Colton came through with a beaming smile, called me by name and told me that he hadn’t forgotten me. We planned to do the exchange after the game during the autograph session, but that’s when irony would interscede. Midway through the contest, Colton, blew his knee out and had to be carted off the field. While the injury ended his 2014 season, Colton and I were able to catch up via email, and we made plans for the Voodoo game in two weeks.

Despite his injury Jones was indeed in good spirits. Let’s not lie: This is a sexy big man card. The scan just doesn’t do this card I designed justice. He was really happy to have his card, and I let him know that he was the catalyst that got me going to make cards for not only him but the rest of his teammates. He told me that when I was a rich man some day, the only thing he’d like is some royalties, but in the meantime to keep in touch.

A solid technician with a solid one-two punch, Colton started 32 games at guard under highly respected former Washington Redskin Monte Coleman at Arkansas-Pine Bluff. During his Senior season in 2011, Jones was named team captain, – a season in which he recorded 35 pancake blocks. He joined the AFL in 2013, with the Pittsburgh Power and saw action in 3 contests as a rookie.  In 2014, Colton joined the San Antonio Talons, and won the starting nod at center in training camp.