Tag Archives: San Diego Fleet

AAF, NFL, XFL

Tarpley, AJ (2)

Card: Topps AAF NOW 2019
Acquired: TTM 2020, C/o Home
Sent: 6/30 Received: 12/10 (163 days)
See Also: AJ Tarpley

I really liked the San Diego Fleet. They had a lot of great players on the team, but among them AJ Tarpley was probably my favorite. He had already signed his card previously for me, but this AAF card of his was quite expensive at the time, so I bided my time until I could get it at a great price, and then take a shot at getting him to sign this card of his. A bittersweet card- it frames the moment when AJ dashed the Commanders perfect season hopes, as the Fleet went out on top 12-8 and never looked back.

During the dog days of COVID I was working from home and decided to pick up a jersey or two of my favorite AAF players. Since the Fleet for some reason didn’t have any specific player jerseys, I picked up one of AJ. It looks great, and I can not believe how accurate the Chinese retailer got this jersey to look like the real thing!

After the AAF folded, AJ did not have to wait long for his name to be called as he was selected by the Washington Defenders of the XFL for their 2020 season during the open portion of the league’s draft. He played in 3 games (starting 2) for DC, logging 16 total tackles.

AJ left me sweating bullets about this card, but after seeing my jersey online I got of him- it jogged his memory and he shot it back to me with a nice note thanking me for being a fan. I am eager to hopefully see him suit up again in the XFL in 2022.

AAF, CFL, XFL

Nelson, Philip

Card: Topps XFL 2020
Acquired: 2020, Box Breaker
TTM 2020, C/o Home
Sent: 7/28 Received: 8/13 (16 days)

Philip Nelson split his time in college with Minnesota (2012-2013) and East Carolina (2015-2016). His best year was in his Senior year with the Pirates during 2016. Philip threw for 2621 yards and 16 TDs (8 interceptions) completing 237 of 349 throws, for an impressive 67.9 completion percentage. Philip wasn’t selected in the 2017 NFL Draft, but later attended camp with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL.

Philip was selected in the 3rd round of the Pick or Protect AAF Draft in 2019 by the San Diego Fleet. He’d quickly move up the depth chart behind Mike Bercovici after #1 overall pick Josh Johnson signed with the NFL. Philip was pressed into duty late in the Fleet’s inaugural game against the San Antonio Commanders. He’d then be named starter for Week 2, and lead San Diego to wins in Week 2 (Atlanta) and Week 3 (San Antonio) but during week 4 against the Memphis Express, Philip suffered a season ending shoulder injury. It was a shame as the Fleet had found their groove under Nelson and the offense was really clicking. He’d finish the season completing 45 of 77 passes for 513 yards and 3 TDs to 3 interceptions, while rushing for 82 yards on 16 carries.

The following year Nelson was selected by the Dallas Renegades of the XFL 2020. He’d see action right out of the gate with starter Landry Jones sidelined for the opener. Then after Jones was injured during Week 4 contest against the Roughnecks, Philip came in again- almost rallying the Renegades to victory over the Houston. He’d start the following week against the New York Guardians before COVID ended the XFL season after 5 games. Nelson completed 62 passes for 439 yards and 3 picks, while rushing for 25 yards on 6 carries on the year.

Philip sent me a nice note with his response thanking me for being a fan. He was pumped that The Rock had bought the league, and dropped in two copies of his Topps certified autographs for me to keep!

AAF, NFL, XFL

Ginda, Frank

Card: Topps AAF 2019
Acquired: TTM 2020, C/o Home
Sent: 4/10 Received: 4/30 (20 days)

Frank Ginda played linebacker for the San Diego State Spartans from 2015- 2017. He started as a true freshman, and his numbers improved every year into his Junior campaign. In 2017, he led the NCAA in tackles with 173, and had 13 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and 3 pass deflections. Frank finished his college career with 351 total tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 4 pass deflections, and an interception for 16 yards.

Frank was not selected in the 2018 NFL Draft, and after a quick stop in Arizona, joined the Miami Dolphins. He had an outstanding preseason finale against the Falcons, but was one of their final cuts.

Frank returned home where he joined the Alliance of American Football signing with the San Diego Fleet. Behind the Fleet’s nasty 3-4 front, Frank led the team with 41 tackles- posting 4 for loss, 2 pass deflections, and a forced fumble against SLC that led to a TD recovery- despite only starting 2 of 8 contests. He also set the league record for tackles in a game, recording 15 against the Memphis Express, in their March 2nd contest.

” We all just bought into the system and we all dialed in and knew how much we wanted to play in the NFL. There were guys that played multiple years. There were guys that played preseason like I did and there were guys that didn’t play at all. Everybody bought into the system and bought into the playbook.”

-Frank Ginda

After the AAF folded, Frank didn’t stay unemployed for long. He’d be selected by the New York Guardians of the XFL 2020, where Ginda finished with 11 tackles and a sack in 5 contests.

Frank signed this awesome card of his and dropped a nice note on the back of it thanking me for my support.