Tag Archives: tnt afl 2014

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.

 

 

 

 

Arena

Ruffins, Moqut

tntafl14 ruffinsCard: TNT AFL Talons 2014
Acquired: In Person, 5/3/2014 Talons vs. Barnstormers.

An imposing player on the field clocking in at an impressive 6’5″, 320, Moqut Ruffins is a versatile athlete, who played defensive line during his time at Louisiana Tech. He recorded 79 tackles and 3 sacks for the Bulldogs before joining the AFL in 2010 with Bossier-Shreveport. There he’d make the jump to offense and started playing offensive line and tight end. Along the way he’s also played for the New Orleans Voodoo (2011) and the Pittsburgh Power (2012), before joining the San Antonio Talons. Moqut recorded a career high 17 receptions for 181 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2013, and then again in 2014 with 19 catches for 151 yards and another 5 scores. The Talons in particular enjoyed utilizing Moqut on tight end screens where he was a devastating option for the San Antonio offense.

Arena

Bassuener, Matt

tnttal14 baussuenerCard: TNT AFL Talons 2014
Acquired: IP, 7/2014  San Antonio Talons v. Jacksonville Sharks

Matt is a very well-traveled quarterback. He’s seen action on 4 different continents, including stops with the Seinajoki Crocodiles, Fluminense Imperadores, Gold Coast Stingrays, Upsalla 86ers. A mobile and savvy veteran of gridiron and the Arena leagues, Matt was back on his second stint with the Talons in 2014.  During his tours in the Arena leagues, Bassuener (pronounced: Baw-zing-r) had also played for the Louisville Fire, Amarillo Dusters, and Fairbanks Grizzlies. He got his first crack at the AF1 league in 2011 with the Tulsa Talons throwing for 1,803 yards and 27 touchdowns. A dangerous and crafty scrambler, Matt had 12 TDs rushing that year as well. He’d earn a tryout with the Barnstormers in 2011 before landing with the Gladiators in 2012.

Arriving roughly halfway through the 2014 season, Matt spent most of the time fighting Shane Boyd for the starting job. Allowed to finally lead the team during the final few contests, Bassuener, led the Talons to wins over the LA Kiss and New Orleans Voodoo in the consecutive final two contests. Matt also helped power San Antonio’s highly ranked rushing attack, finishing 4th in the league in rushing with 228 yards on 48 attempts and a TD.  After settling in Matt ended up with 23 TDs to 8 INT while throwing for 1,207 yards on 107 completions.

100MEDIA$IMAG0840Coming to games every week and giving cards to the team’s COO paid off, as he upgraded myself and my wife up to field seats before the game. With a few minutes to decide, I chose to sit at the 30, then moved down just a bit to the 25. A few minutes later a young woman came and sat beside us. After striking up a conversation, we found out the young woman turned out to be Matt’s girlfriend. Occasionally she’d lean over the front and scream at him in Portuguese, cheering him on or yelling at the Sharks’ players. A few minutes later I caught an errant pass from Matt in the stands. It’d be a nice memento to keep of our adventures with the Talons and the Arena league.  After the game I gave Matt his card. He was almost as excited as his girlfriend to get his own football card, and put it up on his Twitter account. He lives in Austin, and continues to train and play as an ambassador to the sport of football.

Of note, Matt was a stunt double for J.D. McCoy from the TV show Friday Night Lights. Over his college time at Georgetown, Bassuener threw for 3,233 yards and 23 touchdowns, while also gaining over 400 yards rushing on a healthy 5 YPC average.