Tag Archives: tnt afl 2014

Arena

Stephens, DJ

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

I was really happy with how this card design turned out. I used a posterization effect to go along with the expanded cut out. It looks great for this card and balances out the busyness of the background. DJ was one of the many players that I contacted through Twitter with their card design before attending the Talons game about a month later. Some fans were so excited about them that they asked me how they could get a copy of the card and were stunned I had done them myself. It’s a real high compliment to have fans of your work, but it doesn’t pay the bills.

Through the 2014 season, DJ played his entire career for the Talons. He joined the franchise in 2012 and has seen an increasing presence on the team at receiver. Graduating from Arkansas-Monticello Stephens had 689 yards and 9 touchdowns on 68 receptions in 2011.  A dangerous kick returner, Stephens had 4 scores in 30 kicks in 2013, to go along with 55 catches for 738 yards and 13 TDs.

2014 was DJ’s coming of age in the AFL. He set team records with 11 receptions in the team’s opener against the LA KISS. The team liked the combo of DJ and PJ so much they went ahead and traded Jomo back to Jacksonville. Stephens earned the J. Lewis Small Player of the Week award from the league after setting franchise records with 229 yards in the Talons loss to the Iowa Barnstormers and led the league in all-purpose yardage (1,007) after week 5. Stephens season came to a frustrating end as injury held him out of the final 5 contests.

 

Arena

King, Micah

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

As a rookie in 2010 for the Iowa Barnstormers, Micah recorded 41.5 tackles and 4 sacks.  He’d sign with the Spokane Shock the following year, and tally 40 tackles and 2.5 sacks. King joined the San Antonio Talons in 2013 and collected 15 tackles and 2 sacks. Valued for his versatility, Micah has the skill set to play defensive end, linebacker, or fullback for the Talons. After the team’s contest versus the Barnstormers, King had his leg in a boot. Before I even approached him, a woman came up and started pestering me for any cards I had of him. -It turned out it was his mother, and she was so happy that he had a card. I explained that cards to me are a great way for a player to communicate to fans, to say that they have really made it to the professional level. They were very happy and thankful for the gift. Micah really liked the pose I had of him and said it was the best action shot yet. He asked me what side he should sign it on, and I told him to put it all over the front.

Arena

Rodgers, Kelvin

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

A well travelled defensive specialist and speedy return man, Kelvin has played for the San Antonio Talons since 2012- a season that saw him on the roster of 5 other teams, however it was during his rookie season of 2011, he had a banner year with 71 tackles, 6 interceptions for 120 yards, 3 fumble recoveries, and 13 pass break ups. In 2012, Kelvin returned 60 kicks- 6 of which went for touchdowns, which is the second highest season total in AFL history.

After suffering an injury in 2013 that sidelined him for most of the year, Rodgers had a fine 2014 for the San Antonio Talons ranking among league leaders with an impressive 12  interceptions and 83 tackles, earning Second Team All-Arena Honors. In addition Rodgers had 32 returns for 532 yards and a 57 yard TD.

In the final game of the franchise’s history, Rodgers paced the squad with 8 tackles, 3 PBU and a critical interception in the Talons exciting 38-35 overtime victory, and was voted the AFL MVP for Week 20 of the season.

Leading by performance, Rodgers remained a calm presence, in a San Antonio defensive backfield that changed weekly due to decimation from injury and trades.