Tag Archives: topps aaf 2019

AAF, NFL, XFL

Tarpley, AJ

Card: Topps AAF 2019 Yellow 12/25
Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o Home
Sent: 9/26 Received: 11/8 (43 days)

A versatile and consistent linebacker, AJ Tarpley played for the Stanford Cardinal from 2011-2014. Over his 4 years he totaled out 299 total tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 4 interceptions, 8 pass deflections and 2 fumble recoveries.

He was not selected in the 2015 NFL Draft, however AJ was snatched up by the Buffalo Bills. After bouncing off and back onto the roster as a practice squad member, he was elevated late in the season to the regular season roster. AJ turned out to be a stellar find by the franchise, and saw action in the final month of the season, starting 2 games, recording 8 tackles, a forced fumble, and 2 interceptions.

“I have no current residual effects that I am aware of, cognitively or physically. The decision I made to retire from football is about coming to terms with the totality of my concussion history and what is asked of me as a linebacker.”

-AJ Tarpley at his retirement in 2016

In early 2016, citing concussion concerns, AJ retired, stunning the football world. AJ had suffered 3-4 concussions the previous season, and doctors were advising him to be careful. He briefly entered the financial world working on wall street, but he kept hearing the siren’s call of football.

AJ decided to return to football in 2019, signing with the San Diego Fleet of the AAF. AJ started 6 games for the Fleet, posting 35 total tackles and an interception he returned 27 yards for a touchdown in San Diego’s route of the San Antonio Commanders 31-11, in Week 3. For his efforts in that game, AJ was named AAF Defensive Player of the Week and enshrined with his Topps AAF Now card (that routinely is overpriced at $50,00 on EBay). After the league folded Tarpley was mentioned by Coach Mike Martz as being the ‘most NFL ready’ of his players.

“He’s the centerpiece of our defense. I don’t know why he is not in the NFL.”

– Fleet Head Coach Mike Martz

It was hard not to like the Fleet in general. A team full of characters, I really took to Ja’Quan Gardner, Dontez Ford, and Berco on offense, but the defense- in particular- there was Ron Brooks and AJ Tarpley. I had identified Tarpley as the motor of the Fleet defense in the preseason and really liked his background. I am glad that he was able to resurrect his career (even at the expense of the Commanders).

When I pulled this card, I knew I had to have it signed. MSB (Mark’s Signing Bonus) came through and helped me out again on the address. I was hoping to get his Topps Now entry on the cheap, but I could not get the price down so after a slight delay I go this out the door to him.

AJ was selected by the DC Defenders of the new XFL 2020 intiative during the open phase portion of the league’s initial draft.

AAF, NFL

Washington, Shaan ‘Big Hit’

Card: Topps Now 2019
Acquired: IP 2019, SA Commanders Team Signing Dick’s Sporting Goods at The Rim. Future Considerations 2019. TTM 2019, C/o Home.
Sent: 5/28 Received: 12/30 ( 216 days)

Shaan Washington played linebacker for the Texas A&M Aggies from 2013-2016 seeing action as early as a true Freshman. His tackles increased every year with him finishing with 104 combined tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 6 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles. Shaan’s 59 assisted tackles led the SEC.

He’d be signed by the Minnesota Vikings in 2017, and spent time on and off the roster of the team through 2018, and saw no playing time.

In 2019, Shaan signed with the fledgling Alliance of American Football, and be territorially allocated to the San Antonio Commanders. and quickly established himself as a key starter in San Antonio’s aggressive defense.

Shaan’s big moment came on the AAF’s opening night against the San Diego Fleet. With the Fleet driving into SA territory, San Diego QB Mike Bercovici took the snap, but didn’t check down Washington, who came across Bercovici’s blindside and blasted him. The hit was so hard, not only did Mike fumble the ball, his helmet went flying across the field. The play made Shaan the poster boy for the AAF and became the master highlight for the brief history of the league. He finished the 8 game season with 20 total tackles, 3 sacks, a forced fumble, and a pass deflection.

Although Shaan was invited to the XFL Summer Showcase in St. Louis- inexplicably he’d not be selected in the XFL Draft.

AAF, NFL

Mauger, Quincy

Card: Topps AAF 2019
Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o Home
Sent: 7/6 Received: 7/29 (23 days)

Quincy played for the Bulldogs of Georgia from 2013-2016. He tallied 186 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, .5 sacks, 12 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble, and 7 interceptions for 32 yards. After not being selected in the 2017 NFL Draft, he’d sign on with the Atlanta Falcons where they tried him out at safety. After spending a year on IR, Quincy joined the Oakland Raiders in 2018, but did not make the squad. He’d be allocated to the Atlanta Legends of the AAF in 2018 and moved back to cornerback. Quincy had a decent preseason, but was injured during the opening week of the season after making 1 tackle. He signed this card for me very quickly and wrote a nice note on the outside of the envelope thanking me for being a fan.