Tag Archives: tulsa talons

Arena, NFL

Alexander, David

CARDS: Pro Set 1991, Topps 1992, Topps Stadium Club 1992
ACQUIRED: TTM 2026, C/o Home
SENT: 1/28 RECEIVED: 2/20 (23 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • David Alexander played OL at Tulsa from 1983-’86.
  • Well decorated from his time there, he’d be a 5th round choice of the Philadelphia Eagles in 1987.
  • A versatile player, Alexander played at all 3 positions on the offensive line, and also was the long snapper on XP and FGs.
  • An offensive captain, Alexander called offensive blocking assignments at the line of scrimmage.
  • Consistent in the run and pass game, Alexander made up for his strength with his mobility, positioning, and quick hands.
  • Made 108 straight starts (96 at C) for the Eagles over his playing career.
  • Signed with the Jets in 1995, but tore a ligament in his right knee during the preseason.
  • Returned for a final 7 starts in 1996.
  • Returned to his home in Oklahoma and went into coaching.
  • Head Coach of the Tulsa Talons of the Arena Football League from 2005-’06.
  • Named head coach at his high school and the team responded by winning the state championship in 2018.

NOTES:

Despite being consistently underrated, Alexander cashed in on quite a few cards. He’s got a really nice autograph.

Arena

Taylor, Collin

tntafl14 taylorCard: TNT AFL 2014
Acquired: Future considerations, 2014

A walk on at Indiana, Collin Taylor started out as a wide receiver but was converted to free safety during his junior season.  He made his biggest impact on special teams and was named the IU special team’s player of the week 10 times while appearing in 27 games.  Collin was also Indiana’s nominee for the 2009 Rudy Award, honoring Division I football players who demonstrate the exemplary values of inspirational football legend Daniel ‘Rudy’ Ruettiger.  He had an OK pro day at Indiana, but was not invited to the combine for the 2010 NFL draft.

Taylor has seen some serious playing time in the indoor leagues since making his debut in 2010 with the Oklahoma City Yard Dogs. Orignally slated at safety, he had an interception for a touchdown in his only appearance. He then played for the Tulsa Talons (2010) where they allowed Taylor to shift back to his natural position of wide receiver.  He later spent time with the Reading Express (2011), and the Iowa Barnstormers in 2012-2013, before becoming an integral part of the Cleveland Gladiator offense in 2014.

Collin along with a host of other Gladiators came signed to me care of a friend of mine who loves collecting my custom cards. They went over quite well with the players, but I was not able to make any more traction with the league on a contract.

 

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.