Archive for September, 2009
What Favre’s Drive Means to Vikings Fans
Posted by: | CommentsThe person who came up with the phrase “Forty is the new thirty” wasn’t too far off this past Sunday. Even though he turns the big “4-0” next week, Brett Favre showed that he still has it, ending the game against the 49ers in epic fashion. With just over one minute left, he started the drive on his own twenty with a beaten up team, no time outs, and against a defense that had smothered him the whole second half. In true Favre-ian style, he marched down the field with relative ease to set up an amazing game winning touchdown pass, leaving a huffing Mike Singletary shocked on the sidelines.
After I was done celebrating with my spooked out wife, I couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened if there was someone else leading the team on that drive. A few years ago, a situation similar to the Niners’ ending befell the Vikings, only they weren’t so lucky to have number 4 in purple then. They had scored late against the Packers, but unfortunately left enough time on the clock for Favre to sling a few quick passes and set up his team for a game winning field goal. I’ll tell you, after witnessing him do it time and time again against the Vikings, it was great for Minnesota to be celebrating this time around.
It wasn’t just the last play of the game that impressed me either. It was also his management of a game that saw the running backs rendered ineffective by a hard charging Niners defense, his calm under pressure, and his unfathomed leadership. Even during the Culpepper years, the Vikings never had that; it makes all the difference in the world to a team known for choking. Even I will admit that I felt the electricity on that last drive, seeing Favre making his reads like a pro, throwing the strikes when needed, and not being afraid of going for it all.
If you haven’t been convinced by Favre’s effectiveness, look at the last drive of the game from 2008’s Vikings playoff loss to the Eagles. Down late with little time on the clock, Jackson crumbled and ended up on the ground while Philadelphia celebrated a huge win on the road. I’m pretty certain that Favre would have at least made it interesting, possibly even winning the game. As much as I hated Favre during his time in Green Bay, I respect what he brings to a team now. You can read it in the faces of the players lining up next to him: look at Percy Harvin if you need proof.
Now, all of the Vikings’ success is not on Favre’s shoulders, mainly because there are a lot of players that deserve credit. Peterson is as he always is, Winfield, Williams, Henderson and Allen are anchoring a great defense, and Harvin has added a whole new level to the offense. Favre is more like the catalyst, as QB confidence is the great motivator. As a defense, if you know your leaders can back up a bad play or two, it leaves you loose and able to take chances. As an offense, you know you will always have a chance to win. Even Peterson has commented how much Favre brings to the table in that respect, as the holes are that much bigger for him with teams having to finally account for a QB. If you have been watching Peterson like I have, you know what that must mean for him (especially when he doesn’t have to face eight and nine in the box every play any more).
Favre’s arrival in Minnesota hasn’t come without problems though, as there are a few issues he has yet to conquer. First, his lack of time in training camp has contributed to some timing issues among other gelling problems, and his fragility has added to concerns about the team’s long term prospects. I’m sure after a game like this recent win, however, he must feel at least somewhat rejuvenated.
For collectors, it is safe to assume that Favre’s upcoming Vikings cards and autographs will be some of the most sought after cards of the year. His card from next week’s SPx release will be the first of many, and after his start this year, it should bring some serious value to the lucky people who pull it. I am super excited for the prospects of what is coming, especially as UD Black arrives in the coming months, with Ultimate, SPA and Exquisite coming later on in the season. As a Vikings fan, this could be the best card year in a long time, especially with Harvin, Peterson and Favre’s success.
In the end, I always hope that the season will end with the Lombardi trophy finally ending up in Minnesota, though as a Vikings fan I am always hoping and praying with little actual confidence. Favre definitely does impact that lack of trust, as the chances of going deep into the playoffs are looking better with each passing week. Despite the recent train plowing through the first three games, everything could change next Monday. Next week puts the Minnesota/Green Bay rivalry on a huge national stage, and it could easily show what the Vikings are truly made of. Hopefully they can live up to the billing and make the Packers wish they hadn’t let Favre go.
Adam Gellman runs the collecting blog Sports Cards Uncensored, and has been a collector of all things sports for over 15 years. To see more of his work, visit www.sportscardsuncensored.com (warning: strong language!).
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Brag Photo of the Week: LeBron and Jordan Dual Logo
Posted by: | CommentsI’ve got a confession to make.
We’ve spent a lot of time this week on the blog talking about Exquisite Collection Basketball, and with good reason. It’s one of the most exciting high-end products in the history of the industry, and we’re really pulling out all the stops this time around. As you read this post, our brand team is currently hard at work constructing each pack by hand, and even uploading some of the best cards to Facebook for all to see.
My confession? I got a head start on them.
A few weeks back, the Exquisite cards were stored under tight lock and key here at the Upper Deck building, but I managed to bust in and snap a shot or two. Like this card, for example:
This would be the best basketball player on the face of the earth today, and the best basketball player in the history of the game. On the same card, hard signed autographs, with logo patches.
I won’t brag too much because this will end up in the hands of one lucky collector. Really, I’m just happy I got the jump on the brand guys with this one!
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The Jazz Need AK-47 Firing on All Cylinders
Posted by: | CommentsWe haven’t heard much about the Utah Jazz’s once promising Russian superstar Andrei Kirilenko (also known as “AK-47″). Most news out of Salt Lake revolves around Carlos Boozer, regarding the latest drama of when and/or if he is leaving town. We have also recently seen the exploits of Deron Williams and Kyle Korver on YouTube, who are apparently trying to create more interest in dodgeball. The organization is also celebrating John Stockton and Coach Jerry Sloan’s induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Perhaps all of these other topics of interest are the cause of Kirilenko’s decline in play in recent seasons . . . in other words, not being the center of attention.
When Jazz legend John Stockton retired and the NBA’s 2nd All-Time leading scorer, Karl Malone left Utah in hopes of winning a title with the Lakers in 2003, Kirilenko became the team’s go to guy. After being named to the NBA All Rookie 1st Team in ’01-’02, Kirilenko took his game to another level over the next two seasons, averaging 12.0 ppg and 5.3 rebs in ’02-’03, and a career best 16.5 ppg and 8.1 rebs in ’03-’04. This earned him a selection to the All-Star team, along with a reputation as one of the league’s best weak side defenders and shot blockers (2.8 blocks). The Jazz promptly rewarded the then 23 year old, with a 6 year, $86 million dollar deal. The Jazz presumably looked to Kirilenko as the piece to rebuild around after the departure of the franchise’s two best players (Stockton and Malone).
The Jazz hoped they had one of the NBA’s rising young stars, but what they have now is essentially one of the worst contracts in the league. Kirilenko sustained a broken wrist mid-season in ’04-’05, and sat out the rest of the year to rehab. Even though he played only 41 games, he finished ranked number one in blocks at 3.3 blocks/game. He rebounded nicely in ’05-’06 (when he played some games at shooting guard), averaging 15.3 ppg, 8.0 rebs, a career high 4.3 assists, and 3.2 blocks (which was 2nd to Marcus Camby’s 3.3). Since then, the past three seasons have seen his playing time and production drop considerably. His numbers during that time declined to averaging only 10 ppg, 4.7 rebs, and 1.6 blocks while playing only 29 minutes/game. His well documented disagreements with Jerry Sloan won’t help his cause either. Kirilenko was so unhappy that he threatened Jazz management with walking away from his contract so he could return home to play for a Russian team.
One would speculate that Andrei has a problem no longer being in the spotlight, since he was a focal point on many Russian professional teams, winning European Championships and playing in All-Star games (all before he came to the NBA in 2001 as a 20 year old). Kirilenko has struggled as a 3rd or 4th option behind Williams and Boozer. The Jazz have seen their three time Defensive 1st or 2nd Team member’s supposed strongest asset, blocked shots, dip to only half his accustomed numbers. The drop off is unexplainable since he hasn’t suffered any major injuries and been relatively healthy, playing in 67 or more games over that span.
The Jazz are surely hoping to get the most out of “AK-47″ in the last year of his deal. When the contract is up, he will be a relatively young 29 years old, and surely heading to another team to finish his career. Some lucky team may get a 6’9 wiry and athletic shot blocker who is just in need of a change of scenery to regain his confidence and All-Star form. The Jazz will be happy too: they will suddenly have tons of money to spend with Kirilenko (and possibly Boozer’s) contracts off the books, and will become key players in free agency.
Some footage of Andrei Kirilenko’s best moments:
Allen Moll is an avid NBA and College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously. He also coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen is a regular columnist for thehoopdoctors.com, Bleacherreport.com, UpperDeckBlog.com, and his own blog, Hoops Haven (hoopsworld4.wordpress.com).
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Exquisite Packout Live!
Posted by: | CommentsThe internet really is a wonderful thing. People who do foolish things are immortalized on YouTube, we can follow a celebrity’s every move on Twitter, and you can see 2009-2010 Exquisite Basketball packout on Facebook, as it happens.
Huh?
To give you a little peek behind the curtain, Upper Deck employees are currently at our packout facility in North Carolina, putting together each pack of Exquisite Basketball. By hand.
I didn’t believe this myself either (Chris Carlin had to repeat this to me once or twice), but it’s true. It’s such a high-end product that we’re actually constructing each pack ourselves, manually. Living in a world where so many things are automated, it’s nice to know that with a high-end collectible like Exquisite, you’re getting a pack that was actually put together by a human being making sure you get good value. Now of course, you shouldn’t blame an employee if you don’t open a Jordan/Woods signed card, but rest assured we’re doing what we can to make sure each pack has significant bang for the buck; that’s something a machine can’t do.
As this process is going on, the team has been kind enough to upload pictures to the Upper Deck Facebook, as it happens. So click here, and start following the packout if you haven’t already! You’ll see some of these cards for the last time before their rightful owners open them . . . maybe you?
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Rookie of the Week: Week 2 – Donald Brown
Posted by: | CommentsOne of the most exciting reasons to collect NFL rookie cards is that you get to watch their values spike if the players perform on the field. To help capture that excitement, Upper Deck launched a new website to help collectors track 2009 NFL rookie cards, but also make predictions on which rookie would have the best week at OwnTheRookies.com.
Collectors who can successfully guess who will be Upper Deck’s “Rookie of the Week” will be entered into a drawing to win a box of 2009 NFL cards. After helping the Colts move to 2-0 on Monday Night Football, Upper Deck has recognized Running Back Donald Brown with the honors of “Rookie of the Week”. If you entered codes from Brown’s cards last week, stay tuned to the website to see if you are a winner!
Coming off of the 2008 season, the Colts were not ready to go into 2009 without a backup plan in case of injury to star running back Joseph Addai. Addai spent four games of the season on the shelf with various injuries, and playing at less than 100% often enough when he was healthy enough to play. Although the Colts were able to put together a good record, their lack of a rushing game without Addai was a problem they did not want to deal with again.
Donald Brown was drafted in the first round because of his play at University of Connecticut, mainly to fill a backup role behind Addai. They figured he could also be used as a change of pace back when their lightning fast star needed a break. He impressed collectors out of the gate with his potential, and was immediately near the top of the class in value for the running backs that were selected. Despite the fact that he didn’t have the same kind of college following as players like Knowshon Moreno of Georgia or Beanie Wells of Ohio State, his talent was undeniable.
Brown wasn’t used much in the preseason (mainly due to the physicality of the position), but still managed to score a touchdown against Detroit and put up a big run against top run stoppers in Minnesota. During the first regular season game, Brown looked great in his time on the field, putting up 50+ total yards behind Addai in a Colts win.
Last night, Brown’s carries dropped from eleven to six because the team was playing from behind during the second half, but he made the most of the reps he received. He averaged 6.5 yards per carry and became the first rookie back to score a rushing touchdown in 2009 en route to a come from behind win over the Dolphins. His touchdown tied the game late, and another catch was made later on a key play for a first down. He came away in week two again with over 50 total yards, and Colts collectors should be very happy to have him on the team to complement the revitalized Addai.
Brown has already had some pretty amazing cards hit the market, with autographs and rookie cards in every Upper Deck product so far this year. My personal favorite has been his Premier Rookie Auto Jersey out of 2009 Upper Deck, as it is the first UD card of the year to feature a certified autograph and player worn Colts jersey swatches. The card is also limited only to 40 copies, making it not only valuable, but rare as well. The design is absolutely stunning, and has already has collectors fighting for a chance to get one.
His base rookie card, also out of Upper Deck football, has one of the coolest action shots of the year as its subject. It features Brown diving for the goal line pylon while almost breaking through the front of the card. Many collectors love the base Upper Deck rookie set because of the amazing photography, and this card does not fall short in any sense of the word.
Lastly, Browns autographed parallel out of Upper Deck Heroes football is a great one to pick up in addition to the others. It features a hard signed autograph, as well as a cool design that features a game photo from Brown’s time as a UConn Husky. It is serially numbered to 199 copies, and should be an affordable option for collectors who don’t want to break the bank, but still want an amazing card.
Donald Brown definitely has the talent as well as the supporting cast to have a great career for the Colts, especially if he is going to be tag-teaming with Joseph Addai. As the NFL moves to a two back rotation for every team, Brown’s importance and involvement will grow along with his value in the hobby. His cards haven’t reached their pinnacle yet, which is great for people who want to get in at the ground level. He also has the luxury of playing for one of the best teams in the league, so his growing pains from the NCAA to the NFL should be minimal. He has already been a vital part of one of the team’s two wins, and that will only get to be more important as the season moves on. Miami and Jacksonville are not bad teams either, thus proving that he has the skills to go toe-to-toe with the better teams of the league.
Check in next week for the newest rookie to win top honors of the week, and don’t forget to enter in all your rookie card codes from the Upper Deck products you have collected so far. Not only can you win prizes, but the site has some great features to allow you to track rookies and their cards this season!
Adam Gellman runs the collecting blog Sports Cards Uncensored, and has been a collector of all things sports for over 15 years. To see more of his work, visit www.sportscardsuncensored.com (warning: strong language!).
Popularity: unranked [?]
