Archive for Adrian Peterson
Favre Leads the Vikings to Victory at Lambeau
Posted by: | CommentsLet me set the scene for you, as this is one of the crazier things to ever happen in sports.
Brett Favre, golden boy of the golden NFL franchise leaves town on horrible terms. He then plays an inconsequential year on a team that goes nowhere, and doesn’t even make the playoffs. Rather than ending on a good note, he hangs up the cleats to spend some relaxing years in Mississippi riding around on his lawnmower or whatever. Then the Vikings come calling, needing someone to be the final puzzle piece for a team that has higher hopes. This team needs him, and he ends up signing with the enemy in epic fashion. As if that isn’t enough, Favre then wins both games against his former team, putting up seven touchdowns and two great performances. Uncanny, to say the least.
It’s almost like Derek Jeter signing with Boston, coming back to Yankee Stadium and hitting seven bombs during a red sox sweep of the season series. That’s how crazy this comeback tour is turning out to be, especially after playing the game of his life on newly christened enemy ground. To think, after all the media circus, after all the hoopla, and spending his first game in the visitors locker room, Favre showed that 40 means nothing to a guy that lives, eats, and breathes football.
Of course, Favre did have a lot of help from electrifying rookie Percy Harvin, and workhorse Adrian Peterson . . . which makes the Vikings fan in me incredibly happy. Harvin blew the Packers’ special teams to shreds, including three kickoff returns for 40 yards or more (not to mention as well as a ridiculous 51 yard TD to silence the fans in Lambeau). Peterson had as good of a day as Harvin, rushing for close to 100 yards and a score, in addition to catching a pass that pretty much sealed the game for the Vikings.
When a player like Favre is surrounded by talent like Harvin and Peterson, the sky is the limit. The Vikings already have seven wins under their belt, and Favre has not had the injury bug of previous years. He is playing like he was at the top of his game, achieving the highest QB rating of any Minnesota quarterback since 2000. The scariest thing about all of this? The guy is old enough to be my father. In fact, Percy Harvin wasn’t even in grade school when Favre started his run in Green Bay 17 years ago.
As if you need any more convincing, the Vikings haven’t swept the season series with Green Bay since Rodgers was drafted in 2005, and during that year, there wasn’t much else to be proud of. After four long years of QB mediocrity since that point, they finally have a poised field general to lead them, and each player is made better because of that fact.
Let’s not forget that throughout his career in Green Bay, Favre was always the focal point of the Packers’ offense. None of the receivers around him were superstars, and most of the time, he was forced to carry them himself to any victory they were going to get. In Minnesota, Adrian Peterson is the man, and he can do just as much damage as any player taking the snaps. Luckily for Favre, that means that he can just play to his aged frame’s strengths, making safer passes, protecting the football, and relying on the players around him.
In all reality, the Vikings are going to have a tough run at it, even with the “Silver Fox” at the helm. Teams like the Saints, Eagles, and Cowboys all have the weapons to exploit the Vikings weak secondary during a meeting in the playoffs, despite the fact that the QBs will have to deal with the Williams Wall, and Rodeo Wrangler Jared Allen. When it gets to that point, Favre may have to transition back to his old self, with the team on his shoulders. It could be especially bad competing in an older body that just played through a grueling season, going up against the best teams in the league.
But if the win says anything, it’s that Brett can handle the pressure, which brings a new type of confidence to a team known for choking on the national stage. As a Vikings fan, I am having the ride of my life, and I will be the first to say that the confidence has made me a different fan. I can only imagine what it must mean for rookies Percy Harvin and company, knowing that you will always have a chance to win the game when Favre is on the field.
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 [?]
Favre Beats the Packers, Brings Hope to Vikings Fans
Posted by: | CommentsOn October 10th, Brett Favre turns forty. To celebrate, he’ll make his 274th consecutive start the following day. It’s actually crazy to think that after 17 plus years in the league, he still has the presence of body and mind to get out of bed in the morning, let alone onto a football field filled with 350 lb players who want to hit him as hard as possible. Although I have never been a Brett Favre fan, I have always respected his toughness and tenacity. The guy never quits, as was showcased on Monday for the umpteenth time.
When the game started, the world’s eyes were watching as he took on the only team in the NFL that he hadn’t beaten. Having played 16 seasons in Green Bay, many people knew it was going to be a ruthless display of physicality as Favre took the field wearing the hated purple jersey instead of green and gold. When the cameras went through the players during the warm up, you could see the importance of the game in the methodical movements of the Vikings players who wanted to win it for Favre, as well as the cold stares of the Packers players who wanted to destroy his comeback for Rodgers. It was going to be a bloodbath from the beginning.
Once the game started, Rodgers quickly shows why the Packers chose him over Favre, marching down the field faster than the players expected. Yet, thanks to a ridiculous Vikings defense, they came away with zero points. Favre then had his first chance to work, scoring with a bang on a great looking pass to Visanthe Shiancoe. From there, it was a slow but steady decline for the Packers.
Each time the Packers had the ball, Rodgers faced a never ending onslaught from Jared Allen and the rest of the Vikings defensive line. He ended up being sacked eight times, including one for a safety, which led to problems scoring points. The Packers would get close, and the Vikings would hold. When it was 4th and goal from the 1, Rodgers thought he could finally outplay them for seven points. He was wrong.
Each time the Vikings had the ball, Favre looked like he was back in his 1990s form. He completed pass after pass, including a few that seemed impossible. He showed poise and smarts in a time where most people would be overcome with revenge schemes, throwing for 271 yards and three scores. It was a masterpiece in motion, and the Packers were the wall he hung it on instead of focusing on personal glory.
For the first time in three years, Adrian Peterson was held to nothing and it didn’t matter. He finally has someone who can take the team on his shoulders when the defense mounted up to stop him, and you can see that coach Brad Childress loved every minute of it. It’s an element of the Vikings offense that never had to be accounted for before. Instead of the defense putting eight or nine players at the line to cut off running lanes, they are now going to have to play both the receivers and the backs. That is a two headed monster you never want to face as a defensive coordinator.
Regardless of his performance last night, Favre’s legacy was complete before he stepped onto the field. However, now that this part of the epilogue is written, the book may just be a little bit better. Favre is playing very much above expectations (much to the chagrin of Packers GM Ted Thompson), and it feels great to see him beat up on the team we Vikings fans love to hate. Even though he may not lead the Vikes to their first Super Bowl, he does bring hope to a team that has had very little in recent years. Then, when you see him perform on a national stage with no interceptions, no turnovers, and no mistakes, it takes that hope to a whole new level.
Coming up in the next few months, Favre will have his first hard signed autograph in a Vikings uniform, and I will guarantee you that it will be one of the most valuable cards ever for him. Not because he has accomplished something more on the field than he already had, but because he has a new legion of loyal fans behind him. Vikings fans are notoriously competitive collectors, and they will not pass up the opportunity to own the first card handled and signed by their new favorite player. This will lead to astonishing prices on Favre Vikings cards, and more ways for fans to get closer to the player.
Personally, I have already started saving my money to get in on the fun, and I know I will be one of the people who will be looking for my first Favre card in my large Vikings collection. It has a lot to do with the fact that I am a junkie for all things Minnesota, but also because the cards are a purple anomaly in an otherwise gold and green run. How often does a player go play for the rival, and do well with their venture? What if Derek Jeter went and played for the Red Sox, and did better than his usual fare with the Yankees? I’m sure many Sox fans would love to own those cards, just because of the history involved in the rivalry.
Like I said, Favre may not bring a title to Minnesota, but he at least gives us the chance. After Monday night, I am starting to believe.
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 [?]
SP Authentic Rookies: A Retrospective
Posted by: | CommentsEver since the SP brand took hold back in the mid 1990s, many collectors have adopted SP Authentic as their favorite product of the card year. It has given us some of the most valuable football cards in history; from Peyton Manning’s future watch in 1998 to Tom Brady’s rookie in 2000, SP Authentic has never failed to deliver on its mission. Each year it promises extremely valuable cards, quality designs and amazing content, all for a very inexpensive price. It has continued to captivate our interests since the beginning.
My favorite part of the set, the SP Rookie Authentics Patch Autos, have always surprised me with their simple beauty. From the looks of the previews (check them out on Upper Deck’s Facebook page), it’s another touchdown for the brand. Even though SP Authentic is one of the most complex sets released each year, the Rookie Authentics are always my number one target.
Since 2001, when the first Rookie Authentics style card was put into the set, these cards have been some of the most valuable and popular each year. Michael Vick and LaDanian Tomlinson set the ball in motion that time, which will continue this year with Matthew Stafford, Mark Sanchez and the rest of the 2009 class.
Here is a look back at each of the cards since 2001, as well as what they have meant to SP Authentic over the years.
2001 Future Watch Rookies
Key Players: LaDanian Tomlinson, Michael Vick, Reggie Wayne
Back in 2001, having a rookie memorabilia card was an absurd idea to many collectors. With the future watch cards, it came to life with a stunning design that has never left the minds of the people who own them. LaDanian Tomlinson’s card, Michael Vick’s autographed card, and a few of the others continue to carry huge value in the hobby. For example, Vick’s card still fetched hundreds of dollars even after his departure from the league two years ago. They were low numbered, amazingly put together, and featured something that had never been done before: a piece of the rookie himself. In 2008, SP Authentic brought back this design for players who didn’t have the chance to be featured, thus completing one of the most epic concepts in the history of sports cards.
2002 Rookie Authentics Patch
Key Players: Clinton Portis, Julius Peppers, David Garrard
Renamed for 2002, the Rookie Authentics were created to feature more of the players present at the new annual Rookie Premiere. The concept was similar to the cards from 2001, but featured bigger patches and more autographed versions of the cards. These also featured more cards with parallel versions, providing more value to the collectors who sought them. These cards set the precedent for today’s rookie authentics, cementing the future of the brand for years to come.
2003 Rookie Authentics Patch
Key Players: Anquan Boldin, Dallas Clark, Larry Johnson, Carson Palmer
For the 2003 edition, more autos were featured for the top players. For the first time, cards featured players with their helmets off, in non-game poses. The die-cut windows were also a first, this time right in the center of the picture instead of in the corner. Numbering of these cards shrunk as the amount of players grew, making these cards extremely hard to find. More players were also added to the Premiere’s guest list, thus making the Rookie Authentics the focus of the product for the first time.
2004 Rookie Authentics Patch Auto
Key Players: Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, Phillip Rivers, Steven Jackson
When 2004 rolled around, the collectors knew an extremely talented class was going to be joining the ranks of the NFL. They were also very excited to see that ALL of the 2004 Rookie Authentics were autographed this time around, setting the standard for later years. Now that an autograph had been added for every one of the cards, the set became one of the most collected in history, as well as one of the most valuable. Even as recent as yesterday, posts on blogs and message boards have been starting up declaring the sheer “awesomeness” of these cards. I am in total agreement.
2005 Rookie Authentics Patch Auto
Key Players: Larry Fitzgerald, Frank Gore, Jason Campbell, Ronnie Brown
Now heralded as the best cards of the year, the Rookie Authentics of 2005 had large shoes to fill after the previous rookie class’ cards. Since the rookie premiere had expanded into one of the must see events of the year, Upper Deck now had a record number of subjects to incorporate. Even though the rookies didn’t have the bang that 2004 had brought to the table, the design did not provide any disappointment. This was also the first year that 1-of-1 NFL Logo patches were instituted into the product, creating some of the most ridiculously nice cards ever produced. Now that the Rookie Authentics had become some of the most popular cards of they year, adding more chase elements to the set was icing on the cake.
2006 Rookie Authentics Patch Auto
Key Players: Reggie Bush, Vince Young, LenDale White, Matt Leinart
When you look up the word “hype” in the dictionary, there is a photo of the 2006 rookie class. On the winds of this humongous storm, 2006 SP Authentic and 2006 Exquisite were talked about as having the potential to be the most valuable cards ever produced. For a while they were, and even still command top dollar more than three years later. Even though some setbacks have befallen the rookies of that year, the cards remain extremely popular due to their simple design, and “in your face” style player photos. With the standard set structure of Base, Gold, and Platinum 1-of-1, this product built on the foundation provided by the 2005 set. Also, in a time where almost every company had switched to label signatures, the 2006 set remained completely hard signed, a feat that many had deemed impossible.
2007 Rookie Authentics Patch Auto
Key Players: Adrian Peterson, Brady Quinn, Calvin Johnson, Marshawn Lynch
Like the previous class, 2007 brought lots of potential into the season. So appropriately, the cards also brought many amazing things that year. Switching to a horizontal orientation for the first time ever, as well as a stark white and team color presentation, these cards were collector favorites. The 2007 offering also featured two player pictures for the first time: one with a game style picture, and one featuring a portrait. As players like Adrian Peterson tore it up on the field, this set burst onto the scene, setting records as some of the most valuable versions of the Rookie Authentics since 2001.
2008 Rookie Authentics Patch Auto
Key Players: Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, Chris Johnson, Matt Forte
Continuing with the horizontal orientation of 2007, the 2008 cards promised to deliver everything that previous years had and more. There were more per case, helping more collectors have access to their favorite rookie cards of the year. Simplicity was the name of the game with 2008’s set, and the adage “less is more” was great to show just how amazing these cards were.
2009 Rookie Authentics Patch Auto
Key Players: Mark Sanchez, Matthew Stafford, Percy Harvin, Knowshon Moreno
For the 2009 preview, we can see the evolution of the brand in practice. Horizontal orientation from previous years is used again, as well as the team color elements of 2007, and the game style photos of 2005. The eerie smoke that encompasses the players serves as the theme of the product, maybe to signal how hot these cards will be.
Overall, it’s become pretty clear why each version of the SP Authentic rookie cards is so popular. The product is always on the cutting edge of design and innovation (and being extremely valuable doesn’t hurt), but popularity doesn’t rest in those factors alone. It has to do with everything that came before, building to the latest crescendo we will see for this year (as always). I know I will be at the shop on the day of release just like every year, and as usual, I’m expecting a lot of people to be there with me.
Popularity: unranked [?]
The Ultimate 2009 NFL Preview: NFC North
Posted by: | CommentsPrevious Division Previews
Chicago Bears
Expected Wins- 8.83
Scouting Wins- 9.09
DVOA Wins- 10.5
2008 Record- 9-7
If you are a Chicago fan you are aware of what the Bears did during the offseason. The Bears were the chief beneficiary of a dysfunctional regime change in Denver. Jay Cutler might be the most talented young quarterback to change teams in my lifetime. Cutler is not the most beloved of teammates and there will be extreme pressure on him to produce. His early success will be heavily dependent on the development of his youthful receiving corps. Wide receiver Devon Hester has steadily improved his receiving skills and has become quite adept at drawing pass interference penalties. The second option after Hester looks to be tight end Greg Olson. Despite not having great run blocking ahead of him, running back Matt Forte has been quite effective for the Bears. The offensive line has a pair of former greats, one of whom still is. Center Olin Kreutz is still exceptional but left tackle Orlando Pace has worn down and is now a bit brittle. The Bears offensive line depth will likely be tested.
The Bears defense slipped in 2008 but was still one of the better defenses in the NFL. One of the main reasons for the slippage was the play of defensive tackle Tommie Harris. When Harris is healthy only Albert Haynesworth is comparable. Last year both his health and effort lagged. Apart from Harris the Bears defensive line is filled with good but not game-changing players. The Bears want to give their defensive line a bit more rest and used their first pick (3rd round) on defensive tackle Jarron Gilbert. Last year the defensive line had trouble producing a pass rush and that is going to be their first priority in 2009.
Weak-side linebacker Lance Briggs is one of the best linebackers in the NFL. Middle linebacker Brian Urlacher is no longer dominant but he still is a plus for the defense.
Let me go off on a bit of a tangent here. Because of a weak pass rush last season the Bears had to threaten pressure from the linebackers. This put them out of position and played against their strengths. Furthermore it put the secondary into a lot of man coverage. The secondary had been constructed to play Tampa-2 style zone and was not particularly effective in man coverage. Having no pass rush at all will get your secondary killed but if you need to bring more than 4 men to generate your pass rush you still might be in trouble, something the Bears experienced last year.
The Bears secondary battled injury problems last season. Cornerback Nathan Vasher was once an elite player but has regressed. If Vasher does not return to form the Bears secondary lacks impact players.
The Bears special teams regressed from excellent to merely very good which is the same level of performance I expect from them this season. Hester gets a lot of attention but Danieal Manning was the more effective return man last season.
The Bears certainly have as much potential as any team in the NFC this season. They still have much of the talent that led them to 13 wins in 2006. However, offensive line issues, a weak wide receiving corps, and an aging defense lead me to believe the Bears won’t be a great team this season. They went 9-7 last season and that is what I expect for them this year.
Detroit Lions
Expected Wins- 4.64
Scouting Wins- 3.53
DVOA Wins- 5.8
2008 Record- 0-16
Where do I start? The Lions have an epic rebuilding job ahead of them. Let me list what they have going for them:
Quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receiver Calvin Johnson, tight end Brandon Pettigrew, and running back Kevin Smith are all talented and can form the core of a potent offense. Coach Jim Schwartz is notable for being a football coach who embraces statistical analysis and might start correcting a variety of inefficiencies that fans and analysts have cried about for years. General Manager Martin Mayhew understands the situation the Lions are in and is going to be able to sacrifice short-term success for long-term growth. Please note that I am not optimistic about Stafford, and that we might never know how good he can be as his offensive line might get him killed (Carr, David).
Defensively expect the Lions to be aggressive. Apart from a pretty good linebacker corps the defense looks like it will usually be overmatched. Defensive end Cliff Avril looked like the best defensive lineman on the Lions in 2008 and it will be interesting to see if can improve upon his level of play. The secondary has been rebuilt and will almost certainly be better than last year’s version. Rookie free safety Louis Delmas should be fun to watch.
The Lions special teams were consistently good on kickoffs and punt coverage, and consistently poor at returning kickoffs and punts. Kicker Jason Hanson had a flukishly good season. The Lions’ special teams are not a weakness, which is nice given how many holes there are on the roster.
The Lions are obviously not a good football team but they’re a lot better than 0-16. I have them going 4-12 but the real issue with the Lions isn’t wins and losses, it is player development and talent acquisition. The biggest priority for the Lions right now is to help turn Matthew Stafford into Troy Aikman as opposed to letting him languish like David Carr, Alex Smith or JaMarcus Russell.
Green Bay Packers
Expected Wins- 8.67
Scouting Wins- 8.74
DVOA Wins- 7.4
2008 Record- 6-10
The Packers went 6-10 in 2008 but they were not a bad or even below average football team. They outscored their opponents 419 to 380, but went 0-7 in games decided by 4 points or less. That is simply bad luck and won’t happen again.
Offensively the Packers are making some changes, specifically concerning their offensive line schemes. The Packers are switching from a zone-blocking scheme to a man-blocking scheme but their personnel seems ill-suited to the change. I must admit the offense looks underwhelming no matter what scheme they run. Another concern I have for the Packers offense is the health and performance of running back Ryan Grant. He was hampered by a hamstring injury last season and if he doesn’t regain his 2007 form he must be considered a liability on offense. Having fullback Korey Hall stay healthy will help the offense as Grant’s performance suffered without him. Now, for the good news: quarterback Aaron Rodgers was excellent last season and the Packers have an elite wide receiving corps. Rodgers and wide receiver Greg Jennings form one of the top combinations in the NFL. Wide receiver Donald Driver has been remarkably healthy and remains quite productive despite being 34. Jordy Nelson stepped up into the third WR slot and performed quite well. Tight end Donald Lee has been very effective inside the red zone. Overall the Packers passing game should be quite good as long as the offensive line can give Rodgers time to operate.
Defensively, the Packers are switching to a 3-4 system. The Packers drafted B.J. Raji to share nose tackle duties with Ryan Pickett. The addition of Raji should protect Pickett from wearing down, and Raji looks like he could be a potential star due his quickness off the line. I’m less happy with the Packers’ defensive ends as I cannot find anyone that I love, although Mike Montgomery has done a pretty good job despite not being particularly gifted athletically.
Outside linebacker (and former defensive end) Aaron Kampman is not happy about the switch to a 3-4 defense as he is much better attacking the line than playing in space. He has the talent to make the transition, and the rest of the linebacker corps is quite good. A.J. Hawk and Nick Barnett should form an effective inside-outside unit, although flipped from last season when Hawk was outside and Barnett was inside. Even without linebacker Clay Matthews (the Packers other first- round selection) the Packers had a very good linebacker corps. The addition of Raji and Matthews should fortify what looked to be a solid front seven.
Scouts love the Packers secondary but cornerback Charles Woodson is 33 years old and cornerback Al Harris is two years his senior. Cornerback Tramon Williams hasn’t developed a great feel for the game. Free safety Nick Collins had a monster year in 2008 with seven interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns. And strong safety Atari Bigbi has been injury prone and could lose his job.
The Packers could use a better punter as well as a better kick returner but overall their special teams are only slightly below average.
I like the Packers a lot more than their DVOA projection. I expect them to have a strong passing game as well as a pretty good defense. I have concerns about the offensive backfield and the secondary, but the only major concern is the offensive line. The Packers also luck out a bit in that they get the Bears at home in Week 1 before Jay Cutler has had a chance to settle in and they get the Vikings on the road in Week 4 before the Starcaps suspensions end (update, it appears that the players have successfully managed to delay any league disciplinary action). I’d like to give the Packers 10 wins but their DVOA projection and their offensive line both give me pause, so I’ll go with 9-7.
Minnesota Vikings
Expected Wins- 9.46
Scouting Wins- 9.42
DVOA Wins- 8.8
2008 Record- 10-6
This will end badly. I’m not saying that as a bitter Jets fan. I’m saying that as a bitter Jets fan who used to live in Madison, WI. The best-case scenario is that defenses overestimate Favre and give Adrian Peterson some rushing room. I can’t blame the Vikings for trying to improve their quarterback situation but Favre’s arm simply isn’t what it used to be. Kurt Warner is 38 years old and there are major concerns about him regressing. Favre is 39. I’m not sold on Tavaris Jackson (who is?), but perhaps Sage Rosenfels would have been able to punish teams for putting eight men in the box to stop Peterson. Speaking of Peterson, his numbers are excellent, particularly given that defenses are keyed to stop him, but he will start to wear down if he doesn’t get more help. I’m also concerned about his fumbling problems. Running back Chester Taylor is an excellent backup and quite helpful as both a pass blocker and receiver.
I’m not sure what to say about the WR corps. Bernard Berrian is quite good, although he has been bothered by foot injuries. Tight ends Visanthe Shiancoe and Jim Kleinsasser handle receiving and blocking quite well respectively. Shiancoe looks to become a star. Rookie wide receiver Percy Harvin has first-round talent but I suspect the Vikings made a mistake taking him. He is still quite immature and the list of wide receivers from the SEC that have not lived up to their first round status is long. The Vikings offensive line has a split personality. The left side is dominant as both tackle Bryant McKinnie and guard Steve Hutchinson are among the best in the NFL. Center Matt Birk had clearly fallen off but I’m not confident in his replacement, John Sullivan. The Vikings drafted Phil Loadholt to take over at right tackle. He has great size and strength, but lacks agility. I think he should eventually become a pretty good player for the Vikings but it might not be immediate. Right guard Anthony Herrera was pretty bad last season. Overall the offensive line should be pretty good, particularly at run blocking. The offense really will go as far as Favre (or Jackson, or Rosenfels) can take them.
Defensive end Jared Allen lived up to his star billing. It looks like The Williams’s (Pat and Kevin) will both have to miss four games to start the season (update: maybe not, they have so far been successful in court). When they return the Vikings will have one of the strongest defensive lines in the NFL. Defensive end Ray Edwards had decent results given he was usually facing single blocking but he was quite good against the run and looks to be improving. There are depth concerns on the defensive line, but Fred Evans was pretty good filling in at defensive tackle. The Vikings defense played quite well after linebacker E.J. Henderson’s injury, but he was playing at an elite level and his return should help the defense. Linebackers Chad Greenway and Ben Leber round out a well regarded unit. He’s 32 year old but Antoine Winfield has finally become an elite cornerback. Cornerback Cedric Griffin has been inconsistent but was pretty good overall last season. I like the promotion of Tyrell Johnson to strong safety. Free safety Madieu Williams is not really a good fit in the cover-2 scheme but he is a net plus for the Vikings.
The Vikings special teams won’t be as bad this season as they were last year. Percy Harvin might add a spark in the return game. The punt coverage units should be an area of focus for the coaching staff,
Last year the Vikings had a Super Bowl quality defense and a terrible offense. This season I don’t expect much to change. I don’t buy Favre as savior. Between the defense and the running game I can see nine wins. If they get competent quarterback play, 10 or 11 wins would be about right. When it looked like the Williams’s were going to be suspended for four games I was leaning towards 9-7, but with them available all season 10-6 is the projection.
Seth Burn has degrees in economics, accounting, and philosophy. His background is in statistical analysis and game theory. He can often be found covering his eyes at Jets games. If you have any questions or comments they can be directed to his cat Molly via sethburnatgmaildotcom.
Popularity: unranked [?]
New Collector Corner: A Guide on Transitioning From a Sports Fan to a Sports Collector
Posted by: | CommentsIf you’re new to the sports collecting hobby, the most important thing to keep in mind is that people collect in different ways. For me, as a kid growing up, I wanted to get as close to my favorite players as I possibly could. This transitioned to collecting autographs and cards to showcase my experiences to anyone who inquired. Since my childhood, I have mainly focused on my player collection.
This is partially due to the sheer number of cards produced each year, as it can be overwhelming for people who have transitioned their love for sports into a new card collection. When you focus your collecting targets on a specific player, the confusion over a starting point can be greatly reduced, thus leading to a bigger connection to the cards one collects.
Because I have adapted my collecting habits from the beginning, I didn’t have to worry about putting together whole sets, or wading through thousands of auctions just to find something I like. Instead, I could just focus on collecting the players I idolized. Since that point, it’s been all about getting that one card, or that one autograph of my favorite player to build the best collection. I’ve had lots of success in creating a good player collection, and I am hoping this article can serve as a guide for people who would like to do the same.
First, you need to have your player’s rookie card. It’s tough for other collectors to identify and appreciate a collection without one. Of course, this may not be possible with some of the older, more valuable players. But for those who collect guys who are still actively playing, it shouldn’t be too hard to find an affordable way to stock your box with a few nice “RC’s”. I personally always like to get the initial offerings of players in their pro uniforms, as I don’t collect many college teams. Since my favorite football player is Adrian Peterson, his 2007 Upper Deck card was a must have for the start of my collection.
In this example, the action shot is great, the design is simple and attractive, and Peterson is sporting trademark Viking purple. To find your own starting point, it’s good to study your options and find a card you like, just as I did. Products like the base Upper Deck product, Draft, Heroes, and Icons have numerous serially numbered rookie cards, as well as autographs that come a few per box: which will allow you to get great looking, valuable cards for a very good price.
In addition to a rookie card of your player, it’s also a good idea to get an eye popping autographed card. Many of today’s products feature these as a draw for the set, and the value of these cards can range from affordable to thousands of dollars. Of all the cards available on the market, a great product to find your centerpiece in is Exquisite Collection, due to the features and value of the cards. If you can afford them, there is no substitute for the wonderfully produced cards of this product. If money is an issue, the next tier of autograph cards would come from SP Authentic (SPA), one of the most popular sets around.
Luckily, out of SPA, there are a lot of amazing cards to chase for your player. The cards may not be as valuable as the ones in Exquisite, but the design is always exceptional, making the autographs a great centerpiece for many player collectors who can’t commit to the highest level of investment just yet. Cards from SP Authentic also have very few parallels, which means they are rarer in production, and the serial numbering present on the cards reflects the actual amount produced.
My personal autograph centerpiece is an Adrian Peterson 2007 Exquisite Collection Jersey Numbers Autograph. Although the card isn’t the most valuable Peterson card from the product, it was my favorite of all of the cards from that year. It features a hard signed autograph (signed directly on the card), a great team color centric design, and piece of a jersey worn by the player. Exquisite Collection produces cards like this on a regular basis, which is a big reason why collectors often seek them out to obtain their own centerpieces.
If you feel that expensive autographed cards are out of your price range, autographed memorabilia is actually a great alternative to display as your trophy. Most 8×10′s are great for framing and mini-helmets can look amazing in your man cave. They also cost a lot less than many of the top level rookie card autographs, which is great for those on a budget. Signed mini-helmets are always a priority for every player I collect, and most of the time you can get them from the Upper Deck Authenticated store at good prices. The UDA store also has many baseballs, footballs, and basketballs that have gone through a rigorous authentication process, thus preventing you from worrying about any counterfeits. This leads to a higher long term value, as collectors see the UDA authentication sticker and know the item is 100% real.
Player collectors also love “1/1’s”, or cards that are one of a kind, especially if they have a league or team logo on it. 1/1’s are definitely worth your consideration, especially some of the amazing ones out of Exquisite and SP Authentic. These tend to be the most valuable cards in existence, and if you are lucky enough to pull one, consider yourself to be at the top of the mountain. You may have to do some serious scavenging to find a logo card of your favorite player, but nothing does a better job of impressing your fellow collectors, and even people who aren’t familiar with the hobby,
Many player collectors also delve into “super collecting,” a practice where they try to get one of every card produced for a certain player. However, instead of super collecting, I would rather suggest saving your money up and buying a game used item like a jersey, or going for some of the one of a kind pieces available from UDA. If memorabilia is not your thing, there are always bigger and better items for your collection.
Finally, it’s always a good practice to go after anything that fits your style, as you can be confident that those items are the ones that can make a collection go from good to great. If you are looking for a certain card, there are many ways to find them, especially if you read blogs and message boards. Being a frequent participant in both of these online mediums will give you a huge base of collectors to search. They can also offer a great resource for learning about practices of other player collectors, as well as set collectors and team collectors. What you may find is that even though one label applies to you, there are others that may fit just as well.
Overall, player collecting is a great way to learn the way of the world in this hobby. It gives you a specific knowledge base to branch out from, and really gives you a great idea of the true value of certain products. Keep your head on a swivel and try to become very familiar with your likes and dislikes so that you can learn to grow your collection as efficiently as possible. Of course, you can always look for answers here and on the other blogs too. The community is always happy to help.
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.
The goal of the New Collector Corner series is to help casual sports fans and new collectors become familiar and comfortable with a hobby that can be confusing or daunting at first. This series focuses on tips that will help a new collector build and maintain a collection.
Popularity: unranked [?]
