Category Archives: Hobby breakdown

Hobby Breakdown: SUPER BOWL XLIV

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Two weeks ago, I did some comparisons of the key players involved in the two championship games. Today, I am going to do a Panini style rehash of those posts with some new commentary on which team has the edge in terms of the hobby. Last time I was 1-1 in picking the games, but this time im out for BLOOD. Not really, just theoretically.

QUARTERBACK

Starter: Peyton Manning

Team: Colts
Rookie Year: 1998
Best Rookie Card: 1998 Playoff Contenders
Average Sell Value For That Card: $3,000
Autos Usually Sell For: $120
Commentary: Manning’s contenders auto is EXTREMELY rare and is EXTREMELY expensive. I actually had to guess based on a few ending auctions. If the Colts win this year, he definitely becomes a front runner in the Brady/Manning/Montana/Marino conversation for the best ever.
Starter: Drew Brees
Team: Saints
Rookie Year: 2001 (Chargers)
Best Rookie Card: 2001 Bowman Chrome Auto, 2001 Playoff Contenders Auto (tie)
Avg Sell Value For That Card: $400
Autos Usually Sell For: $70
Commentary: Brees has the advantage because he has autographed rookie cards. However, outside of his rookies, his auto can sell for as little as 36 bucks. I think he is one of the more undervalued players in the league, but a win on Sunday could vault his values into a higher value bracket.
Advantage: The Colts have the advantage here because Manning is a hobby MVP and league MVP. Brees is the second coming of a lot of famous QBs, but he has yet to achieve full potential.

RUNNING BACK

Starter: Joseph Addai

Team: Colts
Rookie Year: 2006
Best Rookie Card: 2006 Exquisite Collection
Average Sell Value For That Card: $85
Autos Usually Sell For: $20
Commentary: Addai has never gotten any love, from being swept up in the hype of Reggie Bush, or being lost among the Mannings, he hasnt found a niche yet with collectors. I dont see it changing much unless he blows up in the final two games, mainly because of a mediocre season.
Starter: Reggie Bush
Team: Saints
Rookie Year: 2006
Best Rookie Card: 2006 Exquisite Collection
Avg Sell Value For That Card: $600
Autos Usually Sell For: $40
Commentary: Bush was one of the most hyped up players coming out of college, and his cards reflected that. They still hold a ton of value in the rookies, but other than that, he has nothing. He has underperformed on the field as well, but a good game on Sunday can be huge for his values.

Advantage: The Saints have this one because collectors still love Reggie Bush for some god forsaken reason. He hasnt done anything worth talking about so far, but dont tell collectors that still pay hundreds for his high end stuff.
WIDE RECEIVER

Starter: Reggie Wayne

Team: Colts
Rookie Year: 2001
Best Rookie Card: 2001 Playoff Contenders
Average Sell Value For That Card: $130
Autos Usually Sell For: $20
Commentary: Reggie Wayne is one of the best receivers in the league, but you wouldnt know it from his prices. His value really doesnt have that much room to improve either, as colts receivers have never been appreciated. I would call that the Manning effect, evidenced by Harrison’s low prices too, but I have a feeling its more their position.
Starter: Marques Colston
Team: Saints
Rookie Year: 2006
Best Rookie Card: 2006 Exquisite Collection
Avg Sell Value For That Card: $75
Autos Usually Sell For: Under $10
Commentary: Colston is a good receiver on the field, but doesn’t have much of a following in the hobby. Like many good wide receivers, he is very underappreciated, and a good game probably wouldn’t help much.

Advantage: The Colts have this one as well, but not by much. Colston is great, but Wayne is a little bit greater on the field and in the hobby. I think if Wayne explodes on Sunday, which is completely within reason, he could widen the gap considerably.
TIGHT END

Starter: Dallas Clark

Team: Colts
Rookie Year: 2003
Best Rookie Card: 2003 UD SPX and 2003 Playoff Contenders (tie)
Average Sell Value For That Card: $45
Autos Usually Sell For: $30
Commentary: Dallas Clark may be the best tight end in the league, and fans love the goofy white guy playing like a human bowling ball. His cards are suprisingly expensive, but I doubt they will go anywhere higher with a Colts win.

Starter: Jeremy Shockey
Team: Saints
Rookie Year: 2002 (Giants)
Best Rookie Card: 2002 Playoff Contenders
Avg Sell Value For That Card: $42
Autos Usually Sell For: $15
Commentary: Shockey’s mouth gained him a following as a Giant, but his performance forced him to a position with New Orleans. He has had somewhat of a resurgence, but not much. I hated this guy when he was a Giant, and I have a feeling I will hate him that much more on Sunday.

Advantage: This one is a solid win for Dallas Clark, who is followed thanks to his goofy white-guy-ness as well as his production. I even like Clark, and he is undoubtedly one of the best in the league.
Hobby Prediction For NFL Champs: Colts
My Prediction for NFL Champs: Colts
Record So Far: 1-1
Commentary: I just dont think New Orleans is going to be able to keep time with Peyton and the Colts. The offensive line will protect Manning more than the Vikings protected Favre, and Peyton does not/will not make any mistakes. When it comes to being a QB in the NFL, Manning is the prototype. Brees may be an Arnold Schwartzenegger T-800 to Manning’s T-1000, but there wont be a vat of molten steel that can stop the Colts offense this time.

Hobby Breakdown: AFC Championship Game

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A few days ago I broke down the NFC championship game from the perspective of value in the hobby. Today I want to do a similar thing for the AFC. Remember, this is not a discussion of who is better or who is going to win. Its just a recap of hobby value.

Quarterback
Team: Colts
Rookie Year: 1998
Best Rookie Card: 1998 Playoff Contenders
Average Sell Value For That Card: $3,000
Autos Usually Sell For: $120
Commentary: Manning’s contenders auto is EXTREMELY rare and is EXTREMELY expensive. I actually had to guess based on a few ending auctions. If the Colts win this year, he definitely becomes a front runner in the Brady/Manning/Montana/Marino conversation for the best ever.
Starter: Mark Sanchez
Team: Jets
Rookie Year: 2009
Best Rookie Card: 2009 Playoff Contenders (So Far)
Average Sell Value For That Card: $170
Autos Usually Sell For: $150 (all rookies)
Commentary: Sanchez is not the reason why the Jets are in this game, but collectors have overlooked his struggles. His most expensive card will be his Exquisite auto, but without release, the Contenders tops the list. If the Jets win, look for major movement, especially before and after the Super Bowl.
Advantage: Colts
Running Back
Starter: Joseph Addai
Team: Colts
Rookie Year: 2006
Best Rookie Card: 2006 Exquisite Collection
Average Sell Value For That Card: $85
Autos Usually Sell For: $20
Commentary: Addai has never gotten any love, from being swept up in the hype of Reggie Bush, or being lost among the Mannings, he hasnt found a niche yet with collectors. I dont see it changing much unless he blows up in the final two games, mainly because of a mediocre season.
Starter: Shonn Greene
Team: Jets
Rookie Year: 2009
Best Rookie Card: 2009 Playoff Contenders (So Far)
Average Sell Value For That Card: $50
Autos Usually Sell For: $30 (all rookies)
Commentary: If there is one person in this game that could hit the stratosphere in terms of value, its Shonn Greene. He has had an amazing run through the playoffs, and with a victory, or a good performance tomorrow, he could be a hobby superstar next year.
Advantage: Tie
Wide Receiver
Starter: Reggie Wayne
Team: Colts
Rookie Year: 2001
Best Rookie Card: 2001 Playoff Contenders
Average Sell Value For
That Card: $130
Autos Usually Sell For: $20
Commentary: Reggie Wayne is one of the best receivers in the league, but you wouldnt know it from his prices. His value really doesnt have that much room to improve either, as colts receivers have never been appreciated. I would call that the Manning effect, evidenced by Harrison’s low prices too, but I have a feeling its more their position.
Team: Jets
Rookie Year: 2005 (Browns)
Best Rookie Card: 2005 Exqusite Collection
Average Sell Value For That Card: $90
Autos Usually Sell For: $15 and Under
Commentary: Edwards went from hobby love child to hobby outcast during his stint with the Browns, mostly because of performance. When he was traded to the Jets, things picked up as the Jets got better. He really hasnt done much, but the fans still want his stuff.
Advantage: Colts
Tight End
Starter: Dallas Clark
Team: Colts
Rookie Year: 2003
Best Rookie Card: 2003 UD SPX and 2003 Playoff Contenders (tie)
Average Sell Value For That Card: $45
Autos Usually Sell For: $30
Commentary: Dallas Clark may be the best tight end in the league, and fans love the goofy white guy playing like a human bowling ball. His cards are suprisingly expensive, but I doubt they will go anywhere higher with a Colts win.
Starter: Dustin Keller
Team: Jets
Rookie Year: 2008
Best Rookie Card: 2008 Exquisite Collection
Average Sell Value For That Card: $22
Autos Usually Sell For: $15 (all rookies)
Commentary: Keller is a newcomer to the scene and has become a favorite target of Mark Sanchez. He has a lot of value upside, but I doubt he will be a decision maker in this game. If he is, he could move to a higher bracket for good.
Advantage: Colts
Overall
At this point, we can call it for the Colts, and they are the favorite in the game as well. I think this game may end up being closer than many of us expect it to be, and I am predicting a Colts/Vikings Super Bowl. For this type of comparison, the star power sides with Indy, and I believe its going to seem that way on the field too. However, the wild card is the choke hold of the Jets defense, which could spell defeat for Peyton.
Advantage: Colts

Hobby Breakdown: NFC Championship Game

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Sunday’s NFC Championship Game is a clash of the Titans, no doubt. The Saints are 13-3 and the number 1 seed, the Vikings are 12-4, playing away, and are the number 2 seed. The story is more about Drew Brees vs Brett Favre, though I want to look at it from a hobby standpoint. Im going to go position by position and talk about who has the most to gain this weekend. The Saints may be the better team in terms of record, but are the Vikings a better team in the hobby?

Quarterback

Starter: Drew Brees
Team: Saints
Rookie Year: 2001 (Chargers)
Best Rookie Card: 2001 Bowman Chrome Auto, 2001 Playoff Contenders Auto (tie)
Avg Sell Value For That Card: $400
Autos Usually Sell For: $70
Commentary: Brees has the advantage because he has autographed rookie cards. However, outside of his rookies, his auto can sell for as little as 36 bucks. I think he is one of the more undervalued players in the league, but a win on Sunday could vault his values into a higher value bracket.

Starter: Brett Favre
Team: Vikings
Rookie Year: 1991
Best Rookie Card: 1991 Wild Card 1000 Stripe
Avg Sell Value For That Card: $900
Autos Usually Sell For $150+
Commentary: I know the 1000 stripe is a ridiculously expensive card, but it is so rare that it is hard to even find on eBay. In addition, there are fakes, so im not even sure it can be counted. The regular 1991 Stadium Club RCs sell for very little, so I guess the playing field is even there. Favre has accomplished everything there is to accomplish, so the only room for improvement is in his Vikings cards.

Advantage: Tie

Running Back

Starter: Reggie Bush
Team: Saints
Rookie Year: 2006
Best Rookie Card: 2006 Exquisite Collection
Avg Sell Value For That Card: $600
Autos Usually Sell For: $40
Commentary: Bush was one of the most hyped up players coming out of college, and his cards reflected that. They still hold a ton of value in the rookies, but other than that, he has nothing. He has underperformed on the field as well, but a good game on Sunday can be huge for his values.

Starter: Adrian Peterson
Team: Vikings
Rookie Year: 2007
Best Rookie Card: 2007 Exquisite Collection
Avg Sell Value For That Card: $1100
Autos Usually Sell For: $150
Commentary: Peterson is the biggest star in the hobby, even more so than Manning or Favre. His cards are very sought after, especially the 2007 ones, and his performance still leaves room for more improvement. Its rare that a Running Back can out value the QBs, but in this case, the throngs of Vikings fans have made it so.

Advantage: Vikings

Wide Receiver

Starter: Marques Colston
Team: Saints
Rookie Year: 2006
Best Rookie Card: 2006 Exquisite Collection
Avg Sell Value For That Card: $75
Autos Usually Sell For: Under $10
Commentary: Colston is a good receiver on the field, but doesn’t have much of a following in the hobby. Like many good wide receivers, he is very underappreciated, and a good game probably wouldn’t help much.

Starter: Sidney Rice

Team: Vikings
Rookie Year: 2007
Best Rookie Card: 2007 Exq
uisite Collection
Avg Sell Value For That Card: $140
Autos Usually Sell For: $20
Commentary: Rice’s cards have spiked this year, and its all because of some amazing games. If he does have another game like he did against the Cowboys, he may become one of the most valuable WRs in the hobby.

Advantage: Vikings

Tight End

Starter: Jeremy Shockey
Team: Saints
Rookie Year: 2002 (Giants)
Best Rookie Card: 2002 Playoff Contenders
Avg Sell Value For That Card: $42
Autos Usually Sell For: $15
Commentary: Shockey’s mouth gained him a following as a Giant, but his performance forced him to a position with New Orleans. He has had somewhat of a resurgence, but not much. I hated this guy when he was a Giant, and I have a feeling I will hate him that much more on Sunday.

Starter: Visanthe Shiancoe
Team: Vikings
Rookie Year: 2003 (Giants)
Best Rookie Card: 2003 SP Authentic
Average Sell Value For That Card: $10
Autos Usually Sell For: N/A
Commentary: Shiancoe had his second good year in a row with Minnesota, but his cards have done little to nothing. He hasn’t even had an auto recently, and that isnt a bad thing. You can pick up his SPA autos for cheap, and if he has a great game on Sunday, that may not be the case anymore.

Advantage: Saints

Wild Card Player

Starter: Robert Meachem
Position: WR
Rookie Year: 2007
Best Rookie Card: 2007 Exquisite Collection
Average Sell Value For That Card: $50
Autos Usually Sell For: Under $10
Commentary: Meachem finally had an okay year for the Saints, and the people hoarding his cards have responded. As a player with a large college following, he continues to have value regardless of performance. If he does well on Sunday, we could see an explosion.

Starter: Jared Allen
Position: Defensive End
Rookie Year: 2004 (Chiefs)
Best Rookie Card: 2006 SP Authentic (Non-auto)
Average Sell Value For That Card: $20
Autos Usually Sell For: $60
Commentary: Allen has a humongous Minnesota following, and that following pays enormous prices for certified autos in Vikings uniform. His autos out of UD Black and UD Philadelphia have commanded $100 and $40 respectively, on top of the 40 bucks his first certified auto usually gets out of 2005 Score.

Advantage: Vikings

Overall

The Saints and Vikings are dangerous teams, but the Vikings definitely have more hobby power. Although Minnesota is the underdog come Sunday, they still have a pretty good shot just because of the team they have. However, they are going to have to contend with one of the best players in the game in Drew Brees, so who knows what could happen. A 51-50 win for the Saints is not out of the question.

Advantage: Vikings