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Preacher From The Black Lagoon
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Game of the Century?
Oct 11 2007 3:09PM
By Dan Hitt
Arguably the greatest regular-season NFL game in more than a decade takes place Sunday at Texas Stadium when the Dallas Cowboys host the New England Patriots. An overstatement? Maybe. But consider that only twice since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 have teams with 5-0 records met. Never have two 5-0 teams from different conferences clashed.
Sunday's game pits some of the best known names in the NFL (and future Hall of Famers) like Tom Brady and Bill Belichick against upstarts doing their best superstar impersonations (Tony Romo and Wade Phillips).
Make no mistake about it: Sunday's made-for-TV showdown will have an impact on collectors' buying habits, and it will be felt almost immediately as collectors decide en masse which cards get posted to internet auction sites and which ones get filed away for a later date.
Who and what are those pivotal players and cards most likely to be affected? Keep reading to find out.
Tom Brady
This one game is not likely to have any great immediate effect on the value of important Tom Brady cards. After all, the three-time Super Bowl champion is a hobby legend not susceptible to rapid changes in value based on singular on-field events. However, a win would certainly secure Brady and the Patriots' position as the team to beat, thus extending the overall buying strength currently shown on his cards. Previous weak-selling, run-of-the-mill parallels and basic memorabilia cards could see a rapid increase in interest.
Tony Romo
On the surface, one might guess that Tony Romo cards stand the best chance of showing huge price increases if the Cowboys win Sunday. His 2003 Playoff Contenders AU RC and SP Authentic AU RC very well may. But I wouldn't count on it. Those cards are red hot right now. Larger percentage increases are sure to be seen on Romo's lower-priced 2003 Rookie Cards, like the Bowman Chrome ($50), Leaf Limited ($50) and Ultimate Collection ($60). We could see increases as high as 50-100 percent on any Romo card priced less than $50.
Laurence Maroney/Sammy Morris
It appears that Laurence Maroney will once again be a game-time decision as far as returning to the field on Sunday. Sammy Morris has been more than an adequate replacement (back-to-back 100-yard games) so we're sure to see plenty of the eighth-year player, with or without Maroney. Action on either player's cards will hinge on their play specifically and the outcome of the game in general. The Patriots will have to win and one of these guys will have to play spectacularly for their cards to explode. Morris has the most upside simply because his 2000 Rookie Cards are priced so cheaply. For instance, at $30 his only signed RC (2000 Playoff Contenders) appears to be a bargain. It has shown minor increases in the past month but still has plenty of room for growth. Maroney is not likely to have an impact on Sunday's game, but if he does, expect to see continued strengthening in all 2006 rookie-year cards, but no large increases in value.
Julius Jones/Marion Barber
With the Cowboys' platoon system at running back and the team's propensity to make plays through the air, we're not likely to see either Julius Jones or Marion Barber as a star of the game. If we do, however, it's just as likely to come from a big pass play as a running play. Both backs are decent receivers and can make the big play, but both have been highly visible on most hobby radars, so there's little opportunity for huge value increases. Generally speaking, Barber is the more exciting player and has the most long-term potential to attract collector interest. His best 2005 Rookie Cards, like the Exquisite Collection AU RC, have been selling well for the greater part of two years. Julius Jones cards (2004 rookie) have softened quite a bit over that same period, but will get hot once again only after a prolonged series of solid games.
Randy Moss/Wes Welker/Donte Stallworth/Ben Watson
It's anyone's guess which Patriot receiver will have a big game should they come out on top. Take your pick here. Randy Moss cards have been hot recently and will continue to sell no matter the outcome. Wes Welker potentially has the best upside, but no longer is a hidden hobby gem. However, he has just 11 2004 RCs and only one signed RC (2004 Playoff Contenders at a mere $40), so there is potential upside following a rush of demand. Donte Stallworth and Ben Watson are second-tier receivers but those types of players are often the heroes in such high-profile games so keep them in mind. Both players' cards have been largely overlooked in recent years, despite showing signs of greatness in isolated games.
Terrell Owens/Patrick Crayton/Sam Hurd/Jason Witten
Like the Patriots, the Cowboys have a varied passing attack that tends to take advantage of what the defense gives them. Romo is at his best when he has time to follow his check downs to find the open man. Assuming that this is the case, any of the four could come up big Sunday. Sam Hurd, playing for the injured Terry Glenn, is the least likely simply due to his inexperience. But he has the greatest hobby potential with just eight largely overlooked 2006 Rookie Cards all priced cheaply. With the Patriots likely to key on Terrell Owens and Romo security blanket Jason Witten, Patrick Crayton could have a huge day. His first cards appeared in 2004, primarily in late-year releases. Therefore he has just two autographed RCs (Leaf Certified Materials at $15 and Playoff Contenders at $30), both of which could quickly double in value should he be the star of the game. Cards of established veterans Jason Witten and Terrell Owens should continue to sell well no matter the outcome of the game.
Game of the Century?
Oct 11 2007 3:09PM
By Dan Hitt
Arguably the greatest regular-season NFL game in more than a decade takes place Sunday at Texas Stadium when the Dallas Cowboys host the New England Patriots. An overstatement? Maybe. But consider that only twice since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 have teams with 5-0 records met. Never have two 5-0 teams from different conferences clashed.
Sunday's game pits some of the best known names in the NFL (and future Hall of Famers) like Tom Brady and Bill Belichick against upstarts doing their best superstar impersonations (Tony Romo and Wade Phillips).
Make no mistake about it: Sunday's made-for-TV showdown will have an impact on collectors' buying habits, and it will be felt almost immediately as collectors decide en masse which cards get posted to internet auction sites and which ones get filed away for a later date.
Who and what are those pivotal players and cards most likely to be affected? Keep reading to find out.
Tom Brady
This one game is not likely to have any great immediate effect on the value of important Tom Brady cards. After all, the three-time Super Bowl champion is a hobby legend not susceptible to rapid changes in value based on singular on-field events. However, a win would certainly secure Brady and the Patriots' position as the team to beat, thus extending the overall buying strength currently shown on his cards. Previous weak-selling, run-of-the-mill parallels and basic memorabilia cards could see a rapid increase in interest.
Tony Romo
On the surface, one might guess that Tony Romo cards stand the best chance of showing huge price increases if the Cowboys win Sunday. His 2003 Playoff Contenders AU RC and SP Authentic AU RC very well may. But I wouldn't count on it. Those cards are red hot right now. Larger percentage increases are sure to be seen on Romo's lower-priced 2003 Rookie Cards, like the Bowman Chrome ($50), Leaf Limited ($50) and Ultimate Collection ($60). We could see increases as high as 50-100 percent on any Romo card priced less than $50.
Laurence Maroney/Sammy Morris
It appears that Laurence Maroney will once again be a game-time decision as far as returning to the field on Sunday. Sammy Morris has been more than an adequate replacement (back-to-back 100-yard games) so we're sure to see plenty of the eighth-year player, with or without Maroney. Action on either player's cards will hinge on their play specifically and the outcome of the game in general. The Patriots will have to win and one of these guys will have to play spectacularly for their cards to explode. Morris has the most upside simply because his 2000 Rookie Cards are priced so cheaply. For instance, at $30 his only signed RC (2000 Playoff Contenders) appears to be a bargain. It has shown minor increases in the past month but still has plenty of room for growth. Maroney is not likely to have an impact on Sunday's game, but if he does, expect to see continued strengthening in all 2006 rookie-year cards, but no large increases in value.
Julius Jones/Marion Barber
With the Cowboys' platoon system at running back and the team's propensity to make plays through the air, we're not likely to see either Julius Jones or Marion Barber as a star of the game. If we do, however, it's just as likely to come from a big pass play as a running play. Both backs are decent receivers and can make the big play, but both have been highly visible on most hobby radars, so there's little opportunity for huge value increases. Generally speaking, Barber is the more exciting player and has the most long-term potential to attract collector interest. His best 2005 Rookie Cards, like the Exquisite Collection AU RC, have been selling well for the greater part of two years. Julius Jones cards (2004 rookie) have softened quite a bit over that same period, but will get hot once again only after a prolonged series of solid games.
Randy Moss/Wes Welker/Donte Stallworth/Ben Watson
It's anyone's guess which Patriot receiver will have a big game should they come out on top. Take your pick here. Randy Moss cards have been hot recently and will continue to sell no matter the outcome. Wes Welker potentially has the best upside, but no longer is a hidden hobby gem. However, he has just 11 2004 RCs and only one signed RC (2004 Playoff Contenders at a mere $40), so there is potential upside following a rush of demand. Donte Stallworth and Ben Watson are second-tier receivers but those types of players are often the heroes in such high-profile games so keep them in mind. Both players' cards have been largely overlooked in recent years, despite showing signs of greatness in isolated games.
Terrell Owens/Patrick Crayton/Sam Hurd/Jason Witten
Like the Patriots, the Cowboys have a varied passing attack that tends to take advantage of what the defense gives them. Romo is at his best when he has time to follow his check downs to find the open man. Assuming that this is the case, any of the four could come up big Sunday. Sam Hurd, playing for the injured Terry Glenn, is the least likely simply due to his inexperience. But he has the greatest hobby potential with just eight largely overlooked 2006 Rookie Cards all priced cheaply. With the Patriots likely to key on Terrell Owens and Romo security blanket Jason Witten, Patrick Crayton could have a huge day. His first cards appeared in 2004, primarily in late-year releases. Therefore he has just two autographed RCs (Leaf Certified Materials at $15 and Playoff Contenders at $30), both of which could quickly double in value should he be the star of the game. Cards of established veterans Jason Witten and Terrell Owens should continue to sell well no matter the outcome of the game.
