The Redzone: 1st Edition

[hagansp]

THE REDZONE
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Edition #1

Why not have the 1st post in the Football Forums be The RedZone! This is similar to a publication I made elsewhere...but cant wait to get started with new ideas, if your interested in adding opinions or helping out let me know!

Anyway were halfway through the season, some surprises and some expected results between the hobby and the NFL. The Colts are undefeated...again...but most feel they still wont win a Super Bowl, or make it there for that matter, Reggie Bush cards are still selling for a fortune, and Tom Brady is again making people start mentioning Patriots in the Super Bowl. Some surprises, the Bears 7-1, a 7th Round WR leads the current OFF ROY contenders, and the Madden Curse has struck again...ok well that one isnt a surprise...but

Its been an interesting 1st half of the season, and with the premiere football brands to hit the market around December, expect the hobby to get really hot! So far, we have seen some product disappointments, I know I for one, expected Hot Prospects, Gridiron Gear, and Leaf Certified to be better then what it has been. I have seen limited good breaks of these products, and they leave collectors wondering why they wasted their hard earned money. Will Contenders, SP Authentic, and Bowman Sterling disappoint as well?

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HOT 5 (Top 5 Popular Products of 2006 To Date)
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1. 2006 Spx:

One of the nicest looking crisp looking cards out there so far...I personally like this year of SPx better then other years. I think it is a very clean looking high end card. The Rookie Auto/GU are nice, and the various Autos and GU in this set are sweet. You get 1 Rookie Jersey/Auto per box, and 2 Jerseys, so while this is a high end product it still brings results!

2. 2006 Gridiron Gear:

Grid Gear isnt as hot as it was last year, and features one less hit per box, but at the price and the odds of pulling something nice, people are enjoying opening this product. It still features some nice patch variations, and is still fairly new. It definitly beats out Hot Prospects!

3. 2006 Leaf Certified:

Leaf Cert is always a popular product, featuring 10 packs, and 4 hits per box. This product can be very sweet if you pull one of the mirror rookie variations, it can also be a downer if you dont pull something nice, as you could be stuck with 4 average GU pieces. All in all the shiny appearance has Leaf Certified being a fan favorite yet again.

4. 2006 Absolute:

Still popular, Absolute released fairly early, and earlier then most of these other products, but Absolute is still a fan favorite. 4 packs, 4 hits, per box...There has been some really nice stuff pulled from Absolute, however sadly, Ive seen a fair share of bad breaks too.


5. 2006 Topps Chrome:

It was between Hot Prospects and Topps Chrome for the 5th slot, and after seeing and hearing a lot of peoples disappointments over Hot Prospects, Topps Chrome won out. The rookie autos 1 per box are highly coveted, and seem to be popular so far.


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EARLY RELEASE INFO FOR 2006
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*Card Info and Pics are taken from Charmcitycards.com*

2006 Topps Turkey Red
APPROXIMATE Release Date: Week of December 20, 2006

Each sealed box contains 24 packs of 8 cards each in a 330 card base set. Each box will contain One box loader card and TWO Memorabilia and/or Autograph cards. Parallel sets (1:1): Red, White 1:4, Black 1:24, Gold (#`d to 50), and Suede (each is a 1-of-1). Inserts: Box loader 1:box (B-18 Blankets, Cabinet cards, #`d Autograph Memorabilia Cabinet cards, and #`d Dual Autograph Memorabilia Cabinet cards), Memorabilia cards, Autograph cards, and Framed Printing Plates (each is a 1-of-1).

2006 Bowman Sterling
APPROXIMATE Release Date: DELAYED from Oct 31-December 4, 2006

Each sealed box contains 6 packs of 5 cards each in a 180 card base set. Each PACK will contain ONE Autograph Rookie card and TWO Memorabilia cards (Rookie, Veteran, and/or Autograph). Each box will also contain TWO box loader cards (including Gold Rookie & Veteran Autograph and Autograph Patch base card variations all #`d to 99). Parallel sets: Refractor (#`d to 199), Black Refractor (#`d to 25), and 1-of-1 Red Refractor.

2006 SP Authentic
APPROXIMATE Release Date: Week of December 4, 2006
Each sealed box contains 24 packs of 5 cards each in a 258 card base set including 90 Veterans, 90 #`d Rookies (60 #`d Level 2 and 30 #`d Level 1), 45 #`d Rookie Autograph cards, and 33 #`d Rookie Autograph Jersey Patch cards. Each box will contain TWO Rookie cards and ONE Autograph card. Parallel set: SP (#ing TBD). Inserts: Rookie Exclusive Jersey cards and Autographs (SP; Chirography: Single, #`d Gold parallel, #`d Dual, #`d Triple, and #`d Quadruple; Rookie Authentics: #`d Single, #`d Jersey Patch, and #`d Jersey Logo Patch #`d to 1; and #`d Rookie Exclusives), and Rookie Authentics Signature Patch card set redemption cards. ***Pictures to be listed when available.

2006 Topps Triple Threads
APPROXIMATE Release Date: December 4, 2006

Each sealed box contains 2 packs of 9 cards each in a 150 card base set including 90 #`d Veterans, 10 #`d Retired Greats, and 50 Autograph Rookie Triple Relic cards. Each box will contain ONE Triple Memorabilia card and ONE Autographed Triple Memorabilia card. Parallel sets: Veteran/Retired Greats (5 variations #`d to 499, 199, 99, 25, and 1-of-1), Rookie 5 variations #`d to 75, 50, 25, 10, & 1-of-1), and Platinum Autograph Memorabilia (Rookie #`d to 1, Triple Threads #`d to 1, and Triple Threads Combo #`d to 1). Inserts: Triple Memorabilia cards 1:2 (features 1 player & 3 memorabilia #`d to 36 and 3 players & 3 memorabilia #`d to 36; 5 parallel versions #`d to 27, 18, 9, 3, & 1), Autographed Triple Memorabilia cards 1:2 (features 1 player, 1 autograph & 3 memorabilia #`d to 18; 3 parallel versions #`d to 9, 3, & 1 and 3 players, 3 autographs & 3 swatches #`d to 36; 5 parallel versions #`d to 27, 18, 9, 3, & 1), White Whale (Autographed Triple Threads #`d to 1), and Framed Printing Plates (Veterans/Retired Greats each is a 1-of-1 and White Whale Autograph each is a 1-of-1)

2006 Sweet Spot
APPROXIMATE Release Date: December 5, 2006
12 packs per box. 4 cards per pack.
* 1 Serial Numbered Sweet Spot Rookie Signature Card Per Box on Average!
* 1 Additional Sweet Spot Signature or Signed Panel Card Per Box on Average!
* 2 Sweet Beginnings Rookies Per Box on Average!
* 1 Sweet Pairings Jersey Card Per Case on Average!
* Look for Special Oversized 5x7 Cards in Every Box on Average and Rare Signed Versions!
***Pictures to be listed when available.

2006 Playoff NFL Playoffs Hobby Tin
APPROXIMATE Release Date: December 11, 2006

Each sealed box contains a complete 150-card set including 80 Rookie cards, ONE Rookie card parallel card, THREE parallel cards, and ONE Autograph card. Parallel sets: Proofs (Platinum #`d to 1; Signature Proofs: Silver #`d to 150 or less, Gold #`d to 50 less, and Platinum #`d to 1; and Signature Proofs Materials: Silver #`d to 100 or less, Gold #`d to 50 less, and Platinum #`d to 1).

2006 Bowman Chrome
APPROXIMATE Release Date: Week of December 18, 2006

Each sealed box contains 24 packs of 4 cards each in a 220 card base set including 110 Rookies 1:1. Each box will contain ONE Uncirculated Rookie card box loader and ONE Rookie Autograph card. Parallel sets: Refractor 1:6, X-Fractor (#`d to 250), Blue Refractor (#`d to 150), Gold Refractor (#`d to 50), Orange Refractor (#`d to 25), Red Refractor (#`d to 5), and 1-of-1 SuperFractor. Inserts: Autographs 1:24 (Rookie; Rookie Refractor parallels: Blue #`d to 75, Gold #`d to 50, Orange #`d to 25, Red #`d to 5, and 1-of-1 SuperFractor), Signature Series Autograph cards, Feltbacks (Rookie #`d to 199 and Rookie Refractor #`d to 25), and 1-of-1 Printing Plates.

2006 Playoff Contenders

APPROXIMATE Release Date: Week of January 3, 2007
24 packs per box, 5 cards per pack
Look for (4) Autograph Cards per box on average!!
Key Rookies: Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, Vince Young, Jay Cutler, A.J. Hawk.
PRODUCT CONTENT HAS NOT YET BEEN VERIFIED, BUT WE KNOW THE REGULAR CHASE WILL TAKE PLACE FOR THE REGULAR, CHAMPIONSHIP, AND OTHER 1/1'S AUTOGRAPH ROOKIE TICKETS. REGGIE BUSH, MATT LEINART, VERNON DAVIS, JERIOUS NORWOOD, VINCE YOUNG, MAURICE JONES-DREW, A.J. HAWK AND MORE!
***Pictures to be listed when available.


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TOP PLAYERS (Whose Hottest to Collect in the Hobby)
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1. Reggie Bush: Reggie Bush has taken the hobby and NFL by storm, while his numbers arent the greatest, everyone wants to pull the Bush auto from the wax or boxes they are breaking. His value is just unimaginably high, and is worth the demand!
2. Laurence Maroney: Right now, #2 in demand probably goes to Maroney. He is the guy the people who cant quite justify spending the high dollars on Bush are settling for, and he looks like he will have a very solid career once Corey Dillon moves out of his way. Definitly the real deal and a good investment guy to collect.

3. Larry Johnson: LJ is still super highly sought after. He is performing amazing again this season, and if you have the $$ to chase down one of his highend rookies, it would definitly be a sweet addition to anyones collection. Could LJs value being going too high, and hurting his demand?

4. LaDainian Tomlinson: LT is and will always be one of the fan favorites and one of the most sought after guys to collect in the NFL. LT may someday own the rushing record, and is probably already a lock, assuming he stays healthy to be one of the top 5 alltime back. Tomlinson does it all, and finally has received the respect from the hobby he deserves!

5. Rex Grossman: This may come as a shock but if you look at what his value has done lately and the undefeated record he has helped lead the Bears to, you will know why Rex comes in at #5. I know speaking for myself Im wishing I would have grabbed some of his higher end cards the past 2 years when value was down, but he has come back stronger then anyone.

6. Peyton Manning: Peyton is still the best QB in the game and collectors know it. The question remains why isnt he super highly collected? Is his price tag too high OR Will he ever be a truly elite guy to collect until he wins the big one?

7. Tom Brady: Tom Brady is carrying the Patriots again, and is starting to have people asking can he do it again? I think a lot of people still overlook Brady for what he does and how he does it. Brady is going to go down in history as one of the greatest and he still has plenty of years left.

8. Brett Favre: Im not a fan of Favre, in fact I could be described as a Favre hater...but he does have a lot of collectors and therefore he gets #8. It seems like everyone I talk to covets a good Favre auto. Favre is gonna be on the Hot list until he retires...as much as I dont wanna do it, he is up there as one of the hottest players to collect.

9. Ben Roethlisberger: Roethlisberger is still one of the premiere QBs in the NFL and still has a ton of collectors. He has gotten off to a slow start this season, but after all he has been through, whatelse could you expect. Big Ben is still one of the top guys in our hobby.

10. Frank Gore: I wasnt sure where to put Gore, I originally had him in the Under the Radar, then moved him up to Just Missed, but I think Gore is probably best suited at #10 on the Hot List. His sales have gone up, everyone is looking to trade for his stuff and one major thing holding him back is he plays for the 49ers, and until they establish themselves as a contender he may be limited in his value. Look for Gore to continue to gain popularity!


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JUST MISSED LIST (Players who soon could be on the Top 10 list)
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1. Vince Young: While Im not a Young supporter, theres no doubting he has a following and the chance to do well in the hobby. If he can continue to put up decent numbers this season, he will start getting more attention,

2. Phillip Rivers: Rivers is just on the verge of the HOT LIST, his sales have gone up and he is definitly drawing a demand in the hobby. I will say this, I was wrong about Rivers, he is now being mentioned with Eli and Ben of his draft class, and this season is probably doing better then both. Rivers looks like the real deal, and has my attention.

3. Shawne Merriman: Back to back Chargers! Despite the recent steroid allegations and suspension he will be serving, Merriman is by far the most dominant defensive player in the league. His sales and values in beckett have been going up, and he has the Chargers looking to be in good position to make a playoff run.

4. Steven Jackson: Jackson is a guy that a lot of people like, but his better stuff is still too high to acquire. Jackson is putting up solid numbers this year, but his lack of TDs is limiting him from shooting up in the hobby. Keep an eye on Steven and if you can pickup some cheap cards of him, do it.

5. Carson Palmer: Carson is down a little bit, with a disappointing start to the season, but nonetheless is one of the more popular QBs in the NFL, and more popular players to collect, it wont take long for Carson to rebound and find the Hot List shortly.


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WHOSE NOT! (Players who are falling off want-list's)
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1. Charles Rogers/Mike Williams: 2 1st Round WRs, which both translated to BUSTS for the Lions, Rogers is now an unsigned free agent, and Mike Williams cant get on the field. Both had huge markets and high demand when they first hit the NFL, and now cards of them can be had for a few bucks.

2. JP Losman: While he is still a starter in Buffalo, his value took one of the biggest upswings ive ever seen and then dropped in such a short span. Losman was named the starting QB last season, and I saw some people trading SICK autos for Rookie Autos of Losman. Where is he now? In the bottom tier of starting NFL QB's.

3. Daunte Culpepper: Culpepper hasnt had a good season in 2-3 years, and while he is still recovering from knee surgery, Culpepper collectors gotta be wondering is he ever gonna return to MVP form. The dolphins were rated by some to be early season Super Bowl contenders, but now may be contending for a Top 5 1st Round Pick. Culpepper is definitly on the downswing right now.

4. Byron Leftwich: Byron is quickly becoming a question mark. Jaguar fans are calling for Garrard, as he has been playing well, and while noone can doubt Byrons heart, some are starting to question if he will ever translate into a valid starting QB in the NFL. He has the weapons, but hasnt been able to produce this year. If you acquired Leftwich at a super high price early on in his rookie season you have to be frustrated with his low value right now.

5. Maurice Clarett: Clarett threw away great talent and ability and now has nothing. Clarett has some real nice rookie cards, but has found himself in jail rather then on the football field.


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ON THE RADAR (Players who could Break Out Soon)
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1. Joseph Addai: Addai has all of a sudden jumped onto the scene, slowly taking over the #1 job in Indy, just the past few weeks, Addais value has gone up, and more and more people are starting to collect him. Grab him while you can, and trade them to me.

2. Matt Leinart: Most QBs take sometime to develop and understand the flow and speed of the game in the NFL, one thing you cant take away from Leinart is he has the weapons to be succesful. I see Leinart being the best QB out of his class, and oneday comparing to the likes of Carson and Peyton.

3. Maurice Jones Drew: Drew has been playing really well this season and is in a similar situation as Maroney, slotted as the #2 back, but he gets a good bit of touches and does good things with the ball when he gets it. Once he has the oppurtunity to see more touches, Drew could shoot up the list.

4. Tony Romo: If he can continue to play well as Dallas's QB, he will gain hobby credit, and the tons of Cowboys fans out there will drive his price up. The question remains will he be a good starting QB in the NFL?

5. Donte Stallworth: Donte's cards were some of the hottest out there the first few weeks of the season in Philly. But since his injuries and Phillys poor play, his value has gone down. If Donte can be healthy and the Eagles can get on a roll again, expect his value to go up again, and youll see it reflect in beckett guides.


Keep an eye out for The Redzone, as more issues will be published monthly. Keep in mind it is hard to update if I don't get feedback from you, so let's hear it! Reply!

[etmill01]

Sean , as always a great article to read...Thanks Ed

[11chaos]

Loved the read, very informatve.

So how would you rate Matt Schaub and where do you think he should go after this season is over? The Falcons won't be able to keep him and he really should be starting somewhere. Maybe replace another 2004 1st round pick, playing with the Bills now, J.P. Losman.

[Aries1976]

very good my man... cant wait til i read another one

[hagansp]

i think schaub can be very good but wont get a demand in the hobby till he has a job lined up for him...he could target minn, tb, maybe miami depending on culpepper, buf, all will be looking for qbs i think

[randallcards]

nice read hags

[nadeau01_johnson48]

KELLEN SHOULD BE ON THERE SOMEWHERE!!

How many times do I need to tell ya, Sean? KW2 should be comeback player of the year, and should at least be "On the Radar."

[hagansp]

KELLEN SHOULD BE ON THERE SOMEWHERE!!

How many times do I need to tell ya, Sean? KW2 should be comeback player of the year, and should at least be "On the Radar."

lol yea yea...in time

[nadeau01_johnson48]

Yea....after he goes off against Pittsburgh for 120 and 2 TD's, that should get him some consideration. :appl:

[hagansp]

Yea....after he goes off against Pittsburgh for 120 and 2 TD's, that should get him some consideration. :appl:

yo man! where was Winslow? 4 catchs 36 yards...man...