THE REDZONE: Halfway Point
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Bringing this over from my other site, so starting off fresh with Edition #1. What this is, is basically a summary/informative post of Hot products, players, things about the hobby, etc. Hopefully you can use it to better your collecting experience and time here on Sports Card Forum.

Well, we are halfway through the 2007-08 NFL Season, and this week is a special one, because we get to see the undefeated Colts and Patriots play each other...whichever pulls it out will emerge as the clear-cut favorite for Super Bowl Champion.

While the Patriots and Colts certainly aren't surprises there are plenty in the NFL this year. These include, Brett Favre and the Packers being 6-1, the Cleveland Browns under the direction of Derek Anderson playing top notch football, MVP caliber RBs Steven Jackson, Larry Johnson, and Frank Gore struggling, and how about the emergence of the next amazing RB, in Adrian Peterson.

Our hobby collecting tendencies are so often shaped by the performances of players, and if a certain player is hot, more jump on picking him up and then others pickup other players, and so forth. Who would have predicted back when Tony Romo was a rookie, that he would have one of the most highly sought after Rookie cards in the hobby in his SP Authentic autograph, or for that matter, Tom Brady's Playoff Contenders Rookie auto, Tom was great the past few years, but would anyone of predicted it topping the $2k mark in beckett? So much is shaped on game play and performance on the gridiron...or for that matter off the field too...Michael Vick has gone from highly sought after amazing multi-talented QB, to a guy no one wants and his values continue to plummet.

So much of our money when buying, and prizes possessions in trading, go towards cards that down the road could turn out to be great deals or could burn us. The fun part about this hobby is finding those diamonds in the rough and watching the up arrows in beckett magazines go up each month. That being said you also have player collectors, who no matter how the player performs want everything imaginable of that player. They are the ones who I refer to as the purists, or traditionalists...the ones that truly and completely are in this hobby for the fun and enjoyment and are not rapped up with the dollars and cents. I cannot truly say I collect that way, but hopefully one of the two ways connects with you and you are having fun collecting...Into the Redzone we go!

For those who have not viewed these before, I look for your input...tell me what you agree with and what you don't...If Im missing someone you think belongs tells me, and if enough support that they will be there next issue.
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HOT 5 (Top 5 Popular Products of 2007 To Date)
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1. 2007 Leaf Certified


2. 2007 Absolute


3. 2007 Bowman Sterling


4. 2007 UD Premier


5. 2007 UD Rookie Threads



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EARLY RELEASE INFO FOR 2007 PRODUCTS
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Products are listed in order of most recent to release
*Card Info and Pics are taken from Charmcitycards.com*

Leaf Rookies and Stars
Releases 11/14

Each sealed box contains 24 packs of 5 cards each in a 200 card base set including 85 Rookies (#`d to 999) and 15 Elements. Each box will contain THREE Rookie card and FOUR Memorabilia and/or Autograph cards. Parallel sets: Longevity (#`d to 249 or less; Holofoil #`d to 99 or less, Gold #`d to 49 or less, Black #`d to 25 or less, Gold Materials #`d to 250 or less, and Black Prime
Materials #`d to 10 or less), Rookie Holofoil Signatures (#`d to 100 or less), Elements Materials (Foil #`d to 100 or less and Holofoil #`d to 25 or less). Inserts: SP Rookie Signatures (#`d to
299 or less), Prime Cuts (#`d to 50 or less), Statistical Standouts (Materials #`d to 250 or less, Signature Materials #`d to 5 or less, Prime Materials #`d to 25 or less, and Prime Signature
Materials #`d to 1), Standing Ovation (#`d to 1000; Blue #`d to 500, Green #`d to 100, Purple #`d to 25, Green Materials #`d to 250 or less, and Purple Prime Materials #`d to 25 or less), Crosstraining (#`d to 1000; Blue #`d to 500, Green #`d to 100, Purple #`d to 25, Green Materials #`d to 250 or less, and Purple Prime Materials #`d to 25 or less), Rookie Crusade (#`d to 1000; Blue #`d to 500, Green #`d to 100, Purple #`d to 25, Green Materials #`d to 250 or less, and Purple Prime Materials #`d to 25 or less), Crusade (#`d to 1000; Blue #`d to 500, Green #`d to 100, Purple #`d to 25, Green Materials #`d to 250 or less, and Purple Prime Materials > #`d to 25 or less), Dress for Success (Materials Jersey #`d to 175 or less, Prime #`d to 25 or less, Jersey Signatures #`d to 25 or less, Prime Signatures #`d to 5 or less, and Materials Helmets #`d to 55 or less), and Freshman Orientation (Materials Jersey #`d to 175 or less, Signature Material #`d to 25 or less, Prime Materials #`d to 25 or less, and Prime Signature Materials #`d to 5.


Bowman Chrome
Releases 11/15

Each sealed box contains 18 packs of 4 cards each in a 165 card base set including 55 Rookies 1:1. Each box will contain ONE Autograph Rookie card and ONE #`d Uncirculated Rookie box loader card (also Autograph version #`d to 10). Parallel sets: Refractor 1:6, X-Fractor (#`d to 250), Blue (#`d to 150), Gold (#`d to 50), Orange (#`d to 25), Red (#`d to 5), SuperFractor (#`d to 1), and ramed Printing Plates (each is a 1-of-1). Inserts: Autograph Rookie 1:24 (Blue #`d to 75), Gold #`d to 50, Orange #`d to 25, Red #`d to 5, and SuperFractor #`d to 1) and Signature Series Autograph cards (#`d to 50).

Topps Triple Threads
Releases 11/29

Each sealed box contains 2 packs of 6 cards each in a 100 card base set. Each box will contain ONE Triple Memorabilia card and ONE Triple Memorabilia Autograph card. Parallel sets: Sepia (#`d to 499), Emerald (#`d to 199), Gold (#`d to 99), Sapphire (#`d to 25), Platinum (each is a 1-of-1), and Framed Printing Plates (each is a 1-of-1). Inserts: Triple Memorabilia cards 1:2 (#`d to 36; Sepia #`d to 27, Emerald #`d to 18, Gold #`d to 9, Sapphire #`d to 3, and Platinum each is a 1-of-1; Prime: #`d to 18; Gold #`d to 9, Sapphire #`d to 3, Platinum each is a 1-of-1; Combos: #`d to 36; Sepia #`d to 27, Emerald #`d to 18, Gold #`d to 9, Sapphire #`d to 3, and Platinum each is a 1-of-1; and Double Combos: #`d to 36; Sepia #`d to 27, Emerald #`d to 18, Gold #`d to 9, Sapphire #`d to 3, and Platinum each is a 1-of-1) and Triple Memorabilia Autograph cards 1:2 (Rookie #`d to 99; (#`d to 36; Sepia #`d to 75, Emerald #`d to 50, Gold #`d to 25, Sapphire #`d to 10, Platinum each is a 1-of-1, "White Whale" Printing Plates each is a 1-of-1, Prime: #`d to 25;
Red #`d to 25, Black each is a 1-of-1, White Whale" Printing Plates each is a 1-of-1; NFL Greats #`d to 18; Gold #`d to 9, Sapphire #`d to 3, Platinum each is a 1-of-1, "White Whale" Printing Plates each is a 1-of-1; Combos #`d to 36; Sepia #`d to 27, Emerald #`d to 18, Gold #`d to 9,
Sapphire #`d to 3, Platinum each is a 1-of-1, "White Whale" each is a 1-of-1; Heroes #`d to 18; Gold #`d to 9, Sapphire #`d to 3, Platinum each is a 1-of-1, "White Whale" Printing Plates each is a 1-of-1; and Dual Crest Rookie Combos each is a 1-of-1).

Leaf Limited
Releases 11/30

Each sealed box contains 1 pack of 7 cards each in a 100 card base set (Veterans #`d to 799, Legends #`d to 249 or 50, and Rookies #`d to 399 or less). Each PACK/BOX will contain THREE Memorabilia and/or Autograph cards (all #`d to 299 or less). Inserts: Phenoms Rookie Jersey (#`d to 99 or less; parallels #`d to 49, 25, and 1), Phenoms College Jersey (#`d to 25, 10, 5, and 1), Banner Season, Material Monikers, Prime Pairings (Dual, Triple, and Quadruple Autograph cards, Combo Jersey (#`d to 50 or less), Team Threads (Triple #`d to 100 and Quad #`d to 25), Limited Slideshow (#`d to 30 or less), Lettermen (#`d to 20), Matching Numbers, and Limited Cuts.

Playoff NFL Playoffs
Releases 12/13
Each sealed box contains one complete 180 card set including 80 Rookies. Each box will contain ONE Memorabilia card and ONE Autograph card. Parallel sets: Holo Foil (including Red #`d to 149 or less), Signatures (including Red #`d to 50 or less), Materials (including Black #`d to 10 or less), Signature Materials (including Silver #`d to 25 or less), and Signature Prime Materials (including Platinum #`d to 1).


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TOP PLAYERS (Whose Hot! Non Rookies)
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1. LaDainian Tomlinson: Tomlinson is the best player in the NFL. Period. He is also one of the most coveted and highest collected.

2. Tom Brady: Brady is playing amazing this year and has everyones attention. Can he continue to go higher?

3. Peyton Manning: The best QB ever? Peyton is and has always been a top player, his Super Bowl championship has made the non-believers believe...the question has to start being asked...best ever?

4. Brett Favre: Favre is having an amazing season, and has people trying to get there hands on some rare Favre classics. Can he take the Packers to the promised land?

5. Joseph Addai: Seems like everyone is collecting this guy, or looking to collect him. Addai has looked amazing this season, despite a minor setback with his injury. Being in such an explosive offense like Indy will keep Addai atop the Hot list for years to come.

6. Tony Romo: Romo has led his Cowboys to the best record in the NFC and is looking like a polished veteran. Can he win a big game though...and can he put a team on his back and carry them.

7. Reggie Bush: Everyone looks for a Bush auto...simply put, its Reggie Bush, he belongs here.

8. Randy Moss: Randy has been nothing short of amazing, resurrecting his career in New England and playing amazing football...he has truly returned to the most dominant receiver in football.

9. Steven Jackson: Jackson has been plagued with injuries this season, but prior to the start of the season was one of the hottest more sought after players in the hobby...watch for him to heat up again soon!

10. Vince Young: One of the more popular players to collect in last years amazing rookie class. Vince Young has a huge following, almost resembling the same as the Vick hype in his 2nd year, people love his strong arm and mobility, but once he ages a little and gets hit a little will he end up following Vick down too?


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JUST MISSED LIST (Players on the verge)
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1. Ben Roethlisberger: Ben and the Steelers are having another solid season, and with all the Steelers fans out there, Ben just missed the top 10.

2. Braylon Edwards: Braylon is one of the reasons why the Browns are where they are this year. He is playing amazing football, and has Browns fans believing again. Jeremy this is here for you!

3. Carson Palmer/Chad Johnson: I group these two together because as they succeed on the field...they will succeed in the hobby...if they fail they will not be as popular. Carson and Ocho Cinco are arguably the top fan favorite QB/WR combo in the NFL and a lot of collectors look to pickup both of these guys.

4. Larry Johnson: LJ has slipped a little in the eyes of collectors recently, but he has to be mentioned. Johnson is a big game or two away from being a top fan favorite again.

5. Maurice Jones Drew: MJD reminds me of the little engine that could, he is so small and low to the ground but runs people over with authority...seems more and more people pickup Jones Drew every day, despite playing for the Jags.


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THE FUTURE (Top 5 Players to WATCH OUT FOR)
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1. Jerious Norwood: Dunn is done...and Norwood looks to be getting more touches every week...Ok yes he is #1 because Im biased and have a huge collection, but seriously...he is ready to break out!\

2. Kellen Clemens: Clemens has been given the starting gig in New York, now what will he do with it...Could we be looking at the next big QB of the hobby?

3. Jay Cutler/Brandon Marshall: Marshall is having a very solid year, and Cutler is learning each game he plays. Watch out for these 2 in a year or so.

4. Phillip Rivers: He looks to finally be getting it, and with the addition of Chambers he has the weapons now. Can he catch or surpass the other QBs of his rookie class?

5. Earnest Graham: Graham has looked great since filling in for Cadillac. If the Bucs can keep playing good football, his stock will rise.


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Hottest Rookies!
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1A. Adrian Peterson: Peterson is running away with Rookie of the Year and has taken the NFL by storm. The greatest RB to enter the league since LT.

1B. Calvin Johnson: Such an impact player at WR, this guy will be great for years to come.

3. Brady Quinn: Brady despite sitting on the bench for the Browns and having Derek Anderson play so well, is still highly collected.

4. Dwayne Bowe: Bowe is playing great football in Kansas City. He is emerging as a great pick for the Chiefs.

5. Marshawn Lynch: Lynch is the man in Buffalo and with the totally revamped and young team, he is it. He is playing solid football this year.


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WHOSE NOT! (Players who have fallen off want-list's)
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1. Michael Vick: Vick may never play football again and therefore belongs #1 forever.

2. Adam Pacman Jones: Not that he was overly popular to begin with, but he had top tier autos in every product and was a early 1st round pick, can't doubt his ability, but if he doesn't correct himself he will be a wasted talent.

3. Daunte Culpepper: Culpepper finds himself back on the bench in Oakland and for what looked like a great QB at one time, he is now far from it...

4. Donovan McNabb: As much as it pains me to put him here, the end of the era of Donovan in Philly may soon be over...and if he cant find his agility, he won't be a top tier QB in the NFL ever again.

5. Cedric Benson: Benson has had every oppurtunity to take the reigns and run...but he hasn't done so...boy are the Bears wishing they kept Thomas Jones...Benson has been less then average this season.<br>


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Helpful Links!
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SCF RULES

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Football Pack Sales


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