America vs. The Patriots

Okay, so I took a couple days off, but don't worry I'm still here! It is Super Bowl Sunday, America's most widely celebrated holiday as far as I can tell. A year ago, I spent my Super Bowl at a bar in Florence explaining the rules of the game to a kid from South Korea. I was out until 4:30 in the morning because of the time difference, and had up to be up by 8:00 for class. Good times.

Since the topic of the day is football, I figured I would catch you up on a few really sweet Jets cards I've picked up in recent months. Now, I know, the words "sweet" and "Jets" shouldn't usually be used in the same sentence, but take my word for this please.

2013 Topps Five Star Curtis Martin Auto 15/25

First, I was able to finally add my all time favorite football player, Curtis Martin, to my autograph collection. Martin was the star of the first Jets team I payed any attention to, and I immediately gravitated towards him. Thomas Jones, Leon Washington, new Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson, the late Joe McKnight, Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell, and Matt Forte have since shared the backfield, but nobody has done it for me quite like Curtis did.

Last summer at a card show I debated whether to buy myself a full sized signed helmet of his, and ended up coming up just short on the funds necessary to do that. Several months later, I bought this beautiful card for a fraction of the price.

2015 Topps Chrome Leonard Williams Auto /99

There was something really appealing about this camo parallel rookie autograph of our lone Pro Bowler, Leonard Williams. The "Big Cat" delivered on his 6th overall draft selection this year and picked up the slack left behind by Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson. The defense this year was so disappointing, with Williams being the only true exception.

2014 Panini Flawless Eric Decker Auto 14/25

Ryan Fitzpatrick really missed Eric Decker this year. He only played in 3 games in 2016 before being placed on IR for hip and shoulder injuries that both required surgery. It sounds like he should be ready to go by the start of next season, which hopefully can help regain some of the magic he and Brandon Marshall shared the season prior.

Regardless of how the rest of his Jets career plays out, I'll never forget him for my all time favorite in person memory. Dad and I finally got to see a Jets vs. Patriots game in 2015, and Decker hauled in the game winning touchdown reception in the corner of the end zone that kept us in the playoff hunt. While I don't like talking about what happened in Buffalo the next week, in that moment I was so proud to be a Jets fan.

2015 Panini Luxe Darrelle Revis Patch Auto 4/5

We'll close this up with the man famous for shutting down this generation's best wide receivers in the game, Darrelle Revis. It was not a good year for "Revis Island". But, as a Jet fan I've gotten used to trying to find some form of a silver lining for everything so I keep from losing my sanity. We only have 3 more years to go!

Now I don't mean to sound like a downer, but man has this guy put us through a lot over the years. I feel like his entire career has been a contract negotiation. He left us and went to the Bucs, and then won a Super Bowl with the devil! It was extremely painful seeing him hoist the Lombardi Trophy with Tom Brady by his side, but I guess in a weird way I'm glad he got the chance to win after quite possibly being the greatest defensive player in franchise history.

So while he may continue to bug me for 3 more years as he gets old and wears down, he'll always be a Jet legend and down the road I'll be even happier to own this card. Also, I'm starting to grow very fond of these framed autographs. They're very aesthetically pleasing.

Alright, so that'll have it. No Joe Namath auto yet, apologies.

Go Falcons!

The Biggest Win of the Year

Hey guys, Drew back here! Yeah, I know, it's been weeks. I can explain. The lapse began with my final exams and ended with about a week on the shelf after having all four of my wisdom teeth pulled. Christmas came in the midst of my recovery (Happy Holidays to all of you!), and yesterday I returned to Metlife Stadium with my Dad for the first time since 2010 to witness the Jets' biggest win of the season. So, it's been an extremely jam packed few weeks, but I hope to be back to catch you all up on my collection before I leave for Florence about a month from now.

As I said, Dad and I went to the Meadowlands yesterday for the biggest game of the Jets' season. We bought the tickets for his birthday in September because we always wanted to see them play against the Patriots despite our pure hatred for all things Brady & Belichick. To be honest though, I did feel honored to get to watch Brady play in person, as much as I wanted to see our defense break his legs and knock them out of contention. He is the best quarterback I've ever had the pleasure of watching. He creates something out of nothing practically every season, is remarkably clutch, and has left a lasting legacy in New England (despite some of the mysterious controversies hidden in the Pats organization). 

The Jets always like to make things interesting. They have had an impressive season thus far, with their record standing at 9-5 before yesterday's matchup. However, throughout all of my years as a football fan, whenever a game is down to the wire, the Jets seem to always manage to find a way to lose it. They had a two touchdown lead over New England midway through the third quarter until Ryan Fitzpatrick fumbled the ball, which was recovered for a Patriots touchdown. From that point until the end of regulation, their offense disappeared. 

The view from our seats was outstanding!

But, perhaps due to the luck of the 10% Irish in my blood, this time they managed to pull away with the victory. The Patriots won the coin toss in overtime but elected to kick rather than receive, and I was totally confused by the decision (as many others appeared to be as well). We took advantage of Belichick's blunder and drove down the field like it was the first half all over again. It capped off with a beautiful pass from Fitzpatrick to Eric Decker that gave us a crucial advantage for making the playoffs. I don't know if I had ever been happier to be a Jet fan than I was in that moment, practically leaping into my dad's arms with joy while screaming at the top of my lungs!

Since the Ravens beat the Steelers, we control our own destiny as Gang Green rolls into Buffalo to meet with former ringleader Rex Ryan in the final week of the regular season. Bills running back Boobie Dixon has already considered it their team's "Super Bowl", as it would boost their spirits going into the offseason if they knock the Jets out of the playoff race. After watching yesterday's game, I'm relatively confident that we will do what it takes to advance. But, rule #1 of being a Jets fan is to never, EVER get overly confident.

Regardless of next week's outcome, I can say that I watched a hell of a game yesterday and had an amazing time with my Dad. We have gotten to attend some spectacular events in the past, and this one will rank near the top of them all. I'd like to thank our new GM Mike Maccagnan for making this season happen. His trades for Fitzpatrick and receiver Brandon Marshall, along with revamping our entire defense and bringing back Revis Island have all been key components to this great year. It would be a shame if a 10 win team with this level of talent doesn't make the playoffs, but as long as he's calling the shots it may not be the last time we make a run for it in coming seasons.

We were handed a few five card mini sets of Jets players on the way out. I have a few extra, in case anyone is interested. I don't collect football cards nearly as heavily as baseball, but I like to see the updated designs Topps creates each year. I'm a fan of this year's industrial design, and hope to have some more Jets from the set roll in as time goes by.

I have a bunch of great things to show off in the coming weeks, so be on the lookout for that. I've gotten five TTM's in that I didn't expect and a few really thoughtful Christmas gifts to share. 

Until next time, see ya!

Impulse Buy - Ray Lewis Signed Book

Hey everyone, Drew back here. Before I continue, I just want to friendly remind you that my contest for a free print from Victory Fine Art will be concluding on Halloween at 5 PM EST. It's a great value and they do a fantastic job, so check out this link if you want to try to win something special to display in your man cave.

I recently was perusing the web as I often do, until I was sent an email from Barnes & Noble. I've ordered a few signed books from their website over the past year, and they now send me updates when new signed books will be hitting the web. As soon as I saw this coming out on October 20th, I knew I had to make it mine.

Future Pro Football Hall of Famer Ray Lewis just released his first tell-all autobiography entitled "I Feel Like Going On: Life, Game, and Glory". I haven't had the chance to read it yet, but the description sure does put it at the top of my reading list. Ray talks about his tough childhood and his incredible football career with the Baltimore Ravens mostly within the book, as well as discussing his faith and how it has gotten him to where he is today. 

Lewis' story has been the subject of debate for many years now. While I don't expect him to go into too much detail from the controversial Super Bowl party in Atlanta of 2000, I do hope he at least touches on it. If you didn't know before, he was on trial for murder in a very suspicious incident that has since left his reputation in jeopardy. However, since that case he has avoided trouble and focused on becoming perhaps the greatest linebacker of his generation.

I'll never forget Ray for his elaborate dance routine to pump up the crowd in Baltimore. He was one of my favorite players to watch, and it isn't the same without him on the field. He was the player on the cover of my first Madden I ever owned (Madden 2005), and was one of the few that didn't allow the Curse to get to him.

His autograph doesn't have much to show for it, but for $20 shipped, I'm beyond content with what I received. I haven't been reading as much as I used to, but I did review Jorge Posada's autobiography from earlier this year and hopefully eventually I can cover this one as well.

If you are interested in great signed book opportunities, look no further than Barnes & Noble's signed book collection. They offer a wide variety of autographed books that would look great in any collection.

See Ya!

The Jets Version of "Rudy": Special TTM Success!

Hey guys, Drew back here! Last Saturday, I posted my Bryan Cox TTM success thinking that I probably wouldn't be getting any more Jets requests back for a while. I had already gotten 5 of the 8 players back in a couple month span, and I was expecting it to slow down. Sure enough, later that day I found this success in my mailbox; easily my favorite of the bunch and now some of my favorite autographs in my football collection!

Wayne Chrebet: 3/3 in 72 Days (Received February 28th)

Believe it or not, I grew to love watching football before I got into baseball, and I remember going to a game a year with my Dad for a few years in a row. Wayne Chrebet was one of my favorite players to watch, and I think it was just because he was tough especially for his size. Wide receiver is advantageous to taller players, and I may have a half inch on the 5'10 Chrebet. But he pushed for every single yard, and while it ended up costing him in the long run with concussion injuries, it was well worth the legacy he left behind in New York. 

He was undrafted out of Hofstra University, and was considered the 11th best receiver at Jets training camp when he walked on in 1995. Apparently on the first day of camp, a security guard wouldn't even let him into the field because his size didn't make him look like a football player, but he proved all throughout those weeks why he belonged. The rest was history. Wayne may not be a Hall of Fame caliber player, but he's one of those players that you love to root for. Think of Rudy Ruettiger's story without Hollywood's twists and turns and you have something like Chrebet.

He retired in 2005 due to a severe concussion injury, but the play that took him out of the game for good still ended as a hard fought catch for a first down. Last year, he was inducted into the Jets Ring of Honor, and it was special to see such an amazing man and player get his due. 

Mr. Chrebet made my day, signing a 2005 Score, and personalizing a 2001 Fleer Authority Prominence card out "To Drew, All the Best!" He also signed my index card, inscribing his number 80 and J-E-T-S. It really doesn't get much better than this for me as a Jet fan, especially since no player that has come through the organization since Curtis Martin and Wayne Chrebet called it quits has struck me the same way. 

Thank you for all the memories, Wayne Chrebet. See Ya!

TTM Return from the Swatter!

Hey guys, Drew back here! A few centuries ago, I mentioned a TTM success that I believed deserved its own respective post. Well, after a long period of waiting, I finally got a chance to deliver said success to you all. Check it out:

JJ Watt: 1/1 in 50 Days (Received September 10th)

None other than Mr. JJ "Swatt" himself returned an 8x10 to my mailbox back in September! Watt had a breakout 2012 season for the Texans and finds himself now as one of the most recognized defensive players in the sport. He finished the 2012 season with 20.5 sacks to his name to go along with 16 batted passes. Because of this, he walked home with the 2012 Defensive Player of the Year award! Rarely do fans get the experience of watching a defensive lineman swat down passes as consistently as he did last season, and so far he's done much of the same in 2013.

Watt has also been regarded by collectors as one of the better TTM signers in the NFL. He's signed a good majority of fan requests, and he did not disappoint here, as he signed an 8x10 chronicling his awesome entrance into one of Houston's home games. It couldn't have came out much better than this!

See Ya!

TTM #103 - A Super Success!

Hey guys, Drew back here! Recently, I found some extra time in my schedule to write out a few TTM requests, and the first of those 5 came in on Friday! I sent each of the 5 people an 8x10 photo to sign, which costed a lot to ship, but could yield some great results. To go along with the shipping costs, this success below required a donation, so you can easily see how quickly the costs tend to add up. However, I think we can all agree that $20 + shipping fees was worth the price for this piece:

Bart Starr, the first and second Super Bowl MVP in NFL history, signed this beautiful black and white photo for my collection! I've been meaning to send to Mr. Starr for quite some time now, as this photo was sitting around collecting dust for about half a year! I feel a lot better about it with his large black, bold signature resting upon the tremendous photograph taken by Vernon J. Biever. I never noticed Biever's signature in the bottom left hand corner of the picture, and to be honest I had no idea who he was when I finally noticed it. I did a little research however; and it turns out that Biever worked as the staff photographer for Green Bay, and was even elected to the team's Hall of Fame for his achievements! You can check out a website commemorating his career here, if you're interested in seeing more of his pictures.

Mr. Starr certainly came through clutch with my photo, returning it within a week with a great "To Drew, With Best Wishes, Bart Starr 15, MVP SBI, II" inscription! I asked for the Super Bowl inscription in my letter, and he obliged. It's not every day as a collector that you get to go around showing off a nice new Hall of Fame QB piece in your collection, so this one will be on display around the house for a little while (until my mom gets sick of me laying it all over the place).

Starr played from 1956-1971, all for Green Bay, making one of the longest tenured quarterbacks with 1 team in football history. He made 4 Pro Bowl teams, and was the 1966 League MVP. NFL.com ranked him as the 51st best player to ever take the field.

What do you guys think of the highlight of my football collection? If you haven't gotten Starr yet, $20 is a steal, so I would certainly consider getting him while you can! See Ya!