The Big Guy In The Middle: Marcell Dareus Ref Auto RC

2011 Bowman Chrome Auto/ Ref RC

I really don't know much about this card other than it features Marcell Dareus, who is a key cog in my Buffalo Bills' revamped defensive line, and that I love the look of the auto/ref. as with most refractors, the card looks better in hand. It almost looks like Mr. Dareus takes up the entire surface of the card. At 6'3'', 325 pounds, he is one big boy. I just became a Bills season ticket holder about two months ago in the Paul Maguire Club, so I can't wait to watch Mr. Dareus gobble up some quarterbacks next season.

What Size Case Fits The 2010 Upper Deck Exquisite Rare Materials Cards?

2010 Upper Deck Exquisite Rare Materials

I recently bought this 2010 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rare Materials card of former Buffalo Bills QB Jim Kelly. It's a cool card with the four pieces of game used materials. I also really like how Upper Deck utilized the gold foiling, but I have one sort of major issue. I like to keep many of my cards in snap magnet cases. I keep a good number around of different sizes so I have a case for when I get a new card in the mail. However, I have not been able to find a case that this ultra thick card will fit into. Not even a 180pt will do. So I thought I would check before I go out and buy any more cases. Does anyone know what size cases will fit these Rare Materials cards perfectly? Thanks for the help and… "Enjoy Every Bounce of the Ball".

Panini National Treasures In The Hoopography House: Marcus Easley RC Auto

2010 Panini National Treasures Marcus Easley Patch/Auto #'d 15/25

Have you ever bought a trading card just because of a cool design, auto or patch? Don't get me wrong, I'm excited to see what second year receiver Marcus Easley can bring to Ralph Wilson Stadium next year for the Buffalo Bills. However, I really bought this card because I've always wanted one of these rookie jersey/auto'd cards from Panini's National Treasures line. I've been trying for some time now to buy either a hoops or football RC auto as I really like the design. Unfortunately, they tend to sell for a pretty penny.

So instead of a Blake Griffin or C.J. Spiller one, I picked up this Marcus Easley for just under $10.00 including shipping. Under $10.00 seems to be my wheelhouse. Easley was injured during his rookie season last year, but I'm hopeful that he can be a solid contributor for the Bills this year. The card is numbered 15 out of 25 and features a sweet patch/auto. I'm pretty excited for my first National Treasures RC auto.

So the question remains, have you ever bought a trading card solely for a cool design, auto or jersey patch? Happy collecting and… "Enjoy Every Bounce of the Ball".

What's Your Favorite Teams Best Overall NFL Draft Choice?

As I'm sure it is for many of you, the NFL Draft is akin to a national holiday for me. I look forward and analyze every major sport's draft, but the NFL's draft has a certain added excitement about it. I've been watching the it year after year for as long as I can remember and this year will be no different. Although I have to work until 9:00 PM EST tonight, I shouldn't miss too much. Besides, there are three days to soak in every pick from the #1 Overall selection to "Mr. Irrelevant", and I plan on going through every single pick.

Aside from all the Mel Kiper Jr. mock drafts (I'm a big fan of Mel by the way) and beer advertisements (I also like beer by the way) that highlight this event, the NFL Draft is a time to really look at the state of your favorite NFL franchise. I certainly look ahead to all of the possibilities, but I also look back at some of the picks made in previous years. My Buffalo Bills have made their fair share of uninformed picks, but they have also made some very good decisions as well. This got me thinking about which draft decision was the best in the Bills draft history. So without further adieu, here's the Buffalo Bills best overall NFL Draft choice/selection/decision:

I know former Bills Defensive End Bruce Smith was the #1 Overall Draft pick in the 1985 draft and that makes my pick for the franchises' best draft selection a bit of a cop out, but their were some analyst who had Defensive Tackle Ray Childress as the #1 prospect. So it wasn't a complete no brainer. However, I do think it worked out well for the Bills and Smith as he helped lead the Bills to four straight Super Bowl appearances while eclipsing the all-time NFL sack record with 200 career sacks.

The 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year also made 11 Pro Bowls and was a 9-time NFL First Team selection. He was also recently enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009. Certainly, if there is a Bruce Smith type player available in this year's draft, we in Bills country want him.

As for the '97 Metal Universe Precious Gems card, it's pretty awesome. All of these Metal Universe and Precious Gems cards look amazing, but this Smith one looks especially cool. Sure, I'm just a little bit biased, but I really like how the vibrant red background looks against the blue and white of Smith's jersey. Like the Bills' 1985 1st Round Draft Choice, this card lives up to it's potential.

I certainly could have gone a few different ways with this choice of which Bills' draft decision was their best, but the impact Smith made on the Bills franchise was immense. I'll post a few cards from some of the other Bills' draft choices over the next couple days, so stay tuned for that. In the meantime, let everyone know what you think was the best draft choice/decision/selection of your favorite NFL franchise?

Big Thanks To Mark Over At The Chronicles Of Fuji

A big thanks is in order for Mark over at The Chronicles of Fuji. He sent me a package with a ton of great items for me to enjoy. If you haven't already, make sure to checkout his blog. He has quite the collection going and provides great commentary on trading cards, vintage Beckett covers, Starting Lineup figures and more. Thanks again Mark. I will be sending something out your way very shortly.

January, 1992 Beckett Football Issue #22

This Beckett issue from 1992 is an item that I've wanted for quite some time now. It features Jim Kelly from the glory years of the Buffalo Bills and the K-Gun Offense Super Bowl years. I'm such a big fan of this issue and cover that I will be framing it to display on the wall. Plus, it's always fun to look up prices from a bygone era in card collecting.

Here are a  few of the cards Mark sent. There are lots of great refractors and jersey cards, which was very generous of Mark. I love the Action Packed Earl "The Pearl" Monroe card in the first card scan image on the left. I'm also a big fan of the card design of the mid-90's Flair cards. Those USA Flair cards are a great example of that design style that I'm so fond of and admire. Plus, many of those players like Shaquille O'neal, Mark Price, Shawn Kemp and Kevin Johnson were some of my favorite. And come-on, how can you not like a Team USA card?

Thanks again Mark. This was a very fun package. I will be sending something out to you on Monday that you hopefully will like. Happy collecting and… "Enjoy Every Bounce of the Ball".

Some Of My Best Trading Card Acquisitions Of The Last Few Months

Here's a few of my favorite cards from the past few months. I've wrote posts on most of these, but it's always fun to show them off. After all, part of the fun of card collecting is showing your cards off. What are some of your favorite trading card acquisitions of the past few months?

               '08 Bowman Chrome                   '10 UD Ultimate Laettner Auto               '97 Topps Finest Gold Ref

               Montero Blue Ref RC

'03 Kobe/Williams UD Ultimate Dual Jersey

'91 Kenny Anderson Star Pics Auto               '08 Brett Gardner RC Auto         '03 Jay Williams UD Ultimate Auto RC

'00 UD Paul O'neill Buy Back Auto

   '09 UD Exquisite Cunningham Auto            '80 Topps Henderson RC                   '08 Hawaii Trade Conference                                                                                                                                        Miller/Evans Auto

        '02 Topps Bo Jackson Memorable Materials                          '97 UD Exquisite Legendary Lynch Auto

'00 UD Bruce Smith Legendary Jsy    '95 Topps Finest Hardaway Refractor           '97 Jeter Flair Hot Gloves

'08 UD Trilogy 1-2 Combo Vanek/Miller Auto

                                Bernie Williams, Paul O'neill & Andy Pettitte EX Essential Credentials

'97 Metal Universe Precious Gems Bruce Smith

                     '10 Topps 206 Cervelle Auto                         '10 UD The Cup Signature Patches Vanek Auto

'92 Classic Four-Sport Quad Auto (I've had this for a bit, but it one of my favorites)

                '07 UD Ultimate Legends Jim kelly Auto                       '96 Anfernee Hardaway UD Tribute Auto

 '97 Jordan UD SPx Holoview Heroes       '91 Larry Johnson Courtside Auto                 '93 Classics Exclusive                                                                                                                                          Manon Rheaume Auto

          '09 UD Thurman Thomas UD SPx Shadow Box                '08 UD Lynch Exquisite Endorsements Auto

'97 UD Jordan Commemorative Collection     '99 Thomas SkyBox Rubies            '93 TSC Beam Team O'neal RC

              '09 UD Exquisite Thurman Thomas Auto             '97 Ultra Court Masters (I'm putting the set together)  

             '10 Thurman Thomas UD SPx Shadow Box                              '07 Chris Mullin UD Ultimate Virtuoso

'09 UD SP Legendary Cuts Warren Spahn Auto

Super Card For Super Sunday: 2010 UD SPx Thurman Thomas Shadow Box

2010 Upper Deck SPx Thurman Thomas Shadow Box

This is the second Thurman Thomas gem this week that I've added to my collection (click here). It may bring up some bad Super Bowl memories for this Bills fan, mainly four bad memories, but it also brings up some great memories of "The Thurmanator" running wild and catching passes out of the backfield. The Bills run of four straight Super Bowl appearances in the early 90's was impressive, and yet heart breaking at the same time. Good thing free agency came to the NFL in 1993. Otherwise, the Bills would still be looking to get their first Super Bowl win in their 21st straight appearance tonight.

As for these SPx Shadow Box cards, they're really cool. This is the second year Upper Deck has released versions of these inserts. They are case hits inserted into the football and hockey products. I hope they release versions in the basketball product. Each card is very thick and has a raised 3D image of the featured player in the middle of the card.

This is the second Thurman Thomas Shadow Box card I've been able to add to my collection. The first features Thomas in his Buffalo Bills uniform (click here). This was obviously when Upper Deck had their NFL license. Both are really fun cards. I hope to add a few of the hockey shadow box cards to my collection too. Upper Deck really did a nice job with these. Enjoy the big game today and… "Every Bounce of the Ball".

Video: 2011 Pro Football Hall Of Fame Finalists

Here's a video post of all 17 finalists up for enshrinement into the Football Hall of Fame. The official announcement as to who will be enshrined will be made today at 7:00 PM ET on the NFL Network. Out of these 17 finalists, who will be called for enshrinement into Canton?

Jerome Bettis	Tim Brown	Chris Carter
Dermontti Dawson	Richard Dent	Chris Doleman
Marshall Faulk	Charles Haley	Chris Hanburger
Cortez Kennedy	Curtis Martin	Richter/Hanburger
Willie Roaf	Ed Sabol	Andre Reed
Shannon Sharpe	Deion Nike Commercial	Deion Sanders

2009 Upper Deck Exquisite Inscriptions Auto Thurman Thomas 14/15 In The Hoopography House

I recently added a very nice 2009 Upper Deck Exquisite Inscriptions Auto Thurman Thomas card to my collection. The card is absolutely beautiful and is numbered 14 of 15. I'm really excited to have this card in my collection. I've bid on every copy of this card that's come on the secondary markets over the past year.

Surprisingly, two copies appeared on eBay over the past two weeks. The first sold for $69.97 (click here) about a week and a half ago. I put a late bid in on this one just before it shot up to the $50.00 range. I was disappointed that I was quickly outbid with a few seconds to go in the auction, but you have to know when to fold 'em.

With a limited print run of only 15, I didn't think I'd see another one of these Thomas cards for awhile. As the collector gods would have it though, another copy was listed last week. I knew the market value on the card from the last auction and ones previous. I assumed I'd be out snipped on this one too, but my late bid held strong.

I paid $33.99 with free shipping. I don't normally spend over $15-$20 on a single card let alone over $30.00, but this is a really great item this Bills die hard just couldn't pass up. I'm especially excited I payed less than half of what the previously listed card sold for.

I have a number of nice Thomas cards in my collection, but this one certainly takes the cake. At least until the next one! Happy collecting and… "Enjoy Every Bounce of the Ball".

Beast Mode In Seattle

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With the unlikely win by the Seattle Seahawks yesterday over the defending Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints and Marshawn Lynch's incredible touchdown run, I thought I'd show off a few of the Lynch cards in my collection.

Being a Buffalo Bills fan, there really aren't too many current players to collect. At least, not many to get too excited about. I've been a fan of Lynch since Buffalo Drafted him with the 12th overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. The one-time Pro Bowl selection ('08) is only 24 years old and obviously has some talent. That's why I was disappointed when the Bills traded him to the Seahawks earlier this season. Getting a 4th round pick in this years NFL Draft and a conditional pick in next years didn't help to ease the pain either.

I had hoped the Bills would have held on to the powerful young back to go along with the speedy C.J. Spiller. Fortunately for Seahawks fans and viewers yesterday, that wasn't the case. I'll continue to collect Lynch auto's, ref's and patch cards. His 65 yard run last night reminds me of some of the other famous runs in NFL history like the "Look at that!" MNF Bo Jackson run down the sidelines or the Marcus Allen Super Bowl XVIII run. Lynch's running style may not be the most graceful or the fastest, but he does have a running style. And that running style is called… "Beast Mode".