Who do you collect and why?

[bigdog2003]

For football it's mainly former South Carolina Gamecocks, I mainly collect Marcus Lattimore stuff. He was such a great player, and is an even better person. I remember his freshman year asking him to sign something after practice and he said yeah, do you mind holding my helmet and pads? He signed the hat that I use to get all the players to sign and something else. I was in the stadium when the career ending injury happened. That place went silent and people were crying. At this point I only need the lower numbered stuff, but I still pick up anything when I see it priced right. I was able to add a 1/1 I needed back in December at a show, plus a signed high school jersey of his.

[Modojr]

I've been a fan of Notre Dame football since I was a kid, so a couple years ago I started collecting Topps Chrome and Bowman Chrome base RCs and parallels of ND alum. Since those don't exist in recent years, I'm debating between Prizm or Optic base and parallels.

In hockey I have two player PCs: Mike Modano and Rostislav Klesla

[Above the Rim]

Get a centered copy of the Notre Dame GOAT - none other than the 1981 Joe Montana.

[slyguy]

Originally Posted by Above the Rim

... Derrick Henry. Why - incredible RB. PFF has him ranked #1 ahead of all others for this past season...

Lol.

Saquon Barkley won OPOY in 2024,
won NFL rushing title with 2000+ yards (could've challenged ED all-time, sat out finale),
won his team 3 playoff games... then Eagles win the SB. (#3 rush yds in a postseason, #5 rush yds in a playoff game 205yds divi round)

Saquon was ranked their #11, Henry #1. Sure, very good laugh there.

...Henry's no slouch, but what was Henry better at in 2024 again... blocking?

[Above the Rim]

Saquon Barkley enjoyed running behind the best top ranked offensive line in the NFL.

Barkley avg. yards/carry 5.8
D.Henry avg. yards/carry 5.9

According to PFF (Pro Football Focus) Derrick Henry was the best runner from the 2024 season. His 93.5 rushing grade was the highest ever recorded in the PFF era (since 2006).
According to PFF, Saquon Barkley was ranked 11th with a total grade of 85.3

Derrick Henry led all backs in yards per carry, first down rushes (105), and missed tackles forced on carries (88)

Derrick Henry ranked #1 with the most yards after contact at 842.
Saquon Barkley ranked #3 with 677 yards after contact.

[slyguy]

Originally Posted by Above the Rim

Saquon Barkley enjoyed running behind the best top ranked offensive line in the NFL...

Sure, and most good RBs do have a good OL. That goes without saying.

Henry has it much easier: runs with best runner QB in the league beside him to draw the defense off him.
Balt has had a top team run game for yeeears before Henry arrived. Ravens produced a top 5 in team rush every year Lamar played pro (2018 to present).
Balt was #1 team run attack in 2020 2022 2023. Henry walked into a pretty clear good spot, best in NFL. Credit to him too, but he didn't have to move mountains to look good there. No RB does.

So Barkley's Philly team goes 8th rush to 2nd with adding him.
Henry's Ravens goes from 1st... to 1st on his arrival.
Phila goes from wild card exit to 4 playoff wins (SB champs, largely on his body of work).
Balt goes divi round exit to divi round exit (again).

They're both good RB, but it's not hard to see who lifts their team. Which makes plays happen and which goes with plays in progress.
It's also night and day on game tape at Henry's age now. Not slow, but sure not 2020 either.

To cite a source with Barkley #11 to make Henry #1 in a year when the former crushed the league in 2024 in a way nobody since Adrian Peterson 2012 did is hilarious.
It just doesn't check out, sorry. And NFL 1st team All-Pro didn't fall for the stat soup, either... it was Barkley for that (and basically everything else 2024).

[PrimeTimeScott]

When I was young, I collected Jose Canseco cards (I have over 2,000 unique cards). At that time my mom was driving me to card shows and to pass the time, she bought old Broncos cards. I switched to collecting Pro Football Hall of Fame Autographs and have 171 of the 382 who are inducted (pretty much stopped in 2013).

Back in 2009, Eddie Royal was signing autographs nearby and for a few days before, I got my then three year old to say thank you Mr. Royal (but it sounded more like Mr. Oriole). She ended up falling asleep in my arms as I got an autograph, but that was how I started collecting Eddie Royal cards. I now have about 1,300 unique cards. I also collect Shannon Sharpe with over 1,400 unique cards. I also took over the Denver Broncos collection that my mom started, now with just under 16,000 unique cards.

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by slyguy

Sure, and most good RBs do have a good OL. That goes without saying.

Henry has it much easier: runs with best runner QB in the league beside him to draw the defense off him.
Balt has had a top team run game for yeeears before Henry arrived. Ravens produced a top 5 in team rush every year Lamar played pro (2018 to present).
Balt was #1 team run attack in 2020 2022 2023. Henry walked into a pretty clear good spot, best in NFL. Credit to him too, but he didn't have to move mountains to look good there. No RB does.

So Barkley's Philly team goes 8th rush to 2nd with adding him.
Henry's Ravens goes from 1st... to 1st on his arrival.
Phila goes from wild card exit to 4 playoff wins (SB champs, largely on his body of work).
Balt goes divi round exit to divi round exit (again).

They're both good RB, but it's not hard to see who lifts their team. Which makes plays happen and which goes with plays in progress.
It's also night and day on game tape at Henry's age now. Not slow, but sure not 2020 either.

To cite a source with Barkley #11 to make Henry #1 in a year when the former crushed the league in 2024 in a way nobody since Adrian Peterson 2012 did is hilarious.
It just doesn't check out, sorry. And NFL 1st team All-Pro didn't fall for the stat soup, either... it was Barkley for that (and basically everything else 2024).

It's almost like you don't know what PFF is

[longhornjunkie]

I collect guys that went to UT while I was there. My username has become a little bit of a misnomer because I haven't focused on more recent players.
Also collecting Dylan Cantrell because he (and Mahomes) went to the same high school I did.
I dabble in Cowboys and other Dallas area teams as well.

Wantlist

Completion Stats (needs to be audited)...

Football

Ricky Williams 1999 - 490/528 (92.80%)
Wane McGarity 1999 - 65/75 (86.67%)
Kwame Cavil 2000 - 100/108 (92.59%)
Leonard Davis 2001 - 47/53 (88.68%)
Casey Hampton 2001 - 35/52 (67.31%)
Shaun Rogers 2001 - 40/49 (81.63%)
Major Applewhite 2002 - 25/25 (100.00%)
Quentin Jammer 2002 - 174/195 (89.23%)
Mike Williams 2002 - 97/106 (91.51%)
Chris Simms 2003 - 141/255 (55.29%)
Cory Redding 2003 - 31/33 (87.88%)
Roderick Babers 2003 - 5/5 (100.00%)
B.J. Johnson 2004 - 51/56 (91.07%)
Roy Williams 2004 - 160/459 (34.86%)
Nathan Vasher 2004 - 51/56 (91.07%)
Sloan Thomas 2004 - 65/72 (90.28%)
Marcus Tubbs 2004 - 70/79 (88.61%)
Cedric Benson 2005 - 118/343 (34.40%)
Derrick Johnson 2005 - 115/268 (42.91%)
Will Matthews 2005 - 7/7 (100.00%)
Chance Mock 2005 - 6/6 (100.00%)
Bo Scaife 2005 - 48/55 (87.27%)


Basketball

Kris Clack 1999-00 - 23/30 (76.67%)
Gabe Muoneke 1999-00 - 20/20 (100.00%)
Chris Mihm 2000-01 - 89/151 (58.94%)
Chris Owens 2002-03 - 23/23 (100%)
T.J. Ford 2003-04 - 56/255 (21.96%)
Brian Boddicker 2004-05 - 18/22 (81.82%)
Royal Ivey 2004-05 - 45/68 (66.18%)
Brandon Mouton 2004-05 - 25/27 (92.59%)

[bamafan3559]

Former Alabama football players because I'm a fan. The majority of my collection is Derrick Thomas, Trent Richardson (yeah, that didn't pan out), Julio Jones, and Quinnen Williams. I do have quite a few of other players though. I currently have 1758 documented cards, but I would say my collection is roughly double that.

Currently working on picking up white sparkles I don't have, which unfortunately is most of them, and the Onit Athlete base auto set.

[IowaCubs1]

Chiefs cards - no one in particular, but cards of players I've loved over the years - Derrick Thomas, Montana, Patrick Mahomes, Eric Berry, Jamaal Charles, Priest Holmes, Dante Hall, etc.

Iowa Hawkeyes from when I was younger - Brad Banks, Dallas Clark - my parents had season tickets for quite a long time and I got to go to a ton of games - these guys helped shape my love for NCAA football and the Hawkeyes. Also (not when I was younger) Caitlin Clark.

Literally have never really cared about just having cards because of value. Some of my favorites are just players that got me into the hobby when I was younger. Although some cards have taken off - Mahomes and Caitlin Clark.

[davz13]

WVU West Virginia University Mountaineers.
All sports.

My Dad took me to games when I was young, and have always been a huge fan.

My main focus is Amos Zereoue (my favorite player all time), as well as Steve Slaton and Pat White (who were the best players when I went to college there).
But I collect any and all cards of players who attended WVU.

[mjekase]

Originally Posted by longhornjunkie

I collect guys that went to UT while I was there. My username has become a little bit of a misnomer because I haven't focused on more recent players.
Also collecting Dylan Cantrell because he (and Mahomes) went to the same high school I did.
I dabble in Cowboys and other Dallas area teams as well.

Wantlist

Completion Stats (needs to be audited)...

Football

Ricky Williams 1999 - 490/528 (92.80%)
Wane McGarity 1999 - 65/75 (86.67%)
Kwame Cavil 2000 - 100/108 (92.59%)
Leonard Davis 2001 - 47/53 (88.68%)
Casey Hampton 2001 - 35/52 (67.31%)
Shaun Rogers 2001 - 40/49 (81.63%)
Major Applewhite 2002 - 25/25 (100.00%)
Quentin Jammer 2002 - 174/195 (89.23%)
Mike Williams 2002 - 97/106 (91.51%)
Chris Simms 2003 - 141/255 (55.29%)
Cory Redding 2003 - 31/33 (87.88%)
Roderick Babers 2003 - 5/5 (100.00%)
B.J. Johnson 2004 - 51/56 (91.07%)
Roy Williams 2004 - 160/459 (34.86%)
Nathan Vasher 2004 - 51/56 (91.07%)
Sloan Thomas 2004 - 65/72 (90.28%)
Marcus Tubbs 2004 - 70/79 (88.61%)
Cedric Benson 2005 - 118/343 (34.40%)
Derrick Johnson 2005 - 115/268 (42.91%)
Will Matthews 2005 - 7/7 (100.00%)
Chance Mock 2005 - 6/6 (100.00%)
Bo Scaife 2005 - 48/55 (87.27%)


Basketball

Kris Clack 1999-00 - 23/30 (76.67%)
Gabe Muoneke 1999-00 - 20/20 (100.00%)
Chris Mihm 2000-01 - 89/151 (58.94%)
Chris Owens 2002-03 - 23/23 (100%)
T.J. Ford 2003-04 - 56/255 (21.96%)
Brian Boddicker 2004-05 - 18/22 (81.82%)
Royal Ivey 2004-05 - 45/68 (66.18%)
Brandon Mouton 2004-05 - 25/27 (92.59%)

Kudos to you for the documentation.

[bamafan3559]

Originally Posted by davz13

WVU West Virginia University Mountaineers.
All sports.

My Dad took me to games when I was young, and have always been a huge fan.

My main focus is Amos Zereoue (my favorite player all time), as well as Steve Slaton and Pat White (who were the best players when I went to college there).
But I collect any and all cards of players who attended WVU.

This is what I love about sports and collecting in general. Slaton, Devine, White, and Austin were superior players, and you latched onto Amos Zeroue. No hate. I just find it interesting how we form attachments to certain players.

[davz13]

Originally Posted by bamafan3559

This is what I love about sports and collecting in general. Slaton, Devine, White, and Austin were superior players, and you latched onto Amos Zeroue. No hate. I just find it interesting how we form attachments to certain players.

Yeah, Amos Zereoue was my favorite when I was in Grade School - High School, and really made me want to attend more games. That really made me a huge WVU fan, and then I tried to go to every home game from that point on.

I stopped collecting cards around that time, and when he was drafted, I opened 2 packs of 1999 CE Supreme and pulled his rookie, a Dan Marino base and a Dan Marino clear acetate insert (Marino was my favorite Pro player at that time, but became Zereoue when Marino retired) - which renewed my collecting.

[bamafan3559]

Originally Posted by davz13

Yeah, Amos Zereoue was my favorite when I was in Grade School - High School, and really made me want to attend more games. That really made me a huge WVU fan, and then I tried to go to every home game from that point on.

I stopped collecting cards around that time, and when he was drafted, I opened 2 packs of 1999 CE Supreme and pulled his rookie, a Dan Marino base and a Dan Marino clear acetate insert (Marino was my favorite Pro player at that time, but became Zereoue when Marino retired) - which renewed my collecting.

Very similar to how I collect. I was, and still am, a big Shaun Alexander guy and he was the RB at Bama during my formative years. Derrick Thomas is my all-time favorite, but when I started to get back into collecting Julio and Richardson were the big names out of Bama. Wish I'd loaded up on Julio like I did Trent.

[BambinoShuffle]

Bo Jackson.

[EscapePlan]

I was raised in Michigan and went to school at U of M. Became a huge college football fan while I was there and it’s the only sport that I follow religiously. Collected cards as a kid but got back into it when the Wolverines won the natty in 2023. My collection is focused on PSA graded cards of JJ McCarthy and Blake Corum. I only collect them in their Michigan uniforms so mainly Bowman and early NFL rookie cards. I think at this point, I’ve gotten everything that I want at the moment (58 cards total, all but 2 are PSA 10s). Going to take a break from the hobby before getting back into it once Bowman Bryce Underwood cards hit the market. Probably done with grading through PSA as well—too expensive and I’m not looking to sell so don’t care about resale value. Thinking of trying either TAG or CGC for future collections or maybe just raw now.

[slyguy]

Originally Posted by EscapePlan

I was raised in Michigan and went to school at U of M. Became a huge college football fan while I was there and it’s the only sport that I follow religiously. Collected cards as a kid but got back into it when the Wolverines won the natty in 2023. My collection is focused on PSA graded cards of JJ McCarthy and Blake Corum. I only collect them in their Michigan uniforms so mainly Bowman and early NFL rookie cards. I think at this point, I’ve gotten everything that I want at the moment (58 cards total, all but 2 are PSA 10s). Going to take a break from the hobby before getting back into it once Bowman Bryce Underwood cards hit the market. Probably done with grading through PSA as well—too expensive and I’m not looking to sell so don’t care about resale value. Thinking of trying either TAG or CGC for future collections or maybe just raw now.

You are taking a risk to grade guys who haven't done anything, but sounds like you know what you want.

McCarthy Panini cards in college jersey are cheap now with injury, surgeries last year, and many sets with pro jersey cards out.
I'm a Vikes fan, so I hope he can recover from the two knee surgeries and play well. It'll be telling what they do in free agency.

If you "don't care about resale value," then why not save a lot of money with Beckett ... and get better slabs, subgrades? They are the best grading company for collectors, hands down (PSA for flippers). And yes, never wrong to just hold raw cards and grade later if they have good/ HOF pro career. The hit rate for NFL - even first round picks - is very low. No point in grading young unless you are trying to flip.

[EscapePlan]

Originally Posted by slyguy

You are taking a risk to grade guys who haven't done anything, but sounds like you know what you want.

McCarthy Panini cards in college jersey are cheap now with injury, surgeries last year, and many sets with pro jersey cards out.
I'm a Vikes fan, so I hope he can recover from the two knee surgeries and play well. It'll be telling what they do in free agency.

If you "don't care about resale value," then why not save a lot of money with Beckett ... and get better slabs, subgrades? They are the best grading company for collectors, hands down (PSA for flippers). And yes, never wrong to just hold raw cards and grade later if they have good/ HOF pro career. The hit rate for NFL - even first round picks - is very low. No point in grading young unless you are trying to flip.

Personally, I don't care if JJ or Blake flame out in the pros. What they did at Michigan will forever cement them as legends in my eyes! Even if these cards drop to zero, they'll be with me forever to remember that natty run.

I graded about half of my cards myself and the others were bought already slabbed. I went with PSA mainly because of availability. I think I probably saw one or two cards in a BGS slab that interested me during the whole year that I was completing my collection. And to be clear, I'm not looking for value at all here. I'm a condition nazi and always have been. Slabbing cards protects them and gives me ease of mind that I have true gem mint copies of the cards I want.

[davz13]

Originally Posted by bamafan3559

Very similar to how I collect. I was, and still am, a big Shaun Alexander guy and he was the RB at Bama during my formative years. Derrick Thomas is my all-time favorite, but when I started to get back into collecting Julio and Richardson were the big names out of Bama. Wish I'd loaded up on Julio like I did Trent.

Nice happenstance to mention Trent Richardson in a reply to my message. I would not have even thought about the card normally, but have a press plate of his. A PM will be on its way

[mike1498]

I have a few collections going on right now. All have game worn patches.

Cardinals: Mainly Larry Fitzgerald, Patrick Peterson and Carson Palmer. Partially cause that's all that cardinals have for game worn cards and partially cause they're my favorite players.

Black Gold Sizable Signatures: Arguably one of the best checklists that exist (really only stars and HOFs). They pop up but I've been trying to target the lower #ed 3 color patches so it makes the chance a little more enjoyable

Game Worn Patches of players from the 2010s All Decade Team: I'd like to own a game worn patch card for most of the 2010s All Decade Team. The 2010s is what I grew up watching and think it was a better period in time for football than currently.

[Wrong Lever]

Love the old school Purple People Eaters, started becoming a football fan through watching old NFL Films footage on ESPN Classic and couldn’t get enough! Still love defensive players and low scoring games the most to this day. Lots of Page, Eller, Marshall, and co. in my collection along with the more modern guys like John Randle, Jared Allen, and Harrison Smith.

I also enjoy picking up cheap cards of random players I enjoyed watching when I recently got more into college football, guys like Grayson McCall, Tanner McKee, JJ McCarthy, and Riley Leonard.

[jcp2]

Originally Posted by davz13

Yeah, Amos Zereoue was my favorite when I was in Grade School - High School, and really made me want to attend more games. That really made me a huge WVU fan, and then I tried to go to every home game from that point on.

I stopped collecting cards around that time, and when he was drafted, I opened 2 packs of 1999 CE Supreme and pulled his rookie, a Dan Marino base and a Dan Marino clear acetate insert (Marino was my favorite Pro player at that time, but became Zereoue when Marino retired) - which renewed my collecting.

I don't think i have seen a football player more consistenly wasted at the bars than famous amos. He was fun to watch though. I was at WVU the same time and had quite a few friends on the team and lived with a few Olineman.

[jcp2]

I just started collecting last year. As of now i collect Jets and Chargers and am not really looking to go backwards. I also have players i really like and pick them to collect. last year it was Will Anderson and this year it was Brian Thomas. I thought both were going to be standouts and i think Anderson is going to with DPOY in the next year or two. Brian Thomas is a stud and when i read his combine numbers with his experience at LSU i thought he was a can't miss.

The fun think about collecting a d players is i can get all kinds of SSP cards that are not real expensive.