Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading and knows that there are many reasons that collectors choose to slab cards. Sometimes it's to enhance the appeal and protect them when selling. Other times it's to protect an investment for the long-term or to protect for sentimental reasons. Or, it might be just for fun or curiosity about a potential grade.

Here's this month's grading diary here on The Buzz ... it's a bit of a super-sized edition.

DOMINATING THIS YEAR
The Card: Jonathan Taylor 2020 Donruss #317 -- Rookie Card
The Reason Bought: If it's not my main collecting focus within the sport I'm at best a dabbler when buying football -- and this is a recent example. I grabbed this since it felt like the cheaper side of things as Taylor has had flashes of brilliance this season (and last year) -- in fact, this was less than $12 not long ago and he's put on some real shows in the weeks since. That's why I have him leading things off here over some far-pricier pick-ups and new slabs I have gotten back lately. (Keep reading for those.)
The Grade: PSA 9

Reality Check: I liked this for the price but I'm not sure I'd go higher based on the pop report -- or pay up for a 10 when they're seemingly checking in there at a heavy clip. (Yet, he seems like the real deal -- so if you're solely focused on NFL he's a must-look.) This isn't my favorite of his RCs, but the brand might be my No. 1 for the last few years. Why? The simplicity. I liked the design for this one but the images can be a little limited for the RC crop with all the COVID issues that were seen on cardboard last year. I was a little surprised to see so many copies graded for this one as cheaper cards like this shouldn't be submitted for grading with steep processing fees -- at least right now. (There were probably a lot of them sent before PSA halted submissions as he was impressive late in his rookie season.)

Keep reading for more of this month's pick-ups and new slabs for Buzz.

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Buzz Breaks are always among our most-read features here on The Buzz as many of you are curious about seeing what comes out of a new box of cards -- whether it's some affordable retail box or some pricier box from the many that are out there.

Excluding our monthly #Buzz8in8 marathon days -- those will return in 2020, by the way -- Buzz ripped nearly 300 boxes for Buzz Breaks this year. While we'd love to present all of them here, that's not just going to happen today. (There's just not enough on caffeine for that.)

Instead, here is a sampling of the most interesting breaks of the last year -- some new boxes, some not -- presented in no particular order.

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Buzz Break: 2019-20 Panini Prizm NBA cards (mega box)

Buzz Break: 2018-19 Panini Prizm NBA cards (mega box)

Buzz Break: 2019 Topps Big League baseball cards (hobby)

Buzz Break: 2019 Panini Diamond Kings (FOTL)

Buzz Break: 2019 Topps Tier One baseball cards (hobby)

Buzz Break: 2017 Donruss Optic football cards (SE blaster)

Buzz Break: 2019 Topps Tribute baseball cards (hobby)

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Keep reading for more ... there are nearly 50 breaks in this one.

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From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: 2019-20 NBA Hoops Winter basketball cards (blaster box)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Packs per box: 11
Cards per pack: 8
Cards in this box: 88
Base set completion: 72 of 280 (26 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery ...

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