Fast Five is a quick list under a simple topic that might offer a basic starting point for a themed collection. It's a basic list of five items that could be fun for a starting collector or a new way to add to a stash that might already seemingly include everything when it comes to cardboard. For some of you, it's probably common sense. For others of you out there, it's perhaps something to ponder.

This time? NFL rookies who should be on your radar -- and are in 2020 boxes here.

THE NEW MAHOMES?
Justin Herbert -- QB, San Diego Chargers
OK, that label might be a bit much ... or it might not be. A look at the stat sheet for this season shows the rookie from Oregon behind only Mahomes for passing yards (and it's by a pretty distant amount) but Herbert's season is one that is about to be record-setting. In last night's game, he tied the rookie TD passing record with his 27th and games to go. (The record is only two years old, though, belonging to Baker Mayfield so consider his cardboard's journey the last couple years.) For the year, he's completed 353 of 531 passes for 3,781 yards and has 10 interceptions. He's also got four rushing TDs ... one coming in OT last night. Mahomes only played one game as a rookie but threw 50 TDs in his first season as a starter. Buying Herbert now might be buying them at a high point but it wouldn't hurt to stockpile cheap ones or PSA/BGS 9s in slabs and hold for the time being.

Keep reading for four more making up the list this time.

Continue reading →

What: 2020 Leaf Metal Joe Montana Collection
Arrives: Oct. 30
Box basics: One encased autograph per box (10 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: "Joe Cool" gets a release that's all about him with nothing but autographs to be found with plenty of parallels and chase in the mix, too.

Keep reading for more info and a full gallery.

Continue reading →

This one is a quick idea for a new department here on The Buzz ... Fast Five -- a quick list under a simple topic that might offer a basic starting point for a themed collection. It's a basic list of five items that could be fun for a starting collector or a new way to add to a stash that might already seemingly include everything when it comes to cardboard. For some of you, it's probably common sense. For others of you out there, it's something to think about.

This time? First-rounders I'd be watching on cardboard ...

THE SURPRISE?
Jordan Love, QB, Packers
Remember last year when the Giants picked Daniel Jones sixth overall in the draft out of Duke and plenty of people had plenty to say about it? Remember how Jones played last year? Those things may not really apply here, but beyond the obvious big names I think the Packers' trade up to get this Utah State QB might have stole the show chatter-wise and that should translate into attention for his football cards. The obstacle that is future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers might scare some people off of his cards, but we may have a while before game action determines anything this year.

Keep reading for four more making up the list this time.

Continue reading →

The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: It's Super Bowl Sunday, so we've got nothing but NFL links in today's edition as we await Super Bowl LIV.

Continue reading →

There was no crying playing against the Dolphins -- it was a laugher.

Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, WR Marquise "Hollywood" Brown and RB Mark Ingram lit things up against Miami and all could be seeing some interesting cardboard gains after a Ravens record-setting 59-10 rout to open the season. It was the highest-scoring mark in the league since 2012, despite all of the crazy offensive teams of the last few years.

Jackson's Rookie Cards are found in last year's releases, while Brown is a 2019 rookie and Ingram's arrival came back in 2011. Their stats? Jackson completed 17 of 20 passes for 324 yards and five TDs and didn't have much time to run. Brown had just four catches but ended with 147 yards and a pair of scores, while Ingram, had 14 carries but 107 yard and two TDs in the win. All are strong numbers, albeit against a team that looks to be headed for worst in the league dishonors. Jackson will probably remain the go-to of this trio with his late-season highlights last year paving the way for even more hype now. Brown might be the go-to new-pull guy but could have up and down games as plenty of new cards drop. Ingram also could have some ups and downs but he's got plenty of cardboard to choose from -- but not much in his new colors. (Yet.)

>> Click here to shop for football boxes on BlowoutCards.com.

Keep reading for more guys who generated some buzz on the field this week.

Continue reading →

This hood of NASCAR driver Gray Gaulding's No. 08 Panini America Chevy may not look this clean once it arrives, but it will be headed into a collection out there sometime soon.

Why? How? Well it will be taking the track on Friday night at Bristol Motor Speedway, a track with action that can the equivalent of a race meeting a demolition derby inside a football stadium -- a literal track where the whole "rubbing is racing" cliche is far more than 100-percent true. After that? Well, there's no waiting for that -- this race-used hood already on the auction block. (Keep reading for the info there.)

The arrival of 2019 Donruss football cards and NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes II are on the hood for the ride under the lights at the Food City 300 -- one of a few races where the card-maker has signed on with the 21-year-old Virginia native.

Continue reading →

The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: How about this BlowoutTV pull? See it and more in today's links ...

Continue reading →

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 ...

The Card: 2014 Topps Chrome Update #MB46 Mookie Betts RC
The Reason Graded: I didn't buy a ton of Mega Boxes when these arrived five years ago, but I did land this card, which is a Rookie Debut version for then Red Sox rookie and now-reigning American League MVP Mookie Betts. This card is an ironic classic in that he's captured taking the field at Yankee Stadium. That aspect of the photo isn't as easily seen in Chrome form, but I opted to get this pricier version of the card graded. I'll probably grade some more of my others in the future. For now, though, this one leads the way.
The Grade: BGS 9.5

Reality Check: I wasn't that confident in this one as I just have bad luck at times with Chrome cards, but this one turns out to be one of the highest-graded copies. I'll take it, especially considering what I've got up next.

Keep reading for the rest of this month's new grades and additions.

Continue reading →

Have you seen the latest cool or interesting items on eBay? If not, you just might see some of those here every week as we're launching a weekly version of our eBay Buzz pieces that pop up from time to time. We’ll spotlight some items that have a story or just wow us with how much interest it might have — and we’re not just talking baseball cards, either.

--

FINALE OR LAUNCHING PAD?
The Item: Patrick Mahomes II 2017 Panini Absolute Football Rookie Premiere Triple Materials (/149)
The Price: $450 Buy-It-Now (or best offer)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This weekend is either the finale to a huge season or a launching pad further into the stratosphere as Patrick Mahomes' Kansas City Chiefs take on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots with the winner headed to the Super Bowl. It's the new big name against the guy who's basically the greatest of all time -- or at worst the greatest of his time -- and these are players commanding nothing but big bucks on cardboard. This card? It's on the lower side of the Buy-It-Now options out there -- see the link below for Crazy Town pricing on eBay
Similar Pieces: Patrick Mahomes autos on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for 2017 NFL boxes (he's in many of them)

Keep reading for four more interesting items in this week's roundup ...

Continue reading →

It's no surprise to see a New Orleans Saints player with a gaudy stat line but this time it's a dominating game from a guy who's been a dominator all year.

Saints WR Michael Thomas dialed up a big night in a win over the previously unbeaten Los Angeles Rams with 12 catches for 211 yards and a touchdown that included a "call"afterward. (That was likely to the league office to see how big his fine would be for using a prop on the field, especially if it wasn't the league-approved brand of phone he had hidden under the goalpost.)

This former Ohio State star is all over cardboard with more than 2,500 different cards since his arrival in 2016 NFL boxes and he's got more than 800 different autographed cards for fans to chase, too. >> Check out his autos on eBay  The game was his biggest of the year and just his third 100-yard game Despite that, he's fourth in the NFL with 880 yards this season and is second in receptions. With a lot of toys in the Drew Brees-led arsenal, Thomas might be overlooked on his own team to a degree when it comes to cardboard but he shouldn't be.

>> Click here to shop for football boxes on BlowoutCards.com.

Keep reading for more guys who generated some buzz on the field this week.

Continue reading →

Broken-record play equals another broken NFL record.

Kansas City QB Patrick Mahomes II did it again and put up another scorcher on Sunday night as his Chiefs demolished the Bengals 45-10. Mahomes set a new record with 22 touchdowns in his first eight games as he completed 28 of 39 passes for 358 yards and four touchdowns.

As for his cardboard, his Rookie Cards and autos from last season will continue to be in demand as he's on a serious MVP push with a team that's looking dominating -- a new face that the NFL might need right now.

>> Check out Patrick Mahomes autos on eBay

>> Click here to shop for football boxes on BlowoutCards.com.

Keep reading for more guys who generated some buzz on the field this week.

Continue reading →

Want a relatively cheap and out-of-nowhere pick-up tip? Those perhaps aren't as easily done with football but one presented itself on Sunday.

It's Miami Dolphins WR Albert Wilson.

He had six catches for 155 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Bears on Sunday and that yardage total was tops in the NFL this week. It was the best game of his career that began as an undrafted free agent with the Chiefs in 2014. He has cards in just three sets that first year -- Crown Royale, National Treasures and Contenders -- and that last one is currently a 50-point autograph over on the Panini Rewards site. (Meaning you could land three of them for the typical commonly found 150-point card.) Meanwhile, asking prices on eBay are between $15 and $25 because he's had a pretty decent season with 359 yards and four TDs. (Check out his autos on eBay here.) Also helping out? His relative lack of overall cardboard -- he's got about 70 different cards in all and he's not had any autos since two appearances back in 2015. Only about a dozen of his cards come with ink and that puts more of a focus on any he might have if collectors take notice even more.

>> Click here to shop for football boxes on BlowoutCards.com.

Keep reading for more guys who generated some buzz on the field this week.

Continue reading →

You should already know all about Pat Mahomes II after the highlight reels from Sunday, but if not ...

The Kansas City Chiefs QB completed 23 of 28 passes for 326 yards and six touchdowns in a 42-37 shootout with the Steelers on Sunday and his season TD total of 10 is a new NFL record for the first two games of a season. His Rookie Cards and autographs can be found throughout 2017 NFL and draft pick products -- he's got nearly 2,100 different cards so far. He's also got close to 1,000 different memorabilia cards and his autographs are pushing 900 different cards with nearly all of them from Panini America, though he does also have ink from Leaf Trading Cards and SAGE. He's clearly the new "it" guy for the league and collectors in this young season.

>> Click here to shop for football boxes on BlowoutCards.com.
>> Check out Patrick Mahomes autos on eBay

Keep reading for more guys who generated some buzz on the field this week.

Continue reading →

He's not a rookie, but he's the newest NFL star to emerge in this young season.

His name is Patrick Mahomes II and the Kansas City Chiefs QB completed 23 of 28 passes for 326 yards and six touchdowns against Pittsburgh in a 42-37 shootout Sunday afternoon. That last stat upped Mahomes' season TD total to 10, which is a new NFL record for the first two games of a season -- the record was nine held by Peyton Manning (2013), Drew Brees (2009) and Charley Johnson (1965). His six TDs were just one short of the NFL passing record for a single game.

Keep reading for the basics on his football cards.

Continue reading →

There were a few surprises in Week 1 of the NFL season but some of those simply aren't in spots that will affect cardboard all that dramatically. For example? The Buffalo Bills got spanked 47-3 and were down big at halftime, leading to the NFL debut of QB Josh Allen ... as you can see by the score, that just didn't matter. (He went 3-for-11 for 40 yards ... we'll worry about him in some future week.)

This week? There were some comebacks, some surprises due to injuries and suspensions and some highlight-reel runs that won't hurt cardboard at all.

That last one? It belonged to New York Giants rookie RB Saquon Barkley who broke off a 68-yarder for his first NFL touchdown. That came part of a 106-yard day that was all for naught as the Jacksonville Jaguars won, 20-15. Barkley also added two catches for 22 yards to help him stay on the radar of many collectors, though, and highlight-reel moments probably matter more than Ws when it comes to cardboard -- so that's the kind of play that works.

>> Click here to shop for football boxes on BlowoutCards.com  >> Check out Saquon Barkley autos on eBay

Keep reading for more guys who generated some buzz on the field this week.

Continue reading →

The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: Collectors react to James Harden's big game, the big NFL trade and its fallout and today's arrival of 2018 Topps Series 1 baseball cards.

Continue reading →

If you suddenly find yourself in need of a football card of new Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy, you ultimately have just one place to find it.

In old Arena Football League packs.

Continue reading →

The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: Trubisky Time, big NFL pulls, Topps Now sets & more.

Continue reading →

There were surprises and new arrivals on the NFL rookie front -- and that's just Week 1.

Six newcomers stepped up with none perhaps more surprising the Kansas City RB Kareem Hunt, who helped the Chiefs pull off a dominating 42-27 win over the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots on Thursday night. He had 17 carries for 148 yards and a touchdown — and seven catches for 133 yards and a 75-yard score. Not bad for a third-rounder out of Toledo.

As you should already know from last week, he already appears on more than 450 different cards with nearly 300 of those being certified autos. He’s got 15 RCs so far by the standard (non-insert) definition and nearly 140 memorabilia cards and is found in most 2017 releases -- just like most of our other notables from Sunday.

Who made the cut? Keep reading.

Continue reading →

There's a new NFL star after Thursday night's season-opener -- and it's not Angry Tom.

It's Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Kareem Hunt, who helped his team scorch the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots with a more-than-impressive debut in a 42-27 spanking of Tom Brady and his team. Hunt's final line? Just 17 carries for 148 yards and a touchdown -- and seven catches for 133 yards and a 75-yard score. Not bad for a third-rounder out of Toledo.

The good news? Hunt has a ton of cards for collectors to, well, hunt.

Continue reading →

The arrival of 2017 Topps WWE NXT this week marked the certified autograph debut of aspiring WWE star Tino Sabbatelli and just his third cardboard appearance, too.

But it's far from the first time he's sat down to sign autographs for a card company.

What? Keep reading ...

Continue reading →

Five catches, 124 years and two touchdowns.

That's the final line for Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antonio Brown in Sunday's 30-12 victory over the Miami Dolphins in their playoff-opening game. At this point, it's the kind of showing that we expect from one of the league's elite who had 106 catches for 1,284 yards and 12 TDs this season.

His 2010 Rookie Cards show him fresh out of Central Michigan and can be found in more than 20 brands that season, including Absolute Memorabilia, Bowman Sterling, Certified, Classics, Crown Royale, Donruss Elite, Epix, Exquisite Collection, Limited, Gridiron Gear, Plates & Patches, Threads, Contenders, National Treasures, Prestige, Rookies & Stars, SP Authentic, SPx, Score and Sweet Spot. You can expect to pay top dollar for anything of him that's relatively rare and his auto RCs (Exquisite, Plates & Patches, Contenders, National Treasures, SPA and SPx) will be even more volatile and in-demand. It just comes with the territory.

>> Click here to shop for football boxes on BlowoutCards.com.

Keep reading for more guys who generated some buzz on the field this week.

Continue reading →

We're down to the last 12 NFL teams and that means we have just one question for the remainder of the football calendar.

[polldaddy poll=9625420]

--

Follow Buzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz or send email to BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com. 

>> Click here to shop for football boxes on BlowoutCards.com.

There are many sports cards sets out there from the past that aren't valuable in the financial way at all but they can carry some intrinsic quality that should just resonate with some collectors anyway.

Maybe it's just because Buzz ripped these packs in the past -- or maybe because they are just so much more different than anything made in the years since -- but one set that feels that way for me is 1992 Pro Line Portraits. It's a football card set that's simple -- portraits on the front -- and oddly non-statistical with thoughts from the person on the back. Most are football players, but some are players' wives and others are celebrities who have a fondness for the game. One of those people, for example, is Muhammad Ali and you can see his Team NFL insert card (No. 1 in the set) above. The biggest draw of these back then? There was an autographed card guaranteed in every box.

For a simple Sunday item -- call it a Sunday Six -- here's a look at six fun cards from the product.

Continue reading →

Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce will be the star of a reality TV show that revolves around his dating life -- and, believe it or not, there's a shot that it could spark added interest in his football cards.

E! Entertainment announced this week that it has eight episodes of Catching Kelce coming soon and in a story to deadline.com an E! executive described why the player was chosen.

“On top of being a well-respected athlete, Travis has a fun-loving, over the top personality that draws people to him," E! executive vice president Jeff Olde said. "We are excited to give our viewers an up-close look at his search for love."

So, why might this mean something for his football cards?

Continue reading →