January 2013 Affordable Group Break - Football Edition

First off let me thank everyone for their support in nearly filling this group break.  I've thought about doing a football break before, but I was never sure if there would be enough interest.  If you'd like me to host another group break please comment and let me know.  Older (90's/2000's) product or current stuff?  I for one have my eye on 2012 Topps Magic.

Anyhow let's get on to the good stuff.  For those of you that like video check it below.  Since most of the boxes were light on packs the video only clocks in at 16 minutes.  If you want to skip around I started with Absolute, then Press Pass and finished it up w/ the best of the lot - Timeless Treasures.

2011 Panini Absolute Memorabilia

The box stated there would be one guaranteed hit...wasn't expecting a 2nd!  Big winners here were the Bengals and Tigers.

2012 Press Pass

According to my Google search Dan Persa went undrafted in the 2012 NFL Draft.  So I think the fair thing to do is random his card off to the teams that didn't get a hit.  I'll be excluding my teams from this by the way.  That leaves NY Hitman, cynicalbuddha, Scott Crawford, Underdog, jaybarkerfan and Superduperman99 left.

And the winner is...

UNDERDOG!

2011 Panini Timeless Treasures

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't stoked about pulling a Cam Newton, but the big winners here are the Redskins and Texans.  Love the Skins patch and it's numbered 1 of 25!  Check out that awesome JJ Watt auto.  I'm sure the Dimwit is dancing in Mobile tonight!

If you watched the randomization video the other night then you'll know I made mention of buying a 2012 Panini Crown Royale (retail) rack pack to include in the break.  I totally forgot to bust it before I closed out the video so those cards will be a surprise in everyone's stack.

In traditional fashion, I've also included extra cards for everyone's main team(s).  It just my way of saying thanks for coming along for the ride.  My goal is to have these cards packed up and in the mail Thursday and or Friday.

One last note.  If you are also participating in my 2013 Topps break, the boxes should arrive Friday.  If all goes well I'll rip the boxes that night and get everything posted Saturday at the latest.

Football Group Break 2nd Team Randomization

Sorry for the delay guys...my follow up trip to urgent care this evening took a lot longer than I anticipated.  If you don't want to watch the video, here is the breakdown of the 2nd teams.  Please note that since the break did not completely fill up, I selected the Jets, Giants and Raiders in the last 3 unfilled slots.

You are welcome to trade your team(s).  Please post your comments, deals and trades IN THIS POST.  I'd hate to mail the wrong cards to you!

The new plan is to rip the cards tomorrow night, Wednesday, 01/30/13, sometime around 8 pm.  The YouTube video will be posted shortly there after.  However if you are a subscriber to my YouTube channel then you may be able to see the video and the results before it hits the blog.

One last thing.  I tossed in a rack pack of 2012 Panini Crown Royale (retail) since I promised that the break would go down tonight.  Sorry guys.

RESULTS:

Cardboard Collections - Seahawks, Browns, Chiefs, Eagles
Daddyohoho - Bills, Cowboys
NY Hitman - Jaguars
Dimwit - Dolphins
Roy-Z - Patriots
cynicalbuddha - Vikings
Scott Crawford - Falcons
Underdog - Titans
Josh D. - Lions, Saints
Jaybarkerfan - Ravens
Superduperman99 - Buccaneers

Football Affordable Group Break Happens Tonight!

** UPDATE **
Josh has asked if the team randomization could be posted first to allow trading. I honestly forgot all about that!  I'll get that posted ASAP.

If you are participating in my first ever football card break, check back this evening for the results.  The boxes (and maybe a something else) will be ripped tonight and posted on my YouTube channel.  To consolidate things a bit, I'll start the video off with the randomization of the 2nd teams.  Then we'll get to the boxes themselves.  If you haven't already, why not subscribe to the channel?

The video and scans of the hits will be posted here on the blog as well for those of you that don't care to watch videos.  I hope to get this underway this evening...maybe 8.  Depends on when my little girls go to bed and whether or not my wife has me clean the kitchen first!

See everyone back here soon!osz

Trade Bait - Mike Piazza & Frank Thomas

Surely I can find a Dodgers or Piazza collector that will want to take this card off my hand.  1998 Score Star Gazing #6.  Nice foil etched look.  Scan doesn't do this card proper justice.

 

1993 Leaf Frank Thomas Preparation #10 from Series 2.  Classic Big Hurt measuring up his opponent.  Any takers?

10 centerrific! Tony Gwynn Edition

Sometimes the dime boxes at my LCS don't turn up anything worth buying...just tons and tons of late 80's Topps commons.  Then there are other times I keep finding stuff I want.  Case in point - these 4 Tony Gwynn inserts from the mid 90's.  Long before autos and memorabilia/relic cards were so common place, we ripped packs looking for those elusive insert cards.  Some were embossed while others were die-cut.  Some were seeded very high while others were more manageable to pull.  Some were found exclusively in rack packs while others could only be found in jumbo packs.  You know, I kinda miss those days.  Collecting cards seemed more fun at times and well, just simpler.

   

The 1992 Fleer All-Stars cards were some of the first true insert cards when I started collecting.  I remember buying lots and lots of 92 Fleer from a drug store near my church called Revco.  Anyone else remember that chain?  The Respect insert hails from 1996 Fleer Ultra.  I can't think of a better candidate to be in a set called Respect.

  

If my memory serves me correctly, these Diamond Aces and Numbers Game cards were only found in jumbo packs of 1996 Score. They may not sport the best designs, but I busted a lot of Score in my early years and loved it.

So, was this 40 cents well spent?

Sunday Verse & Prayer Request & General Blog Update

Ephesians 6:12-13

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

The South had a minor ice storm roll through Friday last week and played havoc all around.  While I manage a self storage facility in Charlotte, I also have to run a pretty large self service car wash.  With everyone's car being covered with salt and brime from the road I wasn't surprised to see a lot of people showing up Saturday morning to wash their car.  What I didn't plan on finding was my change machine at the car wash vandalized.

For some stupid reason some idiot poured Pepsi inside the changer, effectively rendering it useless.  I spent the better part of 3 hours Saturday morning trying to get the machine fixed.  During this time one of bill validators overheated - something that I didn't notice until I went to grab it so I could remove it and clean the sensors and rollers inside it.  That is when I burnt 4 fingers on my right hand.  Doctor said I was really lucky I didn't burn any other part of my hand.  Minor 2nd degree burn is what they told me this evening when I went back to urgent care for them to look at my hand.

For the most part my hand is fine and I can actually type again.  This is part of the reason why I'm just now getting my weekly Sunday Verse post up.  Saturday was one of those days that if I didn't have a family that relies on me and my job I may have walked out on my responsibilities.  Without boring you with all the details, I've been dealing with a lot of crap and uncertainty at work and I would just like some prayer if you're the praying type.  Some days are fine - and then there are days like Saturday where I've just about had it.

I know I'm not the only one that feels this way about work, but this is the 2nd time in less than 12 months that I've injured myself at work trying to work to the best of my ability!

I do ask that you be patient with me as I have to go back to see the doctor again later this week.  This may interfere a little with my original plans to begin my first ever Football Affordable Group Break.  Hopefully my hand and fingers will continue to heal just fine and I can go about my daily routine problem free.

As of Sunday evening I believe we still have 2 or 3 two team slots left in the football break.  Deadline to sign up will still be Tuesday.  Look for a link in the top right corner if you want more info or wish to sign up.  The 2013 Topps Affordable Group Break is slated to happen this coming weekend, Fed. 2nd if UPS sticks to their 3 day delivery.  Several teams still available.  Link is again in the upper right corner of the blog if you want to join in on the fun.

Coming this week are a few more "10 Centerrific" themed posts and some Super Bowl trade bait that 49er fans may be interested in.  Stay tuned!

Football Affordable Group Break UPDATE

I don't know what the weather was like out your window today, but here in the Carolinas it was cold, rainy and icy!  It was a really nasty day.  All the northerners in the area always laugh at us Southerners when we get winter weather, but I'm telling you I don't care where you're from...it's hard to drive on ice!  This was ever apparent on my drive home from work - which usually takes an hour.  My drive time was doubled as there were accidents and cars sitting upside down everywhere!

I say all of this because I had no idea if UPS would be making their scheduled delivery today or not.  Well to my delight, yes the package arrived!  Inside the large box was our 3 boxes for my first ever football group break! 

Before we can break however I need to fill the last 5 slots.  So if you have been on the fence or if you want an additional 2 team slot or know of someone that may be interested...let them know about the break as soon as possible. 

Right now I'm planning to break the boxes Tuesday evening, 01/29/13.  I'll get the video up on YouTube and the blog hopefully the same night.

Not sure what we're opening?  Check out the original post for all of the details and to sign up now!

10 centerrific! Julio Franco Edition

I don't t attend many card shows and the closest card store near me is lack luster at best...however on my recent trip to my LCS to pick up some supplies for my upcoming baseball and football group breaks, I took a few minutes hours to sift through all of his 10 cent monster boxes.  Usually I don't find anything of note, but today was an exception.  Over the next week or so I'll be showing off some of my pick ups - some of them will be made available for trade - in a new series of posts I'll call "10 centerrific!"

For my first entry I'll share a bunch of cards I couldn't believe I didn't have in my Julio Franco PC.  Love finding cards I don't have.  Love it even better when they are cheap!

I had to do a Google search on the blue 1990 Donruss card as I haven't seen those before.  1991 Fleer Ultra...the beginning of "premium" cards in the 90's.  I also love those Score All-Star cards.  The Studio card...is a little creepy.

I love the 1994 Pacific set for many reasons.  Oddly enough the only place I ever found packs of it back in the day was at MGM Studios in Orlando, FL while on vacation!  At the time I had only been collecting cards for a few years and the set was so different than what I was previously used to buying.  I keep saying I'm going to track down a box for a future Affordable Group Break.  Just about anything Pacific produced during it's run as a card manufacturer I was a big fan of.

Sunday Verse

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 

Taking in a NBA game with the wife

Sitting inside Time Warner Cable Arena waiting for the Charlotte Bobcats game to tipoff.  My wife knew I was excited about the hot start the 'cats got off to, so she scored two tickets for tonight's game.  It's not the same as going to the Hive back in the day to catch the Hornets but hey, it's a night out without the kids!

First ever FOOTBALL Affordable Group Break!

** BOXES ARRIVED 1/25/13 - BUT WE STILL HAVE 3 SLOTS TO FILL! **

 
I haven't really gauged interest in doing a football group break, but with the NFL playoffs going on right now I've got football on the brain!  I found a nice little deal on 3 boxes of cards that we could break for cheap and yield five (5) autographs and/or memorabilia cards.

Not ever hosting a football break before I wasn't sure I wanted to go "all in" with full boxes, but this selection of 2011 Panini Timeless Treasures, 2011 Panini Absolute Memorabilia and 2012 Press Pass will give us 5 guaranteed hits to spread around.  

- Timeless Treasures will yield 3 hits

- Absolute Memorabilia yields 1 hit

- Press Pass yields 1 hit...possible Andrew Luck or RGIII auto!

** As an added bonus I'll be throwing in bonus cards of your team claimed - it's my way of saying thanks for the support! **

My thinking is to pick one team and have a 2nd team randomized.  16 total slots.  Cost per 2 team slot would be $7.00 shipped.  Claim a 2nd (two team) slot for $5.00.  To claim a slot please leave a comment below with your team of choice. 

Please send your gift payment via PayPal to flywheels at yahoo.com.  Please note this is a different PayPal address than the one I'm using for February's 2013 Topps group break.  I'm also asking that you e-mail me your screen name and full mailing address with the team you claimed.

Boxes will be ordered once we make some headway on filling this up.  We need to at least come close to filling up this break to make this work so claim your team(s) now!

01) Carolina Panthers (Cardboard Collections) (PAID)

02) Cincinnati Bengals (daddyohoho) (PAID)

03) San Francisco 49ers (daddyohoho) (PAID)

04) Pittsburgh Steelers (NY Hitman 23) (PAID)

05) Houston Texans (The Dimwit) (PAID)

06) Washington Redskins (Roy-Z) (PAID)

07) Green Bay Packers (cynicalbuddha) (PAID)

08) Chicago Bears (Scott Crawford) (PAID)

09) San Diego Chargers (The Underdog Card Collector) (PAID)

10) Indianapolis Colts (Josh) (PAID)

11) Denver Broncos (Josh) (PAID)

12) Arizona Cardinals (jaybarkerfan) (PAID)

13) St. Louis Rams (Superduperman99) (PAYMENT PENDING)

14) New York Jets (Cardboard Collections) (PAID)

15) New York Giants (Cardboard Collections) (PAID)

16) Oakland Raiders (Cardboard Collections) (PAID)

Scott Crawford comes through

Right on the heels of my previous trade I worked out a deal for one lone A&G mini from 2012 Topps WWE Heritage with Scott Crawford on Cards. 

While I love minis and A&G, I still feel as though these WWE Ginters seem out of place in the set.  None the less I want 'em all.  Having completed the base set I won't be buying any more packs so I'm left with buying or trading for the rest of the minis.  Well at least this is one more to cross off the list.  Thanks bud!

Trade with the Dimwit

A week or so ago I shared the one lone pack of cards I received for Christmas.  Inside the pack of 2012 Bowman Chrome was an auto Refractor of a Astros prospect.  Once I got it up on the blog for trade I had figured the first person to potentially contact me would be the Dimwit.  He offered up an auto of a Braves prospect, Lucas Sims from Bowman Sterling.  Since I don't buy much Bowman I was happy to make the trade.

Nice clean design with a much better looking in person chrome blue background.  It may take a few seasons before Lucas is pitching in Atlanta, but I thought a swap for one prospect for another was a fair trade.

Sam also included 2 base cards of Andrelton Simmons RC and another prospect, Justin Black.  The back of Justin's card says he runs the 60-yard dash in 6.3 seconds.  Wonder if he could be the future center fielder for the club?

If you'd like to work out a trade (or just send me some free stuff) check out my want and trade lists in the upper left corner of the blog.  I'm trying to be a little more active in the new year with trading and such so hopefully we can help each other out.

Working on a few football sets

The NFL playoffs got me motivated to getting a few football sets collated and in pages.  One of the sets has only been sitting in a stack for 2 years just waiting for some attention!  If you happen to have any commons from 2010 or 2012 Topps Prime football please let me know.  I'm not worried about parallels or inserts, just the base cards to fill in the holes in my set.

Click on the images for my want lists.

Sunday Verse

Titus 2:11-12

---

New International Version

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age

February Affordable Group Break feat. 2013 Topps UPDATE

The start to the 2013 baseball trading card season is quickly approaching!  In celebration I've got 2 hobby jumbo boxes coming that I'll be including in February's edition of my Affordable Group Break.  Thanks in part to several readers and a few new folks from Facebook we've gotten a good majority of the teams claimed and paid for.  The boxes have been ordered and should ship on 01/31/13.  However several good teams are still left - Red Sox, Reds, Yankees.  Yup!  The Yankees are still on the table.  That never happens!  The Yankees ALWAYS go first it seems.

Others teams as of today (01/12/13) available include: Astros, A's, Cubs, Indians, Mariners, Marlins, Mets, Padres, Pirates, Royals, Twins and White Sox.

If you want to jump in on the fun I'm selling teams for $18.00 delivered.  Everyone should get TONS of cards too.  Base, inserts and the chance at several hits between the two boxes.  Click HERE for the rest of the details and to sign up today!

Catching up with some scanning - Atlanta Braves Edition

Below are the first part of the stack I scanned the other night featuring new Atlanta Braves that I've picked up at shows, on eBay/Yardsellr or via trades.  Eventually I'll get enough stuff scanned that I'll reveal the project I've been working on...well, since I started this blog!

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

#PaniniWildCard Promo

Over the weekend Panini held a cool contest via Twitter where you were supposed to snap a picture of yourself holding your favorite 2012 Panini football card.  Up for grabs are 1 of 30 boxes of 2012 football cards!  In between the chaos that is called the weekend around my house, I grabbed my 2012 Panini Rookie & Stars Greg Olsen auto and snapped a quick pic of my ugly mug.  To my surprise when I checked my e-mail yesterday I saw that my photo was included in this giant collage.  Can anyone find me in the image above?  I don't yet if I won anything, but Panini certainly knows how to interact with their fan base via social media.

Catching up with some scanning - Carolina Panthers Edition

I've been a lazy collector.  I've got so many different stacks of cards on my desk that even I've beginning to remember what needs to be done with each stack!  After I put the kids to bed I wanted to sit down and watch some of the Saturday night NFL Wild Card playoff games so I thought why not try and be productive too.  I tackled one stack of cards that I wanted to scan for my team/PC project as well as my Facebook page.  Here are a few cards that I picked up "recently"...like sometime in 2012!!