More Carolina Panthers from a Michigan Fan

I'm really starting to feel guilty here as I have received several bubble mailers full of great cards (mostly Carolina Panthers) from Dennis (Too Many Verlanders). Other than from the goodness of his own heart, I'm not sure what I did to deserve receiving these awesome cards, but a huge thank you! I swear Dennis, as soon as I find something relevant to what you collect it'll be in the mail to you!

2002 Upper Deck SPx DeShaun Foster Winning Materials Rookies #WMR-DF

This big, thick card features a raised rubber square with the Panthers logo along with a big black swatch of jersey. Foster was a pretty good running back before injuries started to set in place. He would eventually wind up in San Francisco with the 49ers before fading into obscurity.

2005 Upper Deck SP Stefan LeFors Rookie Authentics #223 (487/890)

One could argue that before the Panthers "won" the lottery and drafted Cam Newton, our QB play hasn't been that good. Yeah, Kerry Collins had a few good years even Jake Delhomme took the club to the Super Bowl one year, but how many Stefan LeFors have there been? At least this is a pretty card to look at with an on card signature.

2006 Upper Deck XL DeShaun Foster XLmemorabilia #XL-DF

While not the best looking card out there, this is just another example of why I miss Upper Deck. At the time the quad relic was still something special. While card technology has far surpassed this now a days, I'm grateful to own another relic of Foster.

2007 Topps Co-Signers Steve Smith / Dwayne Jarrett RC #85 (24/50)

Jarrett had a lot of hype coming out of the University of Southern California, but he couldn't quite make it with the Carolina Panthers, or the NFL for that matter. I always kept hearing in the local media that he had a hard time adapting to a pro style offense and that he could read the playbook. Kinda funny he's matched up with Steve Smith who obviously didn't have a hard time making himself known in the NFL for his style of play.

2013 Panini Contenders Kawann Short Autograph RC #159

I have to be honest here, this card surprised me. I'm used to receiving early 2000's era Panthers cards from Dennis, so to receive a modern card...and a rookie auto at that caught me by surprise. Kawann is just now starting to come in as his own player at the Defensive Tackle position. For years the Panthers have had a pretty good defense and it's key guys like Kawann that have help with the Panthers D what it has been.

I haven't cataloged all my Panthers cards yet, but I do believe this is my first Kawann Short card, period. Thanks!

This is just another reason that I love to blog about cards...it's the cool people that I've met over the years. Of course I'd say this about Dennis or any other blogger even if I didn't receive any cards out of it. Thanks again Dennis and I'm serious, please let me know what I can send you in return.

Whoa!

I've often been amazed at the generosity of my fellow bloggers and the past 2 days have been no exception.  I've had several transactions with many that read this blog, but Dennis from Too Many Verlanders and I haven't crossed paths all that much.

Sometime in 2011 I won a contest he was holding for a set of football cards.  Very cool I thought.  Time passed and I forgot about it as I was busy chasing other cards.  Then 2 days ago I received a large "brick" in the mail chocked full of Braves and Panthers cards.  Inside was a note apologizing for the delay in getting me the set I won as well as something to the effect of you'll probably like the other package better.  I thought what is he talking about?  This box alone was cool enough as I saw several cards that I didn't already have.

Then yesterday I got a large bubble mailer from Dennis full of more cards.  It still didn't hit me that this was the "other package" he referred to in his note.  I couldn't believe what I saw in the mailer.  Take a look:

Keary Colbert 04 UD Sweet Spot #242/699

Dwayne Jarrett 07 Donruss Gridiron Gear #086/100

2009 Donruss Threads #242/250

Armanti Edwards 10 Panini Crown Royale RC

Cam Newton 11 Topps RC

Cam Newton 11 Topps Chrome Refractor RC

Like I said earlier the first box full of Braves and Panthers was generous enough, but to throw these beauties in too?  I'm speechless.  It's not like we had a trade in the works and he just made the deal sweeter.  He sent these out of the blue.  Of course I am trying to put together a nice package to send in return, but I'm still amazed.  Thank you Dennis.  This is just one of the many reasons that I'm glad I got into the blogging game and continue to keep chugging along.