Sunday's With Rodney:1995 Pro Line Classic Series II Printers Proof

Pro Line was one of my favorite releases in 1995. It had a down-to-earth simple design that was  brought out some full-colored action photography.

When I look at today's Hampton card, I don't look at the value or the fact it's a parallel, I look at the bold colors that are jumping off the cardboard.

There were 75 cards in this parallel set that fell at a rate of 1:18 packs. So you only see one-per-box. They were an obvious parallel with the bold words Printers Proof done in shiny foil across the front.

 

If you would like to help me narrow down my search for all of the Rodney Hampton cards in the universe and would like to donate some you have dusting around your house, check my wantlist HERE and see if you have something I need.  I am a little more than half way there but you never know what you may have that I don't.

Thoughts on today's card is welcomed in comments!

Welcome To The Meadowlands

Once upon a time, many light years ago,my father and I rode with a buddy of his and took a long ride and got to see my very first NY Giants game way back on December 12th 1993 when they took on the Colts. The Giants dominated the Jeff George led Colts that day 20-6 mostly because of the running of my guy Rodney Hampton who rushed for over 170 yards that day. The sad part was I wasn't able to get any pictures from the game to help reminisce about it and the only thing I remembered was how bitter cold it was. I did however VHS record the game and still have a copy of it even though you can't watch it as well due to aging of the tape.

At least I was able to watch Phil Simms be QB for the Giants.

The following year, we took another trip with another one of my dad's buddies almost a year later on December 11th 1994 to watch the Giants take on the Bengals. This time I made sure my father had a camera.

This game I actually remember a bit more and not just because of the pictures. Just memory this time. The winds they always talk about in Giants Stadium, those are real and they were whipping around that day. The game itself was a back and forth affair. The Giants were trying to be a .500 team while the Bengals were trying to pull for an upset. The G-Men led the game for most of it before Cincy tied it at 20 in the 4th quarter with a Jeff Blake led drive.

Once again, my man Rodney Hampton was the hero rushing for a little over 70 yards in the game with already a first quarter TD and then closed the game out with a late scoring game winning TD for the Giants, 27-20 victory.

 

Here are a few of the best pics I got from the game.

 

Sadly, this was the last time I have seen the Giants in person and the last time I will ever see the Meadowlands as the Giants have the new stadium now, Metlife. My goal someday is to make it to another game, hopefully before Eli Manning retires. Tickets have gone up a lot since those days and life is a bit busier now, but I am hopeful still I will get to see them at least one more time in my life.

NYG PC Spotlight 24:2012 Panini Rookies And Stars Crusade Patch David Wilson

 

David Wilson

Patch Card #d 14/25

Card #25

NYG PC Spotlight 23:2002 Fleer Tradition Rookie Retro Threads Football Jesse Palmer

Jesse Palmer

Football Swatch

Card #

Giants In The Mail:#PWEPayItForward With Eli!

It has been a few weeks since I have been able to do one of these posts as Giants don't arrive in my mail box as often as they used to. Mostly because I am not buying right now and my trades have been decreased due to funding with shipping. So it's a stinky situation, but at least I have some already to enjoy and write about.

Today's mail day however is from a good friend of mine I have known on Twitter for a few years now in @JGfan24ever. He's one of the friendliest and generous collectors I have got to know. Every so often, he will send me a surprise PWE full of goodness just because he is a good guy. I try to respond to him with one back as well later on when I get something I think he will like. It's like a form of trading, but not exactly.

Monday, one arrived with three Eli's within with two of them I had seen him post on Twitter. I think he has gotten used to the fact I will always comment on his pictures when I see Giants cards being posted ;) Anyways, out of his kindness once again, he mailed them to me.

Up first, a Prestige Eli from 2014. I liked this design for Prestige as it focused on team colors and it stands out.

 

Second, is a new Eli base card from 2016 Panini Prizm Draft Picks. This is a product I never had the chance to open.

 

The final card I totally fell in love with on Twitter, an Ole Miss die-cut refractor shine of Eli from the 2016 Prizm Draft Picks product. This card is even more stunning in person.

 

 

With these Eli's in my PC, my total card count jumps to 307 different ones. You can see this number and other breakdowns in the tabs at the top of the blog along with a want list to. Go check them out!

A huge thanks goes out to @JGfan24ever for the mail day. If you are not following him yet, why not?? Go give the guy a follow! I hope to return the favor back to you soon!

NYG PC Spotlight 21:2002 Topps Pristine NFL Reebok Rookie Premier Jersey Card Tim Carter

 

Tim Carter

Jersey Card

 Card #RPR-TC

NYG PC Spotlight 20:2016 Panini Clear Vision Kurt Warner

Kurt Warner

Base Card

Card #79

Sunday's With Rodney:1996 Spx Gold

If you haven't ever read any of my blog posts, first off I think you need to catch up on those, but you would have also known my love of Spx from the 90's. There is so much love of the product that I began an Spx project trying to collect all of the sets, inserts, parallels from all of the sports from 96-98 of Spx and the beautiful hologram technology. You can keep track of my project, HERE.

Today's card is a gold parallel from the 1996 product. The first release. The golds fell at a rate of 1:7 and with 36 packs per box so you would roughly only get 5 per box out of the 50 card set. So it wasn't completely easy to land your favorite player and that's why it took me so many years to find the Hampton version. But, now that's off the checklist finally.

 

If you would like to help me narrow down my search for all of the Rodney Hampton cards in the universe and would like to donate some you have dusting around your house, check my wantlist HERE and see if you have something I need.  I am a little more than half way there but you never know what you may have that I don't.

Thoughts on today's card is welcomed in comments!

Eli Picks:2013 Totally Certified Red

Eli's Picks is a segment where Eli himself, well a stuffed Bleacher Creature version, picks his favorite base/insert cards to show off.

 

We are back at it again with an all-new Eli Picks!

Today's card comes from Totally Certified. Another one of those great products that came from the 90's that Panini revived. Of course nothing is what it once was. 

 

The product isn't all numbered and doesn't come with the protective film anymore. Of course now there is the "hits" part added which I think hurts more than helps. The one in the 90's was pretty simple but it worked well especially if you were fortunate enough to pull a gold version as only 30 of each were made. Those cards still hold a pretty penny in value even for the non-star players.

Eli chose this card simply because of the nostalgia of Totally Certified and the micro etching technology. Other than it being a red parallel, there isn't anything extra special. It's not numbered and these fell pretty easily per box with at least one parallel per pack.

I picked up this Eli through a trade with 90's Niche Football Card Blog.

NYG PC Spotlight 18:2016 Panini Certified Mirror Red Odell Bekcham Jr.

 

 Odell Beckham Jr.

Parallel Card #d 41/99

Card #67

NYG PC Spotlight 19:2011 Panini Gold Standard Golden Anniversary Jersey Y.A. Tittle

 

Y.A. Tittle

Jersey Card #d 33/50

Card # 2

NYG PC Spotlight 17:1982 Topps Joe Danelo

 
Joe Danelo
Base Card
Card #421

The Only One To Return

I feel like my luck TTM and NY Giants are non-compatible.

Out of 13 attempts, which includes both stars and non-stars, only one player was nice enough to return one back to me.

That player, CB R.W. McQuarters.

 

 

If you don't remember, R.W. played a major role in the Giants run to Super Bowl 42 intercepting a pass in the first three rounds of the playoffs especially in the Division Round against Dallas where he intercepted Tony Romo in the end zone to end the game. He played for the Giants overall from the 2006-2008 seasons.

I sent this into R.W. right after I got the card in a pack and he sent it right back.

I actually haven't even tried to send any TTM to Giants players the last few years knowing I probably won't get lucky. But, I may try again this summer just to see. Will let you all know who I send it to and my rate of success.

NYG PC Spotlight 16: 2013 Bowman Sterling Blue Refractor Patch Ryan Nassib

 

Ryan Nassib

Patch Card #d 18/75

Card Number BSJRR-RN

Sunday's With Rodney:1991 Score The 12th National Collectors Convention

Here we go again, time for another new Sunday's With Rodney.

Today's card takes us back to 1991 at the National. Score handed out cello wrapped pack at the National with the complete 10 card set of football cards in it. One of those players in the set happens to be my guy Rodney. I can't imagine it's too easy to find many of these cards or packs today but maybe. I only found this one Hampton listed from my searches and for $1 I wasn't going to let it go.

You can tell from the design the card has definitely got the 90's feel.

 

There weren't a ton of big names involved in the set other than Emmitt and Rodney, but I still think it would be fun for me to try and chase down the rest.

They Shot Hoops Once

Locally, I don't see much in terms of celebrities or sports players. It's not exactly the location for those type of people to live unless they are in hiding or want to be away from media or paparazzi.

However, one year, some Giants players came to the local college to help with a fundraiser. It's been so long and I was so young-as you can see these photos are done with an old Polaroid camera- that I don't honestly remember what the fundraiser was for or what year they came. All I knew was that my father and I had a fun time at the event even though many memories from it are now a blur.

I believe the Giants players came to verse the college team while also grabbing some fans from the crowd to join in. It was mainly kids who raised their hands to get the players attention so they could do a "slam dunk". Maybe something similar you would see with Globetrotters. I wasn't going to volunteer myself however as I was very shy. That's changed a bit over the years.

The players who showed up arrived wearing basketball jerseys with their football jersey number. This is 2-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl winner Dave Meggett. One of my favorite players from my childhood with his special teams work.

The bad part I just found out is that Meggett is serving a 30 year sentence for a few things he did including robbery. It's sad to see some of your favorite childhood players not knowing what to do after they retire from pro sports.

After they played a round of basketball, the players each sat a table in the back of the gymnasium for an autograph signing. here is a pic with Giants LB Pepper Johnson, Dave Meggett again and Stacy Robinson.

 

I still have the two special pieces of paper that the three players I got to sign, signed on including Dave Meggett, Chris Calloway and Stacy Robinson hanging up in the man cave.

This was the last time the players ever came to this event. I am just glad I was able to go to it.

NYG PC Spotlight 15: 2014 Panini Prizm Dirty Laundry Andre Williams

 

Andre Williams

Jersey Card

Card # DL-AW

Big Blue Collections Part 3: I Am Such A Potato Head

Big Blue Collections is my latest segment here on Snagging Cardboard that showcases non-card items in my NY Giants collection.

I would assume most of us growing up owned or at least played with a Potato Head at some point. You know, those fun round plastic potatoes with holes for you to insert their body parts into? Yeah, they can be a lot of fun especially when you start inserting the wrong parts into the wrong places. Who doesn't like to have a set of teeth as an eye? Or two noses instead of ears?

A few years ago Potato Heads were released for every NFL team. Something I didn't know about until I got one for Christmas. At first I was like, you kidding me, a Potato Head? Is this a cruel joke? Then I opened it and put the pieces together-all in the right spot because as an adult OCD kicks in when you put them in the wrong spots- and actually found it kinda cool.

Here is a side/backside angle of it. The jersey number is 00 so Panini must had done a rookie photo-shoot of it.

I have yet to take the Potato Head apart again. It resides on my man cave shelves.

If you were curious where they sell these if you wanted one of your team, it seems Amazon carries them for less than $15. So could be a cheap pick up for your collection if you like oddball items.

NYG PC Spotlight 14:1972 Topps Bobby Duhon

 

Bobby Duhon

Base Card

Card #92

Eli Picks: 2008 Absolute Memorabilia Red Spectrum Eli Manning

Eli's Picks is a segment where Eli himself, well a stuffed Bleacher Creature version, picks his favorite base/insert cards to show off.

 

Eli is back again and this time chose a simple parallel to showcase.

 

Is it because of the parallel this card is being showcased? No.  It's because of the jersey Eli is wearing. 

 

I really dig the red alternate jerseys and usually I am not a fan of white background cards as I prefer action shots, but the white works well here as it really shows off the jersey Eli is wearing.

The red jerseys haven't been worn in awhile but were showcased a few times in the late 00's. I hope they make another return.

NYG PC Spotlight 13:1990 Score Lewis Tillman

 

Lewis Tillman

Base Card

Card #334

Sunday's With Rodney:1997 Bowman's Best Atomic Refractor

Welcome back to Sunday's With Rodney! The segment where I breakdown my Rodney Hampton PC and showcase it.

This is the first time I am posting it on here as opposed to Sport Card Collectors blog. I figured it was time for it to move over to here.

So to celebrate the move, I wanted to showcase something flashy and what's flashier than a refractor card. Especially an atomic one.

Atomic refractors were not easy finds, but not as tough as some in the Bowman's Best product especially the inserts. The base versions fell at 1:24 packs or one-per-box but with a decent checklist landing specific players may be a case chase.

I picked up this Hampton add really cheap, under $3, so it's a flashy price as well.

 

If you would like to help me narrow down my search for all of the Rodney Hampton cards in the universe and would like to donate some you have dusting around your house, check my wantlist HERE and see if you have something I need.  I am a little more than half way there but you never know what you may have that I don't.

Thoughts on today's card is welcomed in comments!

Eli's Picks: 2004 Topps Total Rookie Card

Eli's Picks is a segment where Eli himself, well a stuffed Bleacher Creature version, picks his favorite base/insert cards to show off.

 

Eli decided today it was time to take a trip back in time to his rookie season. A season where it started as turmoil at the draft with the San Diego Charger dissing and one where he started out on the bench behind the great Kurt Warner, before getting his chance when the Giants season started crumbling. It wasn't the best of seasons for Eli who threw for just a little over 1,000 yards and had 6 TD's and 9 Ints, but it was a building point where the following season he would lead them to the playoffs.

I picked up this Topps Total card pretty cheap, I think like $5. Anytime you can pick up a future Hall Of Famer rookie card for that cheap you gotta jump on it. I actually have two of these now after a trade with 90's Niche Football Card Blog and don't plan on moving either anytime soon.

NYG PC Spotlight 12: 2016 Panini Infinity No Limits Odell Beckham Jr.

 

Odell Beckham Jr

Insert Card #d 77/188

Card # NL-8

Big Blue Collections Part 2: Let's Go NY!

Big Blue Collections is my latest segment here on Snagging Cardboard that showcases non-card items in my NY Giants collection.

There is nothing that brightens up my man cave more than the gift I got a few years ago from my wife, she found it on a discount shelf at the local hardware store and knew I would be all over it.

And I was.

When it's game day or game night, with a flip of the switch this lights up the room one word at a time....

 

I tried to take a pic with one at a time but could only capture the last one lit up. They moved a little faster than my camera could catch. But, I think you get the point at what it does.

 

At the end of the rotation, they all light up.

 

 

Having this piece helps lighten up any game mood no matter the actual outcome. Well, maybe.