Sound Off: Top 25 Football RC's of my lifetime
epatmythes
Posts: 1,514 ✭✭✭
Depending on where my current collection efforts are... I'm hoping to start a new venture as my 2010 New Years resolution... collect the top 25 football rookie cards in PSA 10 quality from my lifetime!
Fortunately (or maybe unfortunately), I wasn't born until 1977 so the Walter Payton is off the table.
Here is the list I've compiled, and I'd definitely appreciate some feedback. With the pre-1980 cards, I put an emphasis on HOF RC's. They might not all have the value of some of today's modern cards, but I'd prefer to have some of them then, let's say, a high dollar Eli Manning or Matt Ryan rookie card. Then again, 5-10 years from now maybe I'll change the set to the top 50. Got any suggestions?
1977 TOPPS 177 STEVE LARGENT
1978 TOPPS 315 TONY DORSETT
1979 TOPPS 310 JAMES LOFTON
1979 TOPPS 390 EARL CAMPBELL
1981 TOPPS 216 JOE MONTANA
1982 TOPPS 434 LAWRENCE TAYLOR
1982 TOPPS 486 RONNIE LOTT
1983 TOPPS 38 MIKE SINGLETARY
1983 TOPPS 294 MARCUS ALLEN
1984 TOPPS 63 JOHN ELWAY
1984 TOPPS 123 DAN MARINO
1984 TOPPS 280 ERIC DICKERSON
1985 TOPPS 251 WARREN MOON
1986 TOPPS 161 JERRY RICE
1986 TOPPS 275 REGGIE WHITE
1986 TOPPS 374 STEVE YOUNG
1987 TOPPS 362 JIM KELLY
1989 SCORE 257 BARRY SANDERS
1989 SCORE 270 TROY AIKMAN
1991 STADIUM CLUB 94 BRETT FAVRE
1998 PLAYOFF CONTENDERS 87 PEYTON MANNING AUTOGRAPH
1998 PLAYOFF CONTENDERS 92 RANDY MOSS AUTOGRAPH
2000 PLAYOFF CONTENDERS 144 TOM BRADY AUTOGRAPH
2001 PLAYOFF CONTENDERS 150 LADAINIAN TOMLINSON AUTOGRAPH
2004 SP AUTHENTIC 213 BEN ROETHLISBERGER AUTOGRAPH
Cheers,
-E
Fortunately (or maybe unfortunately), I wasn't born until 1977 so the Walter Payton is off the table.
Here is the list I've compiled, and I'd definitely appreciate some feedback. With the pre-1980 cards, I put an emphasis on HOF RC's. They might not all have the value of some of today's modern cards, but I'd prefer to have some of them then, let's say, a high dollar Eli Manning or Matt Ryan rookie card. Then again, 5-10 years from now maybe I'll change the set to the top 50. Got any suggestions?
1977 TOPPS 177 STEVE LARGENT
1978 TOPPS 315 TONY DORSETT
1979 TOPPS 310 JAMES LOFTON
1979 TOPPS 390 EARL CAMPBELL
1981 TOPPS 216 JOE MONTANA
1982 TOPPS 434 LAWRENCE TAYLOR
1982 TOPPS 486 RONNIE LOTT
1983 TOPPS 38 MIKE SINGLETARY
1983 TOPPS 294 MARCUS ALLEN
1984 TOPPS 63 JOHN ELWAY
1984 TOPPS 123 DAN MARINO
1984 TOPPS 280 ERIC DICKERSON
1985 TOPPS 251 WARREN MOON
1986 TOPPS 161 JERRY RICE
1986 TOPPS 275 REGGIE WHITE
1986 TOPPS 374 STEVE YOUNG
1987 TOPPS 362 JIM KELLY
1989 SCORE 257 BARRY SANDERS
1989 SCORE 270 TROY AIKMAN
1991 STADIUM CLUB 94 BRETT FAVRE
1998 PLAYOFF CONTENDERS 87 PEYTON MANNING AUTOGRAPH
1998 PLAYOFF CONTENDERS 92 RANDY MOSS AUTOGRAPH
2000 PLAYOFF CONTENDERS 144 TOM BRADY AUTOGRAPH
2001 PLAYOFF CONTENDERS 150 LADAINIAN TOMLINSON AUTOGRAPH
2004 SP AUTHENTIC 213 BEN ROETHLISBERGER AUTOGRAPH
Cheers,
-E
0
Comments
I'd add 1990 Score Supp. Emmitt and 1996 Bowman's Best Ray Lewis. Essentially you're trading a very good WR and great RB for a top 5 All-time RB and top 3 All-time LB.
I'd also exchange Kelly, White and Young for their USFL cards, but I can see that being a personal preference.
I can't believe I forgot the Emmitt... that will definitely be finding it's place in the list somehow!
As another personal preference (diehard Packers fan), I can't pull the Lofton from the list
Thanks for the feedback
Also, I don't know who else I'd bump off of that list (Randy Moss?), but Deion Sanders has to be amongst the best 25 players of the past 30+ years.
<< <i>
1977 TOPPS 177 STEVE LARGENT
1978 TOPPS 315 TONY DORSETT
1979 TOPPS 310 JAMES LOFTON
1979 TOPPS 390 EARL CAMPBELL
1981 TOPPS 216 JOE MONTANA
1982 TOPPS 434 LAWRENCE TAYLOR
1982 TOPPS 486 RONNIE LOTT
1983 TOPPS 38 MIKE SINGLETARY
1983 TOPPS 294 MARCUS ALLEN
1984 TOPPS 63 JOHN ELWAY
1984 TOPPS 123 DAN MARINO
1984 TOPPS 280 ERIC DICKERSON
1985 TOPPS 251 WARREN MOON
1986 TOPPS 161 JERRY RICE
1986 TOPPS 275 REGGIE WHITE
1986 TOPPS 374 STEVE YOUNG
1987 TOPPS 362 JIM KELLY
1989 SCORE 257 BARRY SANDERS
1989 SCORE 270 TROY AIKMAN
1991 STADIUM CLUB 94 BRETT FAVRE
1998 PLAYOFF CONTENDERS 87 PEYTON MANNING AUTOGRAPH
1998 PLAYOFF CONTENDERS 92 RANDY MOSS AUTOGRAPH
2000 PLAYOFF CONTENDERS 144 TOM BRADY AUTOGRAPH
2001 PLAYOFF CONTENDERS 150 LADAINIAN TOMLINSON AUTOGRAPH
2004 SP AUTHENTIC 213 BEN ROETHLISBERGER AUTOGRAPH
Cheers,
-E >>
Any list that has Largent at the top of it, Im all for
Agree with Charles David, the 84 USFL rc for Young and Kelly is more popular, and the SP is the rookie for Peyton, Moss and Tom. You should really check the HOF RC and the future HOF RC set to get the "official" cards, but on the other hand, collect what you like
I agree in terms of the quality players that Dickerson and Campbell were, but the card itself needs to be taken into account. There are probably 100 times as many Dickerson's out there as there are Campbell's, and they have become kind of an afterthought of the 84 Topps set. Campbell remains the top card in the 79 set. I agree with Deion but who's coming off the list? Also, Simms should be considered, especially if you're going to throw Kelly in there. Too many tough decisions.
You know what, we're going to make this the top 50 RCs. Sorry E, it's been decided.
Other notables that would have trouble bumping anyone, but probably deserve the most consideration.
80 Phil Simms
84 Howie Long
86 Bruce Smith
87 Flutie
88 Bo Jackson
89 Deion
90 Seau
93 SP Bledsoe
93 SP Bettis
94 SP Faulk
95 Select Certified Terrell Davis & Curtis Martin
96 Best Ray Lewis
96 SP T.O.
96 Chrome Marvin Harrison
99 Contenders McNabb, Edge James, Kurt Warner
01 SP Authentic Vick (It was probably the greatest modern football card for several years)
07 Peterson SP Authentic Rookie Auto
I am just saying that for the price of psa 10's you could probably get nice looking PSA 9 RC's in Football, Baseball, basketball, and hockey from the last 30 years and still have cash left over.
Steve
94 SP Faulk
People seem to have forgotten just how good he was.
CDsNuts, 1/9/15
I would shoot for 9s on the 70s guys for sure and the 84 USFL.
a 1978 Topps Dorsett is about a $150-200 card in a 9 where as a 10 will cost about the same as a very nice vehicle.
I would leave Dickerson on the list, while he is not highly collected he was the best running back of the 80s. He has the rookie rushing record and the single season rushing record. I would not include Big Ben on the list either or probably even Warren Moon, but I would add the 94 SP Faulk, and the 96 Bowman's Best Ray Lewis for sure.
edit to add, the card to own of Manning is the 1998 Sp Authentic in my opinion, and the same goes for Tom Brady, and Moss.
Mike
86 Topps Bruce Smith-He has the most sacks in history of NFL.
93 SP Jerome Bettis/95 Select Curtis Martin-4th and 5th leading rushers in NFL history.
96 BB Ray Lewis
I would remove Big Ben, Lofton, Dickerson and Tomlinson for the four above.
If it si greatness I have to say that no one seems to give Offensive Linemen any love. There are two of the greatest ever in that era:
Mike Webster, some consider him the greatest Center to ever play the game.
Anthony Munoz, one of the top offensive tackles of all time
I gave Webster some serious consideration when putting together my list... and it's not to say he might not make the final cut.
Thankfully, I've got 3+ months to finalize this list.
Really enjoying the input so far from everyone... good stuff!
<< <i>Depending on where my current collection efforts are... I'm hoping to start a new venture as my 2010 New Years resolution... collect the top 25 football rookie cards in PSA 10 quality from my lifetime!
Fortunately (or maybe unfortunately), I wasn't born until 1977 so the Walter Payton is off the table.
Here is the list I've compiled, and I'd definitely appreciate some feedback. With the pre-1980 cards, I put an emphasis on HOF RC's. They might not all have the value of some of today's modern cards, but I'd prefer to have some of them then, let's say, a high dollar Eli Manning or Matt Ryan rookie card. Then again, 5-10 years from now maybe I'll change the set to the top 50. Got any suggestions?
1977 TOPPS 177 STEVE LARGENT
1978 TOPPS 315 TONY DORSETT
1979 TOPPS 310 JAMES LOFTON
1979 TOPPS 390 EARL CAMPBELL
1981 TOPPS 216 JOE MONTANA
1982 TOPPS 434 LAWRENCE TAYLOR
1982 TOPPS 486 RONNIE LOTT
1983 TOPPS 38 MIKE SINGLETARY
1983 TOPPS 294 MARCUS ALLEN
1984 TOPPS 63 JOHN ELWAY
1984 TOPPS 123 DAN MARINO
1984 TOPPS 280 ERIC DICKERSON
1985 TOPPS 251 WARREN MOON
1986 TOPPS 161 JERRY RICE
1986 TOPPS 275 REGGIE WHITE
1986 TOPPS 374 STEVE YOUNG
1987 TOPPS 362 JIM KELLY
1989 SCORE 257 BARRY SANDERS
1989 SCORE 270 TROY AIKMAN
1991 STADIUM CLUB 94 BRETT FAVRE
1998 PLAYOFF CONTENDERS 87 PEYTON MANNING AUTOGRAPH
1998 PLAYOFF CONTENDERS 92 RANDY MOSS AUTOGRAPH
2000 PLAYOFF CONTENDERS 144 TOM BRADY AUTOGRAPH
2001 PLAYOFF CONTENDERS 150 LADAINIAN TOMLINSON AUTOGRAPH
2004 SP AUTHENTIC 213 BEN ROETHLISBERGER AUTOGRAPH
Cheers,
-E >>
I look at your list and you want the top 25. Do you want more than 4 Defensive players? You do not have one Offensive lineman in the group? You do not have any TE's either.
TE to consider - Kellen Winslow 1981 Topps. Tony Gonzalez 1997 SP
OL to consider - Anthony Munuz 1982 Topps, Bruce Matthews 1989 Score, MIke Webster 1977 Topps
DL to consider - Bruce Smith 1986 Topps
big Ben has go to go.
Member of the Hall of Fame and the NFL's 75th anniversary all-time team, 3rd all-time on the interception list. Holds the NFL all-time record for pick-6's (12)
Give Woodson some love.
<< <i>I would take out Lofton and Dickerson.
I'd add 1990 Score Supp. Emmitt and 1996 Bowman's Best Ray Lewis. Essentially you're trading a very good WR and great RB for a top 5 All-time RB and top 3 All-time LB.
I'd also exchange Kelly, White and Young for their USFL cards, but I can see that being a personal preference. >>
Lee, Ray Lewis wouldn't crack a Top 3 of Jack Lambert, Dick Butkus, or Lawrence Taylor.
<< <i>
<< <i>I would take out Lofton and Dickerson.
I'd add 1990 Score Supp. Emmitt and 1996 Bowman's Best Ray Lewis. Essentially you're trading a very good WR and great RB for a top 5 All-time RB and top 3 All-time LB.
I'd also exchange Kelly, White and Young for their USFL cards, but I can see that being a personal preference. >>
Lee, Ray Lewis wouldn't crack a Top 3 of Jack Lambert, Dick Butkus, or Lawrence Taylor. >>
Butkus can't be in this list, his card is before 1976
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>I would take out Lofton and Dickerson.
I'd add 1990 Score Supp. Emmitt and 1996 Bowman's Best Ray Lewis. Essentially you're trading a very good WR and great RB for a top 5 All-time RB and top 3 All-time LB.
I'd also exchange Kelly, White and Young for their USFL cards, but I can see that being a personal preference. >>
Lee, Ray Lewis wouldn't crack a Top 3 of Jack Lambert, Dick Butkus, or Lawrence Taylor. >>
Butkus can't be in this list, his card is before 1976 >>
Lee just mentioned All-Time, that's why I jumped in with that comment.
Obviously debatable. Each of these guys were pioneers at their position and the top guy of their era, just like Lewis is for the current era. Just think about how good the Ravens defense has been the past 10 years, how many guys (players and coaches) have come and gone, and what happens to Ravens defenders when they leave for free agency. There has been one constant, and he not only handles his position better than anybody else, but he brings the best out of his teammates and they turn to crap when they go to another team. I would put Lewis behind LT and maybe Butkus, but definitely not Lambert. After a couple more years of great production, Lewis will be right up there with LT.
<< <i>Lee, Ray Lewis wouldn't crack a Top 3 of Jack Lambert, Dick Butkus, or Lawrence Taylor.
Obviously debatable. Each of these guys were pioneers at their position and the top guy of their era, just like Lewis is for the current era. Just think about how good the Ravens defense has been the past 10 years, how many guys (players and coaches) have come and gone, and what happens to Ravens defenders when they leave for free agency. There has been one constant, and he not only handles his position better than anybody else, but he brings the best out of his teammates and they turn to crap when they go to another team. I would put Lewis behind LT and maybe Butkus, but definitely not Lambert. After a couple more years of great production, Lewis will be right up there with LT. >>
Of course my view of Lambert is tainted...
Fair enough debate, though.
<< <i>
I look at your list and you want the top 25. Do you want more than 4 Defensive players? You do not have one Offensive lineman in the group? You do not have any TE's either.
TE to consider - Kellen Winslow 1981 Topps. Tony Gonzalez 1997 SP
OL to consider - Anthony Munuz 1982 Topps, Bruce Matthews 1989 Score, MIke Webster 1977 Topps
DL to consider - Bruce Smith 1986 Topps
big Ben has go to go. >>
Maybe I'm reading the title of the thread wrong, but it seems to me he's looking for the top 25 rookie cards of his era, not the 25 greatest players.
And let's face it, defensive linemen, tight ends, and offensive linemen hardly generate the collectability or have rookie cards as desireable as QBs, RBs, and WRs.
shawn
Mine too. Also, if you beat us again 3 times this year I will stop watching football forever.
All are nothing more than nice 9's hiding under a 10 "Label"
I would drop Big Ben, Tomlinson, Moon, Lofton and Definately Moss
Offensive Line? BORING! Forget them
I would Add
1978 John Stallworth ( No Brainer! Dump moss he's not even in the same league)
1979 Ozzie Newsome / 1981 Kellen Winslow ( Much more historically signifigant players than Lofton.)
1980 Phil Sims ( I love warren Moon, but Simms trumps him)
1981 Dan Hampton (The heart and Soul of the Greatest defense ever to be fielded.)
1989 Deion Sanders (Im not a Fan, but he was the Greatest coverman in the league for over a decade)
Others for Thought:
1981 Art Monk
1984 Roger Craig
1985 Richard Dent
1986 Bruce Smith
1988 Bo Jackson
1989 Michael Irvin
1989 Thurman Thomas
1993 Jerome Bettis
<< <i>1980 Phil Sims ( I love warren Moon, but Simms trumps him) >>
I ran this thought through my mind several times when putting together my initial list, and it came down to 2 things:
1) Given the condition sensitive nature of the set, I wanted something in there from 1985... and Moon is the top RC in the set
2) Warren rocks the gold jacket, Phil does not (even though i wouldn't disagree that Simms trumps Moon)
I've settled in on my initial list of the Top 25 to start pursuing in 2010. I also decided to cut the list off at 2000. I'll come back in re-evaluate the list in 2015 and add in 5-10 cards from 2001-2010 (and perhaps earlier), with the end goal to have this be the Top 50... when I'm 50 in 2027
Here is the final list:
1977 TOPPS 177 STEVE LARGENT
1978 TOPPS 315 TONY DORSETT
1979 TOPPS 310 JAMES LOFTON
1979 TOPPS 390 EARL CAMPBELL
1981 TOPPS 216 JOE MONTANA
1982 TOPPS 434 LAWRENCE TAYLOR
1982 TOPPS 486 RONNIE LOTT
1983 TOPPS 38 MIKE SINGLETARY
1983 TOPPS 294 MARCUS ALLEN
1984 TOPPS 63 JOHN ELWAY
1984 TOPPS 123 DAN MARINO
1984 TOPPS 280 ERIC DICKERSON
1985 TOPPS 251 WARREN MOON
1986 TOPPS 161 JERRY RICE
1986 TOPPS 275 REGGIE WHITE
1986 TOPPS 374 STEVE YOUNG
1987 TOPPS 362 JIM KELLY
1989 SCORE 246 DEION SANDERS
1989 SCORE 257 BARRY SANDERS
1989 SCORE 270 TROY AIKMAN
1990 SCORE SUPPLEMENTAL 101T EMMITT SMITH
1991 STADIUM CLUB 94 BRETT FAVRE
1996 BOWMAN'S BEST 164 RAY LEWIS
1998 SP AUTHENTIC 14 PEYTON MANNING
2000 SP AUTHENTIC 118 TOM BRADY
Cheers
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Kiss me twice.....let's party.
I like this idea - think it would be fun to make your own 'all pro' team and do the same...get in some Olineman, Dt's, etc.
Its bad enough you made a rule change to get rid of Big Ben, but how can you possible have ZERO Steelers on this list? 6 Super Bowls, can any other team say that?
<< <i>Your list is incomplete without 2 of the top 5 RBs, Curtis Martin and the Bus
Its bad enough you made a rule change to get rid of Big Ben, but how can you possible have ZERO Steelers on this list? 6 Super Bowls, can any other team say that? >>
He's talking about cards, not the best players or best teams. Bettis and Roethlisberger rookies are not in the top 25 cards since 1977.
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Rod Woodson
Hell, Hines should be on the list, the greatest "team first" WR in the modern era. How many other WRs had a rule to create them from playing their hardest? Not moss, he confessed to taking plays off.
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Now take off Lofton and put Moss back on where he belongs, and it'll be perfect.
Is that the story?