Disrupted Reception

Posted by cardboard hogs on December 9, 2013

With all the turmoil going on with the burgundy and gold the past couple of days, I thought i’d post about something positive from the cards I already have scanned. Well, nothing positive to see here.

Coming in to the season, I, along with a lot of football analysts had Leonard Hankerson on the list of football guys to have a breakout season. He got off to a very nice start, but stumbled through the season until he was injured a few weeks ago. I still love the kid and think he can have some type of impact with Redskins, but I don’t see him as being any type of breakout star. Just a guy that has a couple of big games each year mixed in with marginal performances.

One thing about Hank that I love is his simple signature. Normally, I frown on the laziness of these kids signatures but this one has a certain flair to it and seems to have been thought out. I like it.

I’m also thinking this could be Fletcher’s last season with the NFL. Actually, I kind of hope this is his last season. He’s not been as productive as in recent years and appears to be losing a few steps…quickly. Still, he brought a ton of passion to the defense, not to mention an abundant amount of leadership. They should build a statue for this undrafted free agent.

As always HTTR and hope you guys are having a good holiday season!

A Panini Redemption

Posted by cardboard hogs on June 13, 2013

I rode home today in the pouring rain and was extremely unprepared for the down pour. By the time I got home I was covered in dirty road rain. That kind of dirt that cars kick up and gets all over your clothes, socks, shoes and backpack. I did have a sweet mud mohawk on my butt and a thick layer of mud coated on my pastey white legs. I was freezing and I was tired…the only thing I really wanted to do was clean up and get ready for the Spurs game. As i typically do first thing, i went to check the mail…and saw a yellow bubble mailer! Suddenly i feel great and excited to see what it has to offer…It’s a Panini Redemption and This one only took 119 days! That less than 4 months!

YAY! Sarcasm!

This redemption is of Joe Adams from the Carolina Panthers, Colbey, numbered 28/49 with a decent sticker auto and a portion of his jersey used at the Rookie Premier with the NFLPA. I like that they mention where the jersey came from, maybe this isn’t a new thing, but it’s the first time I noticed it. The scan doesn’t really do the card justice as it is crazy shiny and reflective, cats love these sorts of things. Leaf Limited was one of those small but spendy box breaks that I jumped on this year. I was quite impressed with the high quality of cards and player selections. This is just another example of a great card.

Redemptions can be a pain as many bloggers have mentioned, but when they come in unexpectedly and make your cold grey day sunny they are wonderful.

Panini Limited: Revisited

Posted by cardboard hogs on May 18, 2013

So, I couldn’t help myself. Dave and Adam’s Cardworld had a great deal on their 2012 Limited boxes so i picked up one more. That made three total, as i bought one direct from Panini and somehow received an extra box from them.

I really liked the cards initially and thought i’d give it another go. I was pleased with this box as it yielded some nice new cards for me, although nothing to add to my PC.

The design of this set has been one of my favorites, next to the Prime Signatures by Panini this year.

Look at this guy, Jim Otto. I’m sure this legend is super proud of this card too.

The hits were nice, two autographs from two young and talented players along with a gigantic jumbo patch of LaMichael James, with the safety strip at the lower left corner.

Alshon Jeffery is going to be a beast, look at his intensity! This card should be blown up, framed and hung up on a wall next to my degree.

Top 12 All Time Redskins: Brian Orakpo

Posted by cardboard hogs on February 26, 2013

The second installment of my all time favorite Redskins is Brian Orakpo, or ‘Rak!

Rak is entering his 5 year as a Redskin after being selected 13th overall in the 2009 draft. The fact that he slipped to the Redskins at no. 13 was a complete shock to me as he was someone i followed at the University of Texas. He was a beast of a talent at UT and dominated so many games for the Longhorns. There were quite a few mock drafts that had him going in the top 5 and being the first or second DE taken that year. I don’t believe there has ever been a real explanation for why he slipped, but i’ve always felt that many NFL scouts saw him as one of those ‘workout warrior’ guys that looked better working out than actually playing the game. Rak was drafted as a DE which is what he played in college, but was drafted to play LB for the Redskins next to London Fletcher. The transition has for him has worked well, but it has also exposed some of his limitations as a football player. When the Redskins drafted Ryan Kerrigan in 2011, they developed a nice bookend with each other that were able to get to the QB and apply pressure throughout the season. As with all football players, he does have limitations, but has proven to be well worth his high selection…in my opinion.

Brian Orakpo would be higher on my list, but with the injuries he’s suffered in the past two seasons…i’m not really sure when he will be 100% again. He has always managed to bring an extremely high level of intensity to the field and passion to the sidelines. Watching him on the sidelines most of last season without football equipment was heartbreaking, especially with the new found success the Washington Redskins experienced last year. I’m hoping he is able to get healthy and create a dominating tandem with Kerrigan and some of the other guys that stepped up in his place this year (Lorenzo Alexander, Rob Jackson and Perry Riley).

When Rak joined the Redskins i was all in on his cards and bid on his autos regularly on ebay as well as some game used jersey cards that will look great once i have a sports room to display them!

One of my best memories of Rak was being at the first game of the 2010 season in Landover, MD against the rival Dallas Cowboys. My first home Redskins game ever! I had been to a few Cowboy vs. Redskins games, but they were always in Irving. Rak was having a really good game and putting a ton of pressure on Romo all night long, but just couldn’t get to him…mainly because he was being held on nearly every play. On the final play of the game with about 13 seconds and the Cowboys in the redzone threatening to score a touchdown and win the game. Rak came around from the left side and just missed sacking Romo…as Romo completed a pass in the end zone to Roy Williams to tie the game. BUT WAIT! There was a flag! The officials finally called holding on the Cowboys offensive line. Game over. Redskins win 13-7 on Sunday night in Landover. Fantastic finish!

#12 – The Hogs

#11 – Brian Orakpo

Panini America Delivers!

Posted by cardboard hogs on January 29, 2013

Just got home from work after another late night at the office, and i see two large boxes by the door…what could it be? My Panini order has arrived! Nice!

Since i’m still on a deadline and dealing with a sick wife and child it may take a few days before I can enjoy what’s inside these beautiful *small expensive boxes. I will be sure to post the results here along with my review of each product. Here’s hoping i can pull an RGIII auto…or at the very least some nice Redskin hits.

come back soon! -HTTR!