Editor’s Note: The wildest free agency period in NFL history is upon us and we will be updating this blog as deals get done, letting you know our thoughts on the impact of each major deal on the rookie card market. Check back regularly.
July 27, 2011
Matt Hasselbeck to the Titans: Hasselbeck is clearly in the final hours of an outstanding career and with Kerry Collins retiring, Vince Young released, and a rookie (Jake Locker) taken very early, the Titans needed some insurance and a mentor for Locker. The impact here is that Hasselbeck will probably start the season before yielding to Locker at some point. Locker will be better for it.
July 27, 2011
Seattle snagged former Viking Tarvaris Jackson to a deal, giving depth to an organization with unproven Charlie Whitehurst on the depth chart. Jackson has super talent but had his career derailed by the Brett Favre experience. If he beats out Whitehurst we might get to see what he really has. It sure won’t hurt that the Hawks added Sidney Rice to the team, giving him a familiar set of hands to drop TDs to. This could be an interesting pairing.
July 28, 2011
Reggie Bush traded to Miami Dolphins. Though it hasn’t been said what the Saints are getting in return, my guess is it’s going to be 2012, 2013 draft picks. Bush should return to feature back status in Miami, something he apparently covets. But the real winners here are Mark Ingram and Pierre Thomas who will see there touches and goal line touches increase without Bush siphoning off carries. Could give Ingram a real chance to be Rookie of the Year. Load up
July 28, 2011
Albert Haynesworth traded to the Patriots. Haynesworth is a nightmare… for opposing offenses and his own team. But New England has gambled on players with troubled pasts though none as destructive as Haynesworth. But he is a formidable, game-changing player when his head is on straight and if he can hold it together he will make the Pats much, much better. Herein lies the hobby impact. If the Patriots are contenders then all things New England get more popular. Haynesworth could benefit values for Tom Brady, Wes Welker, Danny Woodhead and more.
July 28, 2011
Kevin Kolb to the Cardinals: No surprise here as Kolb gets to be the face of a franchise desperately missing Kurt Warner. All we’ve seen out of Kolb in a limited body of work is a pretty capable QB. Any young starting QB can be a powder keg of opportunity though this value might already have been priced into Kolb cards. Still, any card portfolio should have a decent Kolb in it. Gotta figure that if Kolb can do what he did with DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin last year that better days are ahead for Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston.
July 28, 2011
Chad Ochocinco Johnson Louis-Dreyfus has agreed to join the Patriots in what has become a day of high-risk/high reward ratios for the gambling Belichick. Obviously, donning Patriot garb is good for a potential star like Chad but he was clearly outplayed last year by Terrell Owens and it wasn’t as if he had a slouch in Carson Palmer. This situation isn’t comparable to Haynesworth who didn’t even try in Washington. Ochocinco tried and was simply a #2 receiver.
July 28, 2011
Nnamdi Asomogha surprisingly flies to the Eagles. The impact here is bad news for rival quarterbacks but probably not so much that it impacts their hobby value. However, this does greatly improve the Eagle’s fortunes which is good news for Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson and LeSean McCoy as the team’s popularity rises.
July 30, 2011
Marion Barber heads to Chicago. Barber looks to resurrect his career with the Bears. But if he does, he will have to displace one of the league’s top young RB’s in Matt Forte. With Chester Taylor already on the roster, this is a puzzling move.
July 30, 2011
Vince Young an Eagle. VY signs to be Vick’s back-up in Philly. Scary part is in pressers after the signing he referred to himself as being part of a dream team with Asomogha and two other free agents. He also said he expects to compete for the job. Apparently, Vince still just doesn’t get it. Not a good sign.
July 30, 2011
Plaxico Takes the Jets Offer. Spurning his former mates at the Giants and Steelers, Plaxico heads to the Jets where he’ll be under the spotlight immediately. Presumably, Plax has something left in the tank which is good news for Mark Sanchez. Factor in the resigning of Santonio Holmes and Sanchez could be in for a strong year with the two big wideouts.
