A look at Elite’s Passing the Torch checklist
By Susan Lulgjuraj | Beckett Football Editor
Athletes are constantly compared to each other even if they haven’t played in the same decade. Fans love to speculate how a certain player will pan out. Will he be like my sports idol? Or just wash out after one season?
But inevitably, one good player leads the way for another. Since about 1997, the Donruss Elite brand has found ways to display that transition with its “Passing the Torch” autograph inserts.
This year’s Elite by Panini America, which came out this week, is no different with 20 pairs of subjects on the checklist. These cards are hard to pull with none having more than a 25-card print run.
A few cards stand out on the checklist.
The Emmitt Smith/DeMarco Murray card is one. As a rookie, Murray started last year as the third string running back for the Dallas Cowboys. But in Week 7, due to injuries and circumstance, Murray got his chance. He broke Smith’s single-game rushing record for the Cowboys with 253 yards on 25 carries. He also finished the season leading all rookies in average per carry (5.5 yards), yards per game (69 yards) and 897 rushing yards.
Another card that stands out is Peyton Manning/Andrew Luck. Was there ever a more appropriate passing of the torch? Manning, who had missed all of last season with a neck injury, was released by the Indianapolis Colts after 14 years. He signed with the Denver Broncos in the offseason. The Colts then took Luck with their first overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft. Of course, Luck has yet to play an NFL game.
Another popular card seems to be Herman Moore/Calvin Johnson. Moore was one of the greatest wide receivers in Detroit Lions’ history. He holds the club records in career receptions (670), receiving yards (9,174) and touchdown catches (62). So why pair him with Calvin Johnson? After five seasons, Johnson is more than halfway to Moore’s career receiving yards and touchdown record. In fact, Johnson has 49 career receiving touchdowns. If Johnson stays healthy, he could surpass Moore in several categories.
Which is your favorite, and who would you like to see paired next?
Here’s a look at the rest of the checklist.
Donruss Elite Passing the Torch Autograph #1 Dan Marino/Drew Brees /20
Donruss Elite Passing the Torch Autograph #2 Kellen Winslow Sr./Rob Gronkowski /20
Donruss Elite Passing the Torch Autograph #3 Sam Bradford/Cam Newton /5
Donruss Elite Passing the Torch Autograph #4 Doug Williams/Robert Griffin III /25
Donruss Elite Passing the Torch Autograph #5 Cam Newton/Robert Griffin III /5
Donruss Elite Passing the Torch Autograph #6 Derrick Mason/Darren Sproles /5
Donruss Elite Passing the Torch Autograph #7 Peyton Manning/Aaron Rodgers /5
Donruss Elite Passing the Torch Autograph #8 Boomer Esiason/Andy Dalton /20
Donruss Elite Passing the Torch Autograph #9 Fred Taylor/Maurice Jones-Drew /20
Donruss Elite Passing the Torch Autograph #10 James Lofton/Donald Driver /20
Donruss Elite Passing the Torch Autograph #11 Peyton Manning/Andrew Luck /20
Donruss Elite Passing the Torch Autograph #12 Emmitt Smith/DeMarco Murray /20
Donruss Elite Passing the Torch Autograph #13 Bill Romanowski/Von Miller /20
Donruss Elite Passing the Torch Autograph #14 Andre Rison/Julio Jones /5
Donruss Elite Passing the Torch Autograph #15 Chad Ochocinco/A.J. Green /20
Donruss Elite Passing the Torch Autograph #16 Jim Plunkett/Carson Palmer /20
Donruss Elite Passing the Torch Autograph #17 Herman Moore/Calvin Johnson /5
Donruss Elite Passing the Torch Autograph #18 Anquan Boldin/Torrey Smith /5
Donruss Elite Passing the Torch Autograph #19 Fran Tarkenton/Christian Ponder /20
Donruss Elite Passing the Torch Autograph #20 John Elway/Peyton Manning /20
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