By Susan Lulgjuraj | Beckett Football Editor

When thinking of the Baltimore Ravens receiving corps, Jacoby Jones’ name doesn’t immediately come to mind. The speedster makes more noise returning kickoffs or punts.

That’s where he shined against the San Francisco 49ers.

The 2007 draft pick gave football fans the most electrifying play of Super Bowl XLVII when he returned the opening kickoff of the second half 108 yards for a touchdown.

Jacoby Jones – now you will remember it.

That was Jones’ second touchdown of the game. Even though he didn’t catch as many passes during the regular season – just 30 for 406 yards – as his many of his teammates, Jones was an early target for Joe Flacco in the Super Bowl.

Flacco hit Jones down the middle for a 56-yard touchdown that put the Ravens up 21-3 in the second quarter.

Jones had one of the greatest games of his career on the biggest stage.

Collectors noticed the New Orleans native as well. His card prices jumped overnight with rare cards selling for hundreds of dollars, and his 2007 Exquisite Collection autographed Rookie Card selling for more than the high book value of $30. The average price of the card sold on Sunday was $51.14.

A week ago, that same Exquisite card could be had for around $10.

Two touchdowns in the Super Bowl can do that.

Key Jacoby Jones Rookie Cards (Click here for a complete OPG and checklist)
- 2007 Exquisite Collection #76 AU RC /150
- 2007 Playoff Contenders #160 AU /435
- 2007 Topps Triple Threads #141 JSY AU RC /99
- 2007 Leaf Limited #321 AU RC /99
- 2007 Playoff National Treasures #145 AU RC /299

Susan Lulgjuraj is an editor of Beckett Football. You can email her here with questions, comments or ideas. Follow her on Twitter here. Follow Beckett Media on Facebook.

By Susan Lulgjuraj | Beckett Football Editor

After a long night and a postseason for the record books, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco emerged as Super Bowl XLVII MVP.

Flacco had three touchdowns in the first half against the San Francisco 49ers for an impressive 11-touchdown, zero-interception playoff performance. Flacco finished 22-for-33 for 287 in Sunday’s 34-31 win over the 49ers.

As the New Jersey native stood at the podium hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy, it must have felt like justice for many Ravens fans. Flacco never gained the type of respect many quarterbacks around him received – even though he had been to the playoffs every year he has been in the league.

But the Ravens always lost to powerhouses, including a Peyton Manning-led Indianapolis team, the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

This time, Flacco led the Ravens past Indianapolis; Manning’s new team, the Denver Broncos; and the New England Patriots. Then in the Super Bowl, when most of the attention was focused on emerging 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, Flacco played better – hitting his targets and leading the Ravens’ offensive attack.

Flacco has never been more celebrated. His card values should follow suit, with the underrated quarterback now a champion.

Key Joe Flacco Rookie Cards
2008 Exquisite Collection #170 JSY AU /99
2008 Playoff National Treasures #112 JSY AU /99
2008 Playoff Contenders #151 AU /220
2008 SP Authentic #295 /999
2008 Leaf Rookies and Stars #230 /99

Susan Lulgjuraj is an editor of Beckett Football. You can email her here with questions, comments or ideas. Follow her on Twitter here. Follow Beckett Media on Facebook.

By Susan Lulgjuraj | Beckett Football Editor

The Baltimore Ravens tasted Super Bowl glory in 2000 – the only year the franchise in its current form won the big game.

The Ravens haven’t been around very long, they moved from Cleveland in 1995. However, Baltimore is enjoying its success with a core group of young stars and leadership of its tantalizing veterans.

Here’s a look at Baltimore Ravens on cards as they head to the Super Bowl.

Joe Flacco

The Ravens quarterback faced questions early this season as some wondered if Baltimore could win it all with him. The Ravens closed out the regular season with a 1-4 record. But during the playoffs, Flacco has been great.

He completed 3,817 yards had 22 touchdowns and 10 interceptions during the regular season. In the playoffs, he has thrown eight interceptions and no picks.

Key Joe Flacco Rookie Cards
2008 Exquisite Collection #170 JSY AU /99
2008 Playoff National Treasures #112 JSY AU /99
2008 Playoff Contenders #151 AU /220
2008 SP Authentic #295 /999
2008 Leaf Rookies and Stars #230 /99

Ray Rice

The Rutgers graduate is Baltimore’s top running back. He had 1,143 yards and nine touchdowns during the regular season. In the playoffs, he’s added 247 yard and two TDs in two games.

Key Ray Rice Rookie Cards
2008 Exquisite Collection #162 JSY AU /199
2008 Exquisite Collection #162 JSY AU /199
2008 SP Authentic #285 JSY AU /999
2008 Donruss Threads #263 AU /100
2008 SP Rookie Threads #RR8 AU /252

Anquan Boldin

The longtime veteran has been a good presence in the receiving corps for Baltimore. He led the Ravens with 921 receiving yards and added four touchdowns in the regular season. In two postseason games, Boldin has 276 yards and three touchdowns.

Key Anquan Boldin Rookie Cards
2003 Leaf Limited #147 AU
2003 Playoff Contenders #146 AU /524
2003 SPx #191 JSY AU /1100
2003 SkyBox LE #118 /99
2003 Ultimate Collection #81 /250

Ray Lewis

The unequivocal leader of the Ravens missed a good portion of the regular season with a triceps tears and was unsure if he would come back. Not only is Lewis back for the final playoff run of his career, but he leads Baltimore with 44 tackles on defense in the postseason.

Key Ray Lewis Rookie Cards
1996 Bowman’s Best #164
1996 Stadium Club #351
1996 Pro Line Memorabilia #59
1996 Fleer #165
1996 Score Board Lasers #99

Torrey Smith

Smith was an emotional leader this year who had a memorable game after his brother died in an accident. During the regular season, he had 855 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. In the playoffs, he has 198 receiving yards and two scores.

Key Torrey Smith Rookie Cards
2011 Playoff National Treasures #313 JSY AU /99
2011 Topps Five Star #175 JSY AU /75
2011 Panini Playbook #134 /399
2011 Crown Royale #211 /299
2011 Panini Gold Standard #268 JSY AU /525

Ed Reed

Reed provides a veteran presence on defense. The Miami product was Baltimore first-round draft pick in 2002. During the regular season, he had four interceptions.

Key Ed Reed Rookie Cards
2002 Playoff Contenders #129 AU /550
2002 Bowman Chrome #230 AU
2002 Bowman’s Best #133 AU
2002 SP Authentic #195 AU /1150
2002 Donruss Elite #197 /400

Susan Lulgjuraj is an editor of Beckett Football. You can email her here with questions, comments or ideas. Follow her on Twitter here. Follow Beckett Media on Facebook.

By Susan Lulgjuraj | Beckett Football Editor

Are you ready for the Super Bowl?

Looks as though Panini America is getting in gear. The company previewed a couple of Super Bowl cards on its Facebook page with Colin Kaepernick, Frank Gore, Ray Rice and Joe Flacco.

The San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens will meet in Super Bowl XLVII on Feb. 3.

How can you get these cards?

We don’t know yet, but as soon as Panini gives out that information, we’ll let you know.

Susan Lulgjuraj is an editor of Beckett Football. You can email her here with questions, comments or ideas. Follow her on Twitter here. Follow Beckett Media on Facebook.

By Susan Lulgjuraj | Beckett Football Editor

Baltimore Ravens Ray Lewis told his teammates his was retiring at the end of the season, according to reports.

Lewis missed most of the year after tearing a triceps muscle, but that didn’t diminish his career. On the field, Lewis has been one of the best defensive players. He’s a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and MVP of Super Bowl XXXV.

Lewis has been a mainstay in Baltimore since 1996, and the news hit some Ravens hard.

Daniel Downey, a Baltimore Ravens fan and collector, reflected on Lewis’ career for Beckett.

“You have to be from Baltimore to know what Ray Lewis means to football and the Baltimore Ravens. There are two familiar faces of Baltimore, and that is Cal Ripken, Jr. and Ray Lewis. They both do so much for Baltimore and the people in it.

If you have never been to a Ravens home game, you never have to experience what Ray Lewis does to the team. He comes out of the tunnel through blasting fire to Nelly’s “Hot in Here” and the whole stadium always erupts. You always see him bring his fellow players in a huddle numerous times during the game to pump them up, winning or losing.

He is the leader of the Baltimore Ravens. He motivates every player. Every rookie and every other player of Ravens have nothing but good things to say about him and his work/play effort. I know even though Ray Lewis will not be playing next year, I know that he will be a big part of the Ravens organization for many years to come and will still be a big part of the Baltimore sports scene. Hopefully we will be able to get him one more Super Bowl ring this year!”

Lewis currently has 2,902 cards in the Beckett database (you can find his full checklist here).

Ray Lewis RC checklist
- 1996 Bowman’s Best #164
- 1996 Collectors’ Choice #20
- 1996 Fleer #165
- 1996 Pro Line Intense #59
- 1996 Pro Line Memorabilia #59
- 1996 Score Board Lasers #99
- 1996 SkyBox Impact Rookies #6
- 1996 Stadium Club #351

Susan Lulgjuraj is an editor of Beckett Football. You can email her here with questions, comments or ideas. Follow her on Twitter here.

By Susan Lulgjuraj | Beckett Football Editor

The Baltimore Ravens received tough news about their defense.

They will be without Ray Lewis, a 13-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time Defensive Player of the Year.

Who knows if he ever suits up again?

Ravens coach John Harbaugh announced the news to reporters on Monday. The linebacker suffered a full triceps tear in Sunday’s 31-29 win over the Cowboys. He led Baltimore with 14 tackles that day.

Given his age, 37, it could mean the end of his 17-year NFL career, but right now Lewis’ future is murky at best.

Lewis has more than 2,000 career tackles, 1,567 of them solo. He also has 41.5 career sacks.

Lewis is the heart and soul of the Ravens defense even if his play has diminished. Even though he is a polarizing figure, Lewis still commanded respect on the football field.

Here’s a look at Lewis on cards, according to the Beckett database:
Cards: 2,788
Rookie Cards: 8
Autographs: 142
Memorabilia: 776

More: Get a Ray Lewis checklist and online price guide here.

Some of his cards have gone for a good amount of money recently.

A 2010 Triple Threads autographed memorabilia booklet numbered 3-of-3 old for $503 on Oct. 7. On Aug. 19, a 2002 Topps Ring of Honor Lewis autograph sold for $350.

Here is a list of all of Lewis’ Rookie Cards
- 1996 Bowman’s Best #164
- 1996 Collector’s Choice #20
- 1996 Fleer #165
- 1996 Pro Line Intense #59
- 1996 Pro Line Memorabilia #59
- 1996 Score Board Lasers #99
- 1996 SkyBox Impact Rookies #6
- 1996 Stadium Club #351

Susan Lulgjuraj is an editor of Beckett Football. You can email her here with questions, comments or ideas. Follow her on Twitter here.

***CONTEST NOW CLOSED***

Free Stuff Friday — our weekly ritual where we try and get some cool stuff into the hands of our readers just for answering some simple card-related trivia — is back after a bit of a break.

Thanks to Steiner Sports, we think this week’s prize package is better than ever before in its return.

What’s the prize? A Ray Rice autographed photo and a $250 gift certificate.

How can you win? Follow the directions below and answer the questions found after the jump in a comment right here …  it’s that simple.

Tips: Don’t try stuffing the comments box — it’s one try per person per contest and we’ll check IP addresses — and make sure to include your email address so you can be contacted if you are selected as the winner.

Find out more about this week’s prize — and get the questions — after the jump …

FREE STUFF FRIDAY (3-25) — Win a $250 Steiner Sports gift certificate *and* a Ray Rice autographed photo

1. According to his player page on Beckett.com, how many total cards does Ray Rice appear on? (Give us that number only.)

2. What is your name?

3. What is your favorite team (any sport)?

—

We’ll randomly award the prize package to a person with the correct answer(s) out of all entries received by next Friday (April 1), at 10 a.m. Central time. Remember to include your name and email address with your entry… or you will be disqualified.

—

Notes: The winner of the contest will be notified via email. You will not see your entry after posting as all will be held for moderation and then unlocked before a winner is selected. Entries will not be accepted via email — only via commenting below.

—

Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Baseball. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an e-mail to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.