By Susan Lulgjuraj | Beckett Football Editor

The 2012 NFL season will be remembered for the hyped-up rookies that made good and veterans who proved they were still elite players despite serious offseason surgery.

However, several football players unexpectedly jumped on to the scene in 2012 – guys who were afterthoughts or backups coming into the season.

Here’s a look at some who surprised in 2012.

1. Doug Martin, Tampa Bay, RB (Martin’s OPG): The Tampa Bay rookie had 1,454 yards and 11 touchdowns on 319 carries. Martin was a first-round draft pick, but excelling this quickly caught many by surprise. By Week 9, NFL fans knew his name as Martin rushed for 251 yards in a 42-32 win over Oakland.

2. Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco, QB (OPG): The second-year player started the season on the bench as Alex Smith’s backup. It seemed Smith was becoming the quarterback the 49ers imagined he would be, and Kaepernick’s role became murkier. However, an injury to Smith threw Kaepernick into the mix and he finished the season as San Francisco’s number-one arm. He had 1,725 passing yards and 10 touchdowns with 321 rushing yards in the final eight games of the regular season.

3. Alfred Morris, Washington, RB (OPG): The sixth-round draft pick probably was the biggest surprise of the 2012 rookie class. All the focus was on another rookie on the Redskins, but Morris couldn’t be ignored after averaging 98.2 yards a game through the first five games of the regular season. Morris finished the year with 1,613 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.

4. Russell Wilson, Seattle, QB (OPG): Wilson was on the radar for many, he just didn’t get a lot of attention because of Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III. However, Wilson forced people to take notice and took the Seahawks deeper into the playoffs than any other rookie QB in 2012 – not too bad for a third round draft pick. He completed 252-of-393 passes for 3,118 yards, 26 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He added four rushing TDs in the regular season.

So, who was your surprise of 2012?

Answer the question in the comments to win the Doug Martin patch card pictured above. Make sure to include your email address. One random winner from the comments will be selected on Monday.

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 and Twitter.

By Susan Lulgjuraj | Beckett Football Editor

Colin Kaepernick’s status has risen with football fans and collectors in San Francisco. But there is still one place where Kaepernick’s cards remain more popular than the hometown – eBay.

The San Francisco 49ers quarterback has emerged as the NFL’s hottest player as his team heads to the Super Bowl against the Baltimore Ravens.

Bay-Area card shops no longer have his cards in stock, so collectors have turned to the few outlets where they can find them.

“Interest has increased, but we sold out of his stuff,” said Stephen Tarantino, owner of Collector’s Cave in San Francisco. “It’s difficult to get them at a reasonable price, especially if we’re trying to get them off eBay. It just wouldn’t work.”

For card dealers who didn’t have a stack of Kaepernick cards in the backup box, it’s going to be tough to get cards now. It’s not cost effective with his autograph cards selling for hundreds – maybe even thousands of dollars.

Those looking for Kaepernick cards have turned to sites such as eBay and Check Out My Cards.

But good luck at finding them at a decent price. A few months ago, collectors could have gotten his cards for a couple of dollars as Alex Smith led the 49ers at the quarterback position.

Some sellers are kicking themselves right now as they sold Kaepernick cards too early – although not many could have predicted what happened in San Francisco.

Sellers are not complaining though.

“I already sold more Kaepernick than I ever did Alex Smith combined since his rookie year,” said Jordan Lee of What’s on Second in San Mateo, Calif. “There were some years I didn’t even sell Alex Smith. If I had to quantify it, I would probably say I’ve sold Kaepernick 10 to 1 compared to Smith.”

Kaepernick’s card values spiked in Beckett’s Online Price Guide. For example, his 2011 Exquisite Collection #146 (numbered to 135) had a high book value of $500 during his hot regular season run. Now, the same card has a high book value of $800 (To see Kaepernick’s full OPG, click here).

San Francisco-area card shops only wish they had these cards in stock.

Niners fan Steve Morrell from Norwalk, Conn., obtained many of Kaepernick’s Rookie Cards leading up to his successful run. He has 57 Rookie Cards with autographs and patch cards, which he got through card show finds and trades on the Beckett forums.

Morrell prepared for this moment.

“I expected him to one day take over for Alex Smith and be the great player that he was at Nevada,” Morrell said. “I may sell a few to recoup some of what I spent, but I plan to hold onto them to give to my kids one day. It’s a little harder to let go of cards from a team and player you root for.”

However, Morrell doesn’t know how many more Kaepernick cards he is going to be able to add to his collection.

Kaepernick’s prices have jumped so much making many of his cards out of reach.

“(It’s) nearly impossible!” Morrell said. “The prices have gone up basically 1000 percent from what I bought them for before he even started playing.”

Top Kaepernick cards
2011 Playoff National Treasures Rookie Signature Material Black #327 /25
2011 Playoff National Treasures Rookie Signature Material Gold #327 /25
2011 Topps Chrome Rookie Autographs Black Refractors #25 /49
2011 Exquisite Collection #146 JSY AU /135
2011 Playoff National Treasures #327 JSY AU RC /99
2011 Topps Chrome Rookie Autographs Patch #CK /25
2011 SP Authentic Autographs Gold #72 /15
2011 Topps Chrome Rookie Autographs Crystal Atomic Refractors #25 /50
2011 Topps Chrome Rookie Autographs Refractors #25 /99
2011 SPx Jersey Autographs Gold #46 /30
2011 Playoff National Treasures NFL Gear Combos Signatures Prime #10 /25
2011 Playoff National Treasures NFL Gear Combos Laundry Tag Signatures #10 /25

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

Football fans and collectors going to New Orleans for this year’s Super Bowl will get a chance to get exclusive promo cards of the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers.

Panini America is producing is 26-card set filled with Super Bowl XLVII’s top stars such as Colin Kaepernick, Joe Flacco and Ray Lewis, with eight cards dedicated to the hometown team New Orleans Saints.

Panini also produced two limited edition patch cards for the big game – one dedicated to the Super Bowl and the other to New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees.

The only way to get these cards is at the Panini booth at the NFL Experience area at the Super Bowl. Of course, there’s always eBay the next day.

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 matchup for the Super Bowl was decided on Sunday – the Baltimore Ravens against the San Francisco 49ers.

Heading to the Super Bowl can do a lot for a player’s card value. Rookie and second –year players see the most gain, but even veterans that tend to get lost in the mix can grab attention if only for a few hours.

The San Francisco 49ers last won the Super Bowl in 1994, following a decade of dominance where San Francisco won four Super Bowls in the 1980s.

So who got them here this time?

Let’s look at top 49ers on cardboard (We’ll get to the Ravens later today):

Colin Kaepernick

Kaepernick didn’t start the season as San Francisco’s quarterback. In fact, he wasn’t even the starter midway through the season. Kaepernick took over the starting job in Week 11 and never let go. During the regular season, he threw for 1,814 yards and ran for 415 yards.

While he garnered attention during the regular season, his card prices exploded after a 45-31 win over the Green Bay Packers in a divisional playoff game. Kaepernick threw for 263 yards and ran for 181 yards for four touchdowns on the day.

Key Colin Kaepernick Rookie Cards
2011 Playoff National Treasures #327 JSY AU /99
2011 Topps Five Star #181 JSY AU /65
2011 Panini Playbook #110 JSY AU /399
2011 Playoff Contenders #227a AU
2011 Absolute Memorabilia #232 AU /299

Frank Gore

Gore led the 49ers in rushing during the regular season with 1,214 yards and eight touchdowns. In two playoff games, he has 209 yards and three touchdowns. Gore has been a great complement to Kaepernick who can also run the ball, creating option plays for San Francisco.

Key Frank Gore Rookie Cards
2005 Exquisite Collection #93 JSY AU /199
2005 SP Authentic #224 JSY /899
2005 Zenith #162 AU /99
2005 Ultimate Collection #216 /225
2005 Playoff Contenders #139 AU

Michael Crabtree

Crabtree was the best receiver for the Niners during the regular season. He had 1,105 receiving yards – more than double the next receiver – and nine touchdowns. Come playoff time, Crabtree is only doing more of the same. In two postseason games, he has 176 receiving yards and two TDs.

Key Michael Crabtree Rookie Cards
2009 Exquisite Collection #185 JSY AU /99
2009 SP Signature #212 AU
2009 Playoff National Treasures #122 JSY AU /99
2009 SP Threads #242 AU /120
2009 Limited #202 JSY AU /149

Vernon Davis

A fan favorite in San Francisco, but the tight end saw little production during the regular season. He only caught for 548 receiving yards. However, Davis has been a favorite target of Kaepernick’s during the playoffs. In Sunday’s win over Atlanta, Davis finished with 106 receiving yards and a touchdown on five catches.

Key Vernon Davis Rookie Cards
2006 Exquisite Collection #133 JSY AU /225
2006 SP Authentic #257 JSY AU /699
2006 Playoff National Treasures #137 JSY AU /99
2006 Donruss Threads #228 AU /100
2006 Ultimate Collection #208 AU /99

Aldon Smith

Smith was one of the best linebackers in the NFL this season. The second-year player had 19 ½ sacks for a loss of 145 yards and 66 tackles this season. Smith is a keystone to an impressive defense by San Francisco. He has yet to record a sack in the playoffs, but don’t think offenses aren’t watching out for him.

Key Aldon Smith Rookie Cards
2011 Playoff Contenders #106 AU /102
2011 Panini Plates and Patches #106 /49
2011 Prime Signatures #179 AU /199
2011 Playoff National Treasures #205 /99
2011 Rookies and Stars #287 /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

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 Footbal Editor

With football fans and collectors watching the playoffs this weekend, breakout stars have a better chance of grabbing attention. Fans watch just one game at a time, no need to flip channels and scour box scores for outstanding statistics.

Several players had stellar weekends, solidifying their place in the game.

Here are the top five players from the weekend that collectors noticed.

Colin Kaepernick, QB, San Francisco

Kaepernick’s stock consistently rose throughout the season. Once he took over as the starting quarterback for San Francisco, collectors ran to get his cards.

However, several collectors are beating themselves up this morning. Many sold Colin Kaepernick’s Rookie Cards cheaply last offseason when it seemed Alex Smith was living up to expectations.

Kaepernick completed 17-of-31 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns. But he also ran for 181 yards and another two scores in a 45-31 win over the Green Bay Packers.

Chase cards
- 2011 Upper Deck Exquisite Autograph Patch
- 2011 Contenders autograph
- 2011 National Treasures

Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks

Wilson outlasted the big two rookie quarterbacks in the playoffs. However, Wilson’s run came to an end this weekend, but not without putting on a show.

Wilson orchestrated a remarkable comeback after Seattle was down 20-0, and with 31 seconds left against the Atlanta Falcons, Seattle took a lead. Even though the Falcons won with a field goal with 8 seconds left, many still talked about Wilson

The rookie QB completed 24-of-36 passes for 385 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He also ran for 60 yards and one TD, which should make Russell Wilson’s Rookie Cards see a bump in a value.

Chase cards
- 2012 Topps Strata Clear Cut autograph
- 2012 Panini Black Gold Ink autograph/patch
- 2012 Bowman Sterling Superfractor 1/1

Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens

Flacco has been consistent throughout his career with the Baltimore Ravens, but has not been able to reach a Super Bowl yet.

Many counted Flacco and the Ravens out this weekend against the Denver Broncos, but Baltimore stuck with them score for score and forced the game into double overtime where the Ravens hit a field goal for the win.

Flacco finished 18-for-34 for 331 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-35 win.

Chase cards
- 2008 SP Authentic autograph/patch
- 2012 Absolute Gold Spectrum Autographs
- 2008 Playoff Contenders autograph

Trindon Holliday, KR, Denver Broncos

Trindon Holliday has been in the league for three years, but he never made much of a mark until Saturday. Holliday ran a punt and kick return back for touchdowns for a 194 total yards. Holliday finished the day with 248 all-purpose yards.

Holliday made his mark, but since Denver lost, it might be the last time his name is mentioned for a while.

Chase cards
-2010 Absolute Memorabilia Spectrum
-2010 SP Authentic

Ray Lewis, LB, Baltimore Ravens

The media continues its lovefest with Lewis as he plans to retire at the end of the season. But it’s not only the media, many football fans love Lewis and want to see one of the best defensive players go out on top.

Despite coming back from a triceps injury that should have sidelined him the whole season, Lewis had 17 tackles against the Denver Broncos and his career continues for one more game.

Chase cards
- 1999 SP Signature Autographs
- 1996 Bowman’s Best
- 2011 Topps Five Star autograph/jersey

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

With Alex Smith becoming the player many thought he should have been, Colin Kaepernick wasn’t expected to get much playing time in San Francisco.

Unless …

Well, unless became a concussion followed by a quarterback controversy.

Kaepernick has started two weeks in a row for the 8-2-1 San Francisco 49ers. He had one great start followed by another good one, allowing the QB dilemma to hold for another week.

On Sunday, the second-year player completed 16-of-25 passes for 231 yards with a touchdown and an interception in a 31-21 win over the New Orleans Saints. The week before, he completed 16-of-23 passes for 243 yards and two TDs in a 32-7 win over Chicago.

Kaepernick is a player collectors should watch.

With the way he’s played and Jim Harbaugh’s willingness to shake things up, his cards could jump in price.

Here’s a look at Kaepernick’s numbers in the Beckett database (To access a checklist or OPG of Kaepernick, click here).

Cards: 1,021
Rookie Cards: 34
Memorabilia: 549
Autographs: 476

Key autographed Rookie Cards
- 2011 Playoff National Treasures #327 JSY AU /99
- 2011 Topps Five Star #181 JSY AU /65
- 2011 Panini Playbook #110 JSY AU/399
- 2011 Limited #212 JSY AU /299
- 2011 Topps Inception #126 AU /500

Key non-auto RC
- 2011 Donruss Elite #120 /999
- 2011 Bowman Sterling #BSRCK
- 2011 Topps Platinum Green #59 /499

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 | Contributing Editor

In what seems like the card that never ends, Panini America unveiled on Monday morning a 36-player foldout booklet – the longest trading card in history, according to the company.

End to end, the card is more than 8-feet long.

The card has 36 player panels each with a signed and personalized patch.

Five of these booklets – more like novels – were placed in Panini’s 2011 National Treasures Football as a redemption. These cards wouldn’t really fit into packs – and just think of the field day pack searchers would have.

Players on this massive card include Cam Newton (Go Panthers!), Taiwan Jones (Raider Nation), Jamie Harper (Titans ALL THE WAY), Julio Jones (Go Birds!) with many, many other players. The most common personalization came in the form of “Go (Insert current team).”

Check out the video giving perspective on the size of the card.

How would you display this card?

Here’s a list of all the players:
・ Andy Dalton
・ Cam Newton
・ A.J. Green
・ Taiwan Jones
・ DeMarcus Murray
・ Torrey Smith
・ Ryan Mallett
・ Stevan Ridley
・ Shane Vereen
・ Austin Pettis
・ Mikel Leshoure
・ Christian Ponder
・ Jordan Todmer
・ Vincent Brown
・ Von Miller
・ Kyle Rudolph
・ Jonathan Baldwin
・ Jake Locker
・ Jamie Harper
・ Mark Ingram
・ Leonard Hankerson
・ Jerrel Jernigan
・ Delone Carter
・ Blaine Gabbert
・ Julio Jones
・ Marcell Dareus
・ Ryan Williams
・ Clyde Gates
・ Daniel Thomas
・ Greg Little
・ Colin Kaepernick
・ Alex Green
・ Randall Cobb
・ Bilal Powell
・ Kendall Hunter
・ Titus Young

Susan Lulgjuraj is a contributing editor for Beckett Media. You can email Susan here. Follow her on Twitter here.

By Susan Lulgjuraj | Contributing Editor

Panini’s 2011 Playbook Football offered a surprise for collectors.

The high-end product has just four cards per box, but every card is either an autograph, material card or a mixture of both. But the cards that sneaked through photo galleries and preview images could very well be an industry first – printing plate booklets.

There are a number of horizontal booklets in Playbook Football with a portrait and an action photo of the player on the left side. On the right, a horizontal piece of fabric with an on-card autograph at the top.

The printing plate versions of these cards are also in the product, making for an interesting twist on 1/1 cards that have become popular over the last several years. Card companies have found different ways to use printing plates in products such as adding autographs to them, but Playbook may be the first time printing plates have been incorporated into booklets.

Perhaps next on the list, all four plates on fold out making for the ultimate 1/1.

Panini Playbook Football does not come cheap with around a $200 price tag.

Just two of these cards have popped up on eBay with two San Francisco 49ers: Colin Kaepernick and Kendall Hunter.

Susan Lulgjuraj is a contributing editor for Beckett Media. You can email Susan here. Follow her on Twitter here.

By Andrew Tolentino | Football Editor | Commentary

The first post-lockout product of the season, 2011 Rookies & Stars  Football is now live and leaving a lasting impression on hobby history.

Containing the usual blend of early studio-shot Rookie Cards, this year’s release in particular is also marked by a wide array of older-than-usual newcomer photography. Without the luxury of training camp snapshots and other pro uniform pictures, Panini’s preseason brand reflects the NFL year that almost wasn’t.

Delivered by a deep checklist featuring the incoming class in combine gear, the Rookie Cards in Rookies & Stars are arguable artifacts. Probably not reason for a spike in value, they serve to document the impact of the NFL lockout in the hobby.

With that being said, praise the pigskin! Football is back!

Below are some of the no-longer-locked-out sensations  from our forthcoming Box Busters break of 2011 Rookies & Stars.