[jplarson]

2000 Topps Finest

If this box is indicative of the entire print run, Topps had some quality control issues. Several cards were cut noticeably shorter than others, and a couple wound up taller. I noticed some of the stamped serial numbers didn't stamp all the way, missing some gold foil. And maybe it's because they sat in a box for 14 years, but all the base cards have a tacky feel to them. Not something I'd expect from a Finest set, even before it rose from mid-range to mid-high end. The inserts are what steal the show, the base design isn't my favorite in the set's history but not the worst. Not having regular refractors is also a miss. I'm very happy to have hit an auto with average odds of 1 every 2 boxes.

Base: 99 of 125 (6 dupes) - 79% of set
Base + SP: 105 of 205 - 51% of complete set
Rookies (1:11) - JaJuan Dawson 847/2400, Sylvester Morris 884/2400
Inherent Fire (1:8) - Jerry Rice/Plaxico Burress, Ron Dayne/Jamal Anderson, Courtney Brown/Bruce Smith
Gems (1:24) - Payton Manning (complete /w Manning face on the back)

Gold Refractor - Jeff Graham 161/300
Finest Moments (1:8) - Marshall Faulk, Patrick Jeffers, Qadry Ismail
Finest Moments Jumbo (1 per box) - Marshall Faulk
NFL Europe's Finest (1:24) - La'Roi Glover
Out of the Blue (1:24) - Germane Crowell
Superstars (1:16) - Dan Marino, Marshall Faulk, Marvin Harrison

Finest Moments Refractor Autographs (1:48) - Germane Crowell




2000 Playoff Absolute

This is the forerunner to the Absolute Memorabilia line and contains my beloved Leather and Laces. This was the "industry first, largest game-used and game-dated football set ever" with 130 different cards, a mark I think still stands today. The box is comes in is super nice, with a hinged top half that reveals 20 packs within. My wife and I noticed the edges of the base set had some rough cuts to them and some chipping on some cards.

Base: 104 of 150 (1 dupe) - 69%
Base + SP: 109 of 250 - 44%

Rookies: Shaun Alexander 1189/3000, Ahmed Plummer 1148/3000, Shaun Ellis 1422/3000, Danny Farmer 544/3000, Erik Flowers 585/3000

Coaches Honors - Kevin Johnson 195/300
Extreme Team (1:27) - Randy Moss
Rookie Reflex (1:10) - Jamal Lewis, Trung Canidate
Tools of the Trade - Akili Smith 538/2000, Marshall Faulk 387/1500

Leather and Laces - Ricky Dudley 102/175

It was a super long shot to get Bobby Engram or Tim Dwight, but it was fun to hope for



2014 Topps Chrome

Last but not least is the 2014 Topps Chrome blaster. This particular one promised 4 exclusive refractors in a pack plus 7 regular 4 card packs. Here's the breakdown:

Refractors - Matt Ryan, Luke Kuechly
Xfractors - Frank Gore, Vontaze Burfict
Purple Refractors - Dez Bryant, CJ Spiller, Von Miller, Robert Mathis
Blue Wave Refractors - DeSean Jackson
BCA Pink Refractors - Andre Williams 374/399

Fantasy Focus - Vernon Davis
1985 - Bishop Sankey
1963 Minis - Aaron Murray
Rookie Die Cut - Jace Amaro

Rookie Autograph - Jordan Matthews (signed my name terribly)

[djohn]

That Shaun Alexander would've been a really nice hit back when the product was released.

[kfeldman]

Awesome Topps chrome blaster! Is that Matthews for trade? I'd like a shot at it if it is. Thanks

[jplarson]

Awesome Topps chrome blaster! Is that Matthews for trade? I'd like a shot at it if it is. Thanks

Offer sent!

That Shaun Alexander would've been a really nice hit back when the product was released.

For sure. I always try to put box breaks in context of the era. If it wasn't for Brady being in the set, I probably would have purchased a couple more of these boxes over the years.

[spazzyvol]

Check me for manning and Jamal lewis

[rayeates]

Very cool breaks! I love seeing older cards in a new light. If that Crowell is available I would like a shot. Best wishes!

Randi

[alstott9adams]

Sweet stuff

[ZSDOne]

Nice Matthews - good player, bad auto. Actually in that one, it doesn't even look like he bothered to include his second initial.

[Vicktory717]

Sweet breaks on the finest and absolute man. That brings back a lot of memories for me, the card game has come quite a long way since those days, for the better or the worse I'm not quite sure but it's always sweet to see someone bust the old stuff like this! Those 2000 Finest Moments autos were always one of my favorite autograph sets, ever. Such an awesome looking card! Good stuff man, good stuff!

[jplarson]

Looking up another old thread for reference and ran across this. Opened a box of 2000 Absolute looking for Leather and Laces cards..... just think if I had held it for 7 years lol!