Swing and A Miss

The NFL's final four teams are set.  Atlanta Falcons, 49ers, Ravens and Patriots.  The games this past weekend were thrilling to the end.  The Falcons barely escaped with their last second field goal and the Ravens upset the Broncos.  Peyton Manning's team came up short for him once again, like they have repeatedly in his historic career.  The Saints won Super Bowl 44 basically by an onsides kick and several dropped passes by the inept Colts receivers.  Peyton should have 2 Rings like Eli, but the elder Manning never had the luxury of a great supporting cast(& Miracles), especially a stout defense.  The Broncos D came up as short as any top defense ever has.  The critics are sneezing @ the coaching and at Peyton, but if the defense played to half of their capability the game wouldn't have been close.

The 49ers found a diamond in the rough with Colin Kaepernick and the Falcons are striving to live up to expecatations.  It's looking like a 49ers, Patriots Super Bowl, but no prediction is ever golden in the NFL.  I bought some 2012 Topps Chrome Football Hobby Boxes direct from their website.  4 Boxes later the best I did was a Nick Foles Autograph.  Got a couple Luck's & RG3's but nothing rare or autographed.  The disappointment of striking out on finding a rare refractor or expensive autograph was only outweighed by the hours of fun.  I have perfected my wax pack opening technique, as to not damage a single edge or corner.  My method is a secret because the Hobby is competitive and I'm trying to win. 

Before now, the last time I bought a hobby box was two years ago when I got (2) 2003-04 Topps Finest Basketball hobby boxes.  The trend remained the same as I did not find a single Lebron James rookie.  I didn't even get a Bosh, Wade or Anthony.  I had to settle for a Brian Grant refractor(all I saw were the Heat Colors and I was so pissed when it wasn't D-Wade).  Oh and a Francisco Elson Autograph rookie.  Also got a Ben Wallace and Chris Webber game worn jersey cards.  These Topps Finest cards are some of the most aesthetically pleasing and well designed cards I've ever seen.  They shine like diamonds, they reflect like mirrors and the Top Refractors fetch a very hefty price tag.  Too Bad I didn't get 1;P