As you may recall, Lebron James “The Decision” was much maligned by nearly everyone who watched the spectacle of ego.  Lebron’s a big deal but he’s not that big of deal.  The “Booyah Network” was of course the station airing Lebron’s Decision and if you wasted your time watching, you would have been better off watching a “Chopped” episode where they tried to combine Lobster, Lard and Black Licorice into a main dish, it was that bad.  Sure, you are going to win 7 championships Lebron, just as soon as Rick Majerus is a lightweight.

Anyway, that’s not exactly the point, in spite of all the criticism, the Booyah Network did their best to recreate the atmosphere around “The Decision” with Peyton Manning, that is with the exception of jersey burning and the addition of a lot more John Elway.   Peyton of course was much more low key, which perhaps happen when your younger brother has  more Super Bowl rings than you.   You have to give the Broncos mascot, err I mean president, Elway a lot of credit for stepping out there and making a huge signing in what is always a wide open AFC West.  This signing led to some fairly large fallout as well, namely, a frequent Hot Lister Tim Tebow being traded to the Jets for seemingly who knows what reason.  Mark Sanchez must be calling Kyle Orton to commiserate right now and LT must be thinking that maybe it’s time to hang them up and avoid all the drama this year.

It also led to some fall out as far as the Hot List is concerned.  Do you remember Anthony Gonzalez, Brandon Stokely, Austin Collie, Blair White and a host of other names?  Vague fantasy waiver wire pickups in the back of your head?  They are guys who had career years when Peyton Manning was throwing them the ball.  The eBay market remembered…

1. Eric Decker 2010 Playoff Contenders Autos

Comments: Eric was on the receiving end of several Tim Tebow deep balls, that is, when he threw them this past year.  It was this every so often 50 yard TD that allowed the Broncos to keep doing what they did, running the ball.  With the signing of Peyton Manning collectors are expecting that Eric will be targeted much more frequently.  Eric was one of those guys who you cringed when you saw his name opening 2010 wax and he’s gradually worked to move himself out of that category.  His Contenders autos went from $8 to $25 this week.

2. Demaryius Thomas 2010 Rookie Autos

Comments: Speaking of Broncos receivers, Demaryius Thomas, the hero of the overtime against Pittsburgh is also a beneficiary of the Peyton Pop as I’ve now dubbed it.  Thomas is one of those big, fast, physical, freak athlete receivers that Georgia Tech seems to produce on an unusually frequent basis.  Similar to Decker, collectors are expecting that big plays are going to be happening much more frequently with Peyton Manning at the helm and Thomas on the receiving end.  Contenders Autos moved to $40 this week from $20 last week

3. Freddy Galvis 2008 Bowman Signs of the Future Auto

Comments: I have to believe that someone suggesting Freddy Galvis for the Hot List sent many scurrying off to their commons boxes looking SOTF autographs of the second basemen that will be playing place of Utley.  SOTF used to be very much a four letter word in the prospect world, when a sticker auto of a no-name had the potential of replacing an on card chrome autograph of a first round.  Well, in this case, something became of the once maligned SOTF autos and Freddy’s is worth $40 now.

4. 2012 Panini Preferred Silhouette Patch Autos

Comments: Every once in a while a set releases that really resonates with collectors and in spite of the fact that it’s just another auto, or another patch, the sales of the set significantly outpace anything similar.  As you recall, Museum Collection autos topped this list recently for these exact reasons.  In basketball, when a card blows up it really goes nuts.  Kobe, Durant and D Rose patch autos from the Silhouette set are doing just that, some selling in excess of $2,000!

5. Mike/Giancarlo Stanton 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft Autos

Comments:  A preseason injury may have slowed Gincarlo but it hasn’t slowed Mike’s cards at all.  Collectors expect bigger and bigger things from this young hitter, I guess that’s the reason that when you google the name Giancarlo Stanton you find references to the incredible hulk.  The Marlins had a very non-Marlins type offseason with big signings and you have to believe that Mike hitting bombs and throwing people out with the hand cannon in the national spotlight could drive his autos even higher than they already are.  Refractors crossed the $200 line this week, one selling for $220.

6. Andrew Luck Press Pass Autos

Comments: When football players start making this list pre-draft it is notable.  The main reason is because the early season releases of Press Pass and SAGE typically aren’t much to write home about – but that isn’t stopping collectors from paying crazy dollars for Andrew Luck exclusive autos out of this year’s Press Pass, even if it is terribly ugly.

7. Robert Griffin Leaf Retail Cards

Comments: Now on the early season football releases front, it should be notable what I left out.  Leaf is raising the bar on Press Pass and SAGE – the Metal Autos this year are gorgeous and have been fairly well received by the market.  In my mind, there’s really no doubt where the superior quality lies there.  In addition to that, Leaf has released blaster boxes into Wal Mart with 80 base cards, an Andrew Luck card and two autographs for $20.  Press Pass and SAGE are going to have to step up their game.  Part of the reason that $20 is such a good deal is because even the base card type stuff of Robert Griffin III is selling like crazy.  While his autos from Metal continue to be insane, the base cards from the Wal Mart blasters are also selling and that is the true test of how hot someone is.  If they are scalding, it doesn’t matter what it is with their face on it, it sells and for Robert and Andrew, that is too true.

The Cold List, The Not So Hot List, The Not List

1. The OP of this thread

Comments: In spite of animosity sometimes, I usually consider FCB to be a very friendly message board.  However, there is one thing that can get you mocked faster than anything – come on the boards and say you are quitting collecting, then take it back, then three months later, do it again.  This is what happened here and hallsgator’s comment for the win!

2. Jesus Montero 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft Autos

Comments: I ran across some Montero cards when searching for Giancarlo Stanton autographs.  Some Montero base autos are now selling for $50 and that may sound like something that should be on the Hot List and not, the Not List – but you have to remember Montero has been on this very list for that card being near $100.  It’s not that people think less of Montero, it’s that they think less of the Mariners.  Don’t go the way of Jeff Clement, Jesus, we beg you.

3. PSA

Comments: If you go back a few previous blog entries you will find a recent post I made on PSA as they relate to the FCB Group Sub.  Honestly, as the guy taking the payments and facilitating something that I believed would have been fantastic for the board members, I was pretty ticked off.  Not only does is it bad for the members, it is a pain in the butt for me to send the cards and payments all back out – all to get nothing.   It’s not to say that PSA isn’t absolutely the vintage card grader of choice, they are and will continue to be that.  It’s also not to say that they haven’t carved themselves out quite the niche in the hobby, that’s happened too.  It is simply another example to me of poor customer service in a hobby that seems to be plagued with it.