Tight End Football Card Collecting Guide
In the last decade of NFL action, no position has undergone a greater evolution than that of the Tight End. In the year 2000, the Tight End position was viewed as one of the least athletic and relevant positions on a football team. Fast forward to 2010 and you will find a league filled with Tight Ends that more closely resemble Middle Linebackers, Safeties and Wide Receivers. Below is a look at the top 10 Tight Ends in the year 2000 and the year 2009.
Top 10 Tight Ends in the Year 2000
- Tony Gonzalez - 93 receptions, 1,203 yards, 9 TD
- Shannon Sharpe - 67 receptions, 810 yards, 5 TD
- Freddie Jones - 71 receptions, 766 yards, 5 TD
- Chad Lewis - 69 receptions, 735 yards, 3 TD
- Kyle Brady - 64 receptions, 729 yards, 3 TD
- Frank Wycheck - 70 receptions, 636 yards, 4 TD
- Ken Dilger - 47 receptions, 538 yards, 3 TD
- Stephen Alexander - 47 receptions, 510 yards, 2 TD
- Dwayne Carswell - 49 receptions, 495 yards, 3 TD
- Marcus Pollard - 30 receptions, 439 yards, 3 TD
Top 10 Tight Ends in the year 2009
- Antonio Gates - 79 receptions, 1,157 yards, 8 TD
- Dallas Clark - 100 receptions, 1,106 yards, 10 TD
- Jason Witten - 94 receptions, 1,030 yards, 2 TD
- Brent Celek - 76 receptions, 971 yards, 8 TD
- Vernon Davis - 78 receptions, 965 yards, 13 TD
- Kellen Winslow - 77 receptions, 884 yards, 5 TD
- Tony Gonzalez - 83 receptions, 867 yards, 6 TD
- Zach Miller - 66 receptions, 805 yards, 3 TD
- Heath Miller - 76 receptions, 789 yards, 6 TD
- Jermichael Finley - 55 receptions, 676 yards, 5 TD
Perhaps the most interesting statistic is the yards per catch achieved by players like Antonio Gates, Vernon Davis, Zack Miller, Brent Celek and Jermichael Finley. Not only can the modern Tight End moves the chains and block, they can also stretch the field and in the case of Antonio Gates and Vernon Davis, be as dominant as the NFL's top tier Wide Receivers in the red zone.
What does this add up to? It means that Tight End cards have some major catching up to do in value! With each new season, the Tight End position keeps getting deeper, stronger, and more athletic. 2010 rookie Tight Ends like Jermaine Gresham of the Bengals and the Patriots Aaron Hernandez are proof that the position isn't even close to concluding it's evolution. Who knows, 10 years from now the Tight End could be the most dominant position on a football field. Below are 10 high quality Tight End cards worth looking into. Injuries to Dallas Clark and Jermichael Finley will undoubtadly lead to some insanely great values.
- 2003 SkyBox LE #106 Antonio Gates RC ($100-$120)
- 2003 Sweet Spot #173 Antonio Gates RC ($40-$50)
- 2006 SP Authentic #257 Vernon Davis Jersey Auto RC /699 ($30-$50)
- 2008 Playoff Contenders #148 Jermichael Finley Auto RC /239 ($40-$60)
- 2003 Playoff Contenders #150 Dallas Clark Auto RC /539 ($40-$50)
- 2010 Rookies and Stars #251 Aaron Hernandez Auto RC /299 RC ($15-$30)
- 2010 Topps Chrome Rookie Autographs #C87 Aaron Hernandez ($10-$20)
- 2010 Absolute Memorabilia #226 Jermaine Gresham RPM Auto RC ($10-$20)
- 2010 Topps Platinum Autographed Patches #JG Jermaine Gresham /800 ($10-$25)
- 1997 SP Authentic #11 Tony Gonzalez RC ($5-$10)
- 2003 Playoff Contenders #117 Jason Witten Auto RC /599 ($75-$100)
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