Looking to collect a player who started out hot but still has room to grow? Look no further than Ben Roethlisberger, quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
When Roethlisberger entered the NFL in 2004, there was some debate over whether he or Eli Manning was the best quarterback prospect in the draft. Popular opinion favored Manning's pedigree, but some scouts thought Roethlisberger's big frame and big arm outweighed the lesser competition he faced playing for Miami University in Ohio. Manning went first overall, and Roethlisberger was taken 11th by the Steelers.
It turned out to be a perfect fit. Thrust into a starting role early due to injuries, Roethlisberger turned in the best season ever for a rookie QB, going 13-0 as a starter and winning the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. He also led the Steelers to the AFC Championship game, where they came up short against the New England Patriots.
Roethlisberger fell victim to the injury bug himself in 2005, but he was healthy enough to orchestrate an even better playoff run. Though his personal stats were poor, he became the youngest quarterback ever to win a championship when the Steelers defeated the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL.
Despite his early success, Roethlisberger has had to overcome some adversity. Before the 2006 season, he survived a serious motorcycle accident that broke several bones. He's also shrugged off critics who felt that Pittsburgh's power running game and defense deserved most of the credit for the team's victories. He's clearly capable of carrying the load when needed, as he proved in the first game of the 2007 season when he threw four touchdowns on just 12 completions to lead a rout of the Cleveland Browns.
As befits a former first-rounder who's already won a Super Bowl, Roethlisberger's 40-plus 2004 rookie cards don't come cheap. But there are some bargains even among his autographed cards for collectors who hunt around, like his Topps Signature # 93 and his Sweet Spot # 287.
Ben Roethlisberger 2004 Rookie Cards
- Absolute Memorabilia # 227 - jersey card #'d to 750
- Bazooka # 210
- Bowman # 114
- Bowman Chrome # 111 - autographed, #'d to 199
- Bowman's Best # 130 - autographed, #'d to 199
- Donruss Classics # 227 - #'d to 500
- Donruss Elite # 105 - #'d to 500
- E-X # 46 - autographed jersey card #'d to 100
- Finest # 108 - autographed, #'d to 399
- Flair # 64 - #'d to 799
- Fleer Authentix # 134 - w/ Bill Cowher autograph, #'d to 250
- Fleer Genuine # 82 - #'d to 500
- Fleer Inscribed # 82 - #'d to 750
- Fleer Platinum # 137 - #'d to 299
- Fleer Showcase # 113 - #'d to 599
- Fleer Sweet Sigs # 87 - #'d to 999
- Fleer Tradition # 333
- Greats of the Game # 73 - #'d to 999
- Hot Prospects # 86 - autographed jersey card #'d to 150
- Leaf Certified Materials # 227 - jersey card #'d to 1250
- Leaf Limited # 227 - autographed jersey card #'d to 150
- Leaf Rookies and Stars # 277 - jersey card #'d to 750
- Playoff Contenders # 106 - autographed w/ announced print run of 541
- Playoff Hogg Heaven # 174 - #'d to 750
- Playoff Honors # 227 - jersey card #'d to 750
- Playoff Prestige # 159
- Playoff Prime Signatures # 134 - autographed, #'d to 99
- Reflections # 191 - #'d to 450
- Score # 381
- SkyBox LE # 71 - #'d to 99
- SP Authentic # 213 - autographed jersey card #'d to 299
- SP Game Used # 171 - #'d to 425
- SPx # 220 - autographed jersey card #'d to 375
- Sweet Spot # 287 - autographed, #'d to 199
- Topps # 311
- Topps Chrome # 166
- Topps Draft Picks and Prospects # 165
- Topps Pristine # 51
- Topps Signature # 93 - autographed, #'d to 299
- Topps Total # 375
- UD Diamond All-Star # 93
- UD Diamond Pro Sigs # 93
- Ultimate Collection # 127 - autographed, #'d to 150
- Ultra # 213 - #'d to 500
- Upper Deck # 204
- Upper Deck Finite HG # 269 - #'d to 99
- Upper Deck Foundations # 259 - jersey card #'d to 499
- Upper Deck Legends # 119
