Once seen as a complimentary player, New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress has emerged as a star. He hasn't achieved the corresponding level of success in the world of football cards, but playing in the largest market in the United States means he could still get there.
Listed at six-foot-five and more than 230 pounds, Burress had the size that made scouts salivate when he entered the NFL out of Michigan State in 2000. The Pittsburgh Steelers liked him enough to take him with the eighth overall pick, and he made his way into the starting lineup in his second season.
Burress enjoyed two straight 1000-yard seasons before slipping a bit in 2003 and suffering numerous injuries in 2004. Before the 2005 season, he signed a six-year deal to join the Giants, where he quickly became the most dangerous weapon in New York's aerial arsenal.
Though he's often characterized as self-centered, Burress showed character and determination while gutting out an ankle injury during the 2007 campaign. His presence in the lineup was even more important with tight end Jeremy Shockey out, and he responded with a career-high 12 touchdowns as the Giants made it all the way to Super Bowl XLII.
As Burress' size and leaping ability continue to give defending players fits, collectors are starting to come around to his cards. Numerous companies were producing football cards during Plaxico's rookie season of 2000, giving hobbyists over 50 rookie cards to choose from. Burress' SPx # 162 autographed jersey card is a popular choice, but other autographed choices like his UD Graded # 160 and his Leaf Rookies and Stars # 148 (the first 200 of 1000 cards were signed) appear to have more room for future growth.
Plaxico Burress 2000 Rookie Cards
- Absolute # 153 - #'d to 3000
- Aurora # 111
- Black Diamond # 170 - jersey card
- Bowman # 174
- Bowman Chrome # 174 - #'d to 499
- Bowman Reserve # 12 - #'d to 999
- Bowman's Best # 115 - #'d to 1499
- Collector's Edge EG # 108
- Collector's Edge Masters # 243 - #'d to 1000
- Collector's Edge Odyssey # 148 - #'d to 999
- Collector's Edge Supreme # 163 - #'d to 2000
- Collector's Edge T3 # 207 - #'d to 999
- Crown Royale # 112
- Donruss # 173 - #'d to 1325
- Donruss Elite # 129 - #'d to 2000
- E-X # 141 - #'d to 1500
- Finest # 131 - #'d to 2400
- Fleer Focus # 212 - #'d to 1999
- Fleer Gamers # 116
- Fleer Mystique # 106 - #'d to 2000
- Fleer Showcase # 105 - #'d to 1000
- Fleer Tradition # 327
- Greats of the Game # 109 - #'d to 1500
- Impact # 21
- Leaf Certified # 243 - #'d to 1000
- Leaf Limited # 419 - jersey/football swatch card #'d to 250
- Leaf Rookies and Stars # 148 - #'d to 1000, first 200 signed
- Metal # 256
- Pacific # 405
- Pacific Omega # 206 - #'d to 500
- Pacific Prism Prospects # 177 - #'d to 1000
- Paramount # 186
- Playoff Contenders # 108 - autographed
- Playoff Momentum # 104 - #'d to 750
- Playoff Prestige # 254 - #'d to 2500
- Private Stock # 140 - #'d to 278
- Quantum Leaf # 304
- Revolution # 138 - #'d to 300
- Score # 279
- SkyBox # 218
- Skybox Dominion # 213
- SP Authentic # 149 - #'d to 1250
- SPx # 162 - autographed jersey card #'d to 500
- Stadium Club # 175
- Topps # 386
- Topps Chrome # 256 - #'d to 1650
- Topps Gallery # 153
- Topps Gold Label Class 1 # 98
- Topps Season Opener # 215
- Topps Stars # 175
- UD Graded # 160 - autographed, #'d to 250
- UD Ionix # 103 - #'d to 2000
- Ultimate Victory # 132 - #'d to 2000
- Ultra # 247
- Upper Deck # 256
- Upper Deck Encore # 256
- Upper Deck Gold Reserve # 202 - #'d to 2500
- Upper Deck Legends # 121 - #'d to 2000
- Upper Deck MVP # 193
- Upper Deck Ovation # 80 - #'d to 2500
- Upper Deck Pros and Prospects # 89 - #'d to 1000
- Upper Deck Victory # 312
- Vanguard # 146 - #'d to 762