15 Most Valuable 2006 Topps Football Cards

2006 Topps #150 Tom Brady

Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $70

Coming off a disappointing 10-6 season that concluded with a divisional-round loss to the Denver Broncos, Tom Brady’s New England Patriots have been trying to re-establish themselves as an NFL dynasty in 2006.

Brady was good however not nice.

After back-to-back Professional Bowl seasons, he would fail to maintain that streak alive.

Brady threw for 3,529 yards, averaging simply 220.6 yards per recreation, his lowest since his sophomore season.

Nevertheless, he tied his profession low in sacks with 26 and interceptions with 12.

Brady’s protected, measured play helped lead the Patriots to a 12-4 report and a postseason run that started with a 37-16 Wild Card blowout over the New York Jets.

After Brady threw what seemed to be a game-losing late interception within the Divisional Spherical versus top-ranked San Diego, receiver Troy Brown stripped the ball and New England recovered.

Brown proved to be the sport’s savior, because the Patriots took the lead with only a minute to go and superior to the AFC Championships towards the Indianapolis Colts.

The Patriots took an early 21-3 lead however have been buried within the 2nd half by Manning and a number of clutch kicks by former Patriot legend Adam Vinatieri.

2006 Topps #161 Drew Brees

Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $60

2006 noticed huge modifications for the New Orleans Saints.

Nonetheless recovering from Hurricane Katrina, the town rallied round new head coach Sean Payton and new quarterback Drew Brees because the Saints lastly returned to the Louisiana Superdome.

Brees thrived with the Saints in a manner he by no means had with the San Diego Chargers, main the league with 4,418 passing yards.

His 26 touchdowns to solely 11 interceptions and a 64.3 completion share helped earn him a Professional Bowl choice and First-Workforce All-Professional honors.

Regardless of his unbelievable season, it wasn’t sufficient to catch LaDanian Tomlinson within the MVP race.

At 10-6, the Saints completed 1st within the NFC South, incomes a first-round bye for the primary time in franchise historical past.

Within the Divisional Spherical towards the Philidelphia Eagles, the Saints’ elite offense stalled out within the fourth quarter, narrowly escaping with a 27-24 victory.

For the primary time because the group started in 1967, the New Orleans Saints superior to the NFC Championship.

Sadly for Saints followers, the top-seeded Chicago Bears and their overwhelming protection proved an excessive amount of for the Saints, eliminating them in a 39-14 rout.

2006 Topps #84 Aaron Rodgers

Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $50

Whereas many thought the San Francisco 49ers would possibly draft Aaron Rodgers with the primary choose of the 2005 NFL Draft, they opted for Alex Smith as an alternative.

Smith had a high-quality profession.

However, thankfully for the Inexperienced Bay Packers, Rodgers fell into their arms with the twenty fourth choose total.

Nevertheless, Rodgers spent his first three years as Brett Favre’s backup, studying from the grasp because the crew’s inheritor obvious below middle.

Nevertheless it was an odd state of affairs at occasions.

Favre’s aggressive fireplace did not all the time lend itself nicely to tutoring his future alternative.

Coming off a devastating 4-12 season in 2005, the connection between Rodgers and Favre had been lower than superb.

And there have been doubts about whether or not or not Favre would stick with the crew.

Favre finally stayed, and Rodgers once more performed backup behind the star quarterback.

Sadly, he obtained even much less taking part in time than his rookie season.

Probably the most taking part in time Rodgers obtained all through the season was in week 11 towards the New England Patriots.

He accomplished 4 of twelve passes earlier than injuring his foot and ending his season.

2006 Topps #163 Ray Lewis

Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $50

After lacking the playoffs a number of seasons in a row, it felt like the previous Tremendous Bowl champion Ravens and their star defender Ray Lewis would look to rebuild.

Nevertheless, the signing of veteran quarterback Steve McNair and new younger expertise helped cause them to a a lot stronger 2006 season.

Lewis continued to shine as a defender, selecting up two interceptions, a pressured fumble, a fumble restoration and a career-high 5 sacks for the season.

He completed fifth in Defensive Participant of the 12 months voting however sadly missed the Professional Bowl for the second 12 months in a row.

The revitalized Ravens completed the season 13-3, surpassing even their 2000 Tremendous Bowl season’s common season report.

After a first-round bye, the Ravens squared off towards the Indianapolis Colts and Peyton Manning within the Divisional Spherical.

Lewis and crew dealt with Manning and his high-powered offense superbly, permitting zero touchdowns on the day.

Sadly, the Ravens offense did not sniff the top zone both.

It got here all the way down to discipline objectives in what turned out to be an unbelievable battle of the defenses.

The Colts received that battle, getting Adam Vinatieri into discipline purpose vary 5 occasions, and he efficiently transformed all 5 to assist Indy win a 15-6.

2006 Topps #280 Tom Brady

Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $50

2006 Topps #334 Devin Hester Rookie Card

Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $50

It had been over twenty years because the Chicago Bears appeared in a Tremendous Bowl when Mike Ditka led his crew to a 46-10 win over New England in Tremendous Bowl XX.

Little did Bears followers understand it when the 2006 NFL season began, however they’d quickly get one other likelihood at a hoop.

Devin Hester, the 57th choose of the 2006 NFL Draft, was one of many large causes for this.

Although he might play nearly wherever, the Bears drafted the Miami Hurricanes star primarily as a return specialist.

It was a sensible transfer.

Hester had arguably probably the most dominant efficiency by a particular groups rookie in NFL historical past, main the league in punt return yardage (600), punts returned for a TD (3) and kicks returned for a TD (2).

In direction of the top of the season, groups started exercising excessive warning when kicking to him.

However the Indianapolis Colts did not get the memo.

Or, not less than, they ignored it.

In Tremendous Bowl XLI, Hester took the opening kickoff for a rating, making it the primary and solely time anybody returned a gap kickoff for a landing in NFL historical past.

Sadly for the Bears, the Colts prevented kicking on to him the remainder of the night time and went on to a 29-17 victory.

2006 Topps #51 Peyton Manning

Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $40

With nice expertise comes nice expectations.

And two-time MVP Peyton Manning was beginning to enter conversations as the most effective gamers in NFL historical past by no means to win a championship.

In 2006, Manning and the Colts got down to change that narrative.

Manning led the league in passing touchdowns with 31 and quarterback ranking (86.4), a stat that debuted in 2006, QBR.

The Colts QB earned his fifth consecutive Professional Bowl look and led his crew to their fourth consecutive 12+ win season.

Nonetheless, Indy followers had seen this all earlier than.

Would the playoffs prove any completely different this time?

The 12-4 Colts started their playoff run within the Wild Card Spherical towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, cruising to a 23-8 victory.

Manning put kicker Adam Vinatieri ready to shut the sport towards the Baltimore Ravens within the divisional spherical, the place the Colts received 15-6 in a no-touchdown defensive battle.

And eventually, after narrowly squeaking by the rival New England Patriots 28-24 within the AFC Championship, the Colts have been within the Tremendous Bowl.

Colts followers started to panic after a 14-6 first-quarter deficit towards the Chicago Bears.

However Manning and crew performed it cool, resulting in a 29-17 victory and securing Manning his first championship and a Tremendous Bowl MVP.

2006 Topps #200 Brett Favre

Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $35

Regardless of a disastrous 2005 season, legendary quarterback Brett Favre returned to the Inexperienced Bay Packers trying to proper the ship in 2006.

After ending 4-12 the 12 months earlier than and backup Aaron Rodgers ready within the wings, Favre had much more stress on his shoulders than typical.

So, in typical Favre style, the Mississippi native got here out firing.

His career-high 613 makes an attempt have been tops within the NFL.

However that heavy quantity got here with a value: his completion share dipped to a career-low 56%.

Fortunately, he took higher care of the ball total.

After posting a league-worst 29 interceptions in 2005, Favre diminished the quantity of picks to a extra Favre-like 18.

Sadly, he threw simply 18 touchdowns.

Workforce success was as hit-and-miss as Favre’s particular person stats.

One other catastrophe like 2005 appeared imminent after the crew began the season 4-8.

Nevertheless, Favre and the Packers rebounded to shut the season 8-8, narrowly lacking the playoffs.

Nonetheless, Favre’s time in Inexperienced Bay was rapidly working out.

2006 Topps #288 Peyton Manning

Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $35

2006 Topps #16 Troy Polamalu

Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $30

The longer term regarded vibrant for famous person security Troy Polomalu after his unbelievable efficiency through the 2005 season.

Not solely did Polamalu earl All-Professional honors and a third-place end in Defensive Participant of the 12 months voting, he’d additionally been integral in serving to Pittsburgh to its fifth Tremendous Bowl title.

Followers adored him.

Opposing offenses loathed him.

Nevertheless, issues did not go as easily for the Steelers in 2006.

Nonetheless, regardless of the chaos surrounding quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and the crew failing to gel, Polamalu performed as much as the usual he’d set in 2005.

He pressured one fumble and recorded one sack and three interceptions whereas selecting up 77 mixed tackles.

Polamalu’s efforts earned him a third consecutive Professional Bowl.

Regardless of an terrible begin, the Steelers discovered a rhythm within the again half of the season.

Sadly, the harm had been carried out, and the defending champions did not make the playoffs.

2006 Topps #100 LaDainian Tomlinson

Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $30

With quarterback Drew Brees headed to the New Orleans Saints, the San Diego Chargers turned to their 2004 draft choose: quarterback Phillip Rivers.

LaDainian Tomlinson was thrilled.

Introducing a younger, inexperienced quarterback elevated the three-time Professional Bowler’s workload much more.

However nobody might have predicted what was about to occur.

The star working again had an unbelievable NFL-best 1,815 speeding yards whereas setting the report for many speeding touchdowns in NFL historical past with 28.

He even added 3 receiving touchdowns, main the league in mixed speeding and receiving touchdowns.

The Chargers started the season 4-2, continuing to win each recreation for the rest of the common season.

Within the Divisional Spherical towards the New England Patriots, Tomlinson had 123 yards and two touchdowns.

Sadly, one too many fumbles by his teammates and a missed kick within the fourth quarter brought on the 14-2 Chargers to collapse.

Although he would have most popular extra playoff success, Tomlinson dominated the NFL MVP vote over his former teammate, Drew Brees.

2006 Topps #214 Ben Roethlisberger

Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $30

Defending NFL Champion “Large” Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers have been hungry to defend their NFL title in 2006.

Nevertheless, earlier than coaching camp had even begun, Roethlisberger was concerned in a near-lethal motorbike accident with a driver who did not yield.

Additional misfortunes continued for Roethlisberger all through the season, together with an emergency appendectomy and a concussion.

Understandably, Roethlisberger struggled to take care of his kind from his earlier two seasons and posted a career-high 23 interceptions to solely 18 touchdowns.

Nevertheless, he did handle to put up one other extra optimistic profession excessive, with 234.2 yards per recreation.

The early chaos despatched the Steelers right into a spiral, and the previous champions started the season 2-6.

As soon as Roethlisberger had labored himself again into taking part in situation and the crew had discovered their stride, the Steelers confirmed their champion caliber and ended the season 6-2.

Nevertheless, it was too late, and the 8-8 Steelers did not make the playoffs and defend their title.

2006 Topps #363 Vernon Davis Rookie Card

Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $30

After a First Workforce All-ACC choice and consensus All-American honors in his remaining collegiate season, College of Maryland tight finish Vernon Davis declared for the 2006 NFL Draft.

Davis was chosen sixth total by a struggling San Francisco 49ers crew.

Gone have been the glory days of Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and Steve Younger.

Davis was one among a number of younger abilities tasked with bringing delight again to the purple and gold.

Nevertheless, a midseason damage allowed Davis to play in simply ten video games (eight begins) throughout his promising rookie debut.

Nonetheless, he managed to choose up 265 yards and three touchdowns.

The 49ers have been 5-5 with six video games to go, however closed the season on a low notice and completed 7-9, failing to make the playoffs for the fourth season in a row.

Davis would spend ten years with the 49ers, twice incomes Professional Bowl honors.

He’d later earn a Tremendous Bowl ring with the Denver Broncos throughout his one-year stint in 2015.

Nonetheless, regardless of a strong profession, it by no means felt like Davis fairly lived as much as his lofty expectations.

2006 Topps #351 Mario Williams Rookie Card

Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $20

Whereas Vince Younger and Reggie Bush could have been the highest-profile gamers coming into the 2006 NFL Draft, defensive finish Mario Williams wound up as the primary choose.

The Houston Texans felt like that they had their quarterback and working again in Derek Carr and Ron Dayne, respectively.

So Williams was their man at primary.

Contemporary off an elite three-year profession with the NC State Wolfpack, the place he set the college’s report for sacks, Williams was an early favourite for NFL Defensive Rookie of the 12 months.

Williams had a strong statistical rookie season for the Texans, forcing a fumble, selecting up 4.5 sacks, and delivering 47 mixed tackles.

Nevertheless, he completed fifth in Defensive Rookie of the 12 months voting.

As a substitute, it was his teammate, linebacker DeMeco Ryans, who the crew had drafted with the primary choose of the second spherical, who took residence the respect.

Ryans completed his profession as a two-time Professional Bowler, whereas Williams earned the respect 4 occasions.

After ending the season on a two-game win streak, the Texans completed with a 6-10 report.

Whereas they have been distant from the playoffs, the long run was wanting up.

2006 Topps #359 Reggie Bush Rookie Card

Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $20

Heisman winner Reggie Bush was coming off a legendary profession at USC and coming into the 2006 NFL Draft as probably the most hyped rookies in NFL historical past.

With a brand new head coach (Sean Payton) and a brand new quarterback (Drew Brees) already in place, the New Orleans Saints have been ecstatic so as to add Bush to their new offense with the second choose.

Bush rushed 565 yards for six touchdowns and added 88 receiving yards for 2 touchdowns.

He performed nicely.

However he did not match the hype that surrounded him.

Surprisingly, he completed solely fifth in Offensive Rookie of the 12 months voting, far behind award winner Vince Younger, who had positioned second behind Bush within the earlier 12 months’s Heisman voting.

Nonetheless, the Saints noticed crew success, ending 10-6 and making the NFC Championships earlier than shedding 14-39 to the Chicago Bears.

2006 additionally noticed off-the-field controversy for Bush, because it was the beginning of a four-year investigation into presents Bush obtained from USC.

The investigation would finally lead to Bush forfeiting his Heisman award for over a decade till the 2024 NIL modifications by the NCAA.

Apparently, his rookie card is available in two variations.

2006 Topps Soccer Playing cards In Overview

Sadly, collectors who loaded up on 2006 Topps soccer to stockpile Vince Younger and Reggie Bush rookies by no means actually noticed the fruits of their efforts.

Each gamers had first rate careers.

However they by no means got here near dwelling as much as expectations.

Not one of the rookies on this set did, actually.

Do not get me fallacious, a variety of these guys had excellent careers and went to loads of Professional Bowls.

However you needed to have been round again then to know how a lot hype there was round a few of these guys.

And, to at the present time, Devin Hester is the one rookie from 2006 who made it to the Corridor of Fame.

That does not make this set disappointing by any means, however it does depart loads of considered what may need been.

There 385-card guidelines included a number of subsets on the back-end:

• League Leaders (#279 – 287)
• All-Professional (#288 – 307)
• Highlights (#308 – 310)
• Rookies (#311 – 385)

Once more, had among the rookies lived as much as their lofty expectations, this set would possibly get extra consideration than it does.

As a substitute, it turned out to be a reasonably common set for the period whereas nonetheless providing an important design and loads of star energy.