2007 Topps DPP Senior Standouts Brandon Meriweather

Who is this? Chicago Bears Safety Brandon Meriweather.
What is this? An autograph card from 2007 Topps Draft Picks and Prospects Senior Standouts Senior Bowl Jersey Card.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Brandon at Patriots' Training Camp in 2008.
How much did it cost? I got two copies of this card for like $5 a few years ago.

Why is this so special? If you wanted to make the case that the Pro Bowl is a farse and a fraud in the modern NFL, your first piece of evidence might be the that Brandon Meriweather is a two-time Pro Bowl selection (2009 and 2010) despite the fact that most people consider him a "bust."

Meriweather was drafted by the New England Patriots in the first-round (24th overall) in the 2007 NFL Draft out of the University of Miami (FL). In four-seasons with the New England Patriots, Meriweather never misssed a game, intercepted twelve passes, and force five fumbles. However, despite solid statistics and two Pro Bowls, Meriweather never really fit into the Patriots' defensive scheme and was cut by New England at the end of the Pre-Season in 2011.

While cutting Meriweather after a Pro Bowl season may seem odd, it came as no surprise to those following the Patriots. Meriweather quickly signed with the Chicago Bears, but did little to prove that the Patriots were wrong to part-ways with him. In fact, Meriweather only played in 11 games (4 starts) for the Bears in 2011, with no interceptions, sacks, or forced fumbles.

Nonetheless, Meriweather seemed like a cool enough guy the few times that I met him. He was very interested in the 2007 DPP Senior Bowl Game-Used Jersey card when I gave it to him to sign it, and actually asked if I had made the card myself.

Here are two other cards that Meriweather signed for me:

2004 Upper Deck Vince Wilfork

Who is this? New England Patriots' three-time Pro Bowl Defensive Lineman Vince Wilfork.
What is this? An autograph card from 2004 Upper Deck.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed at the Patriots' Training Camp in Foxboro(ugh), MA in 2005. (Normal people spell it Foxboro, snooty residents spell it Foxborough)
How much did it cost? I think I paid about a buck for it on eBay in 2004.

Why is this so special? Vince Wilfork has been one of the best and most important players on the New England Patriots since he was drafted in 2004. Wilfork was on the Patriots Super Bowl winning team in 2004 and has made the Pro Bowl three times. But, what makes Vince even more impressive in my mind is his community involvement and his treatment of fans. While many Patriots stars avoid fans and signing autographs as much as possible, Vince continues to be a great signer during Training Camp and holds many charitable events each year to raise money for Joslin Diabetes Center and The Diabetes Research Center at the University of Miami.

Wilfork's signature is clear and looks nice against his orange University of Miani uniform on the card. Of the handful of Vince autographs that I have, I think that this may be my favorite because it takes up the whole card and does not get obscured by the blue Patriots uniform.