Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals is to rip a little less and talk more about cardboard that I -- and you -- might like. One way to do that? Simple show and tell -- present a few pick-ups and say why they captured my attention.

So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys.

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OFF-SEASON SLABBING
The Card: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 2019 Topps Chrome RC (PSA 9)
The Price: About $15
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: The pop report on this one is flip-flopped like a lot of new modern cards -- it's got more than 1,500 PSA 10s but just over 150 PSA 9s out of nearly 1,700 graded ... not the norm, really. Nonetheless, I still didn't mind it in this grade for this price. The short-printed Series 2 card that carries the same photo as this one is a tougher grade -- those corners can be chippy -- but rather than sub my own there and hope for a PSA 9 I just decided to go this route on Chrome. I'll probably do more when they present themselves or perhaps submit others at some point. (I'll have a big submission I already made batting lead-off in a future Making The Grade, too.) My gut feeling is that this super-rookie didn't live up to the massive hype we had envisioned last year -- so 2020 could be one that is dramatic for his cardboard ... one way or another.
Grab a box right here: 2019 Topps Chrome 

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Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals just might be to rip fewer blasters this year and talk more about cardboard that I -- and you -- might like. One way to do that? Simple show and tell -- present a few pick-ups and say why they captured my attention. Would they capture yours? I'd be interested to know -- sometimes they might, sometimes they won't and that's fine. It's a buyer's market out there with plenty of options and bargains as well as high-end gems to chase.

So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ... and this time around they're varied but also pretty cheap. (The way Buzz likes it.)

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TAKING ADVANTAGE OF MINOR FLAWS
The Card: Calvin Ridley 2018 Panini Obsidian Cutting Edge Relics Electric Etch Orange #CE-14 (/35)
The Price: $7
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This is a nice card of a strong rookie from a funky brand that didn't break the bank because it's got a few minor flaws that aren't that uncommon with thick-stock memorabilia cards. That's fine because they don't take away from the feel of what is a different kind of card that shows Panini is trying some things with die-cutting designs. It was that process that led to some compression wrinkling on a back edge and a spots on the top front edge, but I still liked it enough to pick up. Ridley had flashes of brilliance during his rookie season that included 64 catches for 821 yards and 10 touchdowns and I'm a buyer when they're on the cheap because I think there's some potential for more here. (Memorabilia cards can be cheap buys for football because they are often plentiful -- yet they are a fun alternative to pricey autographs in my book.) This is a brand that includes some big stuff -- far bigger than what my tastes are focused on. It's worth a look.
Grab a box right here: 2018 Panini Obsidian NFL boxes

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The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: Brooklyn Collection chatter, NFL breaks, a Harrison Ford 1/1 auto sighting and more.

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The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: Blasts from the past, big trades, lazy autos, big pulls and more.

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What: 2018 Panini Obsidian football cards
Arrives: Nov. 21
Box basics: Four autograph or memorabilia cards per seven-card box (12 boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: This new brand arrives on the NFL calendar from Panini America with an approach that "takes opti-chrome technology to the next level with Electric Etch parallels" as well as "eruption of sharp, edgy and contemporary designs."

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