SIGnificant Cards - Anquan Boldin 2003 Upper Deck SPX Auto Rookie

In 2003 the NFL Draft Class wasn't nearly as hyped as the last two have been. Social Media wasn't a tool to communicate like it is today, and it is mind-blowing how quickly information circulates these days, especially in the card-collecting world.

When you look back at the 2003 Draft's Top Ten, it wasn't loaded with a group of players that dominated the league. The Houston Texans are by far the winners of top ten of '03 with the #3 overall selection -- WR Andre Johnson.

However if you look a little deeper in the draft, many players are still making an impact in the NFL. Here's a short list of solid players from 2003:

• Andre Johnson
• Terrell Suggs
• Troy Polamalu
• Charles Tilman
• Jason Witten
• Lance Briggs
• Brandon Lloyd
• Terence Newman

One more name on the list is heading to the Super Bowl. That name is Anquan Boldin. Boldin was drafted 54the overall in the second round of 2003. He was the second WR selected by the Cardinals behind Bryant Johnson. He was voted to the Pro Bowl in his rookie year. The following year, the Cardinals added Larry Fitzgerald to the team, giving the Cards one of the best receiving tandems in the game. When the team added Kurt Warner to the mix, the numbers reached astronomical proportions.

It seems as if things were only going to get better when the team reached Super Bowl XLIII in 2009, but tension began to show with Boldin and the Cardinals organization. In 2010 he was dealt to the Baltimore Ravens. Since his arrival the Ravens have steadily grown as a Super Bowl contender, and Boldin is still making amazing catches, and catching headlines for his efforts.

Most recently, he notched 2 TDs in the Ravens victory over the New England Patriots on their way to Super Bowl XLVII. A lot of people gave up on Boldin when he left Arizona, I am glad I didn't, and held on to this beautiful autographed rookie card from the 2003 Upper Deck SPx set. Card #191 is signed in red ink and is #d to 1100.

By the way, Boldin's reached a new pinnacle with the Ravens, but he holds some pretty hefty records in the NFL, here's a few...

• Fastest player to record 400, 500 & 600 catches
• Most receptions in a rookie year
• Most receiving YDS in first game

Now it's time to sit back and enjoy what is going to be one hell of a Super Bowl. The Niners and the Ravens are the two hardest-hitting teams in the NFL. I can't wait for game day, how about you?