If You Build It, They Will Come

 Here's the initial list of players with Iowa Connections in the NFL in 2023. Some teams made aggressive moves to get more Iowa Connections on their team, including the Jets and the Lions.  Others remain happy in their current state of mediocrity, especially the Commanders who after a disappointing season with zero connections...remain at zero connections.  They are the only team this year without one. This blog is official rooting for a Miami / Tampa Bay Super Bowl.   Overall, 117 connections this year (117 last year by the end).  We will add a few as the season progresses.  

  The 2023 NBA draft is complete, and we have updates on the Iowa Connections available for this draft.

 Today I've got four cards that are not Hawkeye players directly, but cameos in the background.

 New post on Iowa schedule collecting.  A two-fer with Iowa State, and a bonus game collected!

 Collecting Iowa and Iowa State schedules are tough enough, what about a FCS school with not as many NFL players! Well, doesn't mean we can't try.  Here's the start of the Northern Iowa schedules: 2019 Panini Prizm Draft Picks David Johnson This card shows David Johnson in his away jersey at an outdoor location.  The scan here is difficult to see, but there are football players in the background that are black and gold.  This is from a game at Iowa.  DJ played two games at Iowa, in 2012 and 2014.  Luckily for us, the jersey changed between those years, and the 2014 version has a large purple patch on the sleeve, so this is from the 2012 game. 2012 at Iowa, September 15th, 16-27 loss Panther FB 2012 Update: 1 / 12 Games Hawkeye FB 2012 Update: 1 / 12 Games

  This 2007 Upper Deck Scott Chandler shows Chandler with his home uniform, and Hawk fans in the background. There is an opposing player behind him that is either a New Orleans Saint (ha!) or a Purdue Boilermaker. Chandler played for the Hawks in 2004, 05, and 06. Purdue visited Iowa in both 04 and 06.  In 2004, Chandler had 4 catches for 122 yards.  2006, he had just 2 catches for 9 yard and a touchdown.   In 2004 Purdue had linebacker Stanford Keglar, #59 ... who also played in the 2006 matchup. However, I think I figured it out.  If you watch this video of the 2004 game, you will see the moment Chandler catches the ball and is chased by Keglar. (about 1:18 mark) 2004 vs Purdue, November 6th, 23-21 victory Hawkeye FB 2004 Update: 1 / 12 Games

 I wonder if you know which Hawkeye has the most basketball cards?  While you ponder this, there are two Hall of Famers in the top 7, one Naismith Player of the Year, a 3x NBA champ and a hot NBA rookie.  Of course #1 is none of those.   Let's start with the Hall of Famers.  Connie Hawkins (5) and Don Nelson (7) top the HOF list, with Lute Olson lower, and C. Vivian Stringer WAY down the list with only four cards (sad).   #6 may surprise you.  Its Adam Haluska with 253 cards.  253 more cards than NBA games he played in.  Still, super glad to see it because he was a fun player. #4 is Keegan Murray, who by the end of the year may be #1, so long as nothing dramatic happens.  #3 is B.J. Armstrong, winner of three NBA titles carrying those bums Jordan, Pippen, Grant and Phil Jackson along.  At #2 is Luka Garza.  All his cards are from last season, but has had some playing time with Minnesota this year so he may continue to...