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While flipping through a football memorabilia magazine a few days ago, I came across an interesting article that the NFL will introduce a new set of football jerseys bearing AFL throwback logos in 2009. In total, 16 games will feature the “new” jerseys, including the Hall of Fame game between Buffalo and Tennessee on August 8th. While the AFL lasted a mere nine years before merging with the National Football League, it’ll be a pretty cool show to see some new colors on the gridiron for this coming season.

Fans and Jets autograph seekers have to be happy to see running back Leon Washington on the practice field for the first time this spring after ending a three-week holdout of voluntary offseason workouts with the team. Washington is in the final deal of his rookie contract and is seeking a new deal that will pay him in the neighborhood of $6 million per year. He is currently set to earn $535,000 in 2009. A raise would be in the team’s best interest, as there are only a handful of players in the entire NFL as dynamic as Washington. With speed to burn, he excels as a receiver and complimentary running back and made his first Pro Bowl last season - as a kick returner. Along with being a sheer presence on the field, Washington has been outstanding in becoming a positive face for the franchise, often seen giving out signed footballs and penning some autographed NFL photos after practice.

Washington reeled in 47 passes last year while averaging almost six yards per touch on the ground. The Jets open their 2009 regular season Sunday September 13th against the Houston Texans.

The 2007 NFL Most Valuable Player is already a must-have for hardcore football memorabilia collectors, so with news he’s returning to the practice field today, it’s no surprise that searches for Tom Brady autographs are through the roof. Brady returns to the field today for the first time since tearing his ACL and MCL in the opening game of the 2008 NFL regular season. While Miami fans and Dolphins memorabilia investors are excited for a chance to win their second consecutive AFC East crown, I think all New York fans and Jets memorabilia collectors are just as excited to see their revamped defense take on the Brady & Moss show starting in September.

Released from federal prison earlier this week, rumors are swirling around fans and football memorabilia owners about where quarterback Michael Vick may end up upon his return to the NFL. Two teams that seem to be mentioned repeatedly are the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland Raiders. Both have unstable situations at the quarterback position, but whether they’ll put forth the effort to trade for the 29-year old remains to be seen. This is good news for Vick’s remaining fans and anyone who picked up Michael Vick memorabilia during his glory days with Atlanta just a few seasons back. Between J.T. O’Sullivan and former first-overall pick Alex Smith, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see the Niners make a move for the former Pro Bowl quarterback.

With rumors he’ll be throwing on a certain purple NFL jersey come September, Brett Favre reportedly sought the advice of renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews as to how to best deal with a torn shoulder muscle that impaired him for the end of last season. While Brett Favre autograph collectors might be happy to see the future Hall of Fame quarterback so they could pick up some new autographed Vikings memorabilia, it looks less and less likely that the 39-year old will be returning to the field for 2009. Andrews reportedly told Favre that his ailing shoulder would not only require surgery, but an extensive eight week rehabilitation before being able to resume football activities.

Some news from around the league for all our NFL memorabilia collectors!

Brett Favre autograph collectors must have been delighted to hear whispers of his possible return to the Vikings last week. It looks like the three-time MVP will remain on the sidelines come September, but it was confirmed that Favre had x-rays of his throwing shoulder sent to Vikings head coach Brad Childress over the weekend.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback and Rookie of the Year Matt Ryan probably can’t wait for the ‘09 regular season to start now that future Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzales will be joining him in camp. Along with Michael Turner, the 11-time Pro Bowler Gonzales adds another spark to an already dynamic offense. Atlanta Falcons signed memorabilia fans should rejoice, but don’t toss out those Michael Vick autographed items just yet. The former Pro Bowl quarterback looks to return to the league this coming season and is scheduled to be released from jail within the next three weeks.

In what’s become a recognizable story for NFL fans and <a href=”http://www.1clicksportsmemorabilia.com/”>football memorabilia</a> collectors, Brett Favre is considering coming out of retirement. I kid you not! The 39-year old quarterback retired (again) following the 2008 regular season, where Favre suited up in a Jets jersey and lead the team to a 9-7 record. Sources today indicated that the three-time NFL Most Valuable Player will speak to Vikings coach Brad Childress about possibly suiting up in purple come September. If nothing else, it gives <a href=”http://www.1clicksportsmemorabilia.com/memorabilia-teams/minnesota-vikings”>Vikings memorabilia</a> seekers a chance to score some new <a href=”http://www.1clicksportsmemorabilia.com/athlete-memorabilia/Brett-Favre”>Brett Favre autographs</a>. Obviously, this is just another subtext in the unpredictability that has become Favre in recent years.

A relatively quiet first day of the NFL Draft was shaken up by the Brett Favre-less New York Jets, who traded with the Cleveland Browns for the fifth overall pick and using it on USC quarterback Mark Sanchez. Quality was the name of the game for the Jets and first-year head coach Rex Ryan, as they packaged their first and second round picks to move up from #17 and select Sanchez. The Jets would also package together a deal with the Detroit Lions for the first selection of the third round, taking Iowa running back Shonne Greene. It’s speculative that running back Thomas Jones may be on the way out, given his upcoming 31st birthday and demand for a long-term contract. It’s been an offseason of change for Gang Green and they sure do need it. Sales of Jets memorabilia have declined after missing the playoffs in ‘08 and the unpopular sales of PSLs have urged the franchise to offer autographed football items for both new and returning season ticket holders. Whatever the Jets become in 2009 one thing is for sure: a huge demand for football jerseys, and eventually autographed footballs from Sanchez, who became the first quarterback the team had selected in the first round since drafting current Dolphin Chad Pennington in 2002.

So I’m not sure how I feel about Roger Goodell’s plan to expand the NFL’s regular season to 17 or 18 games. The way I look at it, and I’ve had many conversations with other fans and some of our NFL memorabilia collectors about this very subject. I’m not crazy about the idea, but I may change my mind if this means the preseason can be reduced to either two or three games. I’m sorry, but I’m not crazy about putting up a couple hundred dollars on an autographed football or maybe a signed NFL jersey only to have the guy get hurt during the preseason. One benefit to a longer season: a few more NFL game used items might hit the market, something football fans have been waiting a long time for.

Jets memorabilia collectors and fans are amongst the most dedicated in the world, so it’s no wonder many of them are hoping their team is able to land current Broncos-holdout Jay Cutler. New York fans were excited to land a star quarterback last season and we saw the demand for Brett Favre memorabilia go through the roof. Now it seems that Jay Cutler memorabilia may be headed for that same uptick after Rex Ryan and the Jets told Denver they’d be interested in landing their young quarterback. While signed footballs from the former first round pick aren’t quite at the level of Tony Romo and Eli Manning, Cutler has emerged as one of the most popular young players in the NFL.