For the last few years, the National Treasures brand has taken a nose dive from its place among some of the better looking cards on the calendar. Where the set once was a special box that was worthy of the ridiculous price tag, it is now more compared to a 400 dollar box of Donruss Threads with better rookie cards. Although the brand still carries value with collectors despite the lack of quality, I cant help but wish for the good old days to come back.

Panini has posted some pictures from the packout on their blog, and while reviewing their post, all I can think about is how bad the rest of the set must look if they arent showing it. The only cards previewed were rookie patches and chase cards, and I know for a fact that this stuff is going to be bursting at the seems with Santana Moss jersey cards and horribly designed Danny White autographs.

It seems like the favorite products of old are no longer conitnuing as a worthwhile release each year. I mean, its practically April when this comes out, something that is about as ridiculous as some of the designs Panini has put out this year. Panini’s products have gone from well conceived to old and stale, and I will continue to put them on blast until they figure this out for themselves.

The people at Panini are famous for being stubborn in their ways, even in the face of harsh criticism from industry professionals. At the very least, I have heard some very interesting things from distributors about the limitations on internet selling and pricing, something which I hope will wake them the hell up. Basically, you cant expect to sell this late to the masses, when you are giving it to a small number of hobby shops early, and preventing the internet buyers that drive the market from building it up at the same time. Its bad for business, and Panini doesnt know their head from a hole in the ground.

National Treasures does have its moments every year, but I have a feeling that people are not going to be as satisfied once they really see what awaits them in these overpriced boxes of Gridiron Gear.

UPDATE: Panini has added a bunch of other cards, and it looks like my points from above are being reinforced. The autographed patches of Marino, Montana and Sanders look like they leftovers from Plates and Patches, which has to make people wonder what is going on with these cards. It gets even worse with the Manning auto, as they must have forgotten to insert these white pleather autos into Timeless Treasures. Glad your best product of the year is getting the scraps from the worst product of the year. Outside of that, we get some previews of the base auto relics, which will look beyond horrifying without the sticker. Bottom line, like 2009 and 2010, this product has hit rock bottom.