When I got word that 2010 SPX Football was going live tomorrow, I immediately hit ebay looking to see how the cards turned out. A few had already been posted, and for the most part, I was pretty impressed by the look of the cards. Design is something that Upper Deck always excelled at, regardless of the set, and these cards fall under that umbrella in many ways. However, without a football license, their products will rarely play on the same field as Topps and Panini, despite the fact that both of the licensed companies rarely offer well designed sets of this caliber.
The box hits look pretty impressive and well conceived, even with the larger swatches of jersey instead of the normal sized die cut windows that I could never stand. Although the border of the swatch window covers up the player a little on the left side, I am not too turned off by it. I wish the border wasn’t as thick, but I think the allure of the card is documented by the swooping lines that connect to it. Regardless of my displeasure with the player being partially covered by the oversized window, these cards are much better in terms of concept than anything released by Panini. Considering that Certified is a relative train wreck this year, I think Upper Deck should be proud that they can still compete in a terrible situation.
I also got word that the shadowbox cards will be back, and I am VERY excited to see how they turned out this year. They were some of my favorites of the year last year, and I hope they turn out as awesome as before.
EDIT: Here is the Aaron Rodgers, and it looks pretty awesome.
Now, I understand the negative views that people have about Upper Deck as a company, and I would say that I support those ideas in most cases. In fact, I think most of the brass at UD would understand those view points. However, I think its tough to ignore that they are trying and succeeding in way that companies like Panini and Topps have failed at, and that is why I am angry. Upper Deck definitely has something to prove in their production of NCAA branded cards, and I cant see many people having negative things to say about the way these cards look. On the other hand, I think that both Topps and Panini ALSO have something to prove, and I think the shortcomings of both companies are so blatantly obvious in the design of their products, that it actually makes me angry. Although products like 2010 Sweet Spot may have partially flopped due to checklist issues, at least the cards looked pretty legit. With Panini, especially, I don’t think I could say something like that, especially with the way their previews are shaping up.
Bottom line, a lot of the SPX cards should be a lesson to the licensed companies, in that design should not be tabled in favor of rainbow foil, die cut jumbo swatch windows, or anything. If the card looks like shit, its on the company who made it, and that is where Upper Deck has always made their name.
Here is what has surfaced so far:
Sam Bradford Rookie Jersey Auto /99
Dez Bryant Rookie Auto Jersey /99 – Awesome pic, awesome card.
CJ Spiller Rookie Auto Jersey /99
Dexter McCluster Auto Patch /10
Damian Williams Rookie Auto Jersey /375
Andre Roberts Rookie Auto Jersey /375
I never want to do anything to have you adam come down on me with the hand of UD madness, but I was always told that after a player has hit the NFL, anything that has to with college level uniforms or collectors want nothing to do with. This SPX is kinda a pimped up version of Press pass.
I agree that normally that is the case, however, with UD, its a little different because of the brand history. Not MUCH different, but different enough to consider buying some singles.
Like the design, but stickers? Really? How many sets is UD putting out this year? and they went with stickers? If you are going to compete with NFL license then you gotta come stronger than that.
However, sticker or not, it there is a Peyton Manning or Calvin Johnson of the same design as the Dexter McCluster, then count me in.
Yeah, thats a problem, but the issue is that you cant get the rookies to sign their cards this early in the year. Most on card sets that feature rookies in post-premiere garb (which these do despite still being college), have to come out after the season or at least near the end of it.
Regardless, as you said, these cards look good DESPITE the stickers.
Those Shadow Box cards are one of the best designed cards ever produced. I wish they made them a little easier to pull… so I could afford more of them.
Look, I really like Press Pass cards. They are typically well designed and I love the on-card autographs. However, Press Pass has never innovated beyond the on-card auto and a handful of jersey cards. You want to know the difference between Upper Deck and Press Pass or Sage, look at these first two releases from UD. Sweet Spot helmet signatures, oversized jersey auto rookie cards and Shadowbox cards. You never saw anything like that from Press Pass or Sage and they had the college market by the balls for years. Props to UD for bringing a new take on college cards.
I’m anxious to see SPA FB and the Patch auto RC’s. Problem is, I heard a rumor that it is going to be super late like last year’s SPA. That is my biggest complaint about UD FB, Ultimate, SPA and Exquisite need to come out much earlier. Get your schedule fixed UD!
The stickers killed it, and the lack of patch material buried it. I guess you have to have something good to say at Its funeral, and this post is it.
I see boxes of this non licensed sticker autographed nonsense hitting the 40.00 level by mid December, and thats still overpriced.
Stickers for SPx aren’t new so I am not sure how that comment is even relevant. The cards are better looking than anything Topps or Panini has put out this year. Go ahead and pull those sweet LaGarette Blount Titans cards out of Panini products. I’ll stick with Spx.
BTW, Don’t be mad because you didn’t get a hot box of SPx. Of course, you would have to buy the product to actually have a shot at a hot box.
Your right.. I was thinking SP Authentic.. Still these cards do nothing for me.
Just my opinion.