In terms of bad products, there are two ways something can be bad. The first is design, which was definitely something that made 2015 Spectra one of the worst products of the last 10 years. The second is box content, which can take a nice product and make it horrible, similar to 2014 Chrome Football. Signature Series isnt good looking to the point where it can overcome being one of the worst box breaks I have ever seen. It has some nice cards, but the dud hits are like a virus that has infected every box. Being that this was always supposed to be a sticker dump, we knew it would be bad. We did not know it was going to be THIS bad.

Here are the “top” hits so far:

2015 Donruss Signature Series Jameis Winston Auto NFL Shield 1/1

2015 Donruss Signature Series Tom Brady Pro Bowl Auto SSP

2015 Donruss Signature Series Emmitt Smith / Barry Sanders Dual Auto Booklet

2015 Donruss Signature Series Todd Gurley Auto Relic

In terms of design, Panini couldnt even figure out a way to differentiate the product. They basically took the 2013 and 2014 Supreme design and stripped off a lot of the elements that made it attractive. Textured backgrounds, foil stamping, high end type color scheme? All gone. Instead we get a very bland card with a single color background and a player photo. Im not even sure you can call it a “design.” Thus, the product is boring, but not ugly. Boring is really the best way to look at this. Dont even get me started on those horrid lava flow foil cards. Shudder.

Then we get to the content, which features rookie relic autos in a box with 3 other autographs, including some booklets. Actually, I really like the design of the booklets, especially the dual player ones that open vertically to showcase both players. That isnt the issue. The issue is that the checklist is 400 players deep on the veteran side. I cant even name 400 football players, and that is the main issue here. What we are left with is a box that you open to find some of the worst autographs from Panini old inventory, including many players who washed out of the NFL over a year ago. Some of those dud rookie and vet autographs are in booklet format to boot.

What all of this leads to is opening a box and potentially pulling a dud rookie relic, followed by 3 autographs of players who should never have been on a trading card after their rookie year. The reason Panini is doing this type of sticker dump is because of the cheap signature content that these stickers represent, and because they are collecting dust. This isnt actually the first time this has been done in a product format, as every company has done this type of thing at least once. In fact, it looks like Topps is going ot be doing a similar type product as their football license ends in the form of Field Access.

Our expensive thirst for autograph content in the hobby leads to this type of situation, but its the stickers themselves that perpetuate it. Because its easier to get sticker autos done and use them through the year, companies opt for this type of practice with scrub signers who arent worth organizing on card signing sessions. Not only can they be used as filler, but in any product as well. When the NFL burns through players at a rate that most wouldnt believe, many companies have tons of stickers left that were never used. Thus, a product like this has to be done to clear out the inventory that is unusable in a normal product.

When you think about it, this is pretty interesting of a setup. Not only do they get cheap autos to stuff a product like a thanksgiving bird, but collectors will buy it! Insane that we allow ourselves to be taken advantage like this. The bigger issue at play is that Panini put a price tag on these boxes above 100 dollars. Not just 100 bucks, but 125 dollars in some shops from what I have seen. That is ludicrous.

Bottom line, dont waste your money on this hot garbage, as you will surely regret it. Even though the 8 player booklet is enticing as a hit, this product will eat you alive before you get to it. If this isnt on a list to receive 1000 National Convention packs per box before the start of the giveaway, we have failed as a collector base. Just think, this is just one of the many new products Panini will have to build to hit contractual obligations next year. You think this is bad, you aint seen nothing yet. Soon, Im convinced they arent even going to bother designing a set at all, just put sheets of stickers in a box and have collectors build their own cards! Even then, im still not sure how they will have the resources to create as many products for NFL, NBA, and NCAA.