Its gotten to the point now where I dont know what to say about Panini’s products anymore. I know that I sound like a broken record sometimes, but it is so frustrating to see how little imagination and effort is put into the football products. It is literally the same stuff for every product with a few tweaks here and there. Every box costs about 85 bucks, has four hits with at least two of them being crappy ass jersey cards that arent worth anything. If you get two autos, one of them will be a scrub. Its boring, its uncreative, and it makes me write the things I always do.
On top of all of this, the design of the cards is so amateurish, that when put side by side with design from other companies, it looks like the person never was taught how to do cards. There is so much talent out there, consistenly demonstrated by the people who are posting on message boards, that I dont understand why Panini employs the tactics they do. Its time for fresh blood.
There is no more evidence of this phenomenon than what has gone on with Gridiron Gear over the last five years. Not only is the design and content so stale that the value of the big hits are barely worth anything, but the elements are never changed year to year. Plastic helmets, signed “football fields,” and pull out signed jersey cards. Back in 2004, I can see where this would have been interesting at minimum. But now? When everything is the way it is, these contraptions are laughable at best.
Lastly, I am beyond sick of this use of the “orientation” theme that has been used in a ton of different sets this year. Aside from the fact that its a dumb theme for a set, there is ABSOLUTELY ZERO reason to use it as many times as Panini did. I can understand going back to the well on a good thing, but this is not one of them. Plus, as I have said before, football has the best photography of any sport in the world. The action is unparalleled, and it translates VERY well to cardboard. WHY DO THEY KEEP USING THESE STUPID STUDIO SHOTS?!?
Its live on eBay now, check out exactly what I mean:
Aaron Rodgers Signed NFL Field Auto
Christian Ponder Signed Jersey Pull Out Auto /210
Andy Dalton Orientation Auto Patch
Demarcus Ware NFL Nation Jersey Card – This could be the ugliest card of the year, which is saying a lot with what Panini has already put out so far.
I believe crap like this is why Topps Chrome boxes are still around $100.
So not only is Panini putting out product after product I have no interest in but now the cards I enjoy cost almost double than when they were released.
this set sucks
It’s time for 90% of all football sets being produced to be sacked!
How many badly designed sets focused on rookies, jersey swatches, autographs and low-numbered useless parallels does the hobby need?
Yet at the same time, only two “low-end” football products were produced this year, Topps and Score.
I have bought a box of Threads or Gridiron Gear since 2005 or so. Don’t plan to either. Contenders is the only football product from Panini I’d spend money on.
Good post. Do away with the ALL CAPS though. Please, WE CAN HEAR YOU!
Another set Gellman doesnt like? You dont say!!
How about a blog about how over rated Tebow is… That would be original!
I notice that people who think the reviews are tough never mention how much of the product they are buying.