Over the last few days, it should have become obvious how I feel about unlicensed “MS PAINT” products like Press Pass and Sage and how they have turned out this year without a license for their college cards. From the people who have actually paid good money to break these products, we have seen that the cards may as well be customs done by an amateur, rather than the normal clean designs we have gotten prior to the UD takeover.
Thats not to say all the products are suffering a similar fate, as one specific unlicensed product, released this week, actually does well without any logos. Leaf Metal Draft went live yesterday, and from the early auctions that have been posted, it looks like they did everything right. Players in uniform, no crappy designs that look bush league, and chrome stock with hard signed autos. Its not at a level that a licensed company could provide, but this is as good as it can get without.
The cards are selling okay, something I assume is due to lack of brand recognition, but they may be playing with fire because of how much of the uniforms and helmets Leaf has decided to show. Regardless, if I were to buy a product at this point in the season, it would be this one for more reasons than the goofy pictures of the players super close up without a helmet.
The chrome style stock is definitely a plus, and though the autos dont seem to be super bold like I expected they would be, they are still nice. Check out some of the big boys that have been posted:
Cam Newton “Prismatic” Auto /50
Blaine Gabbert Rookie Auto /50
Julio Jones Insert Rookie Auto /10
With Prestige coming out in the next few months, and Upper Deck football coming out with College Jersey pictures and autos shortly, the long term value on Leaf and their draft products is going to be very short. However, if you are absolutely starving for something to buy or open, its this. Dont waste your money on crap like Press Pass or Sage, go for something that may actually hold reasonably well until the first big boy product is released. The others are already dropping quickly, and I have a feeling it has a lot to do with cards like this.
I am sorry but it just looks like an old Topps Draft Picks and Prospects design with some dimples and all chrome….not that great (but that is my opinion) but far better than the other unlicensed options (which tells you how crappy they are)
While, I agree the Leaf is the best so far, I think press pass is pretty good too.