Panini released images yesterday for a new addition to the calendar called “Plates and Patches.” If you are not familiar with this moniker, it is a subset out of Gridiron Gear that they have decided to expand into a full product. From the images that were released, I am guessing that the cards themselves will fall somewhere in between Limited and the rest of their medium priced products released during the middle of the season, and possibly even more high end.
Here are my thoughts.
Its obvious that Panini is trying to create something to make their December calendar relevant over the pending release of SP Authentic NCAA. Because Upper Deck is not rolling over and dying, the huge hole that Panini usually has before National Treasures becomes that much more important. The cards from the preview look good, not great, and it looks like the string of stickered products will continue. Although I like the potential of the cards like the Manning and the Bradford, cards like the Bryant, Peterson, and Brees all look exactly like all the other horrid junk Panini has put out this year. The Welker has an interesting look about it, but all in all, there is no way a set like this could ever compete with Ultimate or SPA if they were at full licensed capabilities. Because UD has lost the NFL and Topps really hasn’t exited their normal comfort zone, Panini has a shot to make up some valuable ground. I will say that products like this will NOT be the ones to gain on anything. There is just nothing new enough from normal Panini to get you anywhere close to where it should be.
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Panini has failed again. Expanding a subset into a full product is a stupid idea. UD sp authentic, exquisite, ultimate, and premier are so much better than anything panini can recreate. I still hate panini and will HATE them with a passion as long as upper deck does not have a nfl license and topps keeps using ugly silver-foil sticker autos.
You know what? I’m seriously beginning to wonder what the HELL is wrong with these people. Can they not design a card based on incorporating rectangles and basic shapes that make them look so incredibly stupid? City Limits? What the hell does that even have to do with football? Does somebody on the ‘design team’ like buildings? Buildings.. with a big ass floating circle of jersey, oh yeah, that makes even more sense.
I get more angry every day, wondering which year the next Peyton Manning will come along… and his “best” rookie card will be some foilboard piece of trash with a sticker ‘autograph’ that might contain a piece of ‘event used jersey’. Can’t someone out there design a football card anymore… ??