Although I cannot understand why there are two products again this week, I do love me some Strata enough to forgive the odd schedule. In its 3rd year after the initial release in 2012, the big hits from the product are some of the best looking rookie cards of the year. In terms of the main hits, they remain some of the more innovative cards around, but its clear that there cannot be a lot invested in the rest of the set as a result. It hurts the box break, which in turn hurts the product.

Here are some of the bigger hits posted so far:

2014 Topps Strata Teddy Bridgewater Shadowbox Auto /50

2014 Topps Strata Jeremy Hill Auto Clear Cut Patch – Nike Logo 1/1

2014 Topps Strata Sammy Watkins Clear Cut Auto Relic

2014 Topps Strata Mike Evans Clear Cut Auto Relic

The concept and box break are not even the biggest issue with products this year, as the rookie class will have more impact than any box break could have. With Odell Beckham and the rest of the WR class being the top guys on the field, it doesnt leave a lot of value to be had. Receivers dont have the collecting impact that quarterbacks have, and Derek Carr and Teddy Bridgewater dont have the stats to carry a class in that way. Manziel has shown nothing but question marks this year to boot, which means that the tentpole that held up the big top is weak for 2014.

Being that Strata is a rookie based product, it will suffer. The later release will also have a large impact, especially now that collectors can compare on field results with their own personal perception of what they think the card is worth. Bottom line, Football is degrading faster than ever, as many of the buyers out there have resorted to putting the money behind cards of players who they feel have a higher ceiling. In the general public’s opinion, there arent many who fit that bill in this year's class, other than the aforementioned receivers who never really carry the torch the way a QB does.

As for the product itself, the design is still as awesome today as it was when the product was first released. The shadowbox style cards are still amazing, and I will continue to chase my targets with rabid tenacity. I think that this product at the price for the two box hits is a really great deal, the design is still as awesome today as it was when the product was first released. Being that there is not a Shadowbox card per, means that you may not get much. However, because this isnt 120 dollars, its not as big a hit.

Collectors just dont like opening a bunch of packs that have a lot of repetitive base, and I am still curious why Strata hasnt shifted to a 1 pack configuration. It really would help solidify how incredible the box hits really are, and not bore people with all the base. It understandable that Topps needs the extra packs for a retail release as well, but many of us couldnt care less about that.

Even the clear cut autographs with acetate on card autos are a star, despite the fact that the better players can be really hard to pull. There are also a lot of redemptions as well, which seems a bit odd considering that most of Chrome and Platinum on card got done in time. Obviously those sets take priority, but Topps is lucky that the Strata cards are worth the wait.

Its pretty crazy that Strata is a largely forgotten product because of some of the issues it has, because I really think it is sorely underrated.