As I mentioned yesterday, I am a big fan of Upper Deck high end in general. I think their designs are continually very nice, and most of the time the cards are well considered to be valuable enough to compete with licensed cards of the same quality. This value is something that says a lot about what collectors think of UD, even without NFL jerseys. Quantum is another product that is in the same vein as the long line of high end royalty that Upper Deck has had in years past.

2014 Rookies Content

I think these cards are interesting, as they are really the first high end rookies for the new class. I think it gives an element of intrigue to this product, and it was definitely a good idea to include them in the set. Considering this is released AFTER 2014 UD Football, I would be questioning why they weren’t in there if they had gone a different direction.

2013 Upper Deck Quantum Johnny Manziel XRC

2013 Upper Deck Quantum Sammy Watkins XRC

2013 Upper Deck Quantum Teddy Bridgewater XRC

2013 Rookies Content

From the post yesterday, I talked a lot about the rookie auto patches, but there seems to be a few other cards definitely worth looking at in this product. A ton of on card signatures for all sorts of players, including HOF, but the rookies definitely look the best. I am not a college collector, but I am going to seriously consider making a run at some of these cards.

2013 Upper Deck Quantum Eddie Lacy Jumbo Patch Auto

2013 Upper Deck Quantum Mike Glennon Dual Patch Auto

2013 Upper Deck Quantum Le’Veon Bell Jumbo Patch Auto

HOF / Vet Content

Quantum’s price tag is prohibitive, especially with a disastrous class, and that is something that should definitely be addressed if the product returns. However, there is a lot of non-rookie to consider too. The HOF jumbo autos look really nice, even though the jerseys are the event worn junk that I cant stand. I get that collectors get butt hurt when pro swatches are used for college cards, but this is so much worse. I think it’s a mistake for UD to continue down this path instead of going back after pro GU jerseys.

2013 Upper Deck Quantum Joe Namath Jumbo Patch Auto

2013 Upper Deck Quantum Dan Marino Jumbo Patch Auto

2013 Upper Deck Quantum John Elway Dual Patch Auto

If I had 300 dollars to spend, and it was between this and other high end licensed products from 2013, im going with NFL. Not because this stuff is terrible, but because I am not a college guy. If I am a college guy, im all over this stuff. Its awesome looking.

DONT FORGET – You can win your own box in my FREE draft day contest! Check it out!

Upper Deck and high end have always been synonymous in the past, and from the early looks we gotten in the upcoming release of 2013 UD Quantum Football, the design of the product is right up there as usual.

I am a big fan of the way these cards look, and though it is another high end product for a lackluster 2013 class, at least it looks awesome. SPA and SPX both looked quite awesome in other sets they have released this year, and I think the trend continues here with Quantum. The acetate signature patches are some of the better looking autographs I have seen this year, and that is no joke. I really like the way they signature floats over the patch. This type of approach was done prior in hockey, to which I really thought it was cool back then too.

Adding in some high end rookies from 2014 is a pretty good thing as well, there is an extra pack where each box has at least one. If you remember how well these have sold out of Exquisite, that should give you a clue that these can be pretty valuable. Although I do think the high end price tag is not something I would be able to stomach at this point in the season, I cant argue with the sweet design.

CONTEST TIME!

As part of their 25th Anniversary, they were gracious enough to send a box to me to give away on the site to a lucky reader, and all you have to do is post a comment here on the site.

For your entry – make sure your email address you enter into the form is the one I can best contact you at, and in your comment explain which of the 2014 rookies you expect to have the biggest impact, or which of the 2014 rookies you are going to collect and why.

One winners will be randomly chosen next week from the list of comments – and they will receive the box sent for their opening pleasure courtesy of Upper Deck. The deadline for entry will be this coming Sunday at midnight – and cards will be sent to the winner the following Monday.

I will have other ways for you to enter the contest if you follow me on twitter @SCUncensored – where you can score some extra entries. Ill also have a lot of coverage on the draft over the next few days, SO STAY TUNED!

Thanks again to Upper Deck for this opportunity for the readers of this site.

All comments from below were entered into a random drawing with the winner receiving the box of 2013 Quantum – congratulations to Bernard, who is a fan of Johnny Manziel this year. Your box will be mailed out as soon as you can get me your address in response to the email I just sent your way. I will be including an Upper Deck 25th Anniversary T-Shirt that was also provided as well. Congrats again!

Everyone who reads this blog knows that I hate Prizm. Yet after seeing the most recent World Cup release, I see them doing things with it that should immediately be transferred to the other sports. Design disasters from Basketball and Football are gone, and to see the amount of international attention these cards are getting makes me question how it has taken anyone this long to put out a product like this.

You havent seen crazy until you see these auctions:

2014 Prizm World Cup Cristiano Ronaldo Auto

2014 Prizm World Cup Lionel Messi Auto

2014 Prizm World Cup Pele Auto

2014 Prizm World Cup Roberto Baggio Auto

Dont get me wrong, I know absolutely nothing about soccer. If your name isnt Ronaldo or Pele, I have no idea who you are. Its a worldwide top sport, but not enough in the US that I know anything. I can maybe name a few guys like Landon Donovan, but others like Messi have passed my consciousness without even a thought. Then I see the prices on these cards and I am literally floored.

You are probably reading this post and thinking “what the hell is this for?” but I am telling you its worth the entertainment of watching these auctions. The cards look pretty nice to boot. When a soccer product can get this much attention, you know its something special.

I am a draft addict. I am so enthralled with the NFL draft that I start paying attention even before the previous season has entered the playoffs. I just love the way it works, and its always fun to speculate. This year’s class has some star power that we didn’t see at all last year, and that is going to mean that there is more riding on this class for the hobby than normal. Im going to go through the stars I see, and how I hope it shakes out.

Johnny Manziel – QB

Manziel is a big deal in the course of the first few unlicensed releases of the year, even with all the questions surrounding his ability to be effective in the NFL. This should come as no shock, especially considering he won the Heisman as a freshman. There are a ton of teams that need QBs, and we are getting smoke screens all over the place. I just hope he lands in a spot with some hobby following to make a splash.

Best Case Scenario – Dallas Cowboys
Worst Case Scenario – Jacksonville Jaguars

Cards to pick up:

2014 Upper Deck Johnny Manziel Auto 1994 Throwback

2014 Upper Deck Johnny Manziel On Card Auto SP Authentics

2014 Leaf Originals Johnny Manziel Mini Auto

Blake Bortles – QB

Bortles on the other hand, has much less star power, but its pretty clear that he is one of the top QB in the draft, and will likely come off the board very early on. He has already gained some traction among collectors, but has a long way to go to catch Manziel. If he can land with a team that has some pieces on offense already, that could be a great situation. If he doesn’t get drafted tomorrow, its possible his hobby stock could take a huge hit.

Best Case Scenario – Minnesota Vikings
Worst Case Scenario – Not a first round selection

Cards to Pick Up:

2014 Leaf Metal Draft Blake Bortles Auto

2014 Leaf Originals Blake Bortles Auto 1960 Throwback

Sammy Watkins – WR

Its very obvious that he is one of the only elite receiver prospects in the draft, but the class is deep enough behind him that he could end up with some major competition for best rookie WR come the end of next season. As many teams that need help at QB up top, there are just as many that need help at WR. He may not have the combine measurables that separate him like others have, but he looks like he will be a top guy.

Best Case Scenario – Detroit Lions
Worst Case Scenario – Jacksonville Jaguars

Cards to Pick Up:

2014 Upper Deck Sammy Watkins Star Rookie Auto

2014 Leaf Metal Draft Sammy Watkins Auto /150

Jadeveon Clowney – DE

Rare talent trumps just about anything in the draft, even though there probably should be a lot more attention paid to work ethic. Clowney may have shown his true colors last year, but it is being written off because of his status as the future top pick looming over him. Who knows. Regardless of how his on field display is measured, he will likely be the top pick in the draft. He will also be one of the only defensive players to have true hobby value all year. That’s the true rarity – popularity among collectors and a defensive position on the field.

Best Case Scenario – Houston Texans
Worst Case Scenario – Not going in top 5 picks

Cards to Pick Up:

2014 Press Pass Jadeveon Clowney Auto

2014 Leaf Originals Jadeveon Clowney Auto

Teddy Bridgewater – QB

A year ago, we were drooling over Bridgewater as a potential top pick in the draft. As of now, that sentiment has all but faded completely. Its sad really, because Teddy really looked like he was the guy before falling on his face at his pro day. I don’t really understand how that one poor performance can affect him so drastically, but it has. Hobby wise, his value has been relatively consistent since March, but that could change quickly.

Best Case Scenario – First Round Pick
Worst Case Scenario – Third Round Pick

Cards to Pick Up:

2014 Leaf Metal Draft Teddy Bridgewater Sketch Auto

2014 Upper Deck Teddy Bridgewater Star Rookie Auto

There is also little doubt that guys like Derek Carr, Zach Mettenberger and sleepers like Jimmy Garropolo will have hobby impact too, but it all depends on tomorrow. I will be watching with baited breath, and I sincerely hope everything goes as well as it looks. I wish the first and second rounds happened all on one day, but you know how the NFL works. This is our year – lets all pray that Jacksonville picks defense or offensive line again. Talk about a disaster in waiting.

Whenever Bowman Sterling is released, I think it provides quite a dilemma. Although the cards usually have a very nice Chrome style design, the price point is such an absolute turn off that it is almost impossible to buy in. Even though I understand that Topps packages the sealed packs like individual boxes, it still doesn’t feel that way. Despite my objections, Sterling is back and it doesn’t look like anything has changed. At least the cards continue to look nice.

Here are some of my favorite Sterling cards from previous years of the product, and you can see that they are nice looking indeed.

2008 Bowman Sterling Tom Brady / Randy Moss Dual Auto Gold Refractor

2013 Bowman Sterling Peyton Manning Auto Black Refractor

2012 Bowman Sterling Andrew Luck Auto Patch Gold Refractor

2012 Bowman Sterling Robert Griffin III Auto Patch Gold Refractor

My biggest objection is that outside of box content being 6 autos and 6 relics per box, I don’t see the unique attraction that these Chrome style cards bring over a product like Finest. The 300 dollar price tag is almost worthy of a joke, as its clear that the previous versions of the autos from other sets are just as good if not better. IT MAKES NO SENSE why Sterling even exists at that point. Basically lost in the shuffle of Finest, Chrome, Platinum, and a myriad of other products that all have better value in the wax with similar content.

If a company is going to offer a 300 dollar box, it had better offer something that you cant get other places, let alone 4 other places. With group breaks taking hold, products like this have a new outlet, as it isn’t such a huge investment to buy into a group than you would on your own. To think that this product doesn’t even have on card autograph content is fucking bonkers, as the price tag alone should necessitate that kind of effort. Considering that there are 4-5 releases prior that all have hard signed content without paying this kind of money is a slap in the face.

Again, the cards look nice, which is the only saving grace of Sterling. Other than that, Im done. Here are the cards: