I have posted a few times on Bowman Football over the last few days, and after getting the chance to see what is popping up already on eBay, I think this stuff might actually turn out much better than expected. I was also able to bust a few boxes myself, and the product is definitely a blast to open.
Some of the big hits have already started to pop up, and for the most part, it looks like they might be more valuable because so little of this product seems to have been made.
2013 Bowman Chrome EJ Manuel Superfractor Auto 1/1
2013 Bowman Chrome Geno Smith Gold Refractor Auto /75
2013 Bowman Chrome Tavon Austin Orange Refractor Auto /50
2013 Bowman Chrome Matt Barkley Red Refractor Auto /25
2013 Bowman Chrome Eddy Lacy X-Fractor Auto /10
I know that people have either poo-pooed this product because of the airbrushed jerseys, but everyone still should consider that Chrome is king. When you also factor in a lot of numbered parallels that are easy to pull, and all of a sudden things look a lot better in a box break that is under 100 bucks. I was able to pull three cards numbered 25 and under, including a red ice /25 for Broncos’ Running Back Montee Ball. Although I didnt hit a red auto, I did do pretty well.
My best card of the break was the Geno Smith refractor auto that should end up being a pretty short printed auto. I also pulled two mini autos, two blue refractor autos, two gold refractor autos and an Orange refractor auto (ERIC FISHER) all in 4 boxes. LOADED.
From what I saw during when I was at the shop, autos were falling 4 per box, with 1 colored auto per. That is crazy compared to what we saw in baseball, and we all know how Chrome parallel autos tend to sell. Mini autos were falling one every other box, and the NFLPA bonus autos (making five per box) were falling 1 every other as well.
The cards do look really cool, especially on the autos, and it goes without saying that for a pre-premiere product, this is a great way to whet people’s appetite. Although its not going to be on the same level as a Topps Chrome or a Topps Inception in terms of design, refractors are something that drives this hobby more than one would think.
The true equalizer, If I had the choice between Bowman and Score, im taking Bowman, its as simple as that.
I think the stuff looks cheap, from the mostly off-centered centering to the design of the card which is boring. The on card autos look great, but the photo shopping is atrocious and takes away from what would’ve been a cool product. This set has neither college or pro jerseys, and it one step above SAGE or HIT. It might be for you, but It isn’t for me or everyone, or anyone that care about licensed products.