With many of the cards in 2011 Elite, the design is right on schedule with Panini’s track record of complete failures. I credit a lack of effort and a lack of creativity in getting the cards done the correct way, especially for the rookies. Today, as the Elite set is revealed in completion on eBay, we are getting the idea that 99% of the checklist was done in an absolutely disgusting fashion. I say 99% because I found one specific type of card that looks to be done the way we expected ALL of Elite to be done.

Here is the auction for this card – Mark Sanchez Gold Status Die Cut Auto 6/10

As you can see, the card is horizontally oriented, and features a design very similar to the way the cards were done back in 2010. Although I HATE, HATE, HAAAAAATE the gold rainbow foil board and the way the diecutting is done, the actual design printed on the board looks a million times better. Even the washed out color behind the sticker was done correctly, and presents a great visual effect for showcasing the autograph.

Instead of cards that resemble this card, we are left with absolute shit for a product. Every other rookie card, insert, and piece of this awful excuse for a product was done the wrong way, and I hope Panini realizes this when they see collectors abysmal reaction to their cards.

Here is a mockup done by a collector on Panini’s blog. You can see how much better this would look over what we have so far.

Elite is one of Panini’s longest running products, and as it stands right now, we are being left to wonder who was asleep behind the wheel.