Last year, Certified was the first product in a long line of others that all blurred together with nothing but the same shit on a different design. This year, it looks like Panini is trying to keep up with Topps’ new found dedication to delivering hard signed rookie card after hard signed rookie card. Although we get a lot of the crap we would normally expect in a typical Panini product, we are also getting SOME improvement over last year’s set.
Starting with the base cards from the product, I love that they decided to go full bleed with the complete game photos on the cards. Although its obvious that Certified will again be on hideous rainbow foil, these cards look good despite that fact. However, if the Parallel structure of the base cards “mirrors” (pun intended) what is being shown in the Marino, that all goes bye-bye. I know I definitely want “Mirror” all over my card instead of just leaving it alone. Wow.
As for the box hit Freshman Fabric cards, they actually do look much better than last year. No more helmet off studio shots that took this product down a notch from last year, and that is further improved by the use of on card signatures for the first time ever. Im wondering if the final product will deliver the way the previews are promising, as there is some great potential in the fact that things look much better. My one complaint is that the right side of the card crawls up the side as if the card was vertical, another indication of the inability to spend the time to adjust things as they should be.
The fabric of the game cards also look relatively good as they did last year, especially with the fact that these are usually the only non-foilboard cards in the set. Its still ridiculously obvious that this preview is the best of the best, and that there will be 253 parallels of the card with most of them being crap jerseys. At least ill be able to pick off the singles I want again.
Although there are some bright spots in this preview, im still very sure that this will still be another 2003 configuration in 2011 product. What I mean is that more two dollar junk jerseys will continue to be in every box, and that you will pretty much be screwed unless you hit a good rookie. Actually, even if you hit a good rookie, it may not be enough if current trends hold true. For me, someone who has resorted to just buying singles for products like this, it wont matter all that much, but its still frustrating none-the-less. See, I DO want to buy boxes and have fun, but as long as Panini keeps producing things this way, its not going to happen.
Is this going to be Certified or TOTALLY Certified? B/c there is a big difference… end of sarcasm
Some of these cards look ok, but the placement of the GU pieces continues to be a problem. It looks akward and covers up part of the pic of the player.
You won’t find any gold fabric on an MJD jersey, but that’s the least of Panini’s worries.
I agree they are making some improvements design-wise. However, why does the Marino card say, “mirror, mirror, mirror, mirror, mirror, mirror….”?
I like the white background on the fabric fabrics, but wish Panini would get rid of the dual window for the jersey. Just make it a single larger piece instead and that opens the opportunity for a nice patch. Topps has it right with their “Jumbo Patch Autos”. I love the look of Topps this year (Especially Inception).
Improved definitely. Was thinking the same thing as dirtyjoe on the double swatch. No reason for it. This product forever lost its appeal with me when they took out the helmet piece from the freshman fabrics. While not game worn, it was unique to this product and very difficult to fake.