Rookies and Stars needs to be axed. Not just axed, but the entire brand’s catelouge should be wiped off the face of the earth forever. I think of all the long running Panini sets, Rookies and Stars is by far the worst on the list. The name of the product is stupid, the cards look terrible, and this year, it just seems like they didn’t even try to make it a viable competitor against the others that will be hitting shelves within the next week. Just awful.
Starting with the base cards, I am all for simplistic white designs, but Im not sure if you can even call this base design a design at all. Then, when they add this horrid looking “LONGEVITY” foil over it, things get that much worse! Oh wait, it comes in a flourescent green and gold parallel too? Perfect. Just what I want.
Then, when you move onto the insert sets, we see the same tired and lazy approach that Panini has become infamous for. I don’t even know what to say about most of them, as they are so utterly terrible I am speechless. The Rookie Orientation cards are the worst of the bunch, and that is an understatement. This whole “IM GOING TO CREATE A PASSPORT STYLE CARD” thing doesn’t work any more than it did with those fugly ass cards from Prestige. The whole “orientation” theme that Panini likes to for their rookie sets needs to go, and I am even seeing that wink from them saying “Hahaha, see what we did there? They are rookies, so this is like their orientation! Get it?” Funny thing is, I can see many people just loving them because they are so starved for cards.
Annnnd we come to my favorite set, the old Manupatch Cloth Auto set that has summarily been previewed in three sets and already appeared in one. I cant tell you how much I hate these cards, as they add absolutely nothing to any set. Although this is the ORIGINAL set they appeared in, it doesn’t make it any better. These cards hardly change year to year, and it seems like they are made like this just because Panini is too lazy to change things up.
Also, we see that Panini is using the big white boxes on the cards to showcase the signatures instead of shadowing it like they did for the Score cards. I cannot stand this practice as it looks stupid and tacky when there are obviously better ways of making signatures pop.
The only, and I mean only part of this whole gallery that I actually don’t mind are the rookie revolution cards. Its not like I would go out and buy them, but they at least look like something that could pass for a subset in a marginally successful product. Everything else is basically a bunch of turds thrown carelessly onto a printing press. I like the full gear photo, and the simple design that doesn’t look busy like the rest of this set. If I were to chase one card, it would be the autographed versions of these.
At least Panini is starting to realize that the combine pictures are a complete and utter failure, as this time there are some news conference and draft day photos mixed in, but that is still not an excuse for the cards. I HATE combine photos on cards, and I hope that the end of the lockout will negate this practice.
When I saw Prestige and Elite’s preview, I threw up a little in my mouth. This time, I almost actually vomited. They’re previewing those green parallel cards like they’re desirable!!! They look AWFUL, especially when they clash with the colors of the patch.
They also ruined the “Dress for Success” set, which used to be action shots. Like we really need another rookie insert set with their helmets off staring at the camera.
It’s like somebody is deliberately trying to tank these products. I’ve talked to 4 different LCS owners in 2 different states now, and all of them hate Prestige and Elite, and say sales are way down. It’s not the lockout, Panini! It’s these awful cards you’re making! Topps is going to mop the floor with this set.
Wow look its Prestige 3.0, NO lol. This is sad and pathetic. they obviously think they can put out whatever crap they want and people will buy it simply because collectors need cards to collect.
I wish all the case breakers and all the people that are in this hobby only for the money would stop opening this crap! If they would stop buying this junk it would help us REAL collectors out ALOT. These garbage products wouldn’t sell and Panini would eventually be forced to either put out good products or just close its doors altogether and maybe UD would get their license back.
At this point I’m not sure if I’m more upset with Panini for putting out this crap or the NFL/NFLPA for not stepping up and saying they don’t want their name on this garbage and demanding better quality for the fans that pay their salaries.
I guess I can’t say I hate these cards. I think the Studio Rookies, and at least the green foil cards need to go. It seems like I like every set but this one kinda stinks.
My opinion,
vio789
When does Topps Chrome come out again?
The Dress For Success preview is worse than the Initial Steps mockery last year. Half the card is a picture of a jersey and helmet hanging in an empty locker. Really Panini?
I won’t buy any of this but I do like the Statistical Standout preview. Pretty good use of team colors and decent swatch placement which makes it stand out above all the other crap previewed for this set.