When it comes to collecting, I always go through a checklist before purchasing a card from a player I want. Most of the time, design and photography are at the top of my checklist, as a poor design is always a dealbreaker. I just dont want any card that looks terrible on my shelf. Secondly, I only buy cards that have action shots on them, with few exceptions, and they must be good photo choices. Now that I have seen some of the pictures from Panini’s insert sets, I have to say that they are absolutely awful at choosing photos.
This card deserves its own lolcats caption. Im interested to see what you guys can come up with in the comments, because I have a few of my own.
“WHAT U MEAN ME LINEMANZ ARE MISSED BLOCK?!?”
Seriously, its that bad. How can anyone at Panini use that photo in that specific way and not say to themselves that it isnt the right choice. More importantly, how does Brandon Weeden not laugh when his card is staring into his soul and judging his past transgressions against humankind? Those eyes follow you across the room for God’s sake.
Additionally, these photos from the some of the draft ticket cards are just as bad. Lets run this one down, because I am confused.
Beautiful day at the Rose Bowl? Check.
Perfectly manicured field that had hosted some of the greatest games in college football history? Check.
First opportunity to take pictures of the NFL rookies in their new Nike uniforms? Check.
Great chance to get some action shots before the year starts? Check.
Forget all that, lets go find a back tunnel and take some pictures of the rookies looking thuggish. I dont get it.
2012 Prestige Alshon Jeffery Draft Ticket RC
2012 Prestige Trent Richardson Draft Ticket RC
I mean, these guys arent models. Most of the time they are not that photogenic, and yet we still have a number of cards each year from Panini that uses this style of presentation. It would be one thing if there was no other choice like when Topps does their Rookie Premiere autos that need to be printed the next day, but that isnt the case here.
If I am a collector, I avoid these cards like the plague.
Lastly, a point of good that has come out of this set, and should also be on the books for Topps Flagship that hits in late July. Both Panini and Topps will produce cards of Eric Lagrand, a player who was paralyzed during a horrible injury in a game during his time at Rutgers. They didnt have much of an opportunity to get a photograph of Lagrand for many reasons, but I am glad they were able to pull some pics from the press conference. Its a great story indeed.
Its an SP for the set and they are selling for quite a bit:
2012 Prestige Eric Lagrand RC SSP
2012 Prestige Eric Lagrand RC SSP #2
Greg Schiano took over as coach of the Bucs this past off season and signed Legrand to a contract that had never been seen before. To commemorate this historical event, each company has decided to put him in their set. Panini is first to market, and the card is getting good reactions from fans.
I have to give Panini complements on their design for this set, but not all are up to those standards. At least they made up for some of the bad karma with the Lagrand card. It is pretty awesome that he gets the spotlight.
Lucky Brandon Weeden… now he’ll end up immortalized as an internebz ‘meme’ for all time. Looks like he just crapped his pants.
I agree the Weeden picture is shitty…But what’s wrong w/the Rich/Jeffery? It’s football, not golf. I want my players looking “thuggish”. If they were white would you say the pics made them look tough?
I Want the pictures of them to be on the field, playing football. That’s what I want. Richardson and Jeffrey were just the ones at the top of the search I did. These photos suck regardless of race.
As far as the card photos go, I want the players in action shots on the football field, not a road sign or the thug look. I guess panini thinks differently though. That is why I will never waste my money on panini cards.
Today I was trolling Ebay and was struck by that Weeden card when I saw it listed. Glad you picked up on it too!
I give Panini credit for thinking out of the box though. “I wonder what would happen if we had the player’s grandmother do naked jumping jacks off camera?” Now we know.