Why Panini is STILL doing Football Cards better than Topps

Last Year, I had my first taste of Score's NFL set, and I was very, very impressed. Many times over the course of the last year, I commented that they were a better Football Card supplier than Topps, and I think that their 2013 release was stronger, more iconic, and easier to collect than Topps'. And we need more of that!

Panini's 2014 Score Football has been on the streets for a few weeks now, which is unheard of for a football set. Like, it was June yesterday, and I was picking up Panini football cards. Keep in mind, I usually don't find TOPPS football on the shelves until my Lake George trip in August.

So, here's a 'fat pack' of Panini Football. Once again, I'll be giving things I like about this set that outweighs the Topps stuff.

82- Randall Cobb.
325- Robert Griffin III. This is a card from the Hot 100 subset, and it's still contained within the base set, which is nice, and something Topps would never do.
43- Martellus Bennett
169- Brent Celek. Jeez, even the card back notes that Zach Ertz is basically taking his job.
125- Xavier Rhodes
274- Robert Mathis
64- Sean Lee, who is surprisingly becoming one of the standouts of a depleted Cowboys roster.
201- Malcolm Smith, who is a Seahawk, so he's probably good.
145- Reuben Randle. Players' colleges are featured below their name, next to their position, regardless of whether they're a rookie or not. I think that's cool, because I get to look for people who graduated from Temple, my dad's alma mater.
83- Andrew Quarless, who may be starting more games without Jermichael Finley around
143- Eli Manning, kid brother extraordinaire.
81- Jordy Nelson. Throwback!
140- Pierre Thomas.
30- Cam Newton. For those keeping track, those are four star cards in a row. Topps'll give you four fringe players in a row, if that.
158- Andre Holmes
270- Percy Harvin Hot 100. All it took to get a Super Bowl ring was to get the hell out of Minnesota.
49- Jermaine Gresham
109- Derrick Johnson
117- Lamar Miller
55- Jordan Cameron, who will once again be playing for a disappointing Browns squad.
222- Shonn Greene
242- Dez Bryant Hot 100.
15- Joe Flacco, local hero.
139- Jairus Byrd. At least we don't get any crappy PS jobs from Score. They just say 'traded to Saints' or something.
335- This is an ARTIST PROOF of Allen Robinson, the Jaguars' 2nd Rd. pick (WR), and it's numbered to 35 COPIES. OUT OF A FRICKING RETAIL PACK! That is really nice.
Brothers in Arms insert of the Jets, though it's primarily of Geno Smith
294- Joe Flacco Hot 100, again. Nice to get multiple Flaccos.
27- Fred Jackson
269- Joe Haden Top 100
215- Lavonte David
273- Reggie Wayne Hot 100
11- Harry Douglas
296- Greg Hardy Hot 100. Never really heard of him.
309- Jay Cutler Hot 100. Boy, there are a lot of these.
2- Larry Fitzgerald
209- Famed Two-Week Phenom Mike Glennon
280- Vincent Jackson Hot 100
318- Roddy White Hot 100
26- CJ Spiller.
(I'm too tired to post the rookies, but I got a Khalil Mack and a Eric Ebron)

Great product. Might get more soon.

Panini Football vs. Topps Football, Part One: Panini/Score

I know, fair readers, you guys are all football-carded out, but I figured that I'd show some cards of that, barring any trades, I'm keeping. You know, the old fashioned way.

The thing is that, though the Giveaway was nice and all, I still needed a taste of general flagship cards, stuff that was worth money not because of its relicness, but because of its basicness. And I had been looking for Topps Football for a week or so. Today, I was at Target, and found a blasterful.

A blasterful.

Like, there were no packs left, there were no hanger boxes, and there was a single blaster left on that shelf. So, naturally, I scooped it up. And because I was willing to match it with a company I had been talking up SO DAMN MUCH in the past week, I got two more rack packs of Panini. Today, I am opening the Panini.

I'm probably just gonna rate each product at the end of each rip, so the love will most likely be going Panini's way. Just saying.

Pack 1:
66- Ronnie Hilman. Not too many guys named Ronnie anymore. Like, probably just him and the guy from Whodunnit. And yes, I realize that I'm the only blogger out there who actually watched that show. It was fun.
218- Fred Davis. Another name you rarely see anymore.
64- Willis McGahee. Currently a free agent, I think.
91- Vick Ballard. Should have been Foles Ballard. Frigging Kelly.
167- Antonio Brown. Those old throwbacks aren't getting any prettier. Would have preferred the Gotham Rogues wear those
19- Dennis Pitta.
142- Andre Brown
81- Jermichael Finley (boy, a few doubles)
46- Geno Atkins
21- CJ Spiller.
154- Darren McFadden. A shame his team's destined for last again.
49- Greg Little. Same as McFadden.
200- Josh Freeman, who is both #200 and #250 in this set. Somebody at Panini must really like Josh Freeman.
194- Sidney Rice, now being joined by former teammate Percy Harvin
100- Paul Posluszny
149- Jeremy Kerley
31- Jonathan Stewart. Currently on leave. Jonathan Oliver will start for him.
238- Christian Ponder AIRMAIL. Have it.
251- Jake Locker AIRMAIL. Have it.
332- Aaron Mellette Rookie. Have it.
377- Okay, it's one I don't have. Johnathan Franklin Star Rookie
298- RG3 The Franchise
275- Tony Romo The Franchise. WHY THE HELL DO I KEEP PULLING ROMO??? GAAHH!
199- Patrick Peterson Future Franchise
305- Andy Dalton Future Franchise. FUTURE? Like, he's pretty much the face of the franchise NOW. Unless the Montgomery-Burns-esque owner is the face of the franchise currently.
261- Road to the Super Bowl Ray Lewis. Have it.
92- Dwayne Allen
168- Lawrence Timmons
40- Andy Dalton. Funny, we were just talking about you...
143- Jason Pierre-Paul, who, even at live premieres celebrating his team's success, still looks like he's about to kill someone. Great guy, though...
20- Ed Reed. Shown as a Raven. Credited as a Texan. Yet, somehow, I prefer this to the crappy photoshopping at Topps.
54- Tony Romo. OH MY GOSH, GUYS! STOP GIVING ME TONY ROMO CARDS! SERIOUSLY!
187- Michael Crabtree
123- Tom Brady. Five years ago this season was the big year where Brady only played one game, and Matt Cassell had to take over. And somehow, Matt Cassell in 2008 beats Tim Tebow in 2013.
50- Trent Richardson. KILLED for my fantasy team last year. Glad I had him.
201- Vincent Jackson. Great shot by Panini.
195- Golden Tate
101- Chad Henne, who should be done by now. But no. Still goin.
150- Antonio Cromartie, who evidently still exists. Somebody tell Topps.
32- Greg Olsen.
179- Philip Rivers. According to the pattern, because his team faces Philly in their first home game, Rivers will earn his first ring this year. According to common sense, faaaaat chance.
6- Patrick Peterson, who sounds like either a Marvel comics supporting character or a Family Guy supporting character.
118- Jarius Wright.
242- Mark Sanchez. Now, I like to joke around about Tony Romo, and I like to say he sucks at life, and he's a horrible QB. Yet when I think of the worst QB in the league, I almost automatically think Sanchez. The man had so much potential, and now look what he's doing. Poor guy.
250- Josh Freeman. Have it.
433- Tyler Eifert Star Rookie
366- Ezekiel Ansah Star Rookie
269- Ray Rice The Franchise
278- Aaron Rodgers The Franchise. Damn right.
325- Ryan Mathews Future Franchise
317- Rob Gronkowski Future Franchise
259- Dennis Pitta Road to the Super Bowl.

Pack 2-
76- James Jones.
39- Lance Briggs. Appropriate enough to follow a Packer with a Bear.
43- Mohamed Sanu
160- Jeremy Maclin. Nice to finally get an Eagle. Sadly, a lot of dinged edges in this pack.
84- Arian Foster. Gets a star status without really performing well. Dare I call it Romoesque.
57- DeMarco Murray.
190- Vernon Davis. I love this shot.
126- Stevan Ridley
69- Calvin Johnson Jr. Is he...he isn't trying to do a Cal Ripken Jr. kinda thing. What's next, Calvin Johnson Sr. becomes head coach?
172- Sam Bradford
53- D'Qwell Jackson
204- Kevin Ogletree
198- Percy Harvin, in Seahawks border but still in a Vikings uni.
104- Anthony Fasano
209- Kendall Wright
110- Mike Wallace.
182- Vincent Brown
237- Airmail Ryan Tannehill
248- Airmail of Colin Kaepernick
399- Margus Hunt Star Rookie
36- Marquise Goodwin Hot Rookies
281- Maurice Jones-Drew The Franchise
274-Trent Richardson The Franchise. Really? Not Future Franchise? Okay.
316- Christian Ponder Future Franchise. And yet a two year vet gets Future Franchise while a former rookie star gets Franchise. Nobody other than maybe RG3 or Wilson can pull that off. It's like your mom dating a guy younger than you are.
329- Kendall Wright
260- Ed Dickson Road to the Super Bowl. Have it. End of the dinged cards.
161- YES! SHADY MCCOY!
85- Owen Daniels
58- Jason Witten. Oh, goody, another Cowboy.
191- Anquan Boldin, with 49ers banner.
127- Shane Vereen. Not to be confused with the former Featured Player. I bet nobody reading got that joke.
70- Ryan Broyles
35- Brandon Marshall, who can't seem to stay in one place.
135- Jimmy Graham. Only somebody as crazy as Graham could work in New Orleans.
205- Ronde Barber
199- Richard Sherman
105- Tony Moeaki
210- Nate Washington
111- Lamar Miller
207- Jake Locker. Hm, the Titans must really like him.
10- Steven Jackson
122- Jared Allen
25- Scott Chandler
240- Drew Brees AIRMAIL
246- Sam Bradford AIRMAIL
390- Khaseem Greene Star Rookie
395- Oh good, a rookie I've heard of. Manti Te'o Star Rookie, which is a nice one to pull. Hope he actually gets some playing time.
268- Matt Ryan The Franchise
290- SHADY MCCOY The Franchise. Yeah, pretty much
320- Stephen Hill Future Franchise
328- Doug Martin Future Franchise
255- Torrey Smith Road to the Super Bowl

So, that was Panini. I love this set, and I love how simple at is, but the quality issues and dings nick a few points off the score. Overall, it gets an A-, but I still love it.

Tomorrow, I unveil the Topps. Yes, you're getting a lot of football from me this week.

Why Panini is doing Football Cards better than Topps

So today, I hit up the local Target for some much-needed wax. I was fully expecting to find 2013 Topps Football, because last year this time, it was out, and I picked up two boxes full.

However, I found none. No Topps Football from this year was at Target. They had Bowman, but screw Bowman.

So, in frustration, I decided to buy two $5 rack packs of 2013 Panini/Score Football. Why? Because I had ripped a box of Panini Certified this year, and it was one of the best boxes I had ripped this year. And by this point, I was already convinced that Panini was putting more effort than Topps into card-making. In the box of Certified, I got a stellar base set, some nice parallels, and hits of players I had heard of. I mean, Topps does that every once and a while (I may have spoken too soon; find out why in tomorrow's post).

But Panini actually tries. And if today's rip doesn't convince you, then nothing will.

Pack One-
38- Martellus Bennett.
73- Ndamukong Suh.

Okay, really quickly, here's a few things I like about this set already.

1. Simple design of base set. It doesn't have too many bells and whistles, and that's WHY it's so good. Topps has to model its design after a facemask, and throw foil and crap all over the set, but Panini just gives you some pennants and a bit of foil, and it's executed 100 times better. Which brings me to my next point.
2. It's cleaner than Topps. What I mean by this is the photography is not only better, but it POPS more than Topps does. Topps can give you good photography, but it doesn't stick out. It sorta blurs together. I ripped a box of flagship Topps last month, and all of the base cards were sorta dull, and the colors were dilluted. It didn't stick out the way these ones do.
3. Better photography. Topps can give you a guy running, or a guy making a pass. Panini gives you a moment in time of a guy jumping, or a guy dodging a pass, and it's impressive. It's also crisp, clean photography.

fine, back to the cards.

215- Pierre Garcon.

okay, fine, one more.

4. Better card backs. No photos, but a cool little helmet insignia with career stats. It's clean, it's simple, and it works.

130- Drew Brees. Always nice to get a Brees. Future HOFer.
61- Peyton MANNING! Another surefire Hall of Famer. And a great leader.
88- ANDREW LUCK. Manning followed by the guy who replaced him. Great selection. Also, amazing photo.
164- Nick Foles, your Philadelphia Eagles' starting Quarterback.

5. You can get four QBs in a row in a pack. You can't get that in a Topps pack, unless it's truncated by a BS insert.

16- Jacoby Jones. Met him back in March. Commented on my height. Great guy, glad he got so far on Dancing with the Stars.
139- Victor CRUUUUUUUZ! Man, they love this guy in New York.
210- Nate Washington. Four Elite QBs followed by Three Elite WRs. Nice.
111- Lamar Miller.
207- Jake Locker. Still not sold on this guy.
10- Steven Jackson. I'm mixed on Panini not Shopping Jackson into a Falcons uni. True, it's how they did it back in the day, but I'm not 100% there on it.
122- Jared Allen. Hate this guy. Love this photo.
25- Scott Chandler.
172- Sam Bradford, a slumping QB.

6. Not too many people I've never heard of. Topps does cards of bit players and people that are just popping up, which is great if you like a wide range of players, but not so great if you like finding stars in packs.

53- D'Qwell Jackson, a member of the rebuilding-but-still-probably-bound-for-last-place Browns.
251- Jake Locker Airmail.
247- Phillip Rivers Airmail.

7. Inserts are not only included in the base set, but include full stats. This is something Topps would NEVER do. Never in a million years.

393- Logan Ryan Rookie Star.
372- Jasper Collins Rookie Star. Never heard of either, but I like the rookie design.
291- Ben Roethlisberger The Franchise. I like these too.
295- Marshawn Lynch The Franchise.
303- Cam Newton The Franchise, still a great QB.
314- Eric Berry The Franchise. The first three, yeah. Berry, not really a franchise player.
260- Ed Dickson Road to the Super Bowl. These are nice.

8. Keep in mind, that is the first half of the first pack. And that was 26 cards, already more than you'd get in a rack pack of Topps. So another advantage- 52 cards for $5. That is SO MUCH BETTER than Topps. Hell, for Archives, you get 64 cards for $20 dollars, which isn't fair. 52 for $5 is much better.

216- Santana Moss.
62- Demaryius Thomas, who I have a game-used rookie of.
89- Reggie Wayne. He's still going?
165- Ben Roethlisberger.

9. A whole bunch of sideways action shots. I love these. Topps very rarely does these. I mean, they do them, but it's just some guy raising his arms up, or some other guy sitting on the sidelines. These are full on action shots, and I love these.

17- Ray Rice.
140- Brandon Myers.
79- DuJuan Harris. Another Packer I've never heard of.
44- BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Hooray for Law Firm!
174- Lance Kendricks. That is an awesome throwback.
1- John Skelton. I don't love that THIS GUY gets the Hero Card treatment. You could have done Fitzgerald. He's a Cardinal!
144- Mark Sanchez. PFFFFFHAHAHAHAHA!
26- Tarvaris Jackson. An eternal backup.
173- Jared Cook
95- Blaine Gabbert. Why the Jags haven't given up on this guy yet we'll never know.
205- Ronde Barber.

10. Final Tribute Cards. Topps rarely does these the year after players retire. This one for Barber is perfect. Score for Panini.

199- Richard Sherman
105- Tony Moeaki.
250- Josh Freeman Airmail. Other people wouldn't consider that a great Hero Card, but I do.
238- Christian Ponder Airmail. He's lucky the Vikes didn't sign Tebow.
259- Dennis Johnson Star Rookie
374- John Simon Star Rookie
270- Steve Johnson The Franchise.
280- Reggie Wayne The Franchise.
323- Jonathan Dwyer The Franchise.
327- Russell Wilson The Franchise. All except Dwyer fit.
266- Justin Tucker Road to the Super Bowl.

PACK 2. It took THAT LONG to get to Pack 2. This is a good thing.

142- Andre Brown
81- Jermichael Finley. Didn't the Pack release him?
46- Geno Atkins. Will unsurprisingly be overshadowed by another Geno.
186- COLIN KAEPERNICK! The man of the hour!
94- Antoine Bethea
132- Lance Moore.
217- Alfred Morris.
63- Eric Decker. A lot of quick young players to start.
90- T.Y. Hilton
107- Derrick Johnson
184- Antonio Gates
97- Justin Blackmon.
146- Stephen Hill
28- Steve Smith. Yeah, THAT Steve Smith.
175- Chris Givens.
2- Larry Fitzgerald. Should have been #1.
114- Davone Bess
236- Alex Smith AIRMAIL. He's gonna have a lot of work to do this season for Kansas City.
230- Peyton Manning AIRMAIL.
382- Josh Boyce Rookie Stars.
24- Hot Rookies of Knile Davis.
277- Calvin Johnson Jr. The Franchise. Dunno if we needed the Jr. part.
287- Eli Manning The Franchise.
330- Alfred Morris The Franchise. Not necessarily. Try RG3.
307- DaMarco Murray The Franchise. Close.
261- Ray Lewis Road to the Super Bowl. Much better.
187- Michael Crabtree
123- TOM BRADY. Where's Matt Cassel now? Oh yeah...hi, Tebow!
66- Ronnie Hillman.
218- Fred Davis.
64- Willis McGahee.
91- Vick Ballard
167- Antonio Brown
19- Dennis Pitta.
98- Maurice Jones-Drew, the sole reason Jacksonville fans have to leave their houses.
147- Joe McKnight. Okay, I lied, there are some specialists on the checklist.
29- Brandon LaFell.
176- Isaiah Pead. Heheh...Pead.
3- Andre Roberts
115- Ryan Tannehill. Okay, he'll at least do okay.
11- Jacquizz Rodgers
113- Cameron Wake. What a boring wire.
212- Shonn Greene, not yet shopped into a Jets uni.
249- Russell Wilson Airmail.
225- Cam Netwon Airmail
337- Andre Ellington Star Rookie
332- Aaron Mellette Star Rookie. This one's red. Dunno if that means anything.
267- Larry Fitzgerald The Franchise
273- AJ Green The Franchise
301- Torrey Smith The Franchise. No, not really.
310- Randall Cobb The Franchise. Nah.
254- Anquan Boldin Road to the Super Bowl.

11. Small base set. It's like 350 cards. Topps has 500. I like the smaller set.

So in conclusion, those are ELEVEN REASONS why Panini is kicking Topps' ass. Eleven Good Reasons, too. I really hope you take that into consideration when you go for Football Cards.

I just wish someone would give them a baseball license.

Wax Boxes from my Uncle

I apologize for the lack of posting recently. The holidays can be a bit busy. Nevertheless, I'm posting, on my birthday. Today is my 16th birthday, and I already recieved a LeSean McCoy jersey, amongst other things. But at Thanksgiving, my uncle offered up a huge gift- 4 late 80's/early 90's wax boxes. Among them:

2 boxes of 1989 Score
1 box of 1989 Donruss
1 box of 1990 Donruss
A bunch of extra sleeved cards

These were originally from my late grandfather, who has since passed on. My grandfather split his collection before he died, giving a majority to my father, and some to my uncle. The 4 boxes I recieved were from my grandfather, and my uncle felt I needed them more, which is nice.

In the sleeved extras, I'm sorry to say that there weren't many highlights. There were mutliple copies of Barry Bonds' 1987 Topps rookie, along with other stars (even Charlie Hough). But the three highlights:
1987 Donruss Barry Bonds rookie
1985 Topps Mark McGwire Team USA rookie (If I had acquired this 15 years ago, I'd be exstatic)
1993 Upper Deck Alonzo Mourning Rookie (I'm not into basketball, but this is pretty nice. He also gave both collectors a Shaquille O'Neal rookie a few years ago.

Now, for the results of the boxes. In these, I was looking mostly for rookies

1989 Score:
Gary Sheffield (book price: 1.50)
Edgar Martinez
Roberto Alomar
Randy Johnson (book price: 2.50)
Craig Biggio (!) (book price: 4)

1989 Donruss:
Mark Grace
Gary Sheffield (book price: 1.50)
Edgar Martinez
Robetro Alomar
John Smoltz (book price: 1.50)
Randy Johnson (book price: 2)
Craig Biggio (book price: 3)
Curt Schilling (Book price: 4)

1990 Donruss:
Larry Walker
Jim Abbott
Juan Gonzalez (not much, rookie-wise)

nice boxes, overall. close to a complete set with 1989 Score.