Cardboard Review:2021 Panini Absolute Football (MEGA KABOOM)

I have about 5 Panini products that I really love to open every year and try to make sure I am able to. One of those products is a box I am breaking today.

Absolute football!

I have fared well with this product in the past but nothing prepared me for what I was about to encounter with the 2021 edition.

Let's check it out.

 

In every master box of 2021 Absolute football is three mini boxes/packs. There are 5 cards per box/pack and 15 cards in the overall hobby box. There are also five hits in every box that includes three autographs. Boxes right now are just under $700.

Each box should offer the following,

• 1 Rookie Premiere Autograph
• 2 Additional Autographs
• 2 Memorabilia Cards
• 1 Insert
• 2 Parallels
• 1 Rookie

BASE:

What a difference in the hobby base vs the retail base. Hobby is really thick base cards that threw me by surprise as the retail is so paper thin. The other difference is there is a rainbow foil on the hobby as the retail is plain foil.

There are 200 cards in the base set that includes 100 veterans and 100 rookies.

PARALLELS:

Here are the following parallels,

PARALLEL CARDS: Blue, Green, Orange, Purple, Red, RWB Kaleidoscope, Teal, Yellow, Red Squares /499, Orange Mosaic /199, Blue Diamonds /99, Green Waves /50, Gold Stars /25, Purple Rain /10, Black Galaxy 1/1, Printing Plates 1/1.

SPECTRUM PARALLELS: Base Spectrum, Base RC Spectrum /250, Red /100, Orange /75, Blue /50, Green /25, Gold /10, Purple /5, Black 1/1.

Red Spectrum /100

Green /25

Since we will have to wait on my insert pull, let's tackle the hits.

HITS:

War Room Terrance Marshall

Team Tandems

RPA

 

Rookie Auto blue /50

Absolute Heroes. Fun to see these names return.

AND MY INSERT OR FINAL HIT AS I CALLED IT....

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWW KABOOM GOLD /10 OF RUSSEL WILSON!! Kabooms fall one per case but this is a gold as well so this is a really big, tough pull.

OVERALL THOUGHTS:

Let's tackle value first, remove the Kaboom, this was a rough box break. The Kaboom saves this break.

Now my thoughts, I like this year's base and parallel designs, the hits don't look too bad either, but these Kabooms are everything I imagined and more in hand. I hadn't ever pulled or seen one before other than on eBay etc. This is as close to a 90's insert as we get in the hobby today.

Let me know your thoughts below!

REVIEW:2019 Donruss Optic Football Box 2

Well box 1 wasn't great, let's see if Box 2 can top it!

Every box of 2019 Optic football has 20 packs of 4 cards. There is one autograph and 10 parallels per box. Boxes are running close to $150 right now.

Rated Rookies. Looks like most boxes only come with 6 Rated Rookies per box. I didn't land any of the huge names such as Murray, Jones or Haskins. Will be tough to tackle a base set without top rookies. Hopefully someone has some for trade.

INSERTS:
There's not a lot of inserts per box, which isn't a bad thing, but they look pretty cool I think. They should have added parallels to these since it's this type of product. That part was a bit disappointing.

Power Formulas. There are 15 to collect in this series

 1999 Tribute has 15 cards to collect

 Elite Series veterans and rookies. There are 30 in the veterans version and 22 for the rookies.

There is no shortage of parallels in this chrome-type product. They fall 1:2 packs as well.
Here is an overall look at the parallels

BASE PARALLELS: Holo, White Sparkle, Aqua /299, Orange /199, Blue /150, Red /99, Orange Scope /79, Purple /50, Black Pandora /25, Purple Stars FOTL /25, Gold /10, Green /5, Gold Vinyl 1/1.

ROOKIE/RATED ROOKIE PARALLELS: Holo, Bronze, Green Velocity, Pink, Red/Yellow, White Sparkle, Aqua /299, Orange /199, Blue /150, Red /99, Orange Scope /79, Purple /50, Black Pandora /25, Purple Stars FOTL /25, Gold /10, Green /5, Gold Vinyl 1/1.

Holo silver

Aqua /299

Blue /150

Orange /199

Red /99

 

Purple /50

HITS

Well, not the greatest hit ever. but, fits my theme of Optic breaks.

Other hits not found in my box but could be in yours includes,

• Rookie Patch Autographs
• Rookie Dual Autographs
• Rookie Triple Autographs
• 1998 Tribute Autographs
• 1999 Tribute Autographs
• Dynamic Patch Autographs
• Elite Series Autographs
• Elite Series Rookies Autographs
• Fans of the Game Autographs
• Legendary Patch Autographs
• Power Formulas Autographs
• Rookie Kings Autographs
• Donruss Threads
• Rookie Phenoms

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Well, I love the look of the product and my wife agrees. She helped break this box and was especially fond of the parallels. I do feel the box price is definitely a tad high for the return but there are also plenty of great hits to find as well.

This may be the first product I put a base set together of in 5 years of newer stuff. Will update that if I come to a decision to do so.

You can Google a checklist to see the overall look at the product. I can't seem to locate one on their website to link you to.

Please thank the WONDERFUL people at Panini America for providing me with this box to review for some upcoming giveaways. Here are many places you can find Panini America: official site, blog, Twitter, and Facebook.  

REVIEW:2018 Contenders Optic Football Box 2

A couple of days ago I broke my first box of 2018 Contenders Optic and I was pretty impressed. The question I had, will the second box be even better, blow my mind or be a dud. Well, only one way to tell, check out my review of Box 2.

In each box of 2018 Contenders Optic, You will find one pack with 6 cards in it. Each box comes with two autographs and one that is signed on-card. Boxes currently run $135 per.

The base set is chromed up versions of the base for Contenders.  There are 90 star player cards to seek for the base set, along with 10 Rookie Base Card Contenders for a total of 100 cards. The cards are much thicker than regular Contenders. About the thickness of a filler card.

As with anything chromed, there are parallels to seek as well for both the base and the rookie base. I pulled a red /199 of Antonio Callaway in this break. There is also, Blue /99, Orange /49, Gold /10, Gold Vinyl 1/1, and Printing Plates 1/1. I think these would build one impressive rainbow.

There are roughly 6 insert sets to chase in Optic Contenders. All inserts are numbered to 175 with the following parallels, Purple /99, Orange /49, Blue /25, Gold /10, and Gold Vinyl 1/1.

X and O's insert is the one I found in my box.

Now onto my hits. One was a promised on-card autograph while the other was a sticker. However, they didn't put in an on-card autograph in this box. Two sticker autos.

 

First autograph was of D.J. Reed who I have never heard of honestly. But, sometimes prospecting guys like this pays off.

My second autograph was this red /199 of Mike Gesicki who had some shining moments in 2018 for the Dolphins. It is a weird autograph however as it looks like he wrote it out. Other parallels for these include, Purple /99, Orange /49, Blue /25, Gold /10, Gold Vinyl 1/1,and Printing Plates 1/1.

Other hits not found in my box includes,

• Rookie Ticket RPS Autographs
• All-Time Contenders Autographs
• Contenders Tribute Autographs
• Franchise Honors Autographs
• Player of the Year Contenders Autographs
• Super Bowl Signatures
• Veteran Ticket Autographs
• 2017 Contenders Optic RPS Rookie Ticket Autograph

OVERALL THOUGHTS: I really liked this product look. I have always been a fan of Contenders and this just amped up my love of the product. I do worry about dud boxes like this one turned out to be and $135 for only 6 cards can be a big gamble. But, once again, isn't every product a gamble honestly.

Another thing that would have been nice for a product like this, all on card autographs. At least the main guys are on card but I didn't find one in this box.

I think for a product like this it's best to stick with a box break and I strongly recommend using Midwest Box Breaks for your breaking needs. They are always hitting the big pulls so if they are breaking this, you could put yourself in a good spot. They also SHIP ALL CARDS! Get what you pay for!

Please thank Panini America and Tracy Hackler for providing this box for me to review to giveaway some of the hits ON TWITTER!! Please follow them on all social media sites and visit their website for all your card needs, HERE.

2016 Joey Bosa Autograph Winner!

Yes!!!!!!!!!! The mighty Cowboys fell this weekend so that means two things, one, a celebration, two, a contest winner.

So let's celebrate and celebrate a contest winner for this Joey Bosa.

Here was the closest guess to the back numbering of the Bill Mueller card.

Steve Wright January 13, 2017 at 10:34 PM

2399 and thanks for the chance!

 

 

Card back

 

 

Congrats to Steve Wright on winning the Bosa. Please email me at sportcardcollectors@hotmail.com within the next 48 hours to claim or it will be re-given away. Please give a shout out to myself and Panini upon arrival so I can continue to do giveaways like this.

Stay tuned for a "I hope Patriots Lose" giveaway in my Contenders football break by weeks end!! Thanks to all that entered!

My 2016 NFL Notes And CONTEST!!

Wanna win this card? Well, going to try and give it away again.

With a terrible showing by the Giants yesterday, this card still remains in my hands and I know someone wants to own this of a possible future superstar.

Before the contest announcement, first MY 2016 NFL NOTES:

As many of you know, I am very passionate about football. I am in two fantasy leagues finishing 5th in my personal one just missing the playoffs by needing one Beckham catch. Finished 3rd in the TSCP league with just a Terrence West start away instead of playing Forte like I did. First time ever not winning or being in the championship for those.

I am in 3 NFL Pick Em leagues. Never won in the 2 involving cards all year and finished my season with the worst yet in both. Even the local one I just won in Week 17, scored 14/16 games and 3 points off, I am going to finish over 100th place out of 300. Very poor but at least I won in it for the first time ever in my 10th year of entering. Free pizza for me!

My Giants finished 11-5 and made the playoffs. They got a pretty decent young team going into next year to add more pieces to. Just need a TE and definitely some oline. Could be a great 2017. #GiantsPride

And finally, my passion for football runs so deep, I SO BADLY WANT THE PATRIOTS AND COWBOYS to lose that I am giving the card, possibly more, away above to celebrate when and if they do. It would be the worst possible Super Bowl match-up for me if they both make it. I can't find a team to route on in that case and would hope for a tie. I will give two cards away if they both lose this weekend to two different winners.

So how do you win the card above for now.

Instead of a random, I just want you to give me a guess in comments the numbering of this card out of 3250. You can just copy and paste from last weeks answers if you want, but you must comment on this post in order to be entered. A Patriots or Cowboys loss and the person closest to the numbering without going over will be the winner of the Bosa!

 

Other quick rules:

1. ***VERY IMPORTANT***MUST BE A U.S. RESIDENT to enter or have a shipping address in the U.S. Shipping costs have gone haywire and I can't afford to ship everywhere.This is always hard to do as I appreciate all readers but I hope you all understand non-U.S. readers.
2. Card may be shipped PWE. I like to forewarn on this.
3. Winner will be chosen IF the Cowboys or Patriots lose and the winner will be chosen by the person closest to guess of the numbering of Bill Mueller card /3250 without going over.
4. Sport Card Collectors or it's owner (person who runs the blog), WILL NOT be held responsible for lost, stolen or damaged mail. Sorry had to add this in since someone tried to scam me once about this.
5. Contest starts today, ends on January 13th 2017 by 11:59 pm e.t.. Winner will be announced in a separate post on January 16th 2017 IF either lose.

There will be another contest if only one loses, but this will carry over if both win.

Win This Joey Bosa Auto/Memorabilia Card!

Wanna win this card? Someone else did and didn't claim it so it's up for grabs again!

What you gotta do to win in it? Well,

THE NY GIANTS GOTTA WIN against Green Bay in the Wild Card game this Sunday at 4pm!

Then instead of a random, I just want you to give me a guess in comments the numbering of this card out of 3250. A Giants win and the person closest to the numbering without going over will be the winner of the Bosa!

 

Other quick rules:

1. ***VERY IMPORTANT***MUST BE A U.S. RESIDENT to enter or have a shipping address in the U.S. Shipping costs have gone haywire and I can't afford to ship everywhere.This is always hard to do as I appreciate all readers but I hope you all understand non-U.S. readers.
2. Card may be shipped PWE. I like to forewarn on this.
3. Winner will be chosen IF the Giants win and the winner will be chosen by the person closest to guess of the numbering of Bill Mueller card /3250 without going over.
4. Sport Card Collectors or it's owner (person who runs the blog), WILL NOT be held responsible for lost, stolen or damaged mail. Sorry had to add this in since someone tried to scam me once about this.
5. Contest starts today, ends on January 8th 2017by 4 pm et.. Winner will be announced in a separate post on January 9th 2017 IF the GIANTS WIN.

There will be another contest for another great card next week if the Giants advance!

Winner Of Joey Bosa Autographed Memorabilia

Well, well, well.

I don't see my timeline on Twitter or Facebook full of Dak or Zeke talk this morning. Or the expected Cowboys Super Bowl run...maybe there is a reason for that....oh yes, that's right....#GiantsWin.

It was a great game to stay up for, though I am needing a coffee injection today, but it was worth it. I know a lot football fans like an offensive showdown, but give me a defensive one like that any day. Both teams played really well on defense and the game came down to the wire as expected. The Giants simply just made one more play than Dallas. Wonder how round 3 will go if they meet up again in the playoffs??

Anyways, since the Giants won that means someone wins this....

 

And since the score of the game was so low and that everyone was over in their predictions, I had to fire up the ole randomizer and make it fair. So here's the winner after my usual 7 randoms.... 

There were 25 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1. Matthew Chrisman
2. Ben Hansen
3. JoshuaSchleicher0411
4. william cooley
5. @EEFFL
6. RAZ
7. Brad Jorgensen
8. Jafronius
9. M BOYLAN
10. Highlight Heaven
11. Trevor P
12. Anthony Pizzo
13. Sam Zozaya
14. Cameron Towe
15. Nick Frank
16. hudsonfan15
17. Bryan McCarter
18. Tread Willis
19. Cody Cook
20. Tracy LeVeaux
21. Jamie B.
22. Scott N.
23. krsp370
24. Ryan Sawyer
25. @JGfan24ever

IP: 72.169.80.253
Timestamp: 2016-12-12 14:26:19 UTC
You have randomized this list 7 times.

Congrats to Matthew Chrisman on winning. Please email sportcardcollectors@hotmail.com withing 48 hours to claim or it will be re-given away. Please also share your winnings when they arrive so I can continue to host contests like this.

Thanks to everyone who entered and please be on the lookout for more contests ahead including a biggie that will be announced on Sunday.

Giants Win, You Can Too!

This week is a big game for my 8-4 NY Giants as they take on the 11-1 Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.

It's a must win if they want any shot left at the division. That's something I honestly think Dallas has already locked up after Giants lost to Pitt, but, none the less, i strongly dislike Dallas and want a win. So sick of hearing the Dak/Zeke talk.

The Giants also need a win to hold onto the Wild Card spot which they lead by 2 games currently.

So I am giving this away, this sweet 2016 Phoenix rookie auto memorabilia card of top Chargers pick Joey Bosa if and only if the GIANTS WIN.

Here is how to enter:

Read the rules that follows...

1. By the way, make sure you thank Panini America for this review box and check out their site for products like this one and others. Also thank Tracy Hackler and give him a Twitter follow too!
2. ***VERY IMPORTANT***MUST BE A U.S. RESIDENT to enter or have a shipping address in the U.S. Shipping costs have gone haywire and I can't afford to ship everywhere.This is always hard to do as I appreciate all readers but I hope you all understand non-U.S. readers.
3. Card may be shipped PWE. I like to forewarn on this.
4. LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW with #GoGiants and total points of the game.
5. Winner will be chosen IF the Giants win and by the closest total points score without going over
6. Sport Card Collectors or it's owner (person who runs the blog), WILL NOT be held responsible for lost, stolen or damaged mail. Sorry had to add this in since someone tried to scam me once about this.
7. Contest starts today, ends on December 11th by 8 pm et.2016. Winner will be announced in a separate post on December 12th 2016
8. Don't forget to thank the above sponsor of this contest and I won't mind a thank you as well :) 

Good luck to those that enter!!

REVIEW:2016 Panini Phoenix Football

Panini Phoenix is a new product added to the football card world that brings lots of rainbow shine appeal for those who enjoy shiny objects. I mean what collector doesn't??!

Let's see how my first rip of the product went.

In every box of 2016 Panini Phoenix football is12 Packs along with 5 Cards Per Pack. Boxes are currently running around $110. Look for 3 autograph or memorabilia cards along with 9 inserts or parallels per box! You should also find at least six rookie cards as well.

The base set is very colorful. What I find intriguing is what the base cards are made out of. They are thin, but heavy. They seem to be on cardboard but plastic too. Somewhat similar to Collectors Edge base. 

The base set is 200 cards deep with players of today, tomorrow and yesterday.

This kinda sets itself up for parallels. Those include Red and Pink unnumbered versions. Numbered Orange (#’d to 99), Yellow (#’d to 25) and Green (#’d to 10) versions; Blue and Printing Plate versions are numbered to only one.

Pink Rookies #/299, Orange #/99, Yellow #/25, Green #/10, Blue 1/1, and Printing Plates 1/1.

Here is the start to a Keanu Neal rainbow just in my one box.

The inserts follow the theme of the base with shiny and parallels. 

Watchmen you will find Red #/399, Orange #/299, Yellow #/99, Green #/10, and Blue 1/1.

Streaking Success have Red #/399, Orange #/299, Yellow #/99, Green #/10, and Blue 1/1.

Adrenaline Rush reminds me of something I saw in the 90's, maybe from UD. Their parallels include Red #/349, Orange #/299, Yellow #/99, Green #/10, and Blue 1/1.

Rookie Rising look pretty cool with just a basic design and have Red #/349, Orange #/299, Yellow #/99, Green #/10, and Blue 1/1 versions.

 

Now onto my pulls. They look spectacular on the printing technology.

My first hit is this Jason Witten /5 Patch. You can also see a small blue line from the jersey as well off to the right. It's the green parallel version. There are also Orange #/25, Prime Yellow #/10, and Prime Blue 1/1.

My next hit is a jersey auto rookie card of beast Joey Bosa.

My final hit was a redemption. Bleh. But it is of Bears rookie dominant running back Jordan Howard so it's still a solid hit. I believe it will look like the Bosa above.

Other hits not found in my box include, ROOKIES HOT MATERIALS VAPOR JET:, TRIPLE PATCH AUTOGRAPHS, VETERAN AUTOGRAPH MATERIALS, and RETIRED PATCHES.

Overall, a solid box in my opinion. Product looks good from top to bottom and despite pulling a redemption, I hope to bust another box and possibly see this product return for 2017.

I also think those who like to put together player rainbows will have a blast doing it with this product.

By the way, make sure you thank Panini America for this review box and for the future giveaway. Check out their site for products like this one and others. Also give an extra thanks to Tracy Hackler and give him a Twitter follow too!

Stay tuned for an upcoming giveaway for a chance to score this card: