Fan Box Break: 2012 Topps Strata Football

Another Fan Box Break from Jammin JDcards and this time its a product that I didn't get to bust but was very tempted by it. So now I get to see what the contents are and hopefully helps you on this product as well!

What Jammin JDcards says about Strata:
"I was really looking forward to breaking one of these hobby boxes. I broke quite a few of the retail version and really liked it. This is a pretty nice product with some really awesome hits. Unfortunately, none of my hits were that great but I have seen some photo’s of really nice stuff. The base set has a cool design, thick card stock and a ton of rookies. Every pack has 2 rookies which is awesome. There is only 1 type of insert; it is a Die-Cut rookie. I also pulled 1 parallel #ed to 100. Overall I still think this is a great product due to the amount of rookies included. The only real complaint I have is that the set lacks inserts and parallels. 8/10 for design, 8/10 for quality, 8/10 for value."

REVIEW: PANINI CERTIFIED FOOTBALL 2012

First off, I would like to say thanks to the WONDERFUL people at Panini America for providing us with this box to review. Here are many places you can find Panini America: official site, blog, Twitter, and Facebook.

We are going to start a new review process starting with this product. Just wanting to showcase the cards more in-depth is the aim here. Let us know your thoughts on our new set up for reviews.

Box Break Down:

• 10 Packs Per Box, 5 Cards Per Pack
• (4) Autographs or Memorabilia Cards Per Box
• Boxes Run around $100 

Boxes should also come with three Mirror parallels, one Immortal, one New Generation Rookie Card and one additional insert or parallel. The 350-card Certified base set includes 150 current stars, 50 Immortals, 50 Immortals Materials, 65 New Generation RCs and 35 Freshman Fabric autograph memorabilia RCs numbered to 499 or less.

Base Cards

Base Card

Back of base card

Rookies (New Generation) and Legends (Immortals) both are numbered

BASE CARDS: The base cards make sure that I will no longer need a mirror to do my hair in front of. They are as silver as can be. And very reflective. The team names have a unique cursive writing to them. You will be unable though to put together a base set. With only 50 cards in a box. However, it would be fun to and with the Rookies and Legends being numbered it would also make for a fun chase.

Mirror Reds

Back of Mirror reds numbered to 250

Mirror Blue

Back of Mirror Blue

INSERTS: If you haven't been reading this blog...that means you don't know my love for shiny things. I have always been a huge fan of the Mirror parallels and now they improved upon them from previous years going back to the rainbow look roots. Great job Panini.

AUTOGRAPHS: The autographs found in our box were both mirror autographs. The blue Hilton is numbered to 49. Most boxes we believe will land you at least one Freshman Fabric auto/jersey rookie card. But we can't say that for certain. But we love the design and reflectiveness that stand the autographs out.

JERSEY/PATCH CARDS: Once again the base of certified is to make everything silver and reflective which is always been its roots and it works very well with this product. We got two nice rookie jersey cards including a incredible prime patch of Jeffery that is numbered to 49.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: For around $100 I would be foolish not to tell you to give this product a try. 4 hits, 2 at least autos, a base card set like no other, plus like we noted you won't need a mirror anymore, Mirror parallels that glisten in your eyes,  and some chances to land some prime materials like we did we would kick ourselves not to recommend this product. Year in and year out Certified continues to be a rookie laden beautiful product.

RATINGS:  Bloggers Note: Our ratings are based specifically on the blaster, box or packs we opened and do not express what the overall product could bring. Ratings based on a 1-5. 1 Being the lowest and 5 being the highest.
                Packaging: 4
                Base Design: 4
                Insert Design: 4
                Memorablila/Autographs: 4
                Blaster, Hobby Box, or Pack Value: 4

Sport Card Collectors Player Of The Day Contest #2 CONTEST CLOSED

Time to show off your cards of this player!! Remember the rules and how to score points is in this link:

You have til the end of the day to get your entry in!! 

*Contests are open to U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY! (sorry)

QB Battles to watch for 2012

A lot of QB battles look to be on for 2012 NFL season.

Kevin Kolb vs John Skeleton..... CARDINALS
Matt Hasselbeck vs Jake Locker..... TITANS

Ryan Tannehil vs David Garrard vs Matt Moore.... DOLPHINS

Blaine Gabbert vs Chad Henne..... JAGUARS

Tim Tebow vs Mark Sanchez..... JETS
Russel Wilson vs Matt Flynn vs Tavaris Jackson...SEAHAWKS

Some of these may have obvious answers. But ones like Kolb and Skeleton and Hasselbeck and Locker and the Seattle battle keep me intrigued. And below I break those three down.

Kolb I thought was overpaid and that Arizona gave up way too much for a guy who was unproven. I believe in the end Kolb will retain the spot. Not because he is any better than Skeleton who won five games as a starter for Arizona, but because the Cardinals put so much into him.

Hasselbeck is the veteran and has been around for what seems forever. But when he went down last year and Jake Locker stepped in, Locker proved he was worthy of being a top 10 pick. And because he looked sharp at points and that he was drafted in the top 10 I believe he will be the starter. Whether its at the beginning of the season, or by week 6. But having Hasselbeck there to help him along with his progressions.

And as for the three way battle in Seattle...Jackson had his chance so he will be third on the depth chart if not released in training camp. Matt Flynn will start the season as the starter. They way overpaid for a guy who only had one great game in his career. I think this is a Kolb situation. They will test him early, if he doesn't step up and play well and Seattle starts off slow..they will put the exciting player in Wilson on the field. And from the sounds of it..Seattle has been very excited about his play in rookie mini camps.

Most of the talk about the QB battles will be on Sanchez and Tebow. To me, there is nothing to that. Tebow is not a throwing QB. Plain and simple. They brought him in to help with their lack of running game. Sanchez is the starter.

If you have any thoughts on the QB battles and think there is another I missed or you think a different starter will be put in place. Just comment below!