Product Review: 2008 Playoff Contenders

Every year, sets are flooded with no name RC autographs, and you can credit two things. First is the overjersification of the hobby, needing a hit in every pack, etc, annnnnd playoff contenders. Thanks to this set, people who were without cards now had auto cards in a regular set. It has produced some of the hobby's most expensive cards, and really, I think it is a good idea for a set, as long as it is the only one. Now, with the hobby focused on producing a card of every single fucking player, this set is pretty much forgotten.

The Good

Contenders is actually a pretty good value this year, as the auto content isnt as terrible as it was last year. There are many more autos of good players to offset the 5000 autos of Mr. Irrelevant, so you are more likely to make back your money with a decent box.

The price has dropped considerably from last year, and that is fucking awesome. I remember at 120 bucks for a box at release in 2007, I was screaming my brain out watching people bust it time after time. Now at 80 bucks and below, its a much better idea.

Believe it or not, I actually support the addition of college team RC ticket autos this year, not because of what they are, but more of what they produce - MORE AUTOS OF GOOD PEOPLE. There are now more Ryan and Flacco, and more of a chance to get nice stuff.

Also, major props on the photo picks this year. I hated most of the photos used from last year, but this year looks pretty good. The top RCs look like they are in top form, and I especially like the game photos they used on a lucky few.

Lastly, there is not a single relic in this entire product and I fucking love that. With both chrome sets and others heading the way of using event used, 5 second touched, no player connection jerseys in their cards, its nice to see that contenders is still all about the autos. I have a feeling its only a matter of time, though.

The Bad

This product's design is actually okay, although the idea to scrawl ROOKIE across the whole front of the fucking card is a stupid ass design idea. Imagine the way the cards look and then remove the giant ass ROOKIE text. Looks much better right? You know, its okay if you dont put that 72 pt eye sore on the card, we will still find out that they are a first year player.

I would also like to take the time to say to donruss that its okay if you dont have every single goddamned rookie in this set. We dont need an undrafted free agent card of a lifetime practice squader. You may miss a Brady type guy every once in a while, but thats okay to save us from more autos of worthless players who wont last a year.

The Ugly

Right now, this product is stale, really, really stale. Cards are heading in a different direction, which is fine, but I think it may be time to re-evaluate the status of this product in the lineup. I equate this product to the Ultimate collection of DLP. Check that shit at the door and think of something else.

We have yet to see an amazing mid end Vet and Star product that can drive a brand. At this point in the year, I am fucking sick to death of rookies, and starving for more HOFers and veterans. Please, please, please, boil a product like National Treasures down to its essence and release a similar product at 100 bucks. We will eat it up, I promise.