2010 Topps Chrome Football
Topps Chrome stays true to old form in 2010, giving us a set similar to last year's in overall odds and presentation. As usual, look for lots of refractors and rookies, including the classic singular rookie autograph in each box.
Set Features;
Each sealed box contains 24 packs of 4 cards each in a 220 card set including 110 Rookies 1:1. >>> Each box contains ONE Autograph Rookie card. Parallel sets: Refractor 1:3, Blue (#`d to 199), Gold (#`d to 50), HOBBY ONLY Red (#`d to 25), HOBBY ONLY SuperFractor (each is a 1-of-1), and HOBBY ONLY Printing Plates (each is a 1-of-1). Inserts: Gridiron Lineage 1:4 (Refractor parallel > #`d to 99 and Dual Autograph > #`d to 5), Topps reprints 1:6 (Refractor: parallel > #`d to 99 and Autograph > #`d to 10), Bowman Chrome (Rookies 1:12, Rookie Refractor parallel > #`d to 99, and Autograph > #`d to 25), and Autograph cards 1:24 (Rookie, parallels: Refractor > #`d to 50, Black > #`d to 25, Gold > #`d to 10, HOBBY ONLY SuperFractor > each is a 1-of-1; Dual > #`d to 25, Triple > #`d to 10, HOBBY ONLY Patch > #`d to 25, and HOBBY ONLY Rookie Red Zone On-Card > #`d to 100).
Here's what I pulled in our box of 2010 Topps Chrome.
Base Cards and Parallels;
I prefer this year's look to the last one even though the change isn't that immense. The font of the player's name appears more modern while the team name appears in a stylized, logo-based manner, giving the design a little more pep. Once again, the action shots still take up a nice chunk of the front so the collector gets a good view of the player. The card backs also contain much of the same content as before - that is, basic player personal information and stats.
This year's refractors have changed somewhat - the fairly high numbered copper refractor variation has been ditched in favor of strictly lower numbered types, although we didn't pull any of them; we pulled only the basic refractor parallels, which are not serially numbered.
Rookie Cards;
Rookies once again make up half of the base set as Chrome remains a rookie-oriented product. We had great luck and pulled a card of up-and-coming rookie quarterback Sam Bradford in our box; Bradford is also the featured rookie on the box front.
The inserts are not as jazzy this year - no Cheerleader inserts this time, for example - but they did at least maintain the rookie autographs, and we were delighted to pull an autograph of impressive rookie safety Earl Thomas, who has picked off four passes already this year. Elsewhere, the Rookie Reprints deliver a nice dose of nostalgia, showing current and former stars based on Topps products released years before; Gridiron Lineage pairs a present star with a past star, including statistical comparisons of the two on the card backs; and Bowman Chrome inserts feature 30 of the top rookies from this year's crop. I would have liked more variety here - perhaps one or two snazzier insert types of proven veterans - but Chrome decided to opt for a lower-key approach to the inserts for 2010.
Final Thoughts on 2010 Topps Chrome Football;
As far as its general effect is concerned, I am roughly as pleased with the product this year as I was last year. The main differences: I think the base design is a bit more interesting, and there are some tougher pulls on the refractor front, but the inserts aren't quite as fun. Still, I think Topps was wise to not make a complete re-haul of Chrome, so I'd rather see small changes than massive ones. Rookie collectors will still be delighted with Chrome, so it hasn't lost its niche.
Here's how I would rate this product;
- Value = 4
- Innovation = 3
- Fun and Experience = 4
- Rebuy Value = 3
I rate this product "B" for Topps.
NPN Information;
NPN 2010 TOPPS CHROME FOOTBALL
P.O. BOX 763
PITTSTON, PA 18640
NPN is open only to U.S./Canadian (except Quebec) residents, and submissions must be sent by January 12, 2011. Requests are limited to one per household, and you must hand print your name and complete address on a 3x5 card mailed in a #10 envelope to the address provided. The skill test question for Canadian residents is as follows: 26 + 9 X 2 - 12 = ?
I would like to thank Trader Retreat for giving me the chance to review this new product.
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