First and foremost, I'd like to thank our sponsors at Panini America (http://www.paniniamerica.net) for providing us with this box for review.

http://www.blowoutcards.com/images/football/2009donrussrookiestarsFB.jpg

24 packs per box
5 cards per pack
SRP: 73.99-79.99

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

SP ROOKIE SIGNATURES FEATURING SIGNED EMBROIDERED NFL PATCH ROOKIE CARDS:
Matthew Stafford, Mark Sanchez, Josh Freeman, Pat White, Knowshon Moreno, Chris Wells, LeSean McCoy, Shonn Greene, Donald Brown, Michael Crabtree, Jeremy Maclin, Percey Harvin, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Hakeem Nicks, Kenny Britt, Brian Robiskie.

SP ROOKIE COLLEGE SIGNATURE FEATURING SIGNED EMBROIDERED COLLEGE PATCHES:
Matthew Stafford, Mark Sanchez, Josh Freeman, Pat White, Knowshon Moreno, Chris Wells, LeSean McCoy, Shonn Greene, Donald Brown, Michael Crabtree, Jeremy Maclin, Percey Harvin, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Hakeem Nicks, Kenny Britt, Brian Robiskie

ALSO LOOK FOR:
- NFL DRAFT ROOKIE DUAL SIGNED EMBROIDERED NFL PATCHES!
- TEAM CHEMISTRY ROOKIE DUAL SIGNED EMBROIDERED COLLEGE PATCHES!
- SIGNATURE PRIME MATERIALS CARDS IN FRESHMAN ORIENTATION, PRIME CUTS AND STATISTICAL STANDOUTS!

CARD SETS

Common (100)
Today's top NFL performers are highlighted in this star-studded list

Elements (15)
Top stars highlighted in the elements (rain, snow, etc.)
Elements Materials (15) #'d to 299 or less
Elements Materials Foil (15) #'d to 100 or less
Elements Prime Materials Holofoil (15) #'d to 50 or less

Longevity (200)
A parallel to the Commons/Rookies/Elements on metalized board #'d to 249 or less
Longevity Holofoil (200) #'d to 99 or less
Longevity Gold (200) #'d to 49 or less
Longevity Platinum (200) #'d to 25 or less
Emerald Materials Prime Longevity (100) #'d to 50 or less
Black Prime Materials Longevity (100) - Prime jersey swatch #'d to 25 or less

Signatures (100) Base parallel w/an autograph

Rookies (85) #'d to 999
Rookies Holofoil Signatures (85) w/an auto #'d to 299 or less

SP Rookies Signatures (35) - best of the incoming rookie class w/an autographed, embroidered NFL patch #'d to 299 or less
SP RS Gold (35) #'d to 25 or less
SP RS Blue (35) #'d to 10 or less
SP RS Emerald (35) #'d to 5 or less
SP RS Platinum (35) #'d to 1

SP Rookies Jumbos (35) #'d to 50 or less
SP RJ Gold (35) #'d to 25 or less
SP RJ Emerald (35) #'d to 10 or less
SP RJ Platinum (35) #'d to 1

SP Rookies College Signatures (35) #'d to 49 or less
SP RCS Gold (35) #'d to 10 or less
SP RCS Emerald (35) #'d to 5 or less
SP RCS Platinum (35) #'d to 1

SP Rookies College Jumbos Gold (35) #'d to 10 or less
SP RCJ Emerald (35) #'d to 5 or less
SP RCJ Platinum (35) #'d to 1

Team Chemistry Signatures (10) - two players & a dual-signed Hallmark embroidered patch #'d to 10 or less

NFL Draft Signatures (10) #'d to 10 or less

Prime Cuts (15) - Prime jersey swatches #'d to 50 or less
Prime Cuts Signatures (15) #'d to 25 or less
Prime Cuts Combos (15) #'d to 50 or less
Prime Cuts Combos Signatures (15) #'d to 25 or less

WHAT WE PULLED

VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYquKEP_0G4

Base: 95/100 (95%)
Dupes: 13
Elements (1): Thomas Jones
Rookies /999 (4): David Bruton, Devin Moore, Larry English, Louis Murphy

http://www.sportscardforum.com/photoplog/images/1000/medium/1_CCF08112009_00010.jpg
http://www.sportscardforum.com/photoplog/images/1000/medium/1_CCF08112009_00011.jpg

Longevity /249 (1): Joseph Addai
Longevity Rookies /249 (1): Aaron Maybin
Longevity Rookies Holofoil /99 (1): Michael Mitchell

http://www.sportscardforum.com/photoplog/images/1000/medium/1_CCF08112009_00012.jpg

Cross Training /500 (1): Kenny Britt
Studio Rookies /500 (1): Mike Thomas
Studio Rookies /100 (1): Javon Ringer

http://www.sportscardforum.com/photoplog/images/1000/medium/1_CCF08112009_00013.jpg

Gold Stars Maurice Jones-Drew Jersey /299

http://www.sportscardforum.com/photoplog/images/1000/medium/1_CCF08112009_00014.jpg

Freshman Orientation LeSean McCoy 3-color Patch /50

http://www.sportscardforum.com/photoplog/images/1000/medium/1_CCF08112009_00015.jpg

Freshman Orientation Stephen McGee Jersey/Auto /100

http://www.sportscardforum.com/photoplog/images/1000/medium/1_CCF08112009_00016.jpg

Frank Gore Autograph /20

http://www.sportscardforum.com/photoplog/images/1000/medium/1_CCF08112009_00017.jpg

Final Ratings (out of 5):

Base Set – 4
Fun – 3.5
Overall Design – 3
Value – 5
Rebuy – 4.5

Total – 20/25 (80%)

Well, we all knew it was coming. It was just a matter of when. It appears that moving forward, Panini has dropped the Leaf name from the product line. Not saying it's a bad thing, just takes some getting used to.

The base set has a nice player profile photo of each player. However, not a big fan of the card design. There's too much going on with the card and really, do you need to put "Rookies & Stars on the card when you already have the "09 RS" logo on it? The design maes you feel the cards were designed more for kids than anyone else. Oh and let us not forget the one thing about base sets that peeve me more than anything else...and that's getting almost the entire set in a box while getting more than enough duplicates that would have allowed for a complete set.

Once you get past all that, it's sunshine and roses. This release is a great bang for the buck between the 4 "hits", 4 rookies and 8 inserts/parallels per box. The Elements cards show the player duing a game in different weather conditions such as rain and snow. The rookie class is showcased in a wide variety of jerseys, patches and autographs. This is a hard release to pass up buying multiple boxes.

Rookies And Stars delivers exactly what the name of the set implies. With a balance of today's and tomorrow's stars, this set is fantastic for most collectors. The photos are great and the inserts are eye-catching. The "hits" are worthwhile and plentiful. Though, it would be nice to see the base set collation fixed to make things just a bit easier on set collectors.

Once again, thanks to our gracious sponsors at Panini America for giving us the opportunity to open and review this release. For more information on all their products, be sure to check them out at www.paniniamerica.net (http://www.paniniamerica.net).

Very nice looking cards. I really like the design on this one.

http://www.sportscardforum.com/photoplog/images/1000/medium/1_CCF08112009_00016.jpg

Thanks Panini!

I have to disagree with Enigma on the designs, these designs are fresh and great looking. Great job Panini on the designs this year. Some products need a little better design and I think these look great as there is already a lot of product with the standard photo, name, logo, and that's it. I admire a company who likes to push the envelope as far as designing goes.

I see sticker autos are still prevalent. Still, it's nice to see Panini shaking things up a bit in regards to design - it's hard to find products today in any sport which stand out in that way, so even if it appears a bit busy and could use some tweaks here and there, at least it's something different.

Nice Gore and McCoy. I like this design.

I really like this design - it's different from others... thanks Panini for the box!

I think the design of the cards is very nice, it is very different than other card designs..Ed

Nice set, BUT again with the sticker autos! I'm also not a fan of the design. Too artsy for me!

Interesting looking product...and the break looks like a good mix and value..I agree on the Base set thing too...Thanx to Panini for prividing the box for review !

Nice break and review! Kinda makes me miss collecting football.

Thanks, Panini, for providing this!

Darin

Love the design its fresh and modern way to go Panini. Big thanks for the review and nice product

Nice stuff! Thanks Panini!

The design style suits me on those "Freshman Orientation" cards but I just don't like it on the others.

Also, what is the point of "Longevity?" Particularly, "Rookie Longevity." To me, it makes no sense by itself, and it makes nonsense with the word "rookie" before it.

Finally, which of Panini/Donruss/Leaf's football sets isn't a combination of Rookies and Stars?

I clearly only represent my own opinion, but if the head brand manager is listening, this one could be the first to go if you need to pare the football lineup.

Busy design but at least it's something different,decent product and nice review Tony.Thanks for the box panini.

nice stuff. i esp. like the gore:whistle: