First and foremost, I'd like to thank our sponsors at Topps (http://www.topps.com) for providing us with this box.

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

6 packs per box
5 cards per pack
Current Retail Price: 214.99 - 234.99

PRODUCT BREAKDOWN:

AUTOGRAPH BASE CARDS - 1 Per Pack - 6 Per Box!
Fifty novices on numbered* cards with a signature!

Available in the following parallel versions:
- Red: One of One!
- White: Numbered* to 5
- Gold: Numbered* to 10
- Black: Numbered* to 25
- Refractor: Numbered* to 75

Autograph Base Card Variations - 30 Rookies and 30 Veterans in blue and green variations numbered* to 10.

RELIC BASE CARDS - 2 Per Pack - 12 Per Box!
85 subjects comprising 34 promising Rookies and 51 Veteran stalwarts and retired legends. Each card is numbered* and features a relic piece!

Available in the following parallel versions:
- Red: One of One!
- White: Numbered* to 5
- Gold: Numbered* to 25
- Black: Numbered* to 50
- Refractor: Numbered* to 199

AUTOGRAPH RELIC BASE CARDS - 1 in 3 Packs - 2 Per Box!
25 Rookies and 20 Veterans appear on numbered* variation cards with a signature and a relic!

Available in the following parallel versions:
- Red: One of One!
- White: Numbered* to 5
- Gold: Numbered* to 10
- Black: Numbered* to 25
- Refractor: Numbered* to 75

ROOKIE BASE CARDS - 2 Per Pack - 12 Per Box!
Fifty 2009 NFL Rookies on numbered* cards!

Available in the following parallel versions:
- Red: One of One!
- Gold: Numbered* to 25
- Black: Numbered* to 50
- White: Numbered* to 89
- Refractor: Numbered* to 199

BASE PRINTING PLATES
The 4 plates used to make each of the 85 Rookie and Veteran Relic Cards and the 50 non-autographed Rookie Base Cards.
Each is a 1 of 1!

AUTOGRAPH ROOKIE PRINTING PLATES
The 4 plates used to make all 50 Autographed Rookie Cards.

DUAL AUTOGRAPH CARDS - 1 Per 4-Box Case!
2 players appear with each of their signatures on numbered* gold Refractor cards. 40 current and retired players in all!


WHAT WE PULLED

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9a7-0pWiV0

Frank Summers RC /799
Peria Jerry Refractor /299

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd158/enigmas_cards/CCF10062009_00000.jpg

Chad Ochocinco Jersey /249
Mohamed Massaquoi Refractor Jersey /199

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd158/enigmas_cards/CCF10062009_00001.jpg

Jaison Williams Autograph /999

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd158/enigmas_cards/CCF10062009_00002.jpg

FINAL RATINGS
Base Set - 4
Overall Design - 5
Fun - 4.25
Value - 4
Rebuy - 2.5
Total - 19.75/25 (79%)

Bowman Sterling sizzles with a sleek card design. It plays off well with the foil board cardstock. If you look carefully, there are subtle differences in the design of the veteran and rookie cards. The player's backgrounds and the stripes on the sides of the card set the veterans and rookie apart (not to mention the RC Logo).

With three relic or autographs per pack, Bowman Sterling yield numerous possibilities in each pack. There are base relics, rookie autographs and autograph/relics to be found. Then there is the case hit, a dual autograph gold refractor.

Bowman Sterling continues to be one of the early high-end products of the football year. While the cards look amazing and 18 relics or autographs are really nice to get from a box, it is way too much a hit or miss product (unfortunately more miss than hit). Most collectors avoid trying to put together the base set as most if it consists of relics (50 rookies and 85 relics). This is one of those that is really all about the secondary market and unfortunately, too many of the relics and autographs do not do well. However, if looking to bolster a collection or do some swapping, this is a decent release. The price point is really rough for most and is why a lot of collectors avoid it.

Once again, I'd like to thank our wonderful sponsors at Topps (http://www.topps.com) 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.topps.com (http://www.topps.com).

The appearance is better this year, but the single color jerseys and HUGE selection of rookie autos is a turn off. Too much of a risk for this highend product.

Thanks Topps

Not a fan of this design.

Not a fan of the design. Looks like a net and would better suit basketball or hockey!

Are the autos on card? Or sticker?

The auto looks like a sticker to me, which is a turn-off for a high-end product. However I always like the look of these cards.

Decent break, but with the wide array of possible pulls, it would not be something I would buy, simply because I may end up pulling some not so great cards.

Thanks, Topps!

I like the design overall, but the player names are a bit too small.

i agree, the desgin is pretty blah, but i will still pick up cards of my pc players for the set

Nice break, but I am not a fan of the design at all, way to......busy for me

Nice break and review! Thank you, Topps, for providing this!

Darin