Official Review: 2008 Leaf Rookies & Stars

[Enigma]

First and foremost, I'd like to thank our Sponsor, Donruss (DLP), for providing us with this box for review.



Product Description

24 packs per box
5 cards per pack
MSRP: $69.99 - $79.99

VIDEO BREAK



PER BOX ITEMS
- 4 autograph or memorabilia cards
- 3 rookies
- 3 Longetivity parallels
- 5 other inserts or parallels

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
SP Rookie Signatures featuring signed embroidered NFL Patch Rookie Cards:
Matt Ryan, Darren McFadden, Colt Brennan, Donnie Avery, Joe Flacco, Jonathan Stewart, Devin Thomas, Brian Brohm, Felix Jones, Jordy Nelson, Chad Henne, Rashard Mendenhall, James Hardy, Kevin O'Connell, Chris Johnson, Eddie Royal, Matt Forte, Jerome Simpson, Ray Rice, DeSean Jackson, Kevin Smih, Malcom Kelly, Jamaal Charles, Limas Sweed, Steve Slaton.

SP Rookie College Signatures featuring signed embroidered college patches:
Matt Ryan, Darren McFadden, Colt Brennan, Donnie Avery, Joe Flacco, Jonathan Stewart, Devin Thomas, Brian Brohm, Felix Jones, Jordy Nelson, Chad Henne, Rashard Mendenhall, James Hardy, Chris Johnson, Eddie Royal, Matt Forte, Ray Rice, DeSean Jackson, Kevin Smih, Malcom Kelly, Jamaal Charles, Limas Sweed, Steve Slaton.

Team Chemistry rookie dual signed embroidered NFL patches:
Matt Ryan/Harry Douglas, Brian Brohm/Jordy Nelson, Jamaal Charles/Glenn Dorsey, Matt Forte/Earl Bennett, Rashard Mendenhall/Limas Sweed, Andre Caldwell/Jerome Simpson, Joe Flacco/Ray Rice, Chad Henne/Jake Long, Malcolm Kelly/Devin Thomas.

Team Chemistry rookie dual signed embroidered college patches:
Darren McFadden/Felix Jones, Brian Brohm/Harry Douglas, Early Doucett/Glenn Dorsey, Chad Henne/Mario Manningham, Limas Sweed/Jamaal Charles.


PRODUCT BREAKDOWN
Commons (100)

Elements (15) - Numbered insert with 3 material parallels.

Longevity (200) - Parallels to commons, Elements, and rookies and #'d to 249 or less. Six numbered parallels, including material versions.

Rookies (85) - #'d to 999 or less.
- Holofoil Signatures (85) - Autographed parallel #'d to 100 or less.

SP Rookies Signatures (50) - Numbered parallel featuring an autograph and an embroidered NFL patch with 4 parallel versions.

SP Rookies Jumbos (50) - 4 levels, numbered to 50 or less.

SP Rookies College Signatures (50) - 4 levels, numbered to 25 or less.

SP Rookies College Jumbos (50) - 4 levels, numbered to 25 or less.

Team Chemistry Signatures (15) - Features two rookies and a dual-signed embroidered patch (10 NFL, 5 college), and #"d to 10 or less.

Prime Cuts (14) - Features prime jersey swatches and numbered to 50 or less.
- Prime Cuts Signatures - #'d to 25 or less.

Prime Cuts Combos (14) - Features 2 prime swatches and numbered to 25 or less.
- Prime Cuts Combos Signatures - #'d to 10 or less.

Statistical Standouts Materials (15) - 4 levels, including prime and autographed versions.

Crosstraining (34) - Numbered insert with 6 levels, including material, prime, and signature versions.

Studio Rookies (34) - Numbered rookie insert with 6 levels, including material, prime, and signature versions.

Studio Combo Rookies (10) - Numbered rookie insert featuring with 6 levels, including material, prime, and signature versions.

Gold Stars (10) - Numbered insert with 7 levels, including material, prime, and signature versions.

Dress for Success (34) - Material insert with 4 levels, including prime and signature versions.

Freshman Orientation (34) - Material insert with 4 levels, including prime and signature versions.

WHAT WE PULLED

Base (100/100) - 100%
Dupes - 7
Rookies (4/85) - 4.70%
Dupes - 0
Elements (1/15) - 6.67%
Dupes - 0



The base cards this year are on a white background. The player's name and team name run vertically on the left and right side of the card, respectively. The set's logo is located at the bottom of the card. The top and bottom has a myriad of shapes which gives the look like the player is bursting through the card. The player's background is series of dots and picture resides directly in the middle.



The design of the rookie cards are exactly like the base cards. The only difference is the word "Rookie" is displayed on both sides of the set's logo. The rookies are numbered from 999 or less.

Rookies (4) - Kellen Davis /999, Martin Rucker /999, Bruce Davis /999, Jalen Parmele /999


The Elements subset features players in various weather conditions. There are 15 cards in the set and they are needed in order to complete a full set. These cards have the same design as the base cards with the word "Elements" on both sides of the set's logo.

Elements (1) - David Garrard



Longevity is a parallel set for the base, rookies and elements cards. The main background is colored differently to match which parallel version it is. The word "Longevity" is blended intp the player's background. Depending on the parallel version, the cards are numbered from 249 or less.

Longevity (2) - Lendale White /249, Paul Smith /249
Longevity Gold (1) - Ben Roethlisberger /49
Longevity Holo-Foil (1) - Ryan Torian /99



There are three insert sets this year:
Crosstraining
Studio Rookies/Combos
Gold Stars

Crosstraining is a 34 card set which features only rookies. There are three versions of the insert and three versions of relics and autos. The name of the insert set is positioned at the top of the card. The player's photo extends down the middle. At the bottom is the player's name. Splitting the photo in half is the team's helmet, the player's jersey number and the set's logo.

Studio Rookies are a foil based insert series. There are three versions of the insert and three versions of relics and autos for both the individual and combo cards. The set's logo is at the top of the card. The team logo is either displayed at the top or the bottom. The bottom of the cards is also where the insert set name and player name is located. The player's photo looks like a pencil drawing, which can only be viewed properly when the card is turned towards a light source.

*Side Note: Unfortunately, due to the dark gloss of the card, scanners cannot pick up the card properly.***

Crosstraining (1): Matt Forte /1000
Studio Rookies (1): Rashard Mendenhall /1000
Studio Combo Rookies (1): Joe Flacco/Ray Rice /1000






Numerous memorabilia and auto sets highlights Leaf Rookies & Stars. Along with the previously mentioned sets, there are the following:

Dress For Success
Freshman Orientation
Prime Cuts
SP Rookies College
SP Rookies Jumbos
SP Rookies Signatures
Statistical Standouts
Team Chemistry Signatures

Dress For Success (1) - Early Doucet III Jersey /250
SP Rookie Jumbos (1) - Ray Rice Jersey /25
Studio Rookies (1) - Matt Ryan Jersey /250
Studio Combo Rookies (1) - Chad Henne/Jake Dual Auto /25

Final Ratings (Out of 5):
Base set: 3.75/5
Fun: 4.5/5
Overall design: 4/5
Value: 4.5/5
Re-buy: 4.25/5

Overall: 21/25 (84%)

The base set is a little too bland for my liking. There's nothing that really stands out about it. I like the idea of the Elements cards, but would much rather see them as a variation card for all the base and rookie cards. This would turn them into a chase card/set and allow for 15 more rookies to have a card.

Really not a fan of the Studio Rookies and Combos. The idea is sound, but the execution of the cards failed. When you have to work to see the picture on a card, you've overdone the design. Collectors want to enjoy their cards, not have to maneuver it in order to even enjoy the photo.

With that said, Rookies & Stars does deliver throughout the box. On top of being able to complete a base set in one box, you get 15 extras between the inserts, parallels, relics and autos. That's almost 2/3s of the box. As the set's name implies, this is more about the rookies than anything else. It's nice to see that reflected in the extra goodies.

Once again, thanks to the wonderful people at Donruss for providing us with this product and the opportunity to review it.

[molly1984]

Those base cards are very.... white! But I think that makes the cards from this set good for getting IP and TTM autos. I also think that Ray Rice GU is a little too large, or maybe it's because the jersey piece is white that makes it look very plain. The Doucet and Ryan GUs look very nice though.

[rchurchward]

WOW! That Henne/Long is sick! A Michigan fan's dream!

[JKC]

Nice break and review!

Thanks Donruss!

Darin

[TheTGB]

Yeah the base cards are very...bland. However, I love that you can pull a whole set in one box. The rookie part of the set seems to be the hardest to attain which is always fun to try and do. Love the jumbo swatches. The Elements cards are very innovative and anyone who knows me knows, I love innovative.

[gladdyontherise]

Sweet Break!

[jdio13]

Awesome break Tony. Some great cards pulled from that box!!

Jason

[SingleDaddyof2]

I actually like the look of the base cards--makes the player picture really jump out at you. Very nice break--thanks Donruss!! And a very nice video and review Tony!!

[mikesilvia]

It looks like a nice product. It is always nice when you can pull 100% of the set. It drives me crazy when you pull 95% of a set, forcing you to buy more of the product or seek out the remaining 5%.

The dual auto is very nice!

Did Molly just complain about getting too much memorabilia in a card? :)

[dallascisco]

A good break overall.