Official Review: 2008 Topps Triple Threads Football

[Enigma]

First and foremost, I'd like to thank the wonderful folks at Topps for providing us with the following pack to review.



Product Description
2 mini boxes per display box
1 pack per mini box
6 cards per pack
MSRP: $159-$165


PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS
EVERY 18-COUNT CASE CONTAINS BOTH:
- An Autographed Triple Relic Card numbered to 36 or less
- A 1 of 1 Autographed Triple Relic Card

EVERY 2-PACK DISPLAY BOX CONTAINS:
- An Autographed Triple Relic Card numbered to 99 or less
- A Triple Relic Card numbered to 36 or less

EVERY PACK CONTAINS:
- A Triple Relic Card numbered to 99 or less
- 2 Base Parallel Cards numbered to 649 or less
- 3 Base Cards numbered to 1499 or less

CONTENT BREAKDOWN
BASE SET
Veterans and Retired(100) - #'d to 1499 or less.
- Sepia - #'d to 499.
- Emerald - #'d to 199.
- Gold - #'d to 99.
- Sapphire - #'d to 25.
- Platinum - One of one.
- Framed Printing Plates - One of one.

AUTOGRAPHED RELIC CARDS - 1 PER BOX!

Autographed Rookie Triple Relic Base Cards(50) - #'d to 99.
Each card features 1 player with 3 relics and 1 autograph.
- Sepia - #'d to 75.
- Emerald - #'d to 50.
- Gold - #'d to 25.
- Sapphire - #'d to 10.
- Platinum - One of one.
- "White Whale" Printing Plates - One of one.

Autographed Prime Rookie Triple Relic Cards(50) - #'d to 25.
- Red - #'d to 10.
- Black - One of one.
- "White Whale" Printing Plates - One of one.

NEW! Autographed Triple Threads Relic Pairs(10) - #'d to 18.
10 book cards featuring 2 players, 2 signatures, and 6 relics.
- Gold - #'d to 9.
- Sapphire - #'d to 3.
- Platinum - One of one.

NEW! Autographed Triple Threads Relic Double Combos - #'d to 3.
Book cards featuring 6 subjects, 6 autographs, and 6 relics.
- Platinum - One of one.

NEW! Cut Above Triple Threads Autographs - One of one!
3 cards featuring a cut signature and 3 relics each from Tom Landry, Walter Payton, and Vince Lombardi.

Autographed Triple Threads Dual Crest Rookie Relic Combos(10) - One of One!
10 book cards featuring 2 rookies and their autographs along with genuine NFL Equipment logos from their jersey.

Autographed Triple Threads Relic Combos(13) - #'d to 36.
13 cards with 3 players, 3 autographs, and 3 relics on each card.
- Sepia - #'d to 27.
- Emerald - #'d to 18.
- Gold - #'d to 9.
- Sapphire - #'d to 3.
- Platinum - One of one.
- "White Whale" Printing Plates - One of one.

Autographed Triple Threads Relic Cards(60) - #'d to 18.
60 NFL greats, featured on 3 different designs with 1 autograph and 3 relics per card.
- Gold - #'d to 9.
- Sapphire - #'d to 3.
- Platinum - One of one.
- "White Whale" Printing Plates - One of one.

RELIC CARDS - 1 PER BOX!

NEW! Triple Threads XXIV(20) - #'d to 18.
20 book cards which open to reveal 24 or more relic pieces.
- Gold - #'d to 9.
- Sapphire - #'d to 3.
- Platinum - One of one.

NEW! Triple Threads Pro Bowl Patches(25) - #'d to 9.
25 NFL stars are featured with 3 relics, including a Pro Bowl jersey patch.
- Platinum - One of one.

Triple Threads Relic Double Combos(20) - #'d to 36.
20 book cards highlighting 6 players and 6 relics on each card.
- Sepia - #'d to 27.
- Emerald - #'d to 18.
- Gold - #'d to 9.
- Sapphire - #'d to 3.
- Platinum - One of one.

Triple Threads Relics(135) - #'d to 36.
- Sepia - #'d to 27.
- Emerald - #'d to 18.
- Gold - #'d to 9.
- Sapphire - #'d to 3.
- Platinum - One of one.

Triple Threads Prime Relics(45) - #'d to 27.
- Gold - #'d to 9.
- Sapphire - #'d to 3.
- Platinum - One of one.

Triple Threads Relic Combos(80) - #'d to 36.
80 different cards featuring 3 players and 3 relics on each card.
- Sepia - #'d to 27.
- Emerald - #'d to 18.
- Gold - #'d to 9.
- Sapphire - #'d to 3.
- Platinum - One of one.

VIDEO BREAK



WHAT WE PULLED

Base /799 (3) - Santonio Holmes, Maurice-Jones Drew, LenDale White
Dupes - 0



Reminiscent to it's baseball counterpart, the base cards are on a thick card stock. The player is pictured in an action pose with a red background and the card surface has a myriad of impressions/dimples. The top and bottom of the card is black with a stripe that runs through it in a zigzag pattern. The bottom left has the player's information (position, name and team). The bottom right is the location for the set's name and the serial number of the card.

There are numerous base parallels in Triple Threads. They are Sepia, Emerald, Gold, Sapphire, Platinum and Printing Plate. The numbering has changed from the original product information sheet. The parallels are easy to determine as the background matches the color of the parallel, instead of the red that is seen on the regular base card.

Sepia /249 (1) - Jason Witten
Emerald /149 (1) - Reggie Bush



Each pack of Triple Threads is guaranteed to yield at least a triple relic in some fashion. We pulled a triple relic/auto. The card runs horizontally. The top of the card houses the auto with the player's picture to the right of it. On the Rookie versions, the RC logo is between the auto and the picture. Under the auto is the player's name and the set's logo. The bottom is where you find the relic pieces, in this case three patches, and that are designed to signify something with the die-cut area. For the card we pulled, it signifies his rookie card with the letters "R" and "C" and divided by the shape of the NFL shield. The immediate bottom is where you find the serial number and the team.

Ratings (Out of 5):
Base - 4.5
Fun - 5.0
Overall Design - 4.5
Value - 3.0
Rebuy - 3.5

Final Grade - 20.5/25 (82%)

Topps Triple Threads is a feast or famine product. The design is wonderful and you've got love the thickness of the cards. The texture is appealing along with the full body player photos.

What kills a collector though is the beating you can take when spending over $150 for 2 "Hits". And then you feel cheated when you get a card like we did. I like the triple patch/auto aspect, but 3 white patches is not appealing at all. How hard is it to cut the patch so a second color is on the display? Yes, I know two of the patches have a tinge of yellow at the bottom, but that's makes the card worse. Why? Because you know all that need to be done was move the cut little by 1/4 of an inch and you have a nice 2-color patch.

I've been a fan of Triple Threads since it first appeared, but I think it's time for its swan song and Topps to move on from it. Concentrate more on giving collectors a bigger bang for their buck and you'll see more and more looking to buy the products.

Once again, I'd like to thank the fine people at Topps for providing us with the pack and the opportunity to review it.

[mikesilvia]

Nice break! I bought two Triple Thread cards at the trade show yesterday. One of my favorite Topps products.

[Captngeetch]

Thanx for the review Tony...I agree with about the White Patches...unfortunatly it happens throughout the hobby..I doubt they even think about that when the cards are in production..they just bang them out...is the Auto a sticker ? if so, they are masking it well with the corner cut outs and fit..Thanx to Topps regardless..it's great they provide us with products to review..

[quiet-things]

Nice review Tony... gotta hate those all white patches..

[JKC]

Nice break and review, Tony!

Thanks, Topps!

Darin

[garnett_21]

Nice break and review Tony! Dorsey isn't a bad rookie auto/gu to pull! Thanks Topps!

[jdio13]

Great review Tony!

Jason

[RenegadeLonghorn]

I've liked the there relic design on Triple Threads. Best to buy this product by the master box. Single packs are hit or misses. Doesn't seem like much value in this pack.

Thanks to Topps for sending another new product.

[StainLss]

i like the design a lot! great review Tony! Not a bad rookie, but the one color makes it less desirable.

[11chaos]

Like the Product but I have always had issues with the card companies placing white jersey pieces in low numbered High Dollar product. Would I buy it if I could afford it, Yes! Seen some of the nicest Pro Bowl Fold out cards in this product.