SCF Official Review: 2009 Donruss Classics

**Enigma** · 07-14-2009, 04:39 AM

First and foremost, I'd like to thank our sponsors at Panini America for providing us with this box.

18 packs per box
5 cards per pack
SRP: 83.99 - 89.99

PER BOX ITEMS
3 AUTOGRAPHS/MEMORABILIA (AT LEAST ONE AUTOGRAPH)
2 ROOKIES
2 LEGENDS
1 TIMELESS TRIBUTE
3 SCHOOL COLORS

AND 2 OTHERS OF THE FOLLOWING:
PARALLELS
ROOKIES
LEGENDS
SCHOOL COLORS
CLASSIC SINGLES
CLASSIC COMBOS
CLASSIC TRIPLES
CLASSIC QUADS
MEMBERSHIP
TIMELESS TREASURES
SATURDAY STARS
SUNDAY'S BEST
MONDAY NIGHT HEROES

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

ROOKIES:
Matthew Stafford, Knowshon Moreno, Michael Crabtree, Mark Sanchez, Chris Wells, Jeremy Maclin, Josh Freeman, LeSean McCoy, Percy Harvin, Hakeem Nicks, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Kenny Britt, Donald Brown, Brian Robiske, Brandon Pettigrew

LEGENDS:
Barry Sanders, Bobby Layne, Emmitt Smith, Franco Harris, Gale Sayers, Jerry Rice, Jim Brown, Joe Greene, Joe Montana, Roger Staubach, Sid Luckman, Steve Young, Tom Landry, Troy Aikman, Walter Payton

CUT SIGNATURES:
Brian Piccolo, Bronko Nagurski, Cliff Battles, Bulldog Turner, Night Train Lane, Doak Walker, Don Hutson, Dutch Clark, Crazylegs Hirsch, Ernie Nevers, George Halas, Hank Stram, Johnny Unitas, Otto Graham, Paul "Bear" Bryant, Pop Warner, Red Grange, Sammy Baugh, Sid Luckman, Tex Schramm, Tom Fears, Vince Lombardi, Walter Payton

CARD SETS

Commons (100)
Today's standout NFL performers are featured in Classic's common set

Rookies (100)
This subset highlights the future stars from the 2009 Rookie Class and is #'d to 999

Autographed Rookies (100)
Spotlighted with an autographed sticker, this subset pinpoints the future dominators from the 2009 rookie class and is #'d to 999 or less

Legends (50)
Legendary players from the NFL's storied past make up this subset and #'d to 999

Timeless Tributes Silver (250)
Timeless Tributes Silver #'d to 100

Timeless Tributes Gold (250)
Timeless Tributes Gold #'d to 50

Timeless Tributes Platinum (250)
Timeless Tributes Gold #'d to 25

Significant Signatures Gold (250)
Significant Signatures Gold #'d to 250 or less

Significant Signatures Platinum (250)
Autographs from past, present and future NFL stars are displayed in this distinguished parallel highlighted by and #'d to 25 or less

School Colors (36)
NFL stars that sparkled on the collegiate gridiron

School Colors Signatures (36)
School Colors Signatures #'d to 100 or less

Classic Singles (30)
Classic Singles #'d to 1,000

Classic Singles Silver (30)
Classic Singles Silver #'d to 250

Classic Singles Gold (30)
Classic Singles Gold #'d to 100

Classic Singles Platinum (30)
Classic Singles Platinum #'d to 25

Classic Singles Jerseys (30)
Classic Singles Jerseys #'d to 299 or less

Classic Singles Signature Jerseys (30)
Classic Singles Signature Jerseys #'d to 25 or less

Classic Singles Jerseys Prime (30)
Featuring a prime swatch of game-worn jersey, this quintessential memorabilia insert is #'d to 50 or less

Classic Singles Signature Jerseys Prime (30)
Classic Singles Signature Jerseys Prime #'d to 25 or less

Classic Combos (15)
Classic Combos numbered to 1,000.

Classic Combos Silver (15)
Classic Combos Silver numbered to 250.

Classic Combos Gold (15)
Classic Combos Gold numbered to 100.

Classic Combos Platinum (15)
Classic Combos Platinum numbered to 25.

Classic Combos Jerseys (15)
Classic Combos Jerseys numbered to 50 or less.

Classic Combos Jerseys Prime (15)
Parallel featuring two prime swatches of game-worn jersey and numbered to 25 or less.

Classic Triples (10)
Classic Triples numbered to 1,000.

Classic Triples Silver (10)
Classic Triples Silver numbered to 250.

Classic Triples Gold (10)
Classic Triples Gold numbered to 100.

Classic Triples Platinum (10)
Classic Triples Platinum numbered to 25.

Classic Triples Jerseys (10)
Classic Triples Jerseys numbered to 25 or less.

Classic Triples Jerseys Prime (10)
Parallel featuring three prime swatches of game-worn jersey and numbered to 25 or less.

Classic Quads (10)
Classic Quads numbered to 1,000.

Classic Quads Silver (10)
Classic Quads Silver numbered to 250.

Classic Quads Gold (10)
Classic Quads Gold numbered to 100.

Classic Quads Platinum (10)
Classic Quads Platinum numbered to 25.

Classic Quads Jerseys (10)
Classic Quads Jerseys numbered to 10 or less.

Classic Quads Jerseys Prime (10)
Parallel featuring four prime swatches of game-worn jersey and is numbered to 5 or less.

Membership (25)
Membership numbered to 1,000.

Membership Silver (25)
Membership Silver numbered to 250.

Membership Gold (25)
Membership Gold numbered to 100.

Membership Platinum (25)
Membership Platinum numbered to 25.

VIP Membership Jerseys (25)
VIP Membership Jerseys numbered to 299 or less.

VIP Membership Jerseys Prime (25)
An exclusive class of player is included in this insert displaying one prime swatch of game-worn jersey and numbered to 50 or less.

Dress Code (25)
The league's elite players are featured in this insert and numbered to 1,000.

Dress Code Silver (25)
Dress Code Silver numbered to 250.

Dress Code Gold (25)
Dress Code Gold numbered to 100.

Dress Code Platinum (25)
Dress Code Platinum numbered to 25.

Dress Code Jerseys (25)
Dress Code Jerseys numbered to 299 or less.

Dress Code Signature Jerseys (25)
Dress Code Signature Jerseys numbered to 50 or less.

Dress Code Jerseys Prime (25)
Dress Code Jerseys Prime numbered to 50 or less.

Dress Code Signature Jerseys Prime (25)
Dress Code Signature Jerseys Prime numbered to 25 or less.

Saturday Stars (30)
Saturday Stars numbered 1,000.

Saturday Stars Silver (30)
Saturday Stars Silver numbered 250.

Saturday Stars Gold (30)
Saturday Stars Gold numbered 100.

Saturday Stars Platinum (30)
Saturday Stars Platinum numbered 25.

Saturday Stars Signatures (30)
Saturday Stars Signatures numbered 250 or less.

Saturday Stars Jerseys (30)
Saturday Stars Jerseys numbered 299 or less.

Saturday Stars Jerseys Signatures (30)
Saturday Stars Jerseys Signatures numbered to 50 or less.

Saturday Stars Jerseys Prime (30)
Retired legends, current stars and rising prospects are highlighted in their glory days of college with this insert featuring a prime swatch of gameworn jersey and numbered to 50 or less.

Saturday Stars Jerseys Prime Signatures (30)
Saturday Stars Jerseys Prime Signatures numbered 10 or less.

Sunday's Best (40)
Sunday's Best numbered to 1,000.

Sunday's Best Silver (40)
Sunday's Best Silver numbered to 250.

Sunday's Best Gold (40)
Sunday's Best Gold numbered to 100.

Sunday's Best Platinum (40)
Sunday's Best Platinum numbered to 25.

Sunday's Best Jerseys (40)
Sunday's Best Jerseys numbered to 299 or less.

Sunday's Best Jerseys Signatures (40)
Sunday's Best Jerseys Signatures numbered to 50 or less.

Sunday's Best Jerseys Prime (40)
Sunday's Best Jerseys Prime numbered to 25 or less.

Sunday's Best Jerseys Prime Signatures (40)
Retired legends, current stars and rising prospects are included, showcasing some of the best on-the-field moved with one prime-swatch of game jersey and an autograph sticker. This parallel is numbered to 10 or less.

Monday Night Heroes (30)
Monday Night Heroes numbered to 1,000.

Monday Night Heroes Silver (30)
Monday Night Heroes Silver numbered to 250.

Monday Night Heroes Gold (30)
Monday Night Heroes Gold numbered to 100.

Monday Night Heroes Platinum (30)
Monday Night Heroes Platinum numbered to 25.

Monday Night Heroes Jerseys (30)
Monday Night Heroes Jerseys numbered to 299 or less.

Monday Night Heroes Jerseys Signatures (30)
Monday Night Heroes Jerseys Signatures numbered to 50 or less.

Monday Night Heroes Jerseys Prime (30)
Monday Night Heroes Jerseys Prime numbered to 25 or less.

Monday Night Heroes Jerseys Prime Signatures (30)
This unique look at past NFL players who stood out on Monday Night Football and features one prime swatch of game-worn jersey and an autograph sticker. This parallel is numbered to 10 or less.

Classic Cuts 1 (35)
Trapped Autographed Cuts from some of the game's all-time legendary players and numbered to 100 or less.

Classic Cuts 2 (35)
Parallel to Classic Cuts 1 featuring a trapped auto.

Classic Cuts 3 (35)
Parallel to Classic Cuts 1 featuring a trapped auto.

Classics Cuts 4 (35)
Parallel to Classic Cuts 1 featuring a trapped auto.

WHAT WE PULLED

Base: 75/100 (75%)
Dupes: 0

Legends /999 (2): Carl Eller, Phil Simms
Rookies /999 (2): Cody Brown, Louis Murphy

Timeless Tributes Gold /50 (1): Joe Montana
Timeless Trributes Silver /100 (1): Austin Collie

Classic Singles Silver /250 (1): Thurman Thomas
Membership Gold /100 (1): Dwayne Bowe

Saturday Stars Gold /100 (1): Andre Smith
Sunday's Best Silver /250 (1): Vincent Jackson

School Colors (3): Aaron Maybin, Brian Orakpo, Brian Robiskie

Monday Night Heroes Donovan McNabb Jersey /299

Sunday's Best Brian Westbrook Jersey /299

Saturday Stars Malcolm Jenkins Auto /100

Significant Signatures Gold Daryl Johnston Auto /126

Final Ratings (out of 5):

Base Set – 4.5
Fun – 4.25
Overall Design – 3
Value – 4
Rebuy – 4

Total – 19.75/25 (79%)

It's nice to see that Panini America has not tried to shake up the staples of the Donruss line thus far. Classics is back this year with it's typical 100 card base set, 100 rookies and 50 legends. Kudos to the production team on the Jay Cutler card. It's aggravating when you get a card that says the current team, but pictures a player in his old jersey. Unfortunately though, it's still the same stagnant design we've seen over the last couple of years.

Glad to see the parallels are kept simple (gold, silver, platinum), however it is hard to tell which one you have in most cases unless you look at the serial number. Speaking of serial numbers, there's something that has be befuddled. If there are 100 rookies numbered to 999 and 50 legends numbered to 999 and you get two of each per box, wouldn't you run out of legends? Unless this means the rookies are seeded in retail packs at a 2:1 rate against the legends.

Looks like Panini America has continued with what they did with Elite and add an extra hit to many of their boxes. Really does show they are willing to go the extra mile for the consumers. Though with the Significant Signatures sets, this is a set that would really sizzle if the autos were on-card (though I prefer all autos to be on-card).

With getting something in almost every pack (17/18 for us), Classics is a solid purchase for the money. Completing a base set is fairly easy after one box, plus there's a slew of goodies in it. A lower print run on the rookies would be nice just to give them added value. But if you're looking for a box that is enjoyable to open and has a nice yield, then Classics is for you.

Once again, I'd like to thank our wonderful sponsors at Panini America for providing us with this opportunity to open and review this product. If interested in more information on this release or any others in their product line, be sure to check them out at www.paniniamerica.net.

**TheTGB** · 07-15-2009, 06:48 PM

Classics has always been a great product for all sports. A mix of the old and the new with chances for hits with both. The design on the base cards is kind of bland, I agree. But it looks like you get what you pay for. Good job to Panini!

**patriotsguy** · 07-15-2009, 07:03 PM

Thanks to Panini for the box for review! Thanks for he break Tony!

Although a solid product I think the design of the base and their parallels could use a little sprucing up.

Everything else looks good and I see we met the odds on the hits per box!

Well done overall Panini!!!!

**OnePimpTiger** · 07-15-2009, 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by spoodini View Post

Classics has always been a great product for all sports. A mix of the old and the new with chances for hits with both. The design on the base cards is kind of bland, I agree. But it looks like you get what you pay for. Good job to Panini!

Exactly my thoughts on it.

**jdio13** · 07-15-2009, 08:19 PM

Great review Tony!! I have had great luck opening Classics this year!! Thanks Panini!!!

Jason

**Captngeetch** · 07-15-2009, 08:24 PM

Thanx to Panini America for the Box..The colors look like they really Pop..very vivid...I agree with you about the auto's Hard signed would be much nicer

**Jeremy_Falcons** · 07-15-2009, 09:24 PM

Great review.

**11chaos** · 07-15-2009, 09:26 PM

I Really like the fact that you are able to pull Awesome players from years past, the School Colors is one of my favorites. However the base cards look like the players were stuck to the card like they were some sort of decoupage.