The Essential Primer: Panini America at the 2013 NFLPA Rookie Premiere (Gallery)

[blowoutcards]

The Essential Primer: Panini America at the 2013 NFLPA Rookie Premiere (Gallery) (http://paniniamerica.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/the-essential-primer-panini-america-at-the-2013-nflpa-rookie-premiere-gallery/)
May 14th 2013, 18:03

http://paniniamerica.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/panini-premiere.jpg?w=600
One of the most important four-day stretches on Panini America’s 2013 calendar kicks off tomorrow in Los Angeles at the 2013 NFLPA Rookie Premiere. One of the sports card hobby’s marquee events, the actual 2013 NFLPA Rookie Premiere takes place Saturday inside the historic Rose Bowl. But the three days prior to that are filled with meaningful activities, too.
A small contingent of Panini America officials are hitting the ground in Southern California today. The rest of us will arrive tomorrow as 40 of this season’s top rookies begin making their way through the Panini America player lounge to sign the autographs, take the pictures and conduct the interviews that will drive virtually every NFL trading card product Panini America produces in 2013.

And on Saturday, the 40 rookies will gear up in their full NFL uniforms for the first time and take the historic Rose Bowl field for more photographs, more interviews, perhaps a few more autographs and, above all else, an entertaining experience with their fellow classmates.
Once again this year, Panini America officials are bringing with them several on-card-autograph options, including 2013 Prestige Football NFL Draft Tickets and NFL Passport, 2013 Elite Football Rookie Inscriptions acetate cards and the always-popular, multi-signed Pen Pals cards. (You can get a sneak peek at some of these gems in their unsigned state in the gallery below.)
Also below is the list of participating players.
Be sure to follow Panini America on Twitter (http://twitter.com/PaniniAmerica) and keep up with the #ScoreRookie hash tag all week long so you don’t miss any of the action. As usual, you can expect more than a few surprises from us, so you’ll want to stay tuned.
After you’ve checked out the following preview gallery, stick around for the list of the 40 players who will attend the 2013 NFLPA Rookie Premiere.
http://paniniamerica.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/panini-america-inscriptions-geno.jpg?w=107&h=150 (http://paniniamerica.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/the-essential-primer-panini-america-at-the-2013-nflpa-rookie-premiere-gallery/panini-america-inscriptions-geno/) http://paniniamerica.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/panini-america-inscriptions-manuel.jpg?w=107&h=150 (http://paniniamerica.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/the-essential-primer-panini-america-at-the-2013-nflpa-rookie-premiere-gallery/panini-america-inscriptions-manuel/) http://paniniamerica.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/panini-america-inscriptions-wheaton.jpg?w=106&h=150 (http://paniniamerica.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/the-essential-primer-panini-america-at-the-2013-nflpa-rookie-premiere-gallery/panini-america-inscriptions-wheaton/) http://paniniamerica.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/panini-america-inscriptions-wilson.jpg?w=106&h=150 (http://paniniamerica.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/the-essential-primer-panini-america-at-the-2013-nflpa-rookie-premiere-gallery/panini-america-inscriptions-wilson/) http://paniniamerica.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/panini-america-inscriptions-woods.jpg?w=106&h=150 (http://paniniamerica.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/the-essential-primer-panini-america-at-the-2013-nflpa-rookie-premiere-gallery/panini-america-inscriptions-woods/) http://paniniamerica.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/panini-america-pen-pals-bengals.jpg?w=106&h=150 (http://paniniamerica.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/the-essential-primer-panini-america-at-the-2013-nflpa-rookie-premiere-gallery/panini-america-pen-pals-bengals/) http://paniniamerica.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/panini-america-pen-pals-bills.jpg?w=107&h=150 (http://paniniamerica.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/the-essential-primer-panini-america-at-the-2013-nflpa-rookie-premiere-gallery/panini-america-pen-pals-bills/) http://paniniamerica.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/panini-america-pen-pals-notre-dame.jpg?w=106&h=150 (http://paniniamerica.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/the-essential-primer-panini-america-at-the-2013-nflpa-rookie-premiere-gallery/panini-america-pen-pals-notre-dame/) http://paniniamerica.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/panini-america-pen-pals-packers.jpg?w=107&h=150 (http://paniniamerica.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/the-essential-primer-panini-america-at-the-2013-nflpa-rookie-premiere-gallery/panini-america-pen-pals-packers/) http://paniniamerica.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/panini-america-pen-pals-qbs-back.jpg?w=106&h=150 (http://paniniamerica.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/the-essential-primer-panini-america-at-the-2013-nflpa-rookie-premiere-gallery/panini-america-pen-pals-qbs-back/) http://paniniamerica.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/panini-america-pen-pals-qbs-front.jpg?w=107&h=150 (http://paniniamerica.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/the-essential-primer-panini-america-at-the-2013-nflpa-rookie-premiere-gallery/panini-america-pen-pals-qbs-front/) http://paniniamerica.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/panini-america-prestige-passport-allen.jpg?w=106&h=150 (http://paniniamerica.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/the-essential-primer-panini-america-at-the-2013-nflpa-rookie-premiere-gallery/panini-america-prestige-passport-allen/) http://paniniamerica.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/panini-america-prestige-passport-ball.jpg?w=107&h=150 (http://paniniamerica.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/the-essential-primer-panini-america-at-the-2013-nflpa-rookie-premiere-gallery/panini-america-prestige-passport-ball/) http://paniniamerica.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/panini-america-prestige-passport-gillislee.jpg?w=107&h=150 (http://paniniamerica.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/the-essential-primer-panini-america-at-the-2013-nflpa-rookie-premiere-gallery/panini-america-prestige-passport-gillislee/) http://paniniamerica.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/panini-america-prestige-passport-hopkins.jpg?w=106&h=150 (http://paniniamerica.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/the-essential-primer-panini-america-at-the-2013-nflpa-rookie-premiere-gallery/panini-america-prestige-passport-hopkins/) http://paniniamerica.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/panini-america-prestige-passport-manuel.jpg?w=107&h=150 (http://paniniamerica.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/the-essential-primer-panini-america-at-the-2013-nflpa-rookie-premiere-gallery/panini-america-prestige-passport-manuel/) http://paniniamerica.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/panini-america-prestige-passport-michael.jpg?w=106&h=150 (http://paniniamerica.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/the-essential-primer-panini-america-at-the-2013-nflpa-rookie-premiere-gallery/panini-america-prestige-passport-michael/) http://paniniamerica.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/panini-america-prestige-passport-robinson.jpg?w=107&h=150 (http://paniniamerica.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/the-essential-primer-panini-america-at-the-2013-nflpa-rookie-premiere-gallery/panini-america-prestige-passport-robinson/) http://paniniamerica.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/panini-america-prestige-passport-tavon.jpg?w=106&h=150 (http://paniniamerica.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/the-essential-primer-panini-america-at-the-2013-nflpa-rookie-premiere-gallery/panini-america-prestige-passport-tavon/) http://paniniamerica.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/panini-america-tickets-barkley.jpg?w=150&h=106 (http://paniniamerica.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/the-essential-primer-panini-america-at-the-2013-nflpa-rookie-premiere-gallery/panini-america-tickets-barkley/) http://paniniamerica.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/panini-america-tickets-dobson.jpg?w=150&h=106 (http://paniniamerica.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/the-essential-primer-panini-america-at-the-2013-nflpa-rookie-premiere-gallery/panini-america-tickets-dobson/) http://paniniamerica.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/panini-america-tickets-glennon.jpg?w=150&h=107 (http://paniniamerica.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/the-essential-primer-panini-america-at-the-2013-nflpa-rookie-premiere-gallery/panini-america-tickets-glennon/) http://paniniamerica.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/panini-america-tickets-nassib.jpg?w=150&h=106 (http://paniniamerica.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/the-essential-primer-panini-america-at-the-2013-nflpa-rookie-premiere-gallery/panini-america-tickets-nassib/) http://paniniamerica.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/panini-america-tickets-patterson.jpg?w=150&h=106 (http://paniniamerica.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/the-essential-primer-panini-america-at-the-2013-nflpa-rookie-premiere-gallery/panini-america-tickets-patterson/) Here’s the list of participating players: 2013 NFLPA Rookie Premiere Roster (http://paniniamerica.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/2013-nflpa-rookie-premiere-roster.xlsx)

The Essential Primer: Panini America at the 2013 NFLPA Rookie Premiere (Gallery) | The Official Panini America Blog (http://paniniamerica.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/the-essential-primer-panini-america-at-the-2013-nflpa-rookie-premiere-gallery/)

[MasterPattie]

I hate it when I see rookies in 00 jersey numbers.

Get them in their real jersey numbers by now, please. Is that really too much to ask?

[DaBears 1985]

Yeah I'd rather see any other number, even if it's not their correct number lol

[SavageScott]

Amazing on draft night they had their names on the jersey backs, how hard would it be to Velcro on legit numbers as well?

[Brad]

The rest of us will arrive tomorrow as 40 of this season’s top rookies begin making their way through the Panini America player lounge to sign the autographs, take the pictures and conduct the interviews that will drive virtually every NFL trading card product Panini America produces in 2013.

Don't forget they'll also put on 50+ barely touched jerseys for a few seconds each to make those "sick" patches you kiddies love so much...

[pfb11]

I'd rather have combine photos than photoshopped 00s.

[briscogun]

I hate it when I see rookies in 00 jersey numbers.

Get them in their real jersey numbers by now, please. Is that really too much to ask?

They don't have official numbers yet for most of these guys. Training camp hasn't even started yet. Most of these guys have only had one rookie camp with their teams so far, if they've signed their deals yet. If people wouldn't be willing to buy crappy cards with bad jerseys, posed photos in the Rose Bowl, and on card stickers every summer, they'd stop making them.

[briscogun]

Just took a look at the list they provided for the 40 players atending the NFLPA Premier, and the first thought through my head was: WHO?

So I looked at each of the names and their draft positions. Here are the stats broken down by how many players from each round:

1st Round Picks: 6
2nd Round Picks: 13
3rd Round Picks: 8
4th Round Picks: 7
5th Round Picks: 5
6th Round Picks: 1
TOTAL: 40

Average Draft position: 78

This doesn't exactly scream "bumper crop" of rookie players for the ol' 2013 collection, does it? I might just start collecting 2012 stuff again...

[Sikkcaden]

I would be willing to wait a month or two for a higher qualirty product....00's are worthless.

[chutneyfactory]

Positives: The Elite Rookie Inscriptions and Prestige NFL Passports look pretty sweet. Also, no Colts at the premier so I dont have to worry about double zeros. (Thats more of a bonus for me). Overall Panini designs are looking pretty nice this year, but this a small crop.

Negatives: More double zeros this year. Its not really Paninis fault, but they could put a 13 on there or something. People would understand.

Lets give up the sticker argument already. Who cares? Its still an autograph and its the best way to make sure things get signed and cards stay in decent condition.

I'm looking forward to this season as a Colts collector and collector in general. Colts rookies will be fairly cheap and I can focus a bit more on the great '12 class. As for the rest of this years crop, it will be great to have some low pricing on singles that could take off if any of these guys do anything. Not really a great year to buy a lot of sealed product though.

[deltapi1049]

Considering how nice the Elite inscriptions and the other cards were last year, Im REALLY disappointed this year. Why limit the space they have to sign like this? Why use a vertical orientation? I think these are major downgrades.

Sure doesnt hurt that the retouching on some of these cards is so horrid. Topps got the new Vikings jerseys in for Inception to be signed this weekend, Panini couldnt do it? I mean, the work they did on Patterson's card is completely amateur. Look at that collar and numbers!

Hopefully the finished products look much better. Not holding my breath.

[pfb11]

Just took a look at the list they provided for the 40 players atending the NFLPA Premier, and the first thought through my head was: WHO?

So I looked at each of the names and their draft positions. Here are the stats broken down by how many players from each round:

1st Round Picks: 6
2nd Round Picks: 13
3rd Round Picks: 8
4th Round Picks: 7
5th Round Picks: 5
6th Round Picks: 1
TOTAL: 40

Average Draft position: 78

This doesn't exactly scream "bumper crop" of rookie players for the ol' 2013 collection, does it? I might just start collecting 2012 stuff again...
I think Fisher and Joeckel may have been better than Reed and Teo.

[deltapi1049]

I think Fisher and Joeckel may have been better than Reed and Teo.

Not a chance. Teo by himself is better than Fisher and Joeckel.

[mikeyp]

Considering how nice the Elite inscriptions and the other cards were last year, Im REALLY disappointed this year. Why limit the space they have to sign like this? Why use a vertical orientation? I think these are major downgrades.

Sure doesnt hurt that the retouching on some of these cards is so horrid. Topps got the new Vikings jerseys in for Inception to be signed this weekend, Panini couldnt do it? I mean, the work they did on Patterson's card is completely amateur. Look at that collar and numbers!

Hopefully the finished products look much better. Not holding my breath.

I actually like the Inscriptions from Elite this year. I think they are some of the nicest cards Panini has put out in a while. I hate panini and almost all panini designs but I really like these inscription cards.

[deltapi1049]

I actually like the Inscriptions from Elite this year. I think they are some of the nicest cards Panini has put out in a while. I hate panini and almost all panini designs but I really like these inscription cards.

See, I think they have a really tiny space to sign and the cards could have been much better composed if they went horizontal like last year. Same design, but move the signature to a spot where they get a lot bigger surface area.