Zenith

 

Coffee and a blaster box to open....what can make this better? Oh, that's right, my asiago bagel with jalapeño cream cheese. Now I am ballin' out as some would say.

I picked up this Zenith blaster about a month ago and I am just finding time to sit down and open it.

This is the first time since Panini brought back the Zenith brand that it was offered in retail form and from images I had seen, I was pretty happy to find a box.

Each blaster comes with 6 packs of 4 cards each. There is also one autograph or memorabilia card per blaster and blaster boxes are $27.98 each. Which isn't bad with a guaranteed hit.

The base card design sticks with the Zenith feel. They were always known for a football related background. I think visually, these are fun. Still won't ever top the 1996 design, but what ever matches it's 90's counterpart? Not even my coffee!

 

I really wished they stuck with the base card design for the rookies or came up with something more creative than the word rookie in the background.

I did pull this guy though, it made me happy.

I pulled three Red Zone parallels. Red Zone was a parallel that was in the Playoff football brand line. But, Panini decided to axe the brand and must have crossed over some parts of it to Zenith.

Then came the inserts which was a mixed bag for me.

Pacific looks and feels cool, it's a thicker card, but feels out of place in this product.

Same goes with Thunder and Lightning which was brought over froim the Playoff product. The card is beautiful, but it's a meh feeling in this product.

And speaking of beautiful cards, they nailed this Revolution card. But, once again, it doesn't feel right in this product. Revolution was a standalone product in the 90's like Pacific above.

There we go! Finally a real Zenith insert! The card is also very thick an a lot more shiny than it is showing on here.

And last,

 

My hit which I expected all along to be a relic and it was. Russell Wilson who I actually like as a player and person, was my pull. I am fine with it even though he had a really rough 2022 season but I expect a bigger 2023 especially with a Coach Payton in place.

Overall, I liked the product. Even though it felt like a better version of Chronicles. I hope to open another at some point.

Good breakfast, good cup of joe and a fun break. Couldn't ask for a better Thursday.

Your thoughts on this product welcomed in comments and also let me know your favorite Zenith brand design over the years.

I need to finish my cup and grab another cup. 

So....

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

90's On The 9th:1997 Revolution Ring Bearer Mark Brunell

*takes a sip of fresh coffee, I prefer to brew a cup just before I sit down to do my latest post and not let it sit around. Cold coffee is only good if it's iced coffee from Dunkin*

Yesterday was 80's On The 8th so today only made sense to have a 90's version of it.

Just like with the 80's on the 8th, every 9th of a month I will post a 90's card or card set and elaborate some information on it.

So let's check out today's card.

*takes a sip before the show off*

Today's card I grabbed very cheaply compared to most sales of these snagging it for only $4.

The 1997 Revolution Ring Bearers inserts were rare finds falling at 1:121 packs.

These cards are die cut into a championship ring and have foil and is embossing. There is also some laser cut technology around each of the "jewels" on the ring bringing this overall design together. 

The back of the card talks about the featured player but doesn't possess the pizzazz the front of the card has. It's still a great looking card on the back as well.

There are 12 of these in the set and its a set I don't plan to chase as it could get very expensive.

*takes a sip as closes out today's post to publish*

*coffee card blogger out*