Random Wax: 2019 Illusions Football Blaster

2019 Illusions Football:  The first Sunday of football is so much fun.  I'll be in front of the TV all day and I still have hope the Falcons and Bills will have good seasons.  I'm a big fan of this set.  Doesn't seem like something I'd normally go for but they are nice in hand.  Let's kick this off with the man himself Patrick Mahomes II.

A nice trio of running backs though Melvin Gordon is now in Denver and had a good year for the Broncos averaging 4.6 yards per carry.  Barkley is coming back from injury and Derrick Henry is just a stud.  He's on one of the Emerald parallels I pulled.

These guys all had a tough 2020 season though Deebo Samuel could have a bounce back year if he can stay healthy.

First year the NFL will be without Drew Brees in forever.  The Saints won't be the same that is for sure.  

I'm not a big fan of the Clear Shots which is an acetate see through card though I know they are cool to some collectors.  Grabbed a relic with this Great Expectations card.  He had a great year for the Washington Football Team.  I probably had no clue who this guy was in 2019 or even July of last year when I found this pack. Great way to kick off Sunday, week one.

Tom Terrific...nuff said...

BREAKDOWN:
36 – Total Cards
15 – RC
3 – Emerald Parallels
1 – Clear Shots
1 – Great Expectations Relic

Random Wax: 2019 Illusions Football

2019 Illusions Football: Derrick Henry wasn't on the radar of many casual fans before 2019 but man did he make a splash.  In his 4th season he led the league with over 1500 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns.  He averaged 100 yards per game in 15 games on the ground.  Then he literally ran over the New England Patriots and Baltimore Raves to a tune of 182 and 195 yards, respectively, in the playoffs.  He was the key to the Titans making it to the AFC Championship game.

This is a brand I don't remember but it made a comeback last year.  Seems like there was an Upper Deck set with a similar design  years ago but I can't pinpoint it. 

These are some good looking cards.  I was happy with my pull even if I didn't get one of the top quarterbacks.  That looks like and orange parallel and that is exactly what it is.  Thank you Panini for making that easy.

Rookies have a good presence here numbering 7of the 20 cards in the pack. 

Not sure if I'll grab more of these.  I like them but the price point is a big steep.  Still if they are on the shelf these are a fun option.

BREAKDOWN:

20 – Total Cards

7 – RC

2 – Orange Parallel

2019 Illusions Football

2019 Illusions Football:  I'm not familiar with this brand but it is back.  When I picked up the pack I had an idea I wouldn't like this thinking they'd be a design more in the mode of Panini Status Basketball.  I was wrong and glad I was.  The fronts are a bit shiny with a foil design and a color photo of the player and a different black and white photo in the background.  Jimmy Garoppolo seems like a good start here with him and the 49ers taking on Minnesota this afternoon in the Division playoffs.

I am glad I picked these up.  I'm liking them more and more.

Rookies make up a big part of the packs.

That's an orange parallel of Leightton Vander Esch.  The backs are pretty minimal but I like that there is some color, a big logo and I've definitely seen worse write-ups.  These continue to grow on me.  The price point ($5.48) for just 20 cards is a bit tough but I'll definitely pick up more either in packs or individual cards.

BREAKDOWN:

20 – Total Cards
7 – RC
2 – Orange Parallel