2010 Panini NFL Elite

I just received an email from Panini with some early information about the 2010 Panini NFL Elite set.

Scheduled Release Date: June 16, 2010
Box Configuration: 5 cards per pack, 20 packs per box
SRP: $6.00 per pack

Box Break:
4 Memorabilia or Autograph Cards (at least one autograph), 4 Rookies, 1 Parallel, 1 Zoning Commission, 1 Prime Targets, 1 Stars, 1 Elite Series, 1 Chain Reaction, 1 NFL Shield, 1 Team Logo, 2 Others

Case Break:
Look for one or more of the following autographs: Peyton Manning, Joe Namath, Brett Favre, Emmitt Smith, Drew Brees, Jimmy Clausen, Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy, Tim Tebow, C.J. Spiller, Ryan Mathews, Jonathan Dwyer and/or Rookie NFL Shield/Team Logo.

Highlights:
-Top 2010 NFL rookies with autographed parallels # to 499 or less.
-Rookie NFL Shield & Team Logos featuring parallel on-card autographs.
-Passing the Torch & Throwback Threads dual autograph cards.
-Super Bowl XLIV autographs and material cards.

My thoughts:

I am a little saddened to see sticker autographs in most of the auto sets, the Rookie NFL Shields and Team Logos contain on-card autos but the rest are stick it and forget it.

I think the Throwback Threads is designed nicely with a focus on the player and the relic, the autograph is obscured but otherwise a nice design. The Prime Targets draw my interest too, a relic set where the jersey swatch is not hidden away within a poor design (like the Elite Series insert).

I will be picking up a box or two, the cards are nicely designed, sticking with the original Elite design, and the inserts are promising. I would love to pull that Emmitt Throwback Threads.