Topps Triple Threads is one brand whose name says it all. Every pack has either a triple relic (memorabilia) card or an autographed triple relic. The 2007 football edition also has some of the final Topps rookie cards of the season, which also happen to be signed triple relic cards.
A hobby-only product, 2007 Topps Triple Threads Football comes in two-pack boxes with six cards per pack. Along with the guaranteed box content, every 18-box case will average one 1-of-1 autographed triple relic and a triple relic with three signatures.
Veteran and Retired Base Cards and Parallels
Both veterans and NFL legends find their way into the Triple Threads base set. A total of 100 players appear on cards numbered to 1449, each with an action photo and a single-color background set on textured stock that gives them a canvas-like look and feel.
Parallels are generously seeded and are easy to identify thanks to a change in the background color of the card. There are five different levels in all, ranging from Sepia (numbered to 639) down to 1-of-1 Platinum cards. Framed printing plates are also available for each card and are also limited to a single copy each.
I opened a single pack of Triple Threads Football for this review and found three veteran base cards, a Sepia Terry Bradshaw and a Gold Willis McGahee numbered to 99.
Autographed Triple Relic Cards
The highlights of any Triple Threads set are the autographed triple relics, and the 2007 football set delivers a nice variety. First and foremost are 50 2007 rookies, with swatches shaped like the letters "RC" and the NFL shield. They come in the same parallel levels as the regular base cards but with lower numbering.
The bulk of the remaining cards are in the Autographed Triple Threads Relics subset, with 60 players featured on three designs each for a total of 180 different cards. All of them are numbered to 18 or less. There are also Heroes Relics cards with names like Jim Brown and Gayle Sanders that guarantee at least one multi-color swatch.
For more autograph fun, Autographed Triple Threads Relic Combos take three players with one swatch and one signature each and put them on a single card. Numbering runs from 27 copies down to one.
The most unique cards in this year's set are the Autographed Triple Threads Dual Crest Rookie Relic cards, which fold open and feature an entire NFL shield patch on each side. These huge cards take the place of five normal cards in a pack and are limited to one copy apiece.
My review pack produced a rookie card of Raiders receiver Johnnie Lee Higgins with three black player-worn swatches.
Triple Relic Cards
Even the packs without an autograph won't leave you empty-handed, as they still contain a low-numbered triple relic card. Triple Threads Relics take three pieces of game-used or player-worn gear from 45 players and use three different swatch windows for each to make 135 different cards. Regular cards are numbered to 36 or less and Prime Relics with multi-color swatches are numbered to 18 or less.
Triple Threads Relic Combos use one piece each from three different players to stay with the triple theme. Also in the mix are Triple Threads Relics Double Combos, which utilize both sides of an extra-thick card to hold six different relic pieces. The swatches can be from one, two or six different players.
My review pack had an autographed card, so no regular relics were inside.
The Last Word
Triple Threads Football delivers what it promises, sticking to its theme better than almost any other football product on the market. It also helps that the base cards are attractive and the relic cards use a lot of creative ideas for the swatch windows, though more variety in swatch color would be nice - it's not uncommon to see the same color for all three pieces.
Memorabilia card collectors will find a lot of value and originality, while autograph collectors should enjoy the 1:2 odds. Topps has a winning formula with Triple Threads and executes it in fine fashion for the 2007 season.