Welcome to my first, and hopefully not last, IPO Insight -- brought to you with honesty by Eric Patmythes (a.k.a. 2000Explorer). Being the final offering of 2003 football IPO's, I'd like to take a little time to give you my thoughts on the 2003 eTopps football set.

The first thing I'd like to offer is congratulations to the Topps Company. For the first time with eTopps Football, they were able to provide a complete set of 102 cards, numbered 1 to 102, without gaps or duplication in numbering. As a collector of this set, that is something great to see.

The future potential in this set is outstanding. Currently, 46% of this set (or 44 of 95 cards) has a print run under 1,000 cards. The majority of rookie cards have a print run of 2,500 or less. As I write this, 33 of the 95 cards currently allocated have seven-day average prices at or exceeding their IPO price. On another positive note, roughly a third of the cards currently under IPO are rookie cards that have the opportunity to grow in value as their careers prosper.

Now is the time to take a good look at your portfolio and see what 2003 football you are missing. Complete that set, collect your favorite players, or speculate on the future. We might never see this combination of low print runs and low prices again. Take advantage of this opportunity while it exists. Now let's get to the reviews...

Correll Buckhalter (1,000 @ $4.00)

This is the first eTopps card for this Philadelphia Eagles third-year running back. Correll is a promising player who unfortunately finds himself on an Eagles team that currently rotates rushers on a carry-by-committee basis. He trails teammate Brian Westbrook for the team lead in rushing, and, sadly, has fumbled only one less time than he has visited the end zone this season. This is the unfortunate result of poor vote-in choices the final week of the football IPO season. Complete that set by picking this one up on eBay. DON'T BUY THIS CARD!

Steve Smith (1,000 @ $6.50)

In just his third season in the NFL, this third-round draft pick out of Utah is having a breakout season for the Carolina Panthers. Steve is currently in sixth place among NFL receivers with 52 receptions. With 645 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns, this Panther is well on his way to eclipsing the 1000-yard receiving mark and leading his team into the playoffs. This is a fine first issue for this future superstar. Unlike Buckhalter, this was an excellent choice for the final vote-in this season. With only 1,000 cards offered, ignore the $6.50 price tag and BUY THIS CARD.

Kliff Kingsbury (1,000 @ $4.00)

A sixth-round draft choice in 2003 by the New England Patriots, this Texas Tech product has the proud honor of being able to say he holds the NCAA Division I record for most career completions. With him currently sitting on the injured/reserve list, don't look for this young quarterback to threaten Tom Brady's job anytime in the near future. The best thing you can say about this card is that eTopps was able to timely correct the misspelling of his name. DON'T BUY THIS CARD.

Kurt Warner (1,000 @ $4.00)

Neither Peyton Manning nor Daunte Culpepper got the call. But Kurt did and this will be his fourth eTopps issue. This one-time grocery store bag boy went from NFL MVP to millionaire clipboard manager this year. After quickly losing his starting job this year, the season in St. Louis has seen Kurt's wife receive more headlines for her mouth than he's seen for his arm. SP chasers will probably keep this card above Mason. My advice is DON'T BUY THIS CARD.

Marty Booker (1,000 @ $4.00)

So far this has been a very disappointing season for this outstanding Bears receiver. Injuries have plagued him this year, keeping this big receiver from having a Top 10 season. Look for him to rebound nicely during the final weeks of the season. Another eTopps undercut of his 2002 issue, this card holds little promise. With a PR of 1,000, my advice would definitely be different if this was a first issue. However, it's not. DON'T BUY THIS CARD.

Willis McGahee (2,000 @ $6.50)

This rookie running back for the Buffalo Bills has missed the entire season thus far following knee surgery before the season began. A first-round draft pick out of the University of Miami, Willis comes to the NFL with a short, but very impressive, college resume. A consensus All-American and Heisman Trophy finalist in his sophomore season, he simply rewrote the record books while at Miami. Expect little from him this season, but look for Willis to begin making a big impact with the Bills next season and for years to come. At a modest 2,000 cards, this is an excellent card to add to anyone's port. BUY THIS CARD.

Michael Vick (2,500 @ $6.50)

Considered by most to be the biggest threat in the NFL, Mike has not seen the field yet this regular season. No team has suffered a larger decline in team performance this season than the Atlanta Falcons. Without a healthy Michael Vick, the reason for their difficulties is obvious. Expect a big spark down in Atlanta later this year when Vick returns to the field. With only a 2,500 card offering and a fair $6.50 price, this card is very appealing. After a 5,721 PR in 2001 and a 6,000 PR in 2002, it's hard to ignore this one. BUY THIS CARD.

eTopps has done a fine job with their second offering of Football Classics. This year the set consists of the following players: Gale Sayers, Mike Singletary, Walter Payton, Ronnie Lott, Steve Young, Eric Dickerson, Steve Largent, Tony Dorsett, Troy Aikman, Lawrence Taylor, Phil Simms, Johnny Unitas, Raymond Berry, Jack Lambert, Otto Graham, Earl Campbell, Marcus Allen, Bo Jackson, Fred Biletnikoff and Jim Thorpe.

These cards are absolutely amazing in-hand. They are a great way to remember the legends of the game. With the $12.50 price tag returning this season, print run speculation will be a weekly adventure. Expect the SP of this set to change often. Could it be this week? It just may happen. Let's take a look at what we've been offered...

Classics: Walter Payton (1,500 @ $12.50)

Is a review even necessary? Walter Payton (a.k.a. "Sweetness") -- if you don't know this guy you don't know football. Arguably the best running back in the history of the NFL, this Hall of Fame running back spent 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears and left the sport in 1987 holding some of the most prestigious records in the NFL. Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith have since passed several of his monumental records, but make no mistake -- Walter was, and always will be, one of the greatest players the NFL has ever seen. If any Classic to date deserves to sell out and maintain and exceed IPO price from day one, this is that card. No doubt about it, BUY THIS CARD.

Classics: Otto Graham (1,000 @ $12.50)

Otto was the perfect quarterback for a Cleveland Browns team that won 7 titles during his 10-year career. Playing from 1946 through 1955, Otto was a 5-time All Pro and 2-time NFL MVP. A superb athlete, he was a college All-American in both football and basketball. Oddly enough, before lacing them up in professional football, Otto was a member of the 1946 NBL Champion Rochester Royals (now known as the NBA). A first-ballot Hall of Famer in 1965, Otto was later honored in 1994 as a member of the 75th Anniversary All-Time team. Regardless of his accomplishments, I must advise that you DON'T BUY THIS CARD.