This weekend many eToppers found out about some in-hand delivery issues from eTopps. It seems eTopps cannot meet their original availability date for Nascar in-hand delivery. In fact, the availability date has been pushed back by 2 and ½ months. The reason I am mentioning this in the football insight section is that I believe this issue may have a significant effect on lowering the print run on all IPO's, including football. Anyways, on to football. This week we have 2 quarterbacks, 4 wide receivers, and 2 running backs for sale.

Chris Simms (2,500 @ $6.50)

Chris Simms is a rookie quarterback out of Texas and he has the potential to be a future star in the NFL. Simms had a solid career at Texas. You may have heard of his father, New York Giants star Phil Simms, who was a playoff and Super Bowl regular. So if he passes (no pun intended) these genes on to Chris, he will be a can't-miss quarterback in the NFL. Let's take a chance on this rookie and buy this card.

Curtis Conway (1,500 @ $6.50)

Curtis Conway is one of the two vote-in cards of the week. Conway is a 10-year veteran from Southern California and you probably remember him best as a wide receiver for the Chicago Bears. He is now a member of the New York Jets. Conway has had a solid career but has never made it to the league's elite receiver status. This will be Conway's 1st eTopps card and probably his only card so let's pick this one up at IPO.

Trung Canidate (2,000 @ $4.00)

Trung Candidate is the other vote-in card of the week. He is in his 4th year out of Arizona and was traded to the Washington Redskins from the St. Louis Rams at the end of last season. Trung's numbers over the last three years have not been very impressive. He does have a decent yards-per-carry average but, in my opinion, is an average runner at best. This is his first eTopps card but unless you are a serious Redskin fan don't buy this card.

Tom Brady (2,000 @ $6.50)

Tom Brady is a solid quarterback for the New England Patriots and is in his 4th year out of Michigan. Brady is a very accurate short range passer who distributes the ball well, is patient, and has a decent arm. This young quarterback has already achieved the highest award a player can dream of by winning Super Bowl XXXVI and being that game's Most Valuable Player. Brady has led the Patriots to a 5-2 start this year and appears to be headed for another playoff run. This will be Brady's 2nd eTopps issue and will have a much smaller print run so let's pick one of these up at IPO.

Hines Ward (1,500 @ $4.00)

Hines Ward is playing in his 6th year for the hated Pittsburgh Steelers (remember I'm a Ravens fan). He has developed into the Steelers top wide receiver and one of the best in the league. Plaxico Burress may be the deep threat, but Ward is the player the Steelers count on to move the chains. This is his 2nd eTopps card. His first one is about $2.50 below IPO and I don't see this one doing much better. Just say no on this one!

Kelley Washington (2,000 @ $6.50)

Kelly Washington is a rookie wide receiver from Tennessee drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 3rd round. Washington shows some potential but he has been drafted by the worst team in the league and is projected to be their 3rd wide receiver. I gotta ask eTopps one question -- WHY? This guy doesn't deserve a card. I think this card will be a sub-$3 card quicker than the Bengals are eliminated from the playoffs. Don't buy this card!

Donald Driver (1,000 @ $4.00)

Donald Driver is in his 5th year out of college football powerhouse Alcorn State. He has played for the Green Bay Packers his whole career and, after a breakthrough year in '02, appears to be headed towards a solid career. This guy will never be a superstar and, even with only 1,000 cards offered at a price of $4.00, I don't think it's a very smart buy. Don't buy this card.

Edgerrin James (1,000 @ $6.50)

"The Edge" is my pick for the new short print of the set. James is now in his 5th year with the Indianapolis Colts. He was quickly propelled to superstar status after his first two years, in which he gained over 1,500 yards in each of them. The last three years he has been prone to injury and has not been very productive. This is the 4th eTopps card for Edgerrin and I believe it may be the new short print of the set. So let's take a gamble on this one. Buy this card.

As always, thanks for reading and I hope you have a good football week.