If you like the idea of getting 30 popular 2007 NFL rookies in one convenient package - and especially if you like this season's Topps Football design - the Topps Exclusive Rookie Set should be right up your alley. The special boxed set presents white-bordered versions of the players' 2007 Topps rookie cards and throws in a rookie relic card to boot.
Sold only as a complete set, the Topps Exclusive Rookie Set contains 30 regular cards and one relic card. Random boxes also contain autographed versions of the regular cards.
Regular Cards
As the name implies, the 2007 Topps Exclusive Rookie Set features nothing but rookies - thirty, to be exact. Fans of the 2007 Topps Football set will immediately recognize the design, as it's identical with the exceptions of white borders and red card backs.
The player selection is heavy on the offensive skill positions but does include one lineman and a few top defensive picks. The complete checklist is as follows:
- JaMarcus Russell
- Calvin Johnson
- Adrian Peterson
- Ted Ginn Jr.
- Marshawn Lynch
- Brady Quinn
- Dwayne Bowe
- Robert Meachem
- Greg Olsen
- Brandon Jackson
- Anthony Gonzalez
- Kevin Kolb
- John Beck
- Drew Stanton
- Sidney Rice
- Dwayne Jarrett
- Chris Henry
- Steve Smith
- Brian Leonard
- Lorenzo Booker
- Jason Hill
- Paul Williams
- Tony Hunt
- Trent Edwards
- Johnnie Lee Higgins
- Joe Thomas
- Gaines Adams
- Patrick Willis
- Troy Smith
- Michael Bush
And that's the set in a nutshell. This is a simple, no-frills product, and a sample set I opened contained all 30 cards in excellent condition. It should be noted that the cards in the set don't fit the commonly accepted definition for rookie cards, and will not be considered as such by many collectors.
Relic Cards
One nice bonus is the inclusion of one relic card (Topps' name for a memorabilia card) in each set. Each relic shows off a piece of player-worn jersey with a cross-shaped window.
My sample set contained a relic card of Detroit Lions quarterback Drew Stanton.
The Last Word
This is one product that doesn't need much analysis because it's so straightforward. With all 30 cards in one box, there's no need to worry about hunting for certain cards - just open the set and enjoy.
The relic card and randomly inserted autographs add a little extra value, but the Topps Exclusive Rookie Set is still primarily a well-made niche product that will appeal mainly to beginners, young collectors and fans who think this year's Topps set looks better in white.