[joe callahan13]

I am getting the itch to break open some older stuff. I noticed my LCS has a TON of old stuff still and I have already broken at least 2 boxes of all the current stuff I had any interest in. So now I am going to go back to what I missed when I stopped collecting!

Obviously, I am going to stay away from 80's-mid 90's.

Are there any years that really stand out for rookies? Are there any sets in the early 2000's that really stand out? I always had a soft spot for Finest, so that may be where I go. Any suggestions? This is for baseball and football, I will post this on the other forum as well.

[deuce6000]

2004 was a good year for rookie qbs and some other great rookies that year too not sure on what product though.

[Marinoisking]

2001 was a pretty decent rookie class as well.

[ugameck]

2002 is dead - stay away from there....carr, harrington, (of course there is peppers and portis)....
2003 - romo, palamalaoalalaooo, witten, larry johnson....leftwich, carson palmer....watch what boxes you buy, though - romo and pallllaammmaaaloooo aren't in a lot - and those are the ones to chase this year.
2004 - my assessment - best evar!
2005 - never cared for it, some disagree - campbell, ronnie, cadillac.....aaron rodgers....alex smith....frank gore...roddy white....
2006 - dead to me. bush, leinart, lendale white, cutler, blah blah blah

[joe callahan13]

Thanks guys, good advice!

[alanch]

I'd go with 2005 Rookies & Stars or R&S Longevity, so you can trade me any Jim Leonhard cards that you pull. Could always hit big with an Aaron Rodgers auto as well!

[phunguyen]

some of the older brands had a lot of mail redemptions that are now expired or the company no longer exist (fleer). so be careful which brands you choose.

[spazmatastic]

Everyone else has given you the info for years. I'll throw in some brands. Finest and SPx are usually good choices in both sports. e-X is a pretty good brand with good BV if you find any.