The next few days will most likely be filled with reports from 2012 Topps Football, mainly in highlighting the parts of the set that I look forward to every single year. So far, the initial auctions are starting to pop up, a combination of retail boxes, and from what I see, at least one hobby. So far, the results look to display that this should be one of the best sets of the year, and I for one could not be more excited.

Topps Football is unusual, especially in that it is a set builder’s style set in a sport that doesnt have many set builders. Therefore, autograph and relic content needs to be generated to help it sell, as well as some other value added type of programs to attract people like me.

Last year, Topps unveiled rare autograph variations of the Rookies in the set, a practice I had been calling for since I started buying football packs in 2006. Obviously, they need to keep the integrity of Topps Chrome hitting later this year in October, but this type of content is highly welcome. To add to this terrific addition, the design this year highly promotes the inclusion of an autograph above the swoop. Last year, with a raised nameplate, the autograph sticker sometimes did not get a spot in which to be affixed without awkward positioning.

2012 Topps Trent Richardson SP Auto Variation RC

2012 Topps Jarius Wright SP Auto Variation RC

Additionally, there are three on card autograph sets for the rookies this year, all of which I am very high on. The most unusual are the Tall Boy reprint signatures, that throw back to the iconic Joe Namath card of the 60’s. All of the rookies from the premiere have signed versions, and they look to be rarer than the other two sets. I like that they are on heritage old school stock, and even though I dont like helmet off cards, these are actually pretty cool looking. I hope these cards represent the way Archives football will be done, but we have yet to see any info yet.

2012 Topps Tall Boy Mini Joe Adams Auto

Moving onto the 1984 rookie reprint autos, Topps highly publicized these cards during their signing, and I have to say its a great idea. Although they are rookie premiere autographs with a different overlay, I still think they are better addition to this set than the Red Zone autos that collectors get so sick of as the year goes on. There are not many football collectors that dont have some nostalgic heart strings attached to the 1984 set, and I was told these will get even better for 2012 Topps Chrome.

2012 Topps 1984 Reprint Ronnie Hillman Auto

There are at least 3 other on card autographs available in this set, although no auctions have been posted. First are the sought after rookie premiere autos, which have a great design this year. Second are the RGIII and Andrew Luck continuity sets, which could be the coolest cards in the entire set, and then the QB immortals which may have some on card subjects from Topps’ preview pics.

Other than that, the rest of the autographs are stickers, and in a lower end set like this, im fine with it. The Prolific Playmakers set replaces the well designed Game Day signatures from last year, but still bring a similarly well designed card to many of the jumbo and hobby boxes collectors will open. I really like the curved lines that make up the design of the card, and I think these should perform as usual for the Topps set.

2012 Topps Prolific Playmakers Nick Toon Auto

2012 Topps Prolific Playmakers Colt McCoy Auto

More to come on this product as I think there are going to be a few surprises that have yet to be unveiled as stated by the sell sheet.