Opening Kick: What a huge lift coming out of the eCON and Classic Baseball into a new season of football... A huge buzz of excitement resounds thanks to the past three weeks of IPO's. First, the allocation problems with the Hank Aaron took us all by surprise; then the short print of Jim Palmer. The following week was weird in itself as people sold off Palmer for roughly $25 apiece and bet on the fact he would not wind up as the SP for the set. Dizzy and the boys sold fairly well and no SP was produced. This shot the price of Palmer up $10 and made me happy I was buying at $25.

Anyways, with preseason football drawing a lot of attention, people were leaning forward in the saddle and chomping at the bit. Football was right around the corner and more news was to come. First, eTopps announced that they would do a performance bonus for the season with team football cards. This brought an ovation from many but, like the team cards in baseball, it will no doubt carry some cards that will be worth pennies after the season. Then eTopps released some pictures of the new cards (those at eCON had already seen the new design). It was a huge step up from the four-headed monster in baseball. Some people had gotten together and talked with eTopps about a design improvement. eTopps was planning on using the baseball card design for football but, after some consultation with eTopps members, they changed their minds. Finally, eTopps announced a new pay-to-play fantasy league with the grand prize being a complete 2004 set. Now I am still not sure if this is going to go to each league or only to the overall winner. However it sounds like the winner of each twelve team league will get one set -- a HUGE step to winning over fans and spreading the name of eTopps. The roto-style fantasy league will no doubt dwarf other fantasy leagues with prizes for fans. With all this excitement let's get this going. Remember that these picks listed below are done with research and common sense. Do not trust my opinion. Simply use this as a tool or guide and then develop your own buying strategy. Lets roll!

Marvin Harrison (1,250 @ $4.00)

I love it... eTopps describes Harrison this way "In 2004 Marvin will resume his scintillating symbiosis with Peyton Manning." I did not care that his PR was the lowest ever listed for him or that his price was a scant $4.00. I was mesmerized by these two words I could barely pronounce, "scintillating symbiosis". I know what it means but almost laughed when I read it. Marvin and Peyton are symbiotically related -- I had no clue! Now to moving on to paying respects to his card, it is a nice one. It is not a humdrum knee-slapper like Winslow but it is a decent one. There is no doubt that Peyton is headed for Canton and taking Marvin with him. A dynamic duo that lights up the field, they pose a deep threat not seen since Bradshaw and Stallworth/Swann lit it up for Pittsburgh. All of his past numbers are very competitive for his season bonus (1 point). He will no doubt give it a run for the money and would be a good pickup for point chasers. However, I am not buying a fourth card for Marvin. Sorry, but I really see his 2001 card as the card to have with respect for Marvin and eTopps. Sorry to say, but I did not order any and will be waiting for the secondary market to pick one of these up. DON'T BUY.

Ben Roethlisberger (2,500 @ $5.50)

eTopps said some teams compared Ben to Eli, or even thought he was better. I am going to go out on a limb here and say that this year's rookie class is a weak one (Ben included). He did not face great opposition in college. He did not guide Louisville to anything significant. Look at all the smaller school QB's in the past five years and how they have performed in the NFL. Ben will no doubt be an added bonus to one of the finer teams in the league. As a rookie, he will no doubt be a sought-after commodity; however it might also be one of those Davey's or Ramsey's in that he will carry a lot of hype and jump in price but be worth nothing later. I did not order one and recommend picking yours up on the secondary market. If you pick up Ben's IPO thinking he will replace Tommy Maddox, I think you'd be better served to wait and see. You might get lucky but with his points and the PB... don't count on it. DON'T BUY.

Kellen Winslow (3,750 @ $5.50)

Kellen is one of the top two rookies this year next to Eli Manning. He, however, comes with a lot of baggage so you have to be careful. Like Shockey, he is storming into the league. He held out for several weeks before coming into camp fighting to take snaps as a Defensive End. He should focus on one thing and one thing only -- being the best he can at his current position. Several key analysts predict he will be one of the best TE's this year. I might put him in the top 20 but not in my top five like some people predict. However, that being said, I do think he will be one of the top TE's in the league in the next 3 - 5 years and might just follow his dad to the Hall of Fame. This kid has heart, talent, and a body that can go the distance. I ordered several and will no doubt get snubbed by someone who might have 345 ports but hopefully I will get at least two. I am not really interested in him earning his PB. I would be more interested in him earning the ROY award. BUY.

Rashaun Woods (1,250 @ $4.00)

I will be honest. I had no clue this rookie WR was so good in college. I had heard of him, sure, but did not realize that he broke every school and Big 12 receiving record (not that the Big 12 is known for receivers though...). Rashaun has a lot of skill and a very athletic body that can perform wonders in the air. I don't doubt that he was picked because SF knew that they would be unable to sign T.O. They selected Woods with the 31st pick as the 7th WR of the first round. Rashaun should see some playing time this year. I would not pick him up if you are chasing points. At $4.00 it is hard not to say buy, but I am going to say it. He is not going to be the WR the 49ers is hoping for. He was the 7th WR picked -- how many from a draft even star on a team each year? Williams and Fitzgerald will no doubt hog the entire spotlight. Save yourself a nickel and pick this card up on the secondary market.

Stephen Davis (1,250 @ $4.00)

I like Stephen and his ability to run between the tackles and upfield. Some thought he might have been a bit washed up after Washington and Spurrier got the bright idea of letting him go. He came back last year with an MVP-type year. He helped take a lot of heat off Jake Delhomme and guide the Panthers to the championship. In fact the Panthers were one of those exciting underdog teams you just had to root for last year. The Super Bowl was one of the best ever and Stephen helped as much as possible but in the end it was the team who had the ball last that won, as it is in all good games. Stephen still has a few good years left. This Auburn star has the tenacity and ability to produce as well. I would not bet on him earning his PB. I did not order any at IPO but I am going to recommend a buy anyway. He is the real deal. BUY.

Terrell Owens (2,500 @ $4.00)

T.O. is an Eagle and with him comes the the ever-running highlight reel of idiotic mistakes and tributes to himself. T.O. is a great receiver and will help the Eagles fare better in the playoffs than they have before. His numbers for his PB are very close to what he should get this year so he is another point-chasing card like Marvin unless he gets hurt. T.O. is a tough/fierce competitor who knows how to win. He was not happy with losing in SF and is now on another path with Philly. The real question here will be how he is used in Philly. Without Duce they might see a lot more throwing downs but the defenses will be keyed on T.O. and his downfield style. This will be his fourth card, first as an Eagle (it might matter to some), and it will still not sell better than his 2001 and 2003 cards. This card is better off on the secondary market unless you're chasing points. DON'T BUY.

New England Patriots Team Card (2,500 @ $6.50)

They are a lock for the Super Bowl - you heard it here first. They will however lose to the Seahawks. They have a very good shot at their PB and a great shot at making it back to the Super Bowl spotlight. PAT's 13-3. BUY.

Green Bay Packers Team Card (2,500 @ $6.50)

Their low mid-season and season PB attracted me to this card. Plus, the Packers always put together a winning squad. I am sold on this card. Green Bay 12-4. BUY.

Chicago Bears Team Card (2,500 @ $6.50)

I am not going to say the Bears are still rebuilding since 1984... but they are still rebuilding. Why would they even try to bring Kordell in -- are you kidding me? Bears 2-14. DON'T BUY!