Kickoff: A lot has happened in my small little world that has thrown a kink into my writing schedule. To top it all off, I got a new job -- still in the Army -- and moved. I flew to Arizona to visit a girl and have also been completely discouraged with eTopps as of late. I can handle the move (a few friends with trucks and three cases of beer took care of that). I can also handle the new job (some serious beer and serious meditation in the gym helped there). What I am at a loss for is trying to figure out this eTopps program that I thought I knew so well. So I started thinking what I can do to help this program out without creating an unpaid job for me at eTopps. I have listened to several ideas and seen several people go out there and start grassroots efforts at promoting eTopps, either on eBay or in card shops and card shows. So I thought what a better way to start than grass roots and mobilize our forces as a grass root program. (Do not read into this too much, I am not yearning to make a buck or earn anything.)

So I thought: what about a neighbor program? You would go out there and recruit from your group of friends, neighbors, and or family to join the program. It would not really be recruiting as much as a demonstration and presentation for new people who might not know how to log onto the website or even be aware of it. I am proposing an eTopps Neighbor Program (ENP). This is nothing more than a group of people agreeing on a clear and concise message to spread to people who might want to get involved in the program. It is a standard theme carried by all of us who are willing to help, to go out there and make it fun again for people. Take the hidden identities away from the board room and bring it to people's living rooms. eTopps is a very good program and has a huge ways to go but there is so much untapped potential out there that the time to persuade eTopps to get the program going is now.

I am looking for people from different regions and states. I want to spread us out as much as possible to reach out and touch the people who attend card shows or go to card shops. After that, we can expand to people who trade stocks. Get back to the grassroots of buying and selling eTopps like a stock again. I also need someone who can put together a website for us that will unite us and provide everyone a valuable resource for eTopps cards, sports, and chatting. It has to be a fun interactive website that is simple yet concise. If this sounds like it might appeal to you, and I hope it does, please e-mail me etoppsguru@aol.com. I am not looking for people who want to pad their pockets, compete against other great eTopps sites (CardTarget, eTopps Clubhouse), or bring a negative and dishonest approach to this. Integrity is of the utmost importance and of late it has smeared the members and the message boards. So please, if you have what it takes, get with me. I already have a few people in mind. I will work on a Powerpoint presentation to share my ideas with you.

Without further ado, let’s get on with our IPO’s -- the reason we are here this week.

Deuce McAllister (1,250 @ $4.75)

Deuce got shut down against Seattle, marking the fifth straight game he has not rushed for at least 100 yards (since rushing for 100+ yards in nine straight games). There is nothing wrong with Deuce -- he still has all the tools to be a great player -- but like Ladainian he is on the wrong team. This is going to be the fourth card in his eTopps career and it's unlikely to steal the thunder from his 2001 rookie card. It might have that potential if it SP’s. However, few cards have actually short printed this year. Don’t expect him to get his PB this year. If he can’t rush against Seattle how is he supposed to rush against Carolina, Atlanta or Tampa? DON’T BUY!

Greg Jones (1,750 @ $5.50)

Can you name the last great running back to come out of FSU? I can only recall Warrick Dunn as a player meeting that criteria in the past ten years. Greg Jones has no real value to the Jaguars and will most likely see one to three carries per game. He will most likely fade from whatever spotlight he may think he is in and into obscurity over the next couple years. I don’t like this card for the simple reason he will do nothing while sitting on the bench behind everyone else! Don’t expect him to sell out and don’t expect him to make his PB. However, do expect a huge drop in price. DON’T BUY!

Keary Colbert (1,750 @ $4.75)

Keary Colbert is a wide receiver to the Panthers much the same way Greg Jones is a running back to the Jaguars. This rookie out of USC had a good college career and helped his team win a share of the National Championship but his career in the pro’s might be shorter than his college career. I would pick up any of the other ten great wide receivers that came out last year before I risk it on this card. DON’T BUY!

Peyton Manning (1,750 @ $5.00)

You have to wonder, in the argument over who is the best QB in the NFL, if Peyton will ever come out of this funk and lead his team to the success that will prove he really is the best out there. Nonetheless he is a great QB with some great accomplishments (even though I could not stand him and the Vols in college). This is his fourth card and it definitely lacks in the demand department. However, he is one of the best in the NFL, right? I am not buying it. I think you're better off picking up this card on the secondary market after it sells out. Then hold it for the points it will get in the PB chase. DON’T BUY.

Priest Holmes (1,750 @ $5.00)

A dominant running back and great offensive line ensure future success, unless you are playing in Mile High Stadium. Priest was the best fantasy player last year and has garnered a lot of attention while leading his Chiefs NOWHERE. This year he will try and change the theme of the Chiefs and their losing ways (starting with week two that is). This will be the fourth card for this hard charger. Don’t stand in line long or they will all be scooped up by the points chasers. BUY.

Robert Gallery (1,750 @ $4.75)

Surprisingly, this is the only rookie I actually like this week. Gallery is going to be one of the best in the league without a doubt. He has all the tools of a great offensive lineman. Like Pace and others who came out of college highly touted. First off, you have to give kudos to eTopps for making a card of a lineman on offense. You also have to like his PB stat requirements. This is a can’t-miss player. There is no doubt his card will never be worth that of Lebron or Pujols, but it will be a nice card nonetheless. BUY.

Washington Redskins Team Card (1,750 @ $6.50)

If they win 3.5 games or more during the first half of the season you receive 2 points. If they win 8.5 games for the season you get another two points. Then if they make it to the playoffs you get two more, two more if they go to the Super Bowl and then 2 more points for winning it. BUY, for one reason only: GIBBS. OK, two... PORTIS!

Philadelphia Eagles Team Card (1,750 @ $6.50)

If they win 4.5 games or more during the first half of the season you receive 2 points. If they win 10.5 games for the season you get another two points. Then if they make it to the playoffs you get two more, two more if they go to the Super Bowl and then 2 more points for winning it. You have to love the odds here. It is like betting on the Braves to beat the Charleston River Dogs. BUY!

Pittsburgh Steelers Team Card (1,750 @ $6.50)

If they win 3.5 games or more during the first half of the season you receive 2 points. If they win 8.5 games for the season you get another two points. Then if they make it to the playoffs you get two more, two more if they go to the Super Bowl and then 2 more points for winning it. My sleeper pick of the AFC East. They will beat up on everyone and be a wild card/divisional winner! BUY!