Below is my opinion and analysis of this week’s IPOs. They are offered only as opinion to consider when making your own buying decisions.

LaDainian Tomlinson (1,250 @ $4.00)

This will be LaDainian’s 4th card and by all means he deserves it. The market caps for his previous 3 cards are $52k, $12k, $12k. So as you can see eTopps debuting this card at $5k is far too low for the #2 running back in the NFL. I can understand that eTopps is trying to be consistent with their PR numbers; I guess I’m just a little surprised because it seems like they’re just giving money away. This card will sell out and quickly head north, selling for at least $6 but more likely $8. As for the PB worth 1 point, it’s not as unattainable as most of the requirements they’ve been setting. The stats are basically what Tomlinson achieved last year. I think you’ll find many that would say last year’s results can be surpassed (100 receptions aside). Market cap looks good, PB looks good, must have for fantasy looks good. This card is a definite buy at IPO.

Matt Schaub (1,750 @ $5.50)

Never heard of this guy before? Then you probably haven’t been watching enough pre-season football. I think it is to every Falcon and football fan’s dismay when Michael Vick is taken out of a football game. However, having been able to watch this rookie, drafted in the 3rd round 90th overall, perform has been a rare treat. Threw 2 INTs in his first game, 3 TDs in his second and 3 TDs again in his third. Based on the performance of his last 2 games I can see why eTopps is waiting no longer to IPO his card. So the question remains, is Matt a stud QB or was he just taking advantage of sub-par Viking and Bengal secondaries? The answer is probably a bit of both, but with Vick’s past and possibly current injuries this guy might be a solid investment. This card could skyrocket if the guy sees some playing time this year otherwise look at it in the long term. Nevertheless, with Roethlisberger currently being valued at $25k, and with 750 greater print run, I’d say this card could definitely go places. It’s just a matter of when. The PB is a bust because of the 1 allowable INT. Apparently rookie QBs are not allowed to make their bonuses. I would label this card a definite buy at IPO.

Philip Rivers (2,500 @ $7.00)

Rivers was involved in one of the most dramatic NFL drafts in recent history. With Manning refusing to play in San Diego, New York drafted Rivers to use as trade bait. Unfortunately once Rivers got to San Diego he was unhappy to find that his new team would not give him the contract he wanted. After several weeks of holding out Rivers and the Chargers finally agreed to terms and he made his NFL debut last Friday night. Rivers completed his first 3 passes for 72 yards and it looked like the beginning of a new era in San Diego. But he then threw 7 incomplete passes, 2 of which were intercepted. Rivers ended up 5/14 for 79 yards and 2 INTs, not exactly a stellar performance. It is unfortunate that San Diego took so much time signing this guy because preseason experience is invaluable to rookie QBs. Training camp and 2 preseason games could have gone a long way to preparing Rivers for the upcoming season. I’d expect Brees to start again this year with Rivers being molded into the future. Because of this I don’t see this card going anywhere soon. His PB assumes that he is the starting QB, which he is not. I’d pass on this card because you’ll likely find it below IPO down the road. I would consider this card a risky buy at IPO.

Reggie Williams (2,500 @ $5.50)

Reggie is our 2nd rookie receiver to debut at a print run of 2,500. He’s got a great stature at 6-4, 220. He’s also likely to have a promising career with the Jags and Leftwich. However, these 2,500 print runs for rookie receivers are starting to make me nervous. I can understand Roy Williams because he was always one of the most talked about receivers in college. But at this point I’m a bit unsure about investing in another, especially when Rashaun Woods is sitting there at 1,250. Receivers are pretty much hit or miss as shown by last year’s Arizona corps. Bryant Johnson was a first round pick and won’t see much more than the slot position. Anquan Boldin hit the second round and proved to be one of the league’s top receivers and rookie of the year. Not that it means anything but Reggie has only caught 1 pass in each of his preseason games. On the bright side, his performance bonus is much more attainable than Roy’s. I guess that is what will sell this card but I don’t like it as an investment unless you’re in for the long term. I can see this card falling below IPO and thus make it a risky buy at IPO.

Rudi Johnson (1,250 @ $4.00)

This is Rudi’s second card with his first being his rookie in 2001. In 2004 eTopps fashion, Rudi gets this card at a beautiful print run of 1,250. What does that mean to you and me? Money in the bank. Rudi’s rookie cap is $18k, which means this card has a lot of potential. I’d go as far as to say $8 is not that crazy in the short term. There’s just so few Rudi Johnson’s out there that this will make a viable alternative to his rookie. Rudi should be able to hit the modest performance bonus assuming he is used as the feature back and Chris Perry’s carries are limited. But I’m not going to beat a dead horse anymore; you know what to do on this one. This card is a definite buy at IPO.

Tatum Bell (1,750 @ $5.50)

Tatum Bell is a rookie running back out of Oklahoma State, which is fitting because he’ll be battling Quentin Griffin for playing time who hails from Oklahoma. Unfortunately Griffin has a year of experience under his belt and has looked great in the preseason. Thus we should probably place Bell in the ‘development’ category, unlike Julius Jones who is now in the ‘ready to pounce’ category. Steven Jackson is also right around the corner looking just as willing and able as Jones. With these 2 future stars being IPO’d I just can’t make much case for buying this guy. I’d hate to see another rookie card go the way of Artose Pinner, Justin Fargas, Larry Johnson, Musa Smith, Onterrio Smith... you get the picture. I’d pass on this card or pick it up later below IPO. I consider this card a risky buy at IPO.

Baltimore Ravens Team Card (2,500 @ $6.50)

Target: 4.5 wins after week 8, 9.5 wins after regular season

Wk 1: @ CLE
Wk 2: vs. PIT
Wk 3: @ CIN
Wk 4: vs. KC
Wk 5: @ WAS
Wk 6: bye
Wk 7: vs. BUF
Wk 8: @ PHI
Wk 9: vs. CLE
Wk 10: @ NYJ
Wk 11: vs. DAL
Wk 12: @ NE
Wk 13: vs. CIN
Wk 14: vs. NYG
Wk 15: @ IND
Wk 16: @ PIT
Wk 17: vs. MIA

The Ravens return this year with many interesting stories. Kyle Boller will try to improve on his rookie season, Jamal Lewis may miss some games due to court and Deion Sanders will make his inevitable return to the cornerback position. This team is stacked on defense and has some great playmakers on offense with Jamal Lewis and Todd Heap. But they’ve had difficulty with the quarterback and wide receiver positions recently. Defense wins championships but if you can’t keep them off the field long enough to catch their breath then you won’t make it. The Ravens won their division last year and again look to be contenders with the only competition coming from the Bengals. I think the Ravens have the easiest schedule I’ve seen so far as their division matchups are practically gimmes. You can never be sure in this day of NFL parity but I’d expect the Ravens to meet their week 8 goal and make the playoffs. I’m unsure of their regular season goal so I can’t comment on that. Baltimore was 4-3 after week 8 last season and finished 10-6 after the regular season. I’d consider this card a safe buy at IPO.

Buffalo Bills Team Card (2,500 @ $6.50)

Target: 3.5 wins after week 8, 8.5 wins after regular season

Wk 1: vs. JAC
Wk 2: @ OAK
Wk 3: bye
Wk 4: vs. NE
Wk 5: @ NYJ
Wk 6: vs. MIA
Wk 7: @ BAL
Wk 8: vs. ARI
Wk 9: vs. NYJ
Wk 10: @ NE
Wk 11: vs. STL
Wk 12: @ SEA
Wk 13: @ MIA
Wk 14: vs. CLE
Wk 15: @ CIN
Wk 16: @ SF
Wk 17: vs. PIT

The Bills are coming off an awful season. After beating New England in their season opener 31-0 they proceeded to go 4-4 by week 8. Drew Bledsoe couldn’t get anything going, Moulds was hampered by injury and noticed the double coverage with Peerless being gone and Travis Henry performing well but still unable to become a top tier back. It’s difficult to say what the Bills will do this season. The only sure bet is that they will likely have a running back controversy between Henry and McGahee. Nevertheless, their schedule doesn’t look all that daunting with some favorable matchups against Jacksonville, Oakland, Arizona, Cleveland, San Francisco and Pittsburgh. Buffalo finished 6-10 last year. I’d consider this card a risky buy at IPO.

Detroit Lions Team Card (2,500 @ $6.50)

Target: 2.5 wins after week 8, 7.5 wins after regular season

Wk 1: @ CHI
Wk 2: vs. HOU
Wk 3: vs. PHI
Wk 4: bye
Wk 5: @ ATL
Wk 6: vs. GB
Wk 7: @ NYG
Wk 8: @ DAL
Wk 9: vs. WAS
Wk 10: @ JAC
Wk 11: @ MIN
Wk 12: vs. IND
Wk 13: vs. ARI
Wk 14: @ GB
Wk 15: vs. MIN
Wk 16: vs. CHI
Wk 17: @ TEN

Good old Detroit. What can I say about this team? People keep saying that this is Joey Harrington’s year. People keep saying that they have so many weapons on offense. Maybe... But their defense is still very questionable. However, because of Detroit being known as a low level NFL squad we get some modest targets. Detroit could very possibly be 3-4 at the half waypoint and could also very well hit .500 this season. It all depends on whether you believe those first two statements. I like the week 8 target more than the season and I don’t expect Detroit to make the playoffs. Thus as much as I’d love to say buy this card, I can’t give you a good reason to. Detroit was 1-6 after week 8 last year and finished the regular season 5-11. I’d consider this card an incredibly bad buy at IPO.