Fast Five is new department here on The Buzz -- a quick list under a single topic. Five items that could have a common tie, fit a theme, be fun for a starting collector, or be a new way to add to a stash that might already seemingly include everything when it comes to cardboard. For some of you, it's probably common sense. For others of you out there, it's something to think about.

This time? Five breaks from the Bargain Breaks bin that could be fun or do pretty well with some luck.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Tom Brady (@NFL graphic)

Fast Five is new department here on The Buzz -- a quick list under a single topic. Five items that could have a common tie, fit a theme, be fun for a starting collector, or be a new way to add to a stash that might already seemingly include everything when it comes to cardboard. For some of you, it's probably common sense. For others of you out there, it's something to think about.

This time? Five Pro Football Hall of Famers in uniforms you might not remember ... now that Tom Brady is headed to Tampa Bay, according to NFL.com. You won't find him on new NFL cards in packs just yet ... but there will be plenty to come.

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Fast Five is new department here on The Buzz -- a quick list under a single topic. Five items that could have a common tie, fit a theme, be fun for a starting collector, or be a new way to add to a stash that might already seemingly include everything when it comes to cardboard. For some of you, it's probably common sense. For others of you out there, it's something to think about.

This time? Five safe types of card purchases you can make as we deal with anxiety of no sports in some surreal times.

THE ONE YOU KEEP ...
The Card: One you have always wanted but hadn't grabbed yet ... a comfortable card for your collection.
A lot of newcomers might be sweating their big-money cardboard (or bulk box buys) that they bought into this year with intent on some meaty short-term big flips -- you know, because of names like Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, Mike Trout and so on. But there are other components in the hobby that are just as hot out there but perhaps over the longer term. And then there are those that aren't ... but they are still heavily collected. The first and perhaps most-important pick-up I'd recommend right now? The card you've always wanted but never chased -- for whatever your reason you are into cards. That definition and card can vary for many but it's probably not one you might regret later. One example for me landed just this week fits this bill -- it's a Nick Swisher 2016 Topps Chrome Sapphire Edition Superfractor ... a 1/1 card I landed as it was finally pulled from a break by a former Swisher teammate, Phil Hughes, over on BlowoutTV. (They both got their World Series rings as New York Yankees in 2009.) Was it cheap? Maybe, maybe not ... but, to me, it's a buy that I won't worry about over time. These might be the times to grab a card like this -- a comfortable card long as it's responsible for your budget ... no regrets.

Keep reading for four more making up the list this time.

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This one is a quick idea for a new department here on The Buzz ... Fast Five -- a quick list under a simple topic that might offer a basic starting point for a themed collection. It's a basic list of five items that could be fun for a starting collector or a new way to add to a stash that might already seemingly include everything when it comes to cardboard. For some of you, it's probably common sense. For others of you out there, it's something to think about.

This time? The big release of the week ... 2020 Topps Heritage

SUPER, MAN
The Card: 2020 Topps Heritage 1971 Topps Super Bo Bichette 
These oversized 1971 Topps Super cards are box-toppers that are not found in every box but I kind of wish they were. It's a simple 15-card set that's more postcard-size but uses all of that space and some tight crops to emphasize the photographs chosen for a mix of current stars. Just two rookies made the cut here -- Bo Bichette and Yordan Alvarez -- and I'm going with Bichette of the two this year. Meanwhile, there are a number of notables in this set on the checklist. I'm not the biggest fan of the facsimile auto that was part of the original design (Topps needs to thin out the pen strokes on any and all facsimiles used if you ask me while also scaling them down to be well-placed "accents") but the good news is that that those vanish for the players who have certified autos from this set. Those are far tougher pulls and were only made for five players. No Bo, though. (Bummer.)

Keep reading for four more making up the list this time.

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This one is a quick idea for a new department here on The Buzz ... Fast Five -- a quick list under a simple topic that might offer a basic starting point for a themed collection. It's a basic list of five items that could be fun for a starting collector or a new way to add to a stash that might already seemingly include everything when it comes to cardboard. For some of you, it's probably common sense. For others of you out there, it's something to think about.

This time? Five Kobe Bryant cardboard basics to own.

A ROOKIE CARD
It's clear that a lot of people who aren't seven-day-a-week collectors have been picking up Kobe Bryant basketball cards since his death in late-January, and the easy starting point for someone -- regardless of budget -- is a Rookie Card. His best Rookie Cards are from major manufacturers and most of them show him in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform or at least use Lakers logos. He has a ton of draft picks and early cards, too, but his 16 Rookie Cards all from the 1996-97 season are the ones to consider first. Here's a rundown of the brands -- Bowman's Best, Collector's Choice, E-X 2000, Fleer, Fleer Metal, Flair Showcase, Fleer Ultra, NBA Hoops, SP, Topps, Topps Chrome, Topps Finest, Upper Deck, UD3 and Z-Force. They're all in demand but they have always been relatively findable and vary in price. Topps Chrome, Topps Finest, Bowman's Best and SP are arguably the better ones, so they'll cost more, while Collector's Choice and Hoops will be on the cheaper side. There are parallel versions for the Chrome and Finest cards, too, and there are also fakes for some of the basic cards here to be weary of. I'd grab one that's been graded by BGS, PSA or SGC only. My Favorite? Probably Finest (above) as I was actually able to find one in a pack long, long ago ... I also once had a Chrome ... but traded it. (Story for another day.)

Keep reading for four more basic cards to consider for Kobe Bryant.

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This one is a quick idea for a new department here on The Buzz ... Fast Five -- a quick list under a simple topic that might offer a basic starting point for a themed collection. It's a basic list of five items that could be fun for a starting collector or a new way to add to a stash that might already seemingly include everything when it comes to cardboard. For some of you, it's probably common sense. For others of you out there, it's something to think about.

This time? Five MLB items fans should own ... or beginners could use.

SOMETHING DIRTY...
Game-used and fully authenticated MLB dirt is seemingly everywhere and it's often not expensive at all -- yet I'd bet a lot of collectors who consider their stashes to be on the "serious" side don't have anything dirty in them at all. Dirt Relics have been in play in a few brands in the past with one of them being 2019 Topps Opening Day as you can see here. You can find sealed miniature bottles of MLB authenticated dirt from team sites on MLB.com, framed displays that include small capsules embedded into them and, yes, some baseball cards. Heck, I've even seen dirt loaded into writing pens tied to teams. Most of these items aren't aren't that expensive and you can pretty much collect authenticated dirt from all stadiums or even key events like World Series or All-Star Games if you hunt online. (MLB is big on dirt and using it.) You easily can start a small mystery box for your team's fan with something like this and add to it ... keep reading.

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