I have just started the same thing, Mike. Work with a player/team that you like, and build your traders by buying boxes you can afford. I have done decent with Upper Deck, but they do not have an NFL license anymore, and it is a bit tougher to trade them. Topps Finest looks nice, is decently priced around $100/box, and you will get a JSY/AU and RPA per master box (think Upper Deck Trilogy with only two mini boxes), plus nice refractor cards that are highly tradeable. The base sets and RCs do not add up like Hockey does, but the inserts are killer. This is what I have found in my little time collecting Football for my boy, so I hope that it helps you out a bit. If I have anything that you need in my Org. just give me a shout.
Randi
Randi