It's always fun when you stumble onto a fellow collector, be it your neighbor, person at the grocery store or a co-worker. You instantly have a connection and can carry on a conversation for any length of time.

When that collecting link connects to someone famous, it's even more fun. Such is the case with Washington Redskins tight end Chris Cooley, who just happens to blog about his collecting adventures.

You can read one of the latest posts here.

The story goes a little like this. Cooley has decided to start collecting cards again, and he can't stop. His wife also gets into the act. Now Cooley isn't the first player to get back into collecting, or keep up a childhood, love, but he's one of the few that I know of that also takes the time to sell on eBay the cards he doesn't want. Can you tell it's the offseason?

If trading card manufacturers were smart, they would ask him to bust boxes on their websites, as long as he then didn't turn around and sell them (if received gratis from the companies). What better way to promote collecting than have an athlete bust open packs?

Having someone who actually enjoys the process, and can speak intelligently on the subject is much better than watching some canned stage show in which rookies open packs during Rookie Premiers, etc. Cooley's blog is more genuine.

Tuff Stuff Editor Scott Fragale is already in the process of getting in touch with Cooley to see if he wants to join the fun with some of out readers on the website. We'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, check out his blog. It's kind of fun.