NFL: The Top 10 Ways To Cure Post Football Depression

If you've ever watched football before in your lifetime, you'd know as well as I do that the offseason is often the most drawn out time of the year. Often featuring many hiccups along the way and a range of debates about retirement, the draft, trades and rumors, the NFL offseason is by no means a boring one.

With that said, once football season is over and long out of sight, many fans go into a depressed state. Here's a way to combat those feelings and resolve your football passion with a few of America's other great sports:

10. Winter Olympics

Okay, so it only goes for a month, but this year's 2010 Vancouver Olympics are, arguably, the most publicized in recent years. Canada is a beautiful country, and I couldn't think of a more fitting place to see the action unfold.

For those out there that don't have a clue about sports such as Curling, Skiing, Bobsled, or Skeleton, maybe the Winter Olympics could open up a door for you and invite you into a few more exciting sports.

If none of those do take your fancy though, the classic USA vs. Canada Ice Hockey match-ups are already shaping up to be great. Keep a close eye on them at least—if nothing else catches your eye.

9. Soccer

With the English Premier League firing up and a hot battle for the top spot underway, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal are all fairly steady contenders to take the cup home at the end of the season.

With no playoffs in English football, the race to the finish is always exciting, as it often comes down to a points based margin. However, if you'd rather stick close to home, maybe the MLS is more your thing.

The season is getting ready to take off and, at the moment, popularity continues to sky rocket. Get on board now while you can.

8. NHL

Hockey seems to be very underrated at the moment, particularly the NHL. If you ask me though, the NHL offers more excitement than a ton of other sports.

Still, if you're like me, you may follow a team through the regular season, but really get behind them should they make the playoffs. Either way you approach the sport is fine, just be sure to watch the Stanley Cup. Pittsburgh is no longer a favorite, and neither is Detroit. That leaves many spots open for exciting young-gun teams such as Chicago and New Jersey.

7. UFC

I can honestly say how surprised I am that this sport has become so popular, so fast. MMA was always an underdog for many years, but has now risen above the ranks of wrestling and boxing.

Brutal at times, but exciting to watch, UFC has a pay-per-view event at least once every month. Hard hitting fighters such as Anderson Silva, Rampage Jackson, Rashad Evans, and Brock Lesnar are only a few to pack the card, but they give the sport a new found air of excitement.

6. Pacquiao vs. Mayweather?

This fight has been listed as a no go, but I think come May or June we may see this blockbuster fight occur. With smaller fights scheduled in March for both fighters, the media is speculating that the "fight to bring back boxing" is still going to happen.

If it does, make sure you order it. I have a feeling this type of fight may be just as big as Ali vs. Frazier.

5. NBA

Still heating up, the NBA is heading into the All-Star break with a lot of competitors, rather than pretenders. Teams, such as Cleveland, Los Angeles, Boston, Orlando, Chicago, Memphis, Phoenix, San Antonio, and many others, are making a name for themselves in this league.

The playoffs are still months away, but they are looking to explode with talent. I can't predict the Finals match up just yet but, if Cleveland keeps playing the way they have been, we may see LeBron suit up for a Finals showdown.

4. Nascar

For once, I can rate NASCAR high in a list. Whether or not Danica Patrick will draw in more viewers is a question, but Daytona 500 is shaping up to be a great one once again.

I honestly think I speak for all people that are tired of the Jimmy Johnson era when I say, "Someone just please beat him." This year, the competition is a lot heavier, and Jimmy may not have the cakewalk he normally does to the finish. Come on Danica! Let's see a great debut!

3. Golf

Who cares if there's no Tiger? Golf will still live on. Ah, The Masters—the one time of year that I can look at great athletes and wish my lawn looked as good as the greens.

Phil Mickelson is now the odds-on favorite with no Tiger in sight and underdog players, such as Kenny Perry, have made a name for themselves over the break. The Masters is always great, so at least try and catch some of it.

2. MLB

Finally baseball is back, and I am excited. Some fans find it boring, but the majority of people love to see their team in action once again.

The Yankees are still looking impressive, but the same contenders are going to make a bang. Los Angeles, Boston, St. Louis, Philadelphia, and San Francisco are the rumored teams to make a possible playoff run. We'll just have to wait and see.

1. College Basketball

March Madness is one of the greatest times in the year, and this year's Final Four is resembling some of the greatest. Syracuse, Kansas, Villanova, and Duke are all fighting it out for the top spot and are playing great basketball.

The crowds are always electric, and the atmosphere is grand—a perfect cure for football depression.