No Dead Air: Whirlwind Offseason Keeps Everyone Watching

In today’s ultra-competitive world, it’s well known that the NFL season doesn’t “end” when a team is crowned Super Bowl Champions. It’s not even finished when the Leagues’ elite are done sun-bathing in Hawaii at the Pro Bowl.

Describing the NFL “off“ season as a dead period would be a complete injustice as all the drama is turned “on” in the months when no games are played.

When it’s time to kickoff, it comes down to talent and executing your game plan. But let's be real, seeing our teams on paper beforehand is just as fun. There’s something about front offices’ strategically finding a way to add players to boost their team’s chances of victory that thrills the collective sports fan.

It gives reason to map out our teams on paper, and say “hey, now we might have a shot.“ It’s open season for the Leagues’ best to get that big, fat paycheck and start fresh in a new city.

Free Agency hit the same day Spring Break began and as I made my connecting flights in each airport while traveling home, I frantically ran to every ceiling-hung television, anxiously awaiting the first signings.

Me, and nearly every traveling business man. Two men, in suits layered with trench-coats at an airport restaurant in Chicago, must have hailed from our nation’s capital, as they were overjoyed when ESPN flashed; Albert Haynesworth and Redskins agree to seven-year/$100 million deal.

The mammoth run-stuffer, got the free agency circus started. The biggest man got the biggest contract, that makes sense right?

Eagles’ heart and soul, Brian Dawkins was shipped to the Mile High City to bolster the Broncos secondary, along with his teammate Correll Buckhalter. The Browns outspoken Tight End Kellen Winslow was moved to Tampa Bay to line up alongside Antonio Bryant.

Ray Lewis’ wingman Bart Scott followed coach Rex Ryan to the Meadowlands, as the Jets upgraded their linebacking corp. The list goes on. Seasoned vets Fred Taylor and Joey Galloway added more firepower to the mighty Patriots (come on, is this fair?) and Harvard-grad and All-Pro Center Matt Birk took his reliable game to Baltimore.

This was just the start to the whirlwind that is the NFL offseason.

Making moves seems to be a League-wide necessity now, that lead to many eye-opening moves. The Seahawks landing the other stud wide-out from Cincy, T.J. Houshmandzadeh brings more intrigue to the NFC West.  Chris Canty transferring from the Cowboys to the rival Giants has many experts scratching their heads.

The Buffalo Bills signing of Cowboys cast-off and NFL soap opera star, Terrell Owens has us thinking; more competition in the AFC East? And now with Jay Cutler donning a Bears' uni, the AFC North has gotten itself another gunslinger. Lots of movement. So little time. Great action without any passes being thrown.

The Chiefs and Patriots kept close ties, as former VP of Player Personnel Scott Pioli continued KC’s rebuilding process, by adding Mike Vrabel and Matt Cassel in exchange for a second round pick. Fishy? Maybe. Smart. Probably. The Patriots seem like they can do no wrong.

Every year, free-agent traffic is as heavy as New York City rush hour. This year was no different, and the money surely was shelled out. The frenetic bidding for players, resembling the floor of the Stock Exchange, always ends the same. One happy fan base and many disgruntled ones.

This has all unfolded, and we still haven’t come to the NFL Draft. An event that arguably is the biggest offseason spectacle in all of sports. An event always with the flair for the dramatic, where the final jostling for position happens before it’s time to hit the field. Like we haven’t seen enough already.

Who will trade up? How much he slide? Where they find a late-round gem? The NFL offseason never seems to disappoint especially during a time when the stadiums are empty. After all, pro sports are entertainment, and this off-season has kept me glued to my TV set, and especially to as many Rumor Mill sites as I can click to.