The End of The NFL: The Top 10 Things To Do Until The 2011 Season Begins

It's that time of year again.  Football season is over, and every man, woman, and child has lost a little piece of themselves they won’t be able to find again until the next season begins.  What can be done to fill this void?

When push comes to shove, for 99 percent of people nothing will ever take the place of football.  The offseason is just a bore and a review of all the should-haves and could-haves of the season past. 

This list will give you some alternatives to the dog-days of the NFL offseason, and some sports substitutes that can make training camp come in the blink of an eye.

No. 10: NFL Free Agency

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CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 24: Travis LaBoy #54 of the San Francisco 49ers tackles DeAngelo Wiliams #34 of the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty I

With names like Nnamdi Asomugha, Sidney Rice, and DeAngelo Williams in the free agent market, you could spend weeks speculating over potential landing spots for these big-name players.

Another interesting wrinkle thrown into free agency is that no one truly knows when the free agency period will be.  Because of the problems going on with the collective bargaining agreement, no one knows whether free agency will occur before or after the draft.

Players may either be making a lot of money or lose possible suitors because teams will draft and fill the need they had with a rookie rather than a free agent.

No. 9: NHL Second Half

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NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 11: Ilya Kovalchuk #17 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring a goal in the third period of the Devils 2-1 win in an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks on February 11, 2011 at the Prud

Probably the only sport more physically demanding than football, Ice Hockey is coming into full swing.  Just past the all star break, there are real races in both conferences.

The Eastern Conference is very balanced, and any team that makes the playoffs has a reasonable chance to win the Stanley Cup. 

You also have the story of the New Jersey Devils, who were the worst team in hockey for most of the first half of the season and are now fighting to make it into the last playoff spot.

In the Western Conference, seeds No. 4 through 10 are separated by only three points in the standings.  This is one of the tightest races the NHL has ever seen, and will create must-see hockey night in and night out for the rest of the season.

No. 8: Watch Golf on Sundays

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SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 06: Phil Mickelson hits putts on the second hole green during the final round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on February 6, 2011 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

It may not have all the hard hitting and the strong following that the NFL does, but the PGA tour never fails to have its share of drama and controversy. 

Whether it's a call of Dustin Johnson grounding his club in the sand or Phil Mickelson lining up to sink a tournament-winning putt on the 18th green, golf creates some of the most edge-of-your-seat excitement you can find anywhere in the world of sports.

Even if you are not a golf fan, it seems everyone has an obsession with Tiger Woods.  Whether you have an interest to root for him, or you want to watch every match screaming, “choke, choke, choke!” Tiger Woods will be trying to get back to his form from before the revelation of his extramarital relationships.

No. 7: Follow the CBA

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DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 04: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during a press conference at the Super Bowl XLV media center on February 4, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. The Green Bay Packers will play the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV on February 6, 20

Probably the most intriguing NFL story this offseason, the Collective Bargaining Agreement will be the only way that we have football next season.  At this juncture, the owners and players are nowhere close to an agreement, and there is no news of future talks to try to reach a consensus. 

Even though there is a “deadline” of March 4 when the CBA expires, I do not believe there is a chance that the agreement will be made by then. 

With this said, I also do not think that there is a true deadline, or that the deal not being completed by that date means there will be no football during the 2011 season.

Make sure to keep your eye on this as it progresses, and hopefully we see the two sides coming together and doing what is best for the sport of football and all its followers.  

No. 6: Catch the NBA All-Star Game and Second Half of the Season

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 05: Blake Griffin #32 of the Los Angeles Clippers grabs a rebound against the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center on January 5, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Clippers won 106-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges a

Basketball is something that is usually overlooked and undervalued, but there are some upcoming events that cannot be missed. 

How can anyone not watch Blake Griffin in the dunk contest?  He will pull off something that has never been seen before, and from what I have seen this season nothing would surprise me.  Anything short of jumping from mid court to do his dunk is humanly possible for this kid.

Playoff basketball is another part of the game that is overlooked.  There are some great races this year, including how can the seemingly unbeatable (and senior citizen) San Antonio Spurs keep up with the likes of the Lakers and Mavericks.

In the east you have the clash of Boston’s big three (Allen, Pierce and Garnett) vs. the behemoth that is Wade, James, and Bosh in Miami.  Not to mention the never ending melodrama that is where will Carmelo Anthony end up?  At this rate, your guess is as good as mine.

No. 5: Premier League Soccer

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Wayne Rooney of Manchester United scores a goal from an overhead kick during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on February 12, 2011 in Manchester, England.

It is something that many people may not think about using as a way to fill their time, but we are quickly heading towards postseason play in the Barclays Premier League. 

With Manchester United leading the league by four points over Arsenal, they are looking to keep a strong season alive and lead their way to a Premiership Title. 

Wayne Rooney, while still hobbled by injury, will lead the Mighty Reds and hopefully lock up a title, but do not sleep on teams like Manchester City or Chelsea, who will not let the title be given away without a fight.

Plus, is there any better way to replace football than with more football? 

No. 4: Mock NFL Drafts

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NEW YORK - APRIL 22: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell looks watches as 16-year old Zachary Hatfield (L) from Florence, KY announces that Maurkice Pouncey from the Florida Gators was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers number 18 overall during the first rou

Where will Cam Newton go?  Does Ryan Mallett have the potential to be a franchise quarterback?  Who do the Carolina Panthers take with the first pick?  Who will your team decide to take? 

All these questions and more need to be thought about and debated, and this can be done from today until draft day. 

With the NFL combine, Pro days, and scouting complexes to still be performed, you can make your draft board and move players up and down as you see their stock rise and fall.

No. 3: Fantasy Baseball

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ST. LOUIS - SEPTEMBER 5: Starter Chris Carpenter #29 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium on September 5, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals beat the Reds 4-2. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

There is nothing better to fill that pit in your stomach that was left by losing in the finals of your fantasy football league than a season of fantasy baseball starting up. 

It is a long season that last from March through October, and is something that should be checked daily, which can easily keep your mind off of the football blues.

There is no need to be a Monday Morning Quarterback when you are busy worrying about how Chris Carpenter will fare against the potent Phillies lineup, or how BJ Upton will hit going up against a lefty at 8 p.m. 

Fantasy baseball is a great way to keep your mind clear and keep you focused on the boys of summer rather than worrying about how Mike Vick is progressing in his offseason workouts.

No. 2: NCAA Tournament Brackets

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PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 11: Cameron Tatum #23 and Kenny Hall #20 of the Tennessee Volunteers battle for a rebound with Nasir Robinson #35 of the Pittsburgh Panthers during the SEC/BIG EAST Invitational at Consol Energy Center on December 11, 2010 in Pi

Ahhh what better than March Madness to take your mind off of everything else going on in your life. 

Nothing better than watching Jared Sullinger feast on a No. 16 seed one week, then a few games later face a strong all around team such as the Duke Blue Devils. 

These matchups are a great way to take up the entire month of March, and a way to prove your worth to all your friends that you are the best bracketologist of them all.

From your 11 over 6 sleepers to who you think will cut down the nets, this is one way to devote a big chunk of the offseason to a passion other than football

No. 1: Countdown the Days Until the NFL Season Begins

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ENGLEWOOD, CO - AUGUST 18: Offensiuve linemen Paul Duncan #61 and Eric Olsen #69 of the Denver Broncos participate in a blocking drill during training camp practice at Dove Valley on August 18, 2010 in Englewood, Colorado. The forecasted record high temp

When push comes to shove, for most of the public there is nothing that replaces the NFL season.  So what is the best thing you can do?  In my opinion, take No. 10 through 2 and use any you are interested in to help pass the time until the season beings. 

Something that helps me is to have a white board and write down how many days until the football season begins.  It does not need to be anything fancy, but being able to take a number off of the total every day will make training camp come before you know it. 

There is nothing better to do then look at the NFL offseason as a chance to improve your loyalty to your other sports of choice. 

Whether it is golf, the NHL, or the English Premiership, taking an interest in a sport other than football will help the time until football season seem shorter than ever.  Whatever you choose to do, just remember that sports come and sports go, but football is forever. 

For all you Patriots, Jets, Steelers, Panthers, and Jaguars fans, this could be your year.  Get the countdown started and just think, football season is just around the corner.

Everyone has a different opinion on these topics and their own offseason rituals.  Feel free to comment on what you think I have in the right order and where you would have either changed the order or added something different.  I think my list is the best, can you top it?