An Alphabetic Rundown of What We Will Miss If There Is No NFL Next Year

The NFL owners and the NFLPA couldn't come to an agreement so now there is a strong possibility that there will be no football next year. For die-hard NFL fans, this is horrible news. There is only question left to ask:

What the heck are we supposed to do on Sundays now?

In the meantime, I will rundown all the things we will miss about football from A to Z. Grab some tissue because you might get emotional.

Aaron Rodgers

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers calls out from under center while taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Doug Pens

Let's start with the Super Bowl MVP himself. Rodgers had an amazing year and finally silenced his critics who thought he could never fill the shoes of Brett Favre. Even after the Packers were devastated with many injuries throughout the season, Rodgers delivered many memorable performances, including a 31 for 36 clinic versus the Atlanta Falcons in the divisional round of the playoffs. He clearly solidified himself as one of the elites in the game.

Big Hits

The quarterback drops back, he looks down the middle, zips a pass to his receiver and then BAM!! It's one of those moments that gets people off their seats. Guys like James Harrison, Brandon Meriweather and Ray Edwards delivered devastating blows that came under intense scrutiny last year. Fines were being assessed almost on a weekly basis. But just like how NHL fans watch hockey for the fights, NFL fans watch football for bone-crushing hits. 

Crazy Catches

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TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 01: Santonio Holmes #10 of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches a 6-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals during Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Steele

Another thing that gets fans rowdy is an unbelievable display of athleticism by some of the best wide receivers in the league. Whether it's the one-hand grab or the endzone jump ball, we watch in awe as these players hang in the air for what seems like days. As soon as they hit the ground, we expect them to be on SportsCenter Top Ten plays. 

Defense

The saying goes "Offense wins games. Defense wins championships." That couldn't be more evident as the Steelers and Packers were the top defensive teams last year. Even the teams they beat (Jets, Bears) rank among the elite in defense. Sometimes a great defensive play can shift momentum more than a great offensive play.

Entrances

One of the most exciting parts of attending a live game is watching the team come onto the field. Some players like Ray Lewis and Louis Delmas have their own pregame dances to hype up the crowd. But you can't talk about hypemen without mentioning the best hypeman in the NFL: Drew Brees.

Fantasy Football

I would be deeply saddened if there wasn't any fantasy football next year. Some say that it adds more excitement to the game. Some say it kills the game because you have situations where you root for players on opposing teams.

In my humble opinion, I think fantasy football is the second greatest invention next to the TV.

Game-Winning Field Goals

Kickers aren't the fastest guys on the field. They aren't the most athletic either. But sometimes they come up big in crucial situations. Adam Vinatieri has become a kicker synonymous with the word "clutch" and many others have drilled it through the uprights when it mattered most.

Helmets Coming Off

Helmets are important to the safety of the players. But sometimes, things get chippy and helmets come off. But that doesn't mean the game has to stop. Just ask Jason Witten what he does when his helmet gets knocked off.

Icing the Kicker

Thanks to Mike Shanahan, we have a strategy called "icing the kicker" where if the offense was setting up for a game-winning field goal, the defense would call a timeout right before the snap. I don't get what it does to the offense and there still isn't any proof that it works.

Joking Around

Well sometimes the jokes are a little less harsh than what Tim Tebow had to go through.

We love to see the lighter side of the NFL players as they roam around the sidelines, joking amongst each other. In regards to the pranks, some are hilarious and some are straight up cruel. It may make some rookies think twice before getting drafted to a certain team.

Kickoff Returns

One of the most electrifying moments in a game is when a player takes the kickoff back for a touchdown. One man who has turned this into a regular occurrence is Devin Hester. He has a chance to take it back to the house every time he touches the ball. Others who have excelled at kick returns are Josh Cribbs, Leon Washington and Percy Harvin. That's why they call it special teams.

Lambeau Leap

The Lambeau Leap is a moment that has spread to places other than Lambeau Field. We see it happen more and more every year. It has turned those seats behind the endzone into the best in the house.

Of course, there are some athletes who have tried it away from their homes. Not with much success though.

Madden NFL 2012

Even though Madden 12 is scheduled to still come out, I'm looking at it from the perspective of playing the game as the season progresses. Now it looks like this is the closest thing we have to real football.

I wonder who will be the most popular team to play with (Micheal Vick...ahem).

Never Say Never

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 14: Mike Thomas #80 of the Jacksonville Jaguars catches a tipped pass winning a game against the Houston Texans at EverBank Field on November 14, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Sometimes the most unbelievable plays happen at the most unlikely times. We hear the "any given sunday" cliche all the time. Who would've thought that the Browns would beat the Super Bowl champion Saints last year in New Orleans? Who would've thought Mike Thomas would catch that Hail Mary pass versus the Texans?

The fact that anything can happen on the gridiron is why we love football so much.

Opening Kickoff

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: A general view of the opening kickoff by the Atlanta Falcons to the Green Bay Packers during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

We all get goosebumps as soon as the ball goes in the air. Some people even try to count all the camera flashes in the crowd. And then you see 22 guys running at each other at full speed. And then the war begins. If that doesn't get your blood flowing, I don't know what will.

Playoffs

Playoffs?! Are you kidding me?! Playoffs?!

Anytime we hear that word, Jim Mora is the first thing we think of. The second thing we think of is the "win or go home" mentality in playoff games. We've seen dreams shattered (Mike Vick), monumental upsets (Seattle Seahawks) and road warriors (Green Bay Packers). And of course, the ever-lovable underdog (Arizona Cardinals). So many stories that lead up to the ultimate goal, the Super Bowl.  

Quickness

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INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 02: Chris Johnson #28 of the Tennessee Titans runs for a touchdown during NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

We associate this words with guys like Chris Johnson, Jacoby Ford and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, to name a few. It's those plays where the open field turns into a highway. It's those guys who are in one place for one second and then blazing through the field the next second.

It's moves like the deadly spin move or the ankle-breaking juke move that make some players look unhuman. And your only reaction is "Ohhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!"

Rookies

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Cam Newton passes the ball during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

All this hype and we might not get to see Cam Newton on an NFL field.

Every year, we see a few new guys explode onto the scene and prove that they are ready to play with the big boys. Guys like Sam Bradford and Ndamukong Suh played at such at a high level last year and will continue to show their dominance under the bright lights.

Super Bowl

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers is interviewed by the media after the Packers won Super Bowl XLV 31-25 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Ph

It's the goal of anybody who dreams of playing in the NFL. Year in and year out, it is the most watching program in the United States. It is where legends are born and legacies are cemented. Players like Deion Branch, Drew Brees and Ray Lewis brought their A game on the biggest stage and went home with MVP honors. It is the one night where two teams put all their chips in for a chance at history.

My friends, it doesn't get any bigger than this.

Touchdown Celebrations

Even though the NFL has cracked down on celebrations, we love seeing the creativity of the players as they reach the endzone. From Chad Ochocinco to DeSean Jackson, you never know what these guys will do after they score.

The best touchdown celebration? It has to be T.O.'s Sharpie.

Upsets

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks runs down field against the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Image

Those damn underdogs! How can you hate them?

They are told before the game to play hard and not to worry about the outcome of the game. Meanwhile, they have other plans. We've seen upsets in the regular season, playoffs and occasionally in the Super Bowl. Upsets are loves by NFL fans and loathed by Vegas bookies. 

Vintage Moments

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MIAMI - SEPTEMBER 26: Running back LaDanian Tomlinson #21 of the New York Jets runs against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

We see players making comebacks all the time. People write them off as washed up and they are told to hang up the cleats. LaDanian Tomlinson proved last year he still has a lot left in the tank. We saw the moves that made him one of the best runningbacks ever.

Veterans always feel like they still have something to prove. Or maybe all the criticism is fueling them to keep going way past their prime.

Who the Hell Is That?!?!

Bob Levey/Getty Images

HOUSTON - NOVEMBER 07: Running back Arian Foster #23 of the Houston Texans rushes in the first half against the San Diego Chargers at Reliant Stadium on November 7, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Don't you guys love when someone comes along and explodes on the field, instantly becoming a household name?

Guys like Arian Foster and Peyton Hillis fell into this category last year and there will be someone sitting during a team practice hoping one day when he gets his chance, he will have his name all over scouting reports.

X-Factors

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Brad Smith #16 of the New York Jets runs with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Jets won 17-16. (Phot

You never see them coming. They might not show up in the first half. But they do show up when they are needed most. It's guys who are low-key but have a huge impact on the final score. You can't even gameplan for them because you just can't anticipate when they will arrive. You just pray to God you stopped them just as they get it going.

Needless to say, X-Factors are very problematic for opposing coaches.

Your Favorite Team

You stick by them no matter what their record is. You memorize every stat imaginable. You know every single person associated with the organization, all the way down to the third-string tight end.

Now everyone has their reasons for liking a team. Maybe it's your hometown team. Maybe it's a team you have been following for a very long time. Either way, it is the rooting and cheering for a team that makes us fans.

Zillion Other Reasons

Obviously there are many more reasons why we love the NFL. Post yours in the comment section and let's hope that an agreement can be made so we can keep enjoying football.