With apologies to the Pro Bowl buffs of the world, the 2007 NFL season officially ended on Sunday. That means no more broken records, no more resurgent graying quarterbacks, no more Philip Rivers acting like a punk, no more teams going for perfection (or imperfection), and, thankfully, no more Cris Collinsworth. Until next year, at least.

It’s no secret that NFL football has established itself as America’s favorite sport, and while it will be tough to survive without it on Sundays, it’s now time for America’s second favorite sport: the NFL off-season! As they say, every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.

And yes, I’m glad you asked, that is a lyric from a 1998 Semisonic song.

Although it’s “closing time,” as they also say, for the NFL, there’s plenty of action ahead in the NFL off-season. So what can you expect in the coming months? Take a look at this time-line/calendar thingy and you’ll find out.

Feb. 3: Pro Bowl. Duh.

Feb. 7: Brett Favre mulls retirement.

Feb. 20-26: NFL Scouting Combine. After a long couple of weeks without football, we finally get to watch a bunch of college guys lift weights and run sprints for a few days, and not a minute too soon.

Feb. 29: It’s a leap year. How silly. The NFL isn’t messing around on this day, as the free agency and trading periods begin. Feb. 29 only comes around once every four years, and they’re going to make good use of an otherwise useless and non-existent date.

For Packer fans, this is more than just the one month and nine day anniversary of not talking about the Giants game. If I know Ted Thompson, and I think I do, I bet he’ll start signing the crap out of any available veteran free agents. Immediately. Who will be this year’s Frank Walker? The suspense is unbearable.

As always, some big names will change allegiances, including Shaun Rogers, Michael Turner, Lance Briggs, and maybe even Asante Samuel or Randy Moss from the Big Bad Patriots. For the Packers, Corey Williams is likely to be the only key player to exchange his green and gold uniform for actual green and gold in the free agent market.

Mar. 19: Favre continues to mull retirement; Aaron Rodgers gets excited.

Apr. 26-27: NFL Draft. Rumor has it that the Packers are looking at cornerbacks–keep an eye on Ohio State’s Malcolm Jenkins or Aqib Talib from Kansas–and offensive linemen for possible selection in the first round. Also, if Corey Williams departs and knocks the Pack down to just 38 defensive linemen, Thompson might want to add another one.

As for the rest of the league, most mock drafts have Virginia’s Chris Long (Howie’s son), Louisville’s Brian Brohm, Boston College’s Matt Ryan and Arkansas’ Darren McFadden somewhere in the top 10 area. As everyone knows, mock drafts are always right, especially in late January.

May 11: Favre, seriously, make up your mind already; Rodgers wets himself.

June 4: Surprise! Favre returns.

Late July-ish: Training camp starts. Also, people begin complaining about the NFL Network again right about now.

Aug. 3: Pre-season action begins with the Hall of Fame Game. Are they ever just going to induct Ray Guy and get it over with?

August 26: Rosters reduced to 75 players. Say goodbye to your favorite Family Night stand-outs.

August 30: Rosters reduced to 53 players. Say goodbye to Jarrett Bush, anybody who’s ever talked to Jarrett Bush, anybody who’s ever been beat in a drill by Jarrett Bush and anyone who’s ever eaten lunch with Jarrett Bush. Come on man, just fall on the fumble. Don’t be a hero.

September 4: 2008 NFL Season begins. Let’s try this again.

There you have it, the 2008 NFL off-season calendar. Go ahead and hang it on your fridge if you’d like. Or just throw it away without reading it. Whatever you want. It’s yours.

As for the 2007 NFL season, you have to admit it was fun while it lasted, even though the ending absolutely sucked. Kind of like this column. Just an abrupt end to it. Really ruined the whole thing. What a shame.

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