That gives us just six weeks to get the grill ready, clean off the flat screen, make sure the clothing apparel is ironed (or at least smells like it hasn't been rotting in shame since your team was knocked out), read every fantasy magazine in the country, and most importantly only six more weeks till we can watch bone crunching, heart stopping, American Football instead of re-runs on the NFL Network of the 1998 playoffs.
All that being said, I've decided to list off my 2008 NFL Power Rankings. ESPN has their own version, and NFL.com has the inside scoop to all 32 training camps -- as for me well I have seemed to misplaced my all-access pass and will give you my view of the 2008 season as I see it.
1) Patriots - They still have Tom Brady and Randy Moss, they'll be just fine. Not to mention Jason Taylor will no longer be breathing down Brady's neck.
2) Chargers - The Colts days as the Patriots rivals are numbered, if Phillip Rivers, LT, and Antonio Gates are all healthy the offense could reak havoc in the AFC.
3) Colts - Dwight Freeney and Bob Sanders highlight the teams list of concerns, but with Peyton Manning should be back sooner from knee surgery than expected which makes the Colts the premiere favorites in the AFC South.
4) Cowboys - About time the NFC makes its debut right? T.O. and Romo can get it done in the regular season, but will they have what it takes when the playoffs roll around?
5) Jaguars - David Garrard has a full year as a bonafide starter under his belt, with Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew behind him we'll see if this is the year Jacksonville dethrones the Colts.
6) Saints - With the addition of Jeremy Shockey to Drew Brees's arsenal and an improved defense, look for New Orleans to be playing late into the playoffs.
7) Steelers - With rookies Limas Sweed and Rashard Mendenhall now in the mix Pittsburgh may have one of the leagues best offenses to compliment their smash mouth D.
8) Seahawks - It's Mike Holmgren's last season at the helm, if he can find someone to anchor the defensive line Seattle is sure to capture their fifth straight division title.
9) Packers - How good is this team without Brett Favre? Green Bay has a talent ladened roster, now it's up to Aaron Rodgers to make the most of the young Pack squad.
10) Giants - While most teams in the NFC East have acquired talent the G-Men seem to be getting rid of it -- the Giants still have what it takes to make a run at another title.
11) Browns - A severe lack of depth at the CB position could come back to haunt Cleveland. Five prime time games should give last years Cinderella story enough adrenaline to keep the ball rollin in '08.
12) Vikings - Jared Allen is the perfect compliment alongside the Williams' twins on the defensive line, if Tarvaris Jackson can manage a game and minimize errors Minnesota will return to the playoffs for the first time since 2004.
13) Buccaneers - Cadallic Williams isn't expected back anytime soon, can the trio of Warrick Dunn, Earnest Grahm and Michael Bennett carry the load? If so Tampa Bay will be in the NFC South race all season long.
14) Redskins - Jason Taylor bolsters the D, but the real questions surround quarterback Jason Campbell and first year head coach Jim "The Z-Man" Zorn.
15) Eagles - All four NFC East teams in the top 15, shows you why many consider this division to be the toughest in the league. Philly has to worry about Donovan McNabb's health and the unpleasant hold out of running back Brian Westbrook.
16) Texans - Roosevelt Colvin may be the most under appreciated free agent signing of the off season. With Colvin and Mario Williams the Texans have a good shot (I said it!) at making the franchises first trip to the post season.
17) Arizona - Edgerrin James had the second most carries in the NFL (323) last season, if Matt Leinart can improve his footwork, the Cardinals have a very legitimate shot of taking down perennial NFC West champs Seattle.
18) Rams - Injuries to Marc Bulger and Steven Jackson took down St.Louis before they even got out of the gates. With those two back and a defensive line that features first rounders Adam Carriker and Chris Long, who knows, we might see St.Louis back in the NFC title hunt.
19) Panthers - Word from training camp is Jake Delhomme is throwing like he did before Tommy John surgery -- if not better. An improved receiving corps could help Carolina out drastically this season.
20) Ravens - Who will show up the 13-3 or 5-11 team? Baltimore's season relies heavily (if not entirely) on which quarterback is slated as the opening day starter.
21) Broncos - If Jay Cutler can stay healthy and Brandon Marshall can stay out of trouble, then the Broncos have what it takes to end their two year drought from the playoffs.
22) Bengals - A thousand thank you's to Marvin Lewis from the Cinci' fans for keeping Chad Johnson. Now it's up to the defense to stop someone, then we'll talk a winning season.
23) Bills - From the looks of things second year quarterback Trent Edwards will be the starter for Dick Jauron's team. Lee Evans is in a contract year look for him to put up career numbers.
24) Titans - Defense is the key for Tennessee's success, Vince Young will have to find someone else other than Algae Crumpler to throw the ball too if they want to make it back to the playoffs.
25) Jets - Over $120 million spent on free agents in the off season. Now it's up to Man-genius to mesh these overpaid superstars into a winning club. The burning question, whose the quarterback?
26) Chicago - Matt Forte is the number one back for the Bears, Kevin Jones will be a nice compliment behind him -- now the question is who will be the one to hand off the ball?
27) Oakland - JaMarcus Russell and Darren McFadden may one day be the most talented offense duo in the game, for now they're young and prone to making mistakes. The Raiders will be better than years past, but only time will tell how much so.
28) Lions - The once pass-happy boys from Motor City are making a transition to a balanced attack, the trouble is leading the ground game is unproven rookie Kevin Smith. Question marks surround the defense.
29) Dolphins - With front office guru Bill Parcells calling the shots, one can only believe the Dolphins won't finish with the worst overall record in '08.
30) Chiefs - When Jared Allen was traded to Minnesota K.C. forfeited their rights to a winning season in '08, however, a spectacular draft highlighted by pass rushing phenom Glenn Dorsey gives Chiefs fans some hope to cling onto for the future.
31) Falcons - Does he not realize there are 32 teams in the NFL? I do, but something tells me Atlanta will be able to squeak it out and not finish with the worst overall record this season -- if that's any conciliation to Falcon fans.
32) 49ers - There was a time when San Francisco was home to the greatest football team in the world. Those days are past, and now it's up to Mike Martz to utilize Vernon Davis and Frank Gore to the best of their abilities because it doesn't look like quarterback Alex Smith will be much help.
There they are the 2008 pre-season rankings, from top to bottom this list is sure fluctuate like the stock market. For now Patriot fans can feel the championship aroma beginning to once again fill the streets in Foxborough, while the San Fran fans by the bay -- well my condolences.
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