College and Professional Football: There is no off-season

Within the last two weeks the National Signing Day for college athletes and the NFL Combine has come and gone. While there is no football actually being played it is a very significant time of the year for all football players. High School seniors have just decided where they want to spend their next 3 or 4 years playing football (and receiving an education of course) and NFL prospects have been poked, prodded, and observed by officials from all 32 NFL teams. This time of the year is referred to as the football off-season, but there is no off-season. Many of the aforementioned college seniors have graduated early so they can partake in spring practices with their new team. NFL players wait patiently while their agents try to get them a new contract or as the team they worked and sweated for are looking to trade them because they are no longer in need of their services. Players aren't the only people dealing with possible changes; each year the NFL must review the past season and see what things need to be changed, what rules need to be implemented, and what recent rules need to be removed. There is no true off-season for football and as an avid football fan I can say for that I am truly happy.