About a week after the end of the NBA Finals, I started to notice a hollow feeling in my chest, spreading rapidly, casting an uneasy pallor over my entire life. At first I thought something was wrong with my marriage, and then I realized I just miss football. I miss it horribly, an addict pried from his addiction, a dog separated from his bone. I will admit to you that last night I spent two hours looking over the schedule for next season, and drooling about the Monday Night doubleheader the first weekend. I’ve watched through the entire first half of the America’s Game boxset in the last month. I can tell you off the top of my head that August 3rd is when the season starts again, with the annual Hall of Fame game that begins preseason (this year it’s Colts vs. Redskins). I could name every home opponent the Chargers face this season, and which road stretch is going to be particularly hard for the Niners. Now, when the season starts, that knowledge (and a knowledge of underrated\/overrated stars and role players alike) will be a source of pride. Right now? I just want my football back… JJ, what do I do?<\/p>\n
JJ: Not much you can do, Mike. It’s always the same when June melts into July. Basketball is finally over after a three-month playoff, hockey is long gone, and football is out of reach. It’s just baseball right now, and no two things could be more polar opposites than baseball and football (R.I.P George Carlin) <\/p>\n