The Offseason

Welcome -- officially -- to the offseason. Oh, I know. You guys think the offseason started Jan. 4, after the Giants came back from their Minnesota debacle and scattered to the four corners of the earth.

But now that the Vince Lombardi Trophy has happily landed in the party capital of the world, we are truly in the offseason. My buddies in South Florida are at this moment either on planes headed home, or are scrambling to catch their flights after a long week of story production. The Colts may be in the middle of their breakup day, lamenting missed chances (Pierre Garcon's drop, anybody?) and how history eluded Peyton Manning. No worries, though. He's still a first-ballot Hall of Famer, even if he never wins another ring.

And, of course, in New Orleans, Mardi Gras has come early. They won't stop down there until Ash Wednesday. And by then, classy coach Sean Payton -- I love that he has a ring now, considering the shabby way Jim Fassel demoted him here -- will be well into the portions of his free agent and draft research that were put off until he dealt with more pressing matters.

For the Giants, there's still work left to do. Unless there's a major holdup, I expect they'll hire a quarterbacks coach by week's end. I'll have another position breakdown of free agency for you in the coming days, too.

In the meantime, don't be afraid to have a lunchtime Hurricane to toast the Saints. And put it on the boss' tab.

EP