Did you watch the football combine on the NFL network? Have you been checking the sports pages to see who has signed your favorite free agent? Have you been watching the Jets spend like they’re printing money?

It wasn’t so long ago that Eli Manning squirmed away from the Patriots and found David Tyree, who made one of the greatest grabs ever, in perhaps the most exciting Super Bowl we’ve ever seen.

David Tyree’s magical grab – Photo: How/Getty

How about a quick review: The Cowboys then the Packers beat the Giants to start off the season and with the fans and media just about ready to bail on Tom Coughlin and the Jints, Eli & Company pull out the 3rd game at the Redskins. All the while the Patriots were steamrolling the Jets, Chargers and Bills.

On Week 17 the Patriots outlast the Giants in Giants Stadium 38 to 35. But that victory for the Patriots was really a win for the Giants, who despite all the hype and talk about should the starters start, won back the love of their fans and began to believe they could go all the way.

Eli – jubilant & victorious

Well the New England Patriots re-signed LB Tedy Bruschi, C Lonie Paxton, S Ray Ventrone, DL Mike Wright and WRs Jabar Gaffney, Randy Moss, and Kelley Washington. And they signed CBs Jason Webster and Lewis Sanders, and S Tank Williams. Some of the important players they lost: Asante Samuel to Philadelphia, Donte Stallworth and Eugene Wilson.

The New York Giants have been relatively quiet: they signed QB David Carr, LB Danny Clark and S Sammy Knight. And they re-signed RB Derrick Ward. Some of the players they lost: Kawika Mitchell, Reggie Torbor, Gibril Wilson, and William Joseph.

Next step: the 2008 NFL Draft. April 26-27. The buzz is the Giants with the last pick in the first round will go for a linebacker. The Patriots have the 7th pick overall and some think they’ll be shopping the pick.

Who do you think your team will go for?

Are you ready for football?