TailGreater: Actually, next season isn't really all that far away

I'm really sorry, guys. It's Wednesday. That means that it's officially no longer acceptable to use the Super Bowl as an excuse to spend all your time at work and home softly sobbing at an animated gif of an incredible Julio Jones catch (or, conversely, laughing maniacally watching a looped replay of that miraculous Julian Edelman catch). The Super Bowl is over. Which means that the football season is over. Which means that tailgate season is over.

Or does it?

You see, my friends, the greatest lie in football is the myth of the "offseason." There's NFL action to be found everywhere, you just need to know where to look. And though it might seem a bit weird to host a tailgate for the combine, it's definitely an any-port-in-a-storm type situation until the fall. Either way, here are the key dates to track up until the preseason starts.

February 11-March 11: Regional Combines 
As if you needed any more reason to get excited for the 2017 season, the combines begin in two days.

February 15: Franchise Tag Window Opens
This is, presumably, the first day that we all might finally get an answer as to what Washington's plan for Kirk Cousins might be going forward.

February 28-March 6: Combine Timing and Testing
This is probably what you think of when you think of the combine. NFL Network and the ESPN channels will have breathless coverage of all of the young hotshot college stars as they try to increase their draft stock.

March 1: Franchise Tag Window Closes
This is, presumably, the last day that we all might finally get an answer as to what Washington's plan for Kirk Cousins might be going forward.

March 9: The League Year Begins
What this means is that at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, the free agency period begins along with the 2017 trading period.

March 26-29: Annual League Meeting
The jury is still out on which specific type of arcane ritual Roger Goodell and the owners will be performing at this year's league meeting in Phoenix.

April 3/April 17: OTAs Begin
Depending on whether or not your team has hired a new head coach or not, your team will be able to begin workout programs either on the 3rd or the 17th of April.

April 21: Restricted Free Agent Deadline
This is not only the last day for teams to sign restricted free agents, it's also my birthday – so it'd be nice if the Bears and the Falcons get me something nice.

April 27-29: 2017 NFL Draft
This year, the draft takes place in Philadelphia, a city known for having respectful and understanding football fans. Perhaps this will finally be the year that Roger Goodell isn't greeted with a chorus of resounding boos (but probably not).

May 15: Rookie Development Programs Begin
Look out for regional reporters to be giving highly biased previews of your team's draft choices after these programs start in mid-May.

May 22-24: Spring League Meeting
After beginning the ritual in Phoenix, Goodell and top NFL brass will continue their dark incantations in Chicago.

July 26: Training Camp Coverage Begins
This is when you'll actually start to get a sense of what your team will look like during the season, as full-contact practice begins.

August 3: The Preseason Begins With The Hall Of Fame Game (Maybe)
Barring another hilarious mishap with paint thinner and solvents, the Hall of Fame game will be played on Thursday, August 3, kicking off four weeks of preseason action.

August 5: Hall of Fame Ceremony
This will serve as your yearly reminder that Terrell Owens really should be a Hall of Famer already.

September 7: The 2017 Regular Season Begins
And just like that, we're into the regular season. See? It really isn't that far away, especially when you consider how busy things will be until then.

Don't forget what Bill Belichick himself said after winning Super Bowl LI: