1. The Giants and Packers have both built their teams "The Patriot Way." Find a franchise QB, draft really well and don't overspend in free agency. It's fitting they're the two teams playing for the right to play the Patriots.

2. Regardless of what happens Eli Manning can be proud of his performance heading into this offeseason. But this Sunday he has a chance to permenantly step out of Big Brother's shadow.

3. I hope Vincent Jackson can keep his head #### on right because he has a chance to be a really special player.

4. Does Shawn Merriman, Shaun Phillips or any of the Charger’s DL ever drop into coverage? If I always know who San Diego's rushing don't you think Tom Brady will too?

5. The 49ers were supposed to be good this year and the Cleveland Browns bad. The Cowboys or Bears win the NFC and the Giants and Packers not even close. That's what's great about football. It's a team sport where it's having the better players is not the same as having the better team. Don't believe me? Just ask Wade Phillips.

With the NFL draft quickly approaching there is bound to be a least a few (I expect atleast one major move) trades of teams looking to jump into the top 3 to get their hands on one of the elite talents (Adrian Peterson, Calvin Johnson, JaMarcus Russell - if Raiders pass). NFL teams beware. While it may be great from a immediate marketing aspect and look good on paper, upon further review you just might be the sucker a bad franchise needs to get going.

The perfect Example is the San Diego Chargers.

Flashback to 2004. San Diego Chargers: Bad Team. So bad the #1 Quarterback in the draft says he doesn't want to play for them, even if it means he'd be the #1 overall pick. Ouch. So you find someone who wants him more, and trade him to them for a ransom of draft picks.

Back to the Now. San Diego Chargers: Best runningback in the NFL (LaDanian Tomlinson). Best offensive line. Best tight end (Antonio Gates). Best defensive lineman (Jamal Williams). Best pass-rusher (Shawn Merriman). Not too bad.

Years from now we might be looking back to the Eli Trade as the modern-day Herschell Walker trade. The Chargers didn't make out quite as well as the Cowboys (who made out like bandits) but in this era they did just fine.

Ask Mike Dikta how the "Ricky Williams for his entire draft" deal went.

Would you risk your team's future for a runningback who's taken the beating Peterson already has and still can't even stay healthy at the collegiate level?

So when Calvin Johnson and Adrian Peterson are both still on the board at #2 and the Lions are on the trade phones, just be hoping your team isn't on the same line.