Time: "a nonspatial continuum that is measured in terms of events which succeed one another from past through present to future."

It's amazing to consider what has transpired in the world of the Packers,  since the Super Bowl.

Think back to February 6, 2011. A mere three and a half weeks ago. The Packers won the Super Bowl, the Lombardi Trophy came home, and all was right with the world. Every person associated with this team celebrated their victory, despite what was looming around the corner. CBA issues, free agency, the Draft. Who's leaving? Who's staying? They were all there, on the outside. We all knew it, that they would be dealt with at the appropriate time. At the time, I didn't care-did you? The Packers were, and still are, world champs.

It's time to start dealing with it.

As the countdown toward zero hour, the expiration of the current labor deal, ticks closer and closer, the very real possibility of not having football has finally sunk in. The owners and players, certain that their way is the only way, are in the midst of discussions as I type this, attempting to prevent what is the most likely to happen: a lockout by the owners, and the beginning of what will undoubtedly be some mud slinging by both sides. Just the things I love to read about.

Add this mess to the  news that the Packers cut A.J. Hawk, Derrick Martin, and Donald Lee were cut today, saving roughly $13 million off the salary line, and the reality of the off season hit very close to home. Granted, there was no way the Packers were going to pay Hawk $10 million, and if you read into Thompson's quote of "With A.J. the business side of the game is driving this decision. We're hopeful that we can continue to work with A.J. to have him be part of our team in the future" reads as though they want to resign him. Still, this was a starter in the Super Bowl. Donald Lee has been on the decline, but nevertheless caught the only touchdown in the Chicago game that sent the Packers into the playoffs. In no way am I saying that either of these players, or Martin for that matter, are irreplaceable, but is this what you want to read about the Packers 3 weeks after winning the Super Bowl?

So to review: the CBA is set to expire, football could see a work stoppage, and the Packers have started to do the inevitable and release players.

Football is a business. I get it. Yet three weeks ago, it didn't seem like it. Green and gold kool aid was being consumed at a record pace, knowing that the garbage taking place right now was not far away. I guess it was just put on the back burner, something that maybe if everyone wished hard enough it would just go away. That's the evil of reality. It hurts. What is taking place in the NFL right now is reality, and it sucks.