Football Is Back

We have a deal. The players have unanimously ratified the new CBA. So now it’s time to look forward to free agency but no one seems to know when it begins. According to a report posted by Mike Florio, here is the timeline that was given to the player’s executive committee:


Titled “Article 11, Transition Rules for the 2011 League Year,” here’s what the document provides.

Today, the NFL will publish a Free Agency List.

On Tuesday, team facilities will open for voluntary training, conditioning, and classroom instruction.

On Tuesday, trades can begin.

At 10:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, teams may sign drafted rookies, undrafted rookies, and negotiate with (but not sign) their own unrestricted free agents, restricted free agents, exclusive-rights players, and franchise players.

Also, beginning at 10:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, teams may negotiate with, but not sign or give offer sheets to, other team’s unrestricted free agents, restricted free agents, and franchise players.

At 4:01 p.m. ET on Thursday, teams may waive or terminate player contracts.

At 6:00 p.m. ET on Friday, teams may renegotiate existing player contracts.

Also at 6:00 p.m. ET on Friday, teams sign their own unrestricted free agents, restricted free agents, exclusive-rights free agents, and franchise players.

Also at 6:00 p.m. ET on Friday, teams may sign unrestricted free agents from other teams, restricted free agents from other teams, and franchise players from other teams.

CBA Wars

We're almost at the finish line. Late this past Thursday the NFL owners ratified the new CBA with the players association. The owners popped the champagne bottles, went on tv and declared that the NFL lockout was over and football is back. But they forgot one thing, the players still hadn't voted. No problem right? Well, as of this morning, the players still hadn't voted.

Why you ask?

The owners tried to slip a fast one on the players. According to reports, the owners went into their meetings and adjusted some of the terms that they had negotiated with the player's executive team. The owners voted on an agreement that the players didn't know about. It's like you're in divorce proceedings and agree to give up the boat. Then your ex wife changes the terms to the boat and the house. She expects you to sign off and say sure no problem take the house too. Negotiations don't work like that. Because of this tricky move, the players took the entire weekend to look over what the owners agreed to.

Here's one positive though. Over the weekend the players made some headway with the owners and are expected to vote on the deal later today. The owners have also agreed that if the players ok'd the deal today, they will allow the players in the facilities Wednesday to vote on becoming a union again. If all this happens, workouts should begin later Wednesday and free agency should start a week from today. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope that the owners don't screw this up again.