Report (NFL.com) NFL clubs approve comprehensive agreement. Here are some key dates on the revised 2011 League calendar, contingent upon ratification of the agreement by the players prior to these dates:
JULY
July 23: Voluntary training, conditioning and classroom instruction permitted until first day of clubs' preseason training camps.
July 23: Pre-2011 League Year Period commences. 2011 Free Agency List to be issued and will become effective on the first day of the 2011 League Year (July 27). Clubs/players may begin to renegotiate contracts. Clubs may begin to sign Drafted Rookies and their own UFAs, RFAs, Exclusive Rights Players and Franchise Players.
July 23: Waivers begin for the 2011 League Year. July 23: Starting at 2:00 PM ET, clubs may negotiate with, but not sign, Undrafted Rookie Free Agents, free agents, and other clubs' UFAs, RFAs, and Franchise Players.
July 24: Starting at 2:00 PM ET, clubs may begin to sign undrafted rookie free agents.
July 27: 2011 League Year commences at 2:00 PM ET, provided NFLPA has ratified CBA. Free Agency Signing Period begins. Clubs may sign free agents and other clubs' Unrestricted Free Agents. Clubs may sign Offer Sheets. Trading period begins. All Clubs must be under the Salary Cap. Top 51 rule applies.
July 27: Expand rosters to 90-man limit.
July 27: Training Camps open for all clubs, provided NFLPA has ratified CBA. Day One activities limited to physicals, meetings, and conditioning. No pads permitted on Day Two or Day Three.
AUGUST
August 9: Deadline for players under contract to report to their clubs to earn an Accrued Season for free agency.
August 11-15: First Preseason Weekend August 12: Deadline for signing of Offer Sheets by Restricted Free Agents. (17-day period concludes)
August 12: Deadline for June 1 Tender to Unrestricted Free Agents. If the player has not signed a Player Contract with a Club by August 26, he may negotiate or sign a Player Contract from August 26 until the Tuesday following the tenth week of the regular season, at 4:00 PM ET, only with his Prior Club.
August 12: Deadline: if a Drafted Rookie has not signed a Player Contract by this date, he cannot be traded during his initial League Year and may sign a Player Contract only with the drafting Club until the day of the Draft in the next League Year.
August 13-17: Each Club has until five days prior to its second preseason game to provide any tendered but unsigned Exclusive Rights Player or Restricted Free Agent with written notice of the Club's intent to place the player on the Exempt List if the player fails to report at least the day before the Club's second preseason game.
August 16: Deadline for Prior Club to exercise Right of First Refusal to Restricted Free Agents. (Four-day matching period concludes)
August 17: Deadline for June 1 Tender to Restricted Free Agents who have received a Qualifying Offer for a Right of First Refusal Only.
August 18-22: Second Preseason Weekend.
August 25-28: Third Preseason Weekend.
August 26: Signing Period ends for Unrestricted Free Agents who received the June 1 Tender.
August 29: Deadline for June 15 Tender to Restricted Free Agents.
August 30: Clubs reduce rosters from 90 players to 75 players.
TEAM TALK
- Erik Scalavino reports the owners voted 31-0 to approve the new deal, with the Raiders abstaining. Now it's up to the players.
- Andy Hart puts together a short list of guys who might be Patriots-ready, quick-fix free agent options when all heck breaks loose (hopefully!) next week.
- Patriots Today - Jonathan Kraft reflects (2.05 min. video)
- Patriots.com announces important information regarding Myra Kraft's funeral services.
- PFW in Progress - 7/21/11: The PFW crew discusses the off-season. (2 hour program)
LOCAL LINKS
- Jonathan Kraft reflects on his mother's life and legacy.
- Mike Reiss gives us a feel for the Patriots' cap situation.
- Christopher Price explains what recertification for the NFLPA means and tells us how long it could take.
- Mike Reiss gets some answers from Rob Gronkowski. (1.53 min. video)
- Mike Reiss offers the transcript of his weekly online chat.
- Christopher Price notes the NFLPA issued a statement regarding Logan Mankins and the reports he was seeking $10 million or free agency in exchange for dropping the lawsuit.
- Globe 10.0: Can the Patriots and Mankins make up? Bob Ryan and Charlie Pierce debate. (2.07 min. video)
NATIONAL NEWS
- SportsCenter (ESPN) Dan, Rob and Chris Gronkowski talk to Hannah Storm about growing up in an athletic family. (6.15 min. video)
- Michael Wilbon and Tim Cowlishaw (ESPN) Debating the value of two-a-days. (1.24 min. video)
- Steve Wyche (NFL.com) Why previously irrelevant preseason gains significance in 2011.
- Brian Costello (NY Post) Jets hire longtime Colts coach Tom Moore.
LABOR LUNACY
- ESPN Owners approve proposed labor deal.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Proposed deal is for 10 years, with no early opt out.
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Goodell says facilities can open Saturday, league year can start Wednesday.
- Report (NFL.com) Owners OK new labor agreement; focus now on players' vote.
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Owners ratify settlement in major step toward ending lockout.
- Jason La Canfora (NFL.com) What's holding up a player vote? (6.15 min. video)
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Report: De Smith tells player reps there is "no agreement" with NFL.
- Gabe Feldman (NFL.com) Why NFLPA recertification is crucial to new labor deal.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) De Smith addresses recertification issue.
- DeMaurice Smith (NFL.com) NFLPA recertifacion is not a certainty. (2.48 min. video)
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Recertification delay is a red herring.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Reluctance to reconstitute union is another red herring.
- Jim Trotter (SI) Potential recertification of union clouding timeline for deal.
- Gregg Rosenthal (ProFootballTalk) Email to NFLPA reps questions NFL procedure to end lockout.
- Johnette Howard (ESPN) Roger Goodell needs to listen to players.