Christmas in July

Christmas has indeed arrived early for sports fans in America. The NFL is finally back in business following a protracted 134 day lockout. This means transactions involving signing free agents and undrafted rookies have to take place in a matter of days as opposed to the normal duration of several months. The timeline of transactions is a follows:

  • Thursday July 28, 2011, 4:01 p.m. ET: Teams can begin to cut players.
  • Friday, 6 p.m. ET: Teams can officially sign free agents. Players who sign must report to new teams but can’t participate in physical activities until start of league year Aug. 4.
  • Aug. 4, 4:01 p.m. ET: Clubs must be within salary cap.

 A shortened pre-season may have a huge impact on some teams particularly those with new head coaches. Eight of them essentially start from Square One in late July rather than mid-March. Leslie Frazier (Vikings), Jason Garrett (Cowboys), Hue Jackson (Raiders) and Mike Munchak (Titans) are at least familiar with their teams after serving on staff before their promotions. John Fox (Broncos), Jim Harbaugh (49ers), Ron Rivera (Panthers) and Pat Shurmur (Browns) will have a lot more ground to cover as they try to restore the luster to some of the prouder franchises in the league.

Continuity could pay off more than ever for stable franchises like the Ravens, Packers, Colts, Patriots, Jets, Eagles and Steelers. Their coaching staffs and systems have been in place for years. And these largely seasoned teams won’t be hurt as much as others who need more hitting, technique work and live repetitions in newly regulated practices.

Undrafted rookies may really pay after failing to land with a team in April’s draft. These players will be scooped up this week, but they could be even more hamstrung than their drafted peers as they battle for playing time and practice reps while trying to absorb sophisticated playbooks that they’re just receiving. And with veterans protected by the labor settlement’s new practice rules limiting contact, “camp bodies” may earn even fewer chances to shine.

Some notable trades and free agent signings of high profile players are already in the pipeline, and several well known quarter backs have jumped on the bandwagon. Donovan McNabb will be traded from the Redskins to the Vikings after agreeing to restructure his contract. Kelvin Kolb has been traded to the Cardinals from the Eagles for Dominique Rodgers-Cromarti who certainly rolls off the tongue.

 Matt Hasselbeck released by the Seahawks following 10 years of sterling service has signed a multi-year deal with the Titans. Movement of prominent quarter backs will continue unabated when the Dolphins and Broncos can broker a deal involving Kyle Orton moving to Miami.

Other big names on the trading radar include Reggie Bush agreeing to move to the Dolphins from the Saints. In a surprise move, malcontent Albert Haynesworth will be playing for the Patriots this coming season following his trade from the Redskins, aided and abetted by the narcissitic Chad Ochocinco who has joined the New England mile high club from the Bengals on a 3-year deal. Sidney Rice, one of the top wide receivers in the league, has jumped the Vikings ship and signed a five-year deal with the Seahawks.

On the local level, the Atlanta Falcons have several free agents who cannot all be re-signed under the constraints of the salary cap. The offensive line was one of the team’s success stories from last season, but three of its players are free agents: Tyson Clabo, Harvey Dahl, and Justin Blaylock. Clabo for example is looking for an improved contract compatible with the highest paid tackles in the league.

This presents a problem because the defensive line needs strengthening, but there maybe insufficient money available to sign a high quality defensive end to complement John Abrahams. Justin Babin would have proved a great fit for the Falcons but he has just signed for the Eagles. Ray Edwards is another highly touted defensive end but his financial demands could not be accommodated by the Falcons.

Fasten your seatbelts; the entertainment is only just beginning on the NFL  carousel. Merry Christmas.

Postscript: Friday afternoon, 29th July. Following a slow start the Falcons suddenly were buzzing. Free Agent Tyson Clabo was signed to a five year deal. Meanwhile former first round draft picks Jamaal Anderson and surprisingly Michael Jenkins were released this morning freeing $8 million under the salary cap. This was obviously part of a bigger plan since they later  signed defensive end Ray Edwards. As mentioned earlier in my post I wasn’t sure we could afford Edwards but then I do not have access to the  psyche of  general manager Thomas Dimitroff.

On the downside, offensive guard Harvey Dahl has signed for the Rams thus breaking up the effective tandem with Tyson Clabo. This was almost inevitable in view of the salary cap constaints and free agents looking for the big pay day. Another notable move involved punter Michael Koenen signing for division rivals Tampa Bay Bucs for exorbitant money; $19 million over 6 years with $6 million guaranteed.

I hope my son is reading this. To be continued………..

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