The NFL Is Back! Pats Camp To Open Wednesday
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
One picture said it all.
Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday reached over with his right arm and grabbed Patriots owner Bob Kraft and hugged him.
The hug was symbolic in so many ways.
First, and most importantly, Saturday was showing compassion to a man who had just lost his wife Myra only a week ago. The gesture was heart-felt and genuine.
The hug also symbolized the end of a long and drawn out battle between NFL owners and players who have been haggling over a new collective bargaining deal since the middle of March.
The National Football League’s Players Association agreed to the new CBA which was approved by the league’s owners last week meaning football is back.
Who won in these negotiations? Actually, both sides can claim victory.
Owners were able to get a much-needed rookie wage scale put into place meaning boat loads of guaranteed money will no longer be wasted on high draft picks, many of whom never make it in the league. They also got the numbers they wanted in regard to revenue sharing with the players. The owners receive 53% to the players 47%.
The players scored a major win forcing every team in the league to pretty much spend every dollar up to the salary cap. They also received drastic changes in practice rules which should promote better safety on longevity. They also tabled the idea of expanding the regular season from 16 to 18 games until at least the 2013 season. And even then, the union would have to approve such a move.
Now, things will happen very fast.
Teams will open the doors to their facilities at 10am Tuesday to all players. Wednesday, 10 teams will be allowed to open up their training camp including the New England Patriots.
Also at 10am Tuesday, teams can begin signing their 2011 draft picks and any undrafted free agents they may have targeted. Teams will also be allowed to talk to free agents and to make trades beginning at 10am Tuesday but will not be allowed to sign any player until Friday.
Here is what Patriots fans need to know about their team:
-Training camp officially begins on Wednesday with the first practice open to the public on Thursday at a time that has yet to be announced.
-Here is a list of the Patriots free agents as of today:
Unrestricted:
RB Kevin Faulk
PK Shane Graham
OT Matt Light
DB Brandon McGowan
DB Jarrad Page
DE Gerard Warren
RB Fred Taylor
LB Tracy White
OG Quinn Ojinnaka
RB Sammy Morris
Restricted:
RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis
Franchise Player:
OG Logan Mankins
Yes, the lockout is over and football fans throughout the country are happy again. And it didn’t matter to Jeff Saturday that Bob Kraft was the owner of his team’s biggest rival the New England Patriots. “A special thanks to Myra Kraft,” Saturday said. “Who, even in her weakest moment, allowed Mr. Kraft to come and fight this out. Without him, this thing does not get done.”
Labor peace for the NFL and the hope that Myra Kraft will rest in peace.
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