The longest lockout in the history of the National Football League is over. Now, what may be the shortest free agency period in NFL history is about to begin. The Detroit Lions are expected to be busy during the whirlwind of player trades and signings during the next few days.
Lions team president Tom Lewand released this statement yesterday on the deal agreed to by the players and owners.
“First and foremost, we are happy for our fans because all they ever wanted was for us to play football and, thankfully, that’s what we are getting ready to do. This agreement is a big win for NFL football and for all NFL fans because it helps secure the long-term health of our game.
“It is a fair deal for players and teams. We will be able to grow the game and appropriately share that growth with our players as partners. It is a deal that places a high priority on player safety and on the integrity of our game.
The Lions released this timetable detailing the off the field and on the field schedule between now and the kickoff of the fall 2011 season.
July 26
At 10:00 a.m., New York time, Club facilities open. Players may report for physicals and voluntary strength and conditioning.
At 10:00 a.m., New York time, Trading begins for 2011 League Year.
Rosters expanded to ninety (90) man limit.
At 10:00 a.m., New York time, Clubs may negotiate with and SIGN their own Drafted Rookies and any Undrafted Rookie. Clubs may have such players report to the Club’s facilities for physical examinations prior to signing.
All 2011 Contracts signed on or after July 26 shall be binding upon the player and the Club when signed, but shall not become effective unless a CBA is ratified by the NFLPA (August 4)
At 10:00 a.m., New York time, Clubs may NEGOTIATE with, but not sign, or extend Offer Sheets to, their own UFAs, RFAs, Exclusive Rights Players and Franchise Players and other Clubs’ UFAs, RFAs, non-exclusive Franchise Players and free agents.
July 26-27
A Club may require a player to report for a mandatory physical examination in order for the player to qualify for any bonus in a preexisting contract if the “measuring date” for such a bonus has been changed pursuant to CBA Article 11 (Transition Rules for the 2011 League Year).
July 27
Camp opens for ten Clubs whose first preseason game is on August 11 (ARZ, BLT, DAL, DEN, JAX, NE, OAK, PHI, SD, SEA)
July 28
Camp opens for ten Clubs whose first preseason game is on August 12 (ATL, CIN, DET, KC, MIA, NO, PIT, SF, TB, WAS)
At 4:01 p.m., New York time, waivers begin for the 2011 League Year
July 29
Camp opens for ten Clubs whose first preseason game is on August 13 (BUF, CAR, CHI, CLV, GB, IND, MIN, NYG, STL, TEN)
At 6:00 p.m., New York time, Clubs may SIGN, or extend Offer Sheets to, all eligible players, in addition to Drafted and Undrafted Rookies. Clubs may have such players report to the Club’s facilities for physical examinations prior to signing. Eligible players may visit or try out at any Club facility.
Veteran players who sign Player Contracts on or after 6:00 p.m., New York time, on July 29 shall be required to report to, and remain with, their Clubs, except that, prior to the start of the 2011 League Year on August 4, such players may not participate in on-field activities, workouts, weight training or other physical activities, but shall be required to attend meetings, classroom instruction and any other non-physical activities scheduled during the Club’s preseason training camp.
The restrictions set forth above shall not apply to Drafted or Undrafted Rookies who are under contract, regardless of the date upon which such players signed their Player Contracts. If any such player is injured as the result of participating in training camp activities, the terms of the player’s contract shall cover such injury whether or not the CBA is ratified.
If a preexisting contract contains a “measuring date” related to Salary and/or the exercise or non-exercise of any Club option, which measuring date: (A) was expressed as a calendar date that fell between March 11, 2011 and July 25, 2011 or (B) was expressed solely as being related to a certain number of days from the start of the 2011 League Year, such measuring date shall be deemed amended to be 4:00 p.m., New York time on July 29, 2011, provided the player has undergone any physical examination required by the Club on July 26 or 27. If the player fails or refuses to undergo such physical, as directed by the Club, the measuring date shall be extended by one day for each day the player fails to report for the physical.
July 31
Camp opens for two Clubs whose first preseason game is on August 15 (NYJ, HST)
AUGUST
August 4
First day of 2011 League Year at 4:01 p.m., New York time, assuming NFLPA has ratified the CBA
Top 51 begins at 4:01 p.m., New York time
All Clubs must be within the Salary Cap at 4:01 p.m., New York time
All 2011 contracts signed on or after July 26 become effective at 4:01 p.m., New York time, assuming NFLPA has ratified the CBA
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: if a Drafted Rookie has not signed a Player Contract by August 12, 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 pre-season 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 18-22
Second Preseason Weekend
August 20
Deadline for signing of Offer Sheets by Restricted Free Agents
Deadline for June 1 Tender to Unrestricted Free Agents. If the player has not signed a Player Contract with a Club by September 3, he may negotiate or sign a Player Contract from September 3 until the Tuesday following the tenth week of the regular season, at 4:00 p.m. New York time, only with his Prior Club
August 24
Deadline for Old Club to exercise Right of First Refusal to Restricted Free Agents
August 25
Deadline for June 1 Tender to Restricted Free Agents who have received a Qualifying Offer for a Right of First Refusal Only. The Prior Club shall be the only Club with which the player may negotiate or sign a Player Contract during the period from August 25 until the Tuesday following the tenth week of the regular season.
August 25-28
Third Preseason Weekend.
August 30
Possible roster reduction from 90 players to 75 players
SEPTEMBER
September 1-2
Fourth Preseason Weekend.
September 3
Signing Period ends for Unrestricted Free Agents who received the June 1 Tender.
Roster reduction to 53 players
September 5
Deadline for June 15 Tender to Restricted Free Agents. If player’s Qualifying Offer is greater than 110% of the player’s prior year’s Paragraph 5 Salary (with all other terms of his prior year contract carried forward unchanged), the Club may withdraw the Qualifying Offer on September 5 and retain its exclusive negotiating rights to the player, so long as the Club immediately tenders the player a one-year Player Contract of at least 110% of his prior year’s Paragraph 5 Salary, with all the terms of his prior year’s contract carried forward unchanged.
September 8-12
First Regular Season weekend.
September 18-19
Second Regular Season weekend
September 20
Deadline at 4:00 p.m., New York time, for any Club that designated a Franchise Player to sign such player to a multi-year contract or extension. After this date, the player may sign only a one-year contract with his Prior Club for the 2011 season, and such contract may not be extended until after the Club’s last regular season game.
