NFL fans were thrilled on Monday when the lockout officially ended. They all slept well knowing that a full regular season would take place. The lockout did create a different landscape though, as teams are scrambling to fit an entire offseason into a week. What are the top 10 issues of the post-lockout landscape?
Multiple sports media outlets reported Thursday night that the good will between the owners and the players was high, and a new CBA would be agreed upon by today. The players didn't vote on a new CBA, and claimed that Thursday's ordeal was nothing more than a trick from the NFL's PR marketing machine. Where's the love?
Once the NFL lockout ends, teams will have a lot of work to do in a short amount of time. The New Orleans Saints front office is prepared for the firestorm free agency period, and have already begun post lockout preperations.
Multiple news reports over the last 72 hours have stated that significant progress has been made in the NFL labor impasse between the owners and players. Recently, a report surfaced that DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the NFL players association, secured a secret player insurance fund if football was missed in 2011. Could that have sparked the progress in negotiations?
For the last three training camps, the New Orleans Saints and Houston Texans have held joint practices before they face off in a preseason game. And for the last three years, those practices have been chippy, bad-tempered, sordid, and any other adjective that can replace the word fierce. Due to the NFL lockout, now in its fourth month, the two franchises had to cancel their joint practices.
Just when everyone thought the NFL lockout might be in its last days, it appears as though talks have stalled.
According to sources, players are accusing owners of going back on a proposal that would have given players a straight 48 percent of revenues...
As the longest tenured member of the New Orleans Saints, Jon Stinchcomb has worked through his share of injuries. Take for instance last season, when he injured a knee tendon in Week 7. The 9 year veteran played through it, but needed rehab at season's end. While he's not 100% yet, he's inching closer to it.
New Orleans Saints offensive lineman Zach Strief plays many roles for one of the best front lines in the NFL. As a free agent, the lockout has left the big man in a state of uncertainty. Strief's preference would be to remain in the Crescent City.
Could there be an 8 game NFL season? In the midst of a lockout, the league is preparing for a number of contingency plans. If the lockout isn't settled until October, a contingency plan is in place to have free-agency, training camp, and an 8 game season.
When the NFL owners decided to lockout the players, many looked to Drew Brees for player perspective. In response, Brees has not been shy to express his opinion. He sees an absence of good faith on the part of the owners in their decision to lockout the league.
Less than 24 hours after a federal judges ended the NFL lockout, at least for now, players started showing up for work, only to be told they could enter the building, but were not allowed to work out.
Meanwhile, the NFL has asked for a stay in the ruling, but judge Susan Richard Nelson said she would take at least another day before ruling...
If there is an NFL preseason, the Saints will play at home Weeks 1 and 4, and on the road Weeks 2 and 3. A nationally televised game on NBC against the Oakland Raiders in the 3rd week of the preseason highlights the 4 game slate.
New Orleans Saints pro-bowl middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma is unhappy about the current NFL lockout. "It's never a good look for the fans to have the players and the owners arguing over money," explained Vilma.
New Orleans Saints running back Chris Ivory is sailing through unchartered waters this offseason. The Saints 2010 leading rusher is rehabbing from offseason surgery, and searching for a place to stay in shape during the NFL lockout.