Tag Archives: nfl training camp

NFL Lockout Is Over: Everything You Need to Know

After 132 excruciating days, the NFL Lockout is over. Today, the NFLPA agreed to a the CBA that was voted on by the owners last week, effectively ending the NFL Lockout.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith held a joint press conference in Washington earlier today, announcing the new 10-year agreement. “It’s been a long time coming,” Goodell said. “Football is back and that’s the good news.”

I have to apologize for the lack of activity over the past few months, but I didn’t want to write posts about the lawsuits, the 8th Circuit Courts, mediators, and DeMaurice Smith’s hats. I could go on about the absurdness of the NFL Lockout, but I’ll save that for another time.

The NFL Is back and it’s time to celebrate. I assembled a bunch of links to get you educated on the new NFL CBA and what is going to happen in the coming days, plus celebrate the return of the NFL. (Come back everyday for new and fresh material. I’ll keep you up to date on the frenzy that is about to take place starting tomorrow.)

This is a good article that sums up the new NFL CBA in a nutshell.

This is a handy calendar outlining the key dates and events for the abridged NFL offseason.

The Evolution of the Touchdown Dance:

Find out when your favorite team kicks off training camp.

Great gesture by Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday, individually thanking New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

In case you wanted to relive the NFL Lockout, a timeline of how we got here.

Don’t forget that Madden NFL 12 is coming out soon:

And finally … ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL??????????

Training Camp Injury Bug

Training Camps are starting to head into full gear now and with that comes the unfortunate but unavoidable injury bug.

In the past two days alone 3 starters went down with season ending injuries.

It doesn’t get much worse than losing a valued member of the team just as the summer starts and in some cases before full pads are even on.

For the Eagles, Panthers, and Bengals who were the teams to suffer these injuries and now have to deal with them we feel your pain.

Kemoeatu (torn Achilles tendon) was one of three players to suffer season ending injuries recently

Let’s start with Stewart Bradley, middle linebacker of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Bradley tor his ACL in practice on Sunday but actually walked off the field under his own power but the injury proved to be much more serious.

Bradley led the Eagles in tackles last season in only his first year as a starter.  Many expected a breakout season from Bradley but that will have to wait a year.  He wore the defensive headset and his leadership will be missed.

The Eagles will replace him with Omar Gaither, who actually started in the middle in 2007 but is not the same caliber player that Bradley is.  The Eagles also just signed former Chargers linebacker Matt Wilhelm for depth.

Training Camp Battles

Who will it be for the Jets? Sanchez or Clemens?

With some NFL training camps already beginning we’re that much closer to the NFL season.  Before we get there training camp has to play out and in these long summer days players will be battling to see the field come the regular season.  Here are some of the most intriguing battles with predicted opening day starters.

Jets Quarterback: Mark Sanchez vs. Kellen Clemens

Sanchez is clearly the future for the Jets but is he the present? The two enter training camp on equal footing but Clemens will have to severely outplay Sanchez to get the job. Coach Rex Ryan wants Sanchez to play but the fours years in the system will certainly help Clemens. Expect preseason game perfomance to be key in this battle.

Opening Day Starter: Sanchez- The Jets want to play smash mouth football and won’t make Sanchez do a lot in his rookie year.

Giants Receivers: Domenik Hixon vs. Steve Smith vs. Hakeem Nicks vs. Sinorce Moss

The Gimats offense floundered late last season without Plaxico Burress and replacing him wont be easy.  That being said the Giants have a number of candidates for the job.   Smith is a solid possession receiver who lead the Giants in catches last year but doesn’t have the talent to be a go to guy.  Nicks is a talented rookie whose time will come but it’s tough for rookie wide receivers to produce right away.  Moss has great speed and would be best utilized in the slot but he can’t manage to stay on the field.  Hixon filled in for Burress last season and did an admirable job but struggled with consistency.