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Published on 07/24/2011 at Sun Jul 24 15:22.
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Schefter: It’s A Done Deal, Only Formalities Remain

Posted Sun Jul 24th by

Schefter

Schefter is a guy that's usually in the know, which solidifies the report. (ESPN File Photo)

We know you’ve heard this a thousand times before, but it again looks as if the end of the lockout is in sight.

The NFL Players Association and the league’s owners have reached agreement on the remaining points needed in their 10-year labor deal, sources from both sides said.

Despite the fact the new agreement will require a majority vote from the players, that part of the deal between the two sides is considered a formality, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

The NFLPA is making plans for a major press conference Monday. But first the player reps’ executive committee is scheduled to fly to Washington, D.C., on Sunday so they can vote Monday.

In short, the players basically have to ratify the deal and football will be back again.  Reportedly, if a new deal is reached Monday, Training Camps will start Wednesday with Free Agency beginning on Saturday.

There will be many changes under the new CBA, three of which are touched on after the jump.

  • In-season padded practices will decrease dramatically.
Orton talks with teammates

Bronco players will undoubtedly enjoy less physical practice sessions. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

In addition to getting to practice without pads the first three sessions of Training Camp and eliminating two a days, players will only have to pad up fourteen times during the regular season.  That’s right, during the 17 week regular season stretch, team’s will be allowed a maximum of only 14 padded practices.  Team’s that make the playoffs will be permitted one practice per week during the post season.  Such a limited amount of contact practices may be cause for concern, as it could cause game-day injuries to increase.

  • Rookie contracts will also decrease dramatically.

As has been touched on previously, the new Rookie Wage Scale (RWS) will affect linebacker Von Miller more than other Bronco.  The 2010 second overall selection, Ndamukong Suh, received a 5-year, $60 million contract that including $40 in guaranteed money.  Under the new RWS, Miller could see a contract in the range of $20 million with as little as $10 million in guaranteed money.

  • Undrafted Free Agents and practice squad players will be paid more reasonably.

The new minimum salaries for players will be raised to $50,000 and will increase over time.  This will affect a large number of players.

We’ll have more updates for you this week, hopefully about the lockout being lifted and what comes next.

  • steeplebomb

    I'm liking what they've done, but only 14 padded practices during the regular season seems like a very small number.  Teams will have fewer padded practices than games.  Anyone have any idea what the norm was before this?  I have to agree with Jon that this seems like it would increase the chances for game-day injuries.  How many times have we seen someone come in late to training camp and get injured immediately?  They may be more well rested, but they haven't acclimated to the more physical elements of the game.  We'll see I guess.

    Anyway, Yeeeyyaaaaahhh Football.

  • http://Facebook.com/BroncosZone Jon

    I believe teams practiced with pads 2-4 times a week before.  Usually they go light on Monday (or sometimes even have off) then practice with pads Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and do walktrough's on Friday/Saturday.  Not completely certain, but I think it worked something like that.

    This is really sounding good about the CBA, Patrick
    Smyth, Denver's Executive Director of Media Relations, just
    tweeted that John Elway, John Fox, Brian Xanders, Pat Bowlen and Joe
    Ellis are all at Dove Valley today working hard, which is a great sign
    that they are preparing for a big day on Monday!

    Now don't anyone screw it up again! I just want some football.

  • anthony33

    How did times last week did reporters from ESPN say it would be over within a day??  I'll believe it when I see it. They even had commercials touting it was over.  They've lost a lot of credibility in my book.  Mort and Mr. Peabody have been wrong for three weeks now.

  • areferee

    “Schefty” still has credibility, as far as I am concerned, but they are all forgetting one not-so-minor detail, and that is the player's vote. 

    As a long-time union member, no matter what the union officers may recommend, the “rank and file” must ratify what has been agreed to during negotiations.  The players may not agree.  This missing detail could be a fly in the ointment. 

    I suspect they will vote in the affirmative, but there is no guarantee.

    As to injuries being at greater risk with fewer contact scrimmages, I couldn't disagree more.  Most injuries are a result of contact.  Some injuries are caused by poor conditioning and others by sheer happenstance.  If the players are in condition, the risk of injuries will remain the same after the season starts, but will be slightly reduced in the preseason as a result of the new ruling.

  • http://thingsatrexdoes.tumblr.com Mike Birtwistle

    What I don't get from this is – and this is just a generic non CBA related moan – can you practise in pads but not hit each other?  Because I would've thought carrying, catching and throwing a football is a lot different wearing all that medieval armour than it is in soft shells.

    Also why can't teams practise tacking and “hitting” without pads.  It would certainly help on the fundamentals such as being able to tackle someone without just putting your shoulder into their chest.

  • http://thingsatrexdoes.tumblr.com Mike Birtwistle

    In my first years in the union I used to read everything they sent to me and make an informed decision, which normally corresponded to what the national congress recommended.  Now-a-days I simply tick the box. they want me to.  I figure my representatives know more than I do.

  • MrEast

    I'll believe it when I actually see a regular season game. I can't risk getting my hopes up again.

  • Guest

    i believe they are referring to full pad contact workouts.  teams often practice in 'shells' which are basically helmets and shoulderpads- i dont think those will be affected.

  • td30ismpv

    This is the rare instance I disagree with you.  Less hits in practice will make less (dumb) injuries, you are correct that the in game injuries will not decline.  Most of these guys are in fantastic shape and limiting the amount of hits will help with the punishment to their bodies, I have seen it coaching the kids we had way too many issues with hurting our guys before the game with intense practices.  It's those damned “happenstance” injuries this will cut down on.

  • herc_rock

    Shanahan hardly ever went full pads during the season.  A few times a year, tops.    Also, Tuesday is a league-wide day off – no practices.

  • herc_rock

    It's in the players best interest now to delay a vote for as long as possible.   If they can drag it out another week or so, they can wipe out a preseason game or two – which they (and everyone else) hate.  And get a little payback from the owners on top of it all. 

    PR wise, it would be a disaster move, but you know someone brought it up.

  • Guest

    the trickle down effect of that is it will make the overall revenue go down, eventually shrinking the salary cap number somewhat.  it would likely be a pretty small hit per team, but if the league loses revenue, the players lose that from the portion that they receive in the form of paychecks.

  • areferee

    I'm not sure I see any disagreement.  I agree with your post!  (?)

  • td30ismpv

    “As to injuries being at greater risk with fewer contact scrimmages, I couldn't disagree more.”

    That was the quote I disagreed with.  Typo?

  • td30ismpv

    ooops, dummy reading without drinking coffee first…I fully agree with that statement.

  • TD30isMVP

    This is the rare instance I disagree with you.  Less hits in practice will make less (dumb) injuries, you are correct that the in game injuries will not decline.  Most of these guys are in fantastic shape and limiting the amount of hits will help with the punishment to their bodies, I have seen it coaching the kids we had way too many issues with hurting our guys before the game with intense practices.  It's those damned “happenstance” injuries this will cut down on.

  • herc_rock

    Shanahan hardly ever went full pads during the season.  A few times a year, tops.    Also, Tuesday is a league-wide day off – no practices.

  • herc_rock

    It's in the players best interest now to delay a vote for as long as possible.   If they can drag it out another week or so, they can wipe out a preseason game or two – which they (and everyone else) hate.  And get a little payback from the owners on top of it all. 

    PR wise, it would be a disaster move, but you know someone brought it up.

  • Guest

    the trickle down effect of that is it will make the overall revenue go down, eventually shrinking the salary cap number somewhat.  it would likely be a pretty small hit per team, but if the league loses revenue, the players lose that from the portion that they receive in the form of paychecks.

  • areferee

    I'm not sure I see any disagreement.  I agree with your post!  (?)

  • TD30isMVP

    “As to injuries being at greater risk with fewer contact scrimmages, I couldn't disagree more.”

    That was the quote I disagreed with.  Typo?

  • TD30isMVP

    ooops, dummy reading without drinking coffee first…I fully agree with that statement.