After months of negotiations, it appears as if the NFL will be back for the 2011 season and I couldn't be happier.
Not because football is back, because let's face it, we all knew there would be football this fall. No, I'm happy because the relentless coverage of courtroom meetings, 11th hour negotiations and footage of Kevin Mawae entering a building is finally over. The millionaires and billionaires have agreed and there will be football.
This offseason has sucked so badly for fans of the NFL. I realize that guys like Albert Breer and Adam Schefter busted their asses all offseason long covering these negotiations but after a while these lockout articles started to turn into reader repellent. I mean, picture one of the Oakland Raiders' nutbag fans sifting through all the legalese in each of these articles and reports. After a while, many fans (including myself) tuned out coverage of the lockout. I'd rather hear about it when the deal is actually done. Call me when training camp starts.
In New England, most fans survived the spring and summer thanks to the Bruins' historic Stanley Cup run and the Red Sox' pursuit of another World Series title. But can you imagine living in a place like Jacksonville, where football is literally the only thing going on? Jeez, at least we have three other pro sports teams to divert our attention.
Since the draft, there has been nothing of importance other than the negotiations. I for one am ready to start talking about rookie contracts, free agent signings, trades and QB controversies. Shit, I'll even settle for a few Rex Ryan quotes if it means football is going to be on my television every Sunday and Monday. It just feels good to have this sort of normalcy return to my fall and winter weekends.
The worst part about the lockout is just how needless it was. The league was not in financial trouble, in fact last year was the NFL's most profitable year ever. Darren Rovell from CNBC even estimated that the league could financially survive a three year lockout under their current CBA. In many ways, it seemed like a faux crisis that was designed by the owners, whose failure to show their complete financial records near the beginning of the lockout reeked of shadiness.
No matter anymore, as business will pick up quickly this week. Teams can sign UFAS and their own draft picks starting tomorrow morning, with free agency following on Wednesday. Training Camps will open up on Thursday for many teams.
Just take a deep breath and be happy that America's Game is back, not that it technically went anywhere.
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