Hoping to avoid canceling the first week of preseason games, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and players union leader DeMaurice Smith continued to negotiate a labor agreement Saturday.
There is hope the players will vote to ratify the proposed collective bargaining agreement Monday, following the lead of the owners, who Thursday accepted the proposal with a 31-0 vote.
There is sentiment that if the labor impasse is not resolved early this week, the league would have to cancel its first week of preseason games, including the Broncos’ date with the Cowboys in Dallas on Aug. 11.
Perhaps NFL fans have heard something similar to this before.
On the main floor of the Broncos’ football headquarters, where the players kibitz, laugh, cut up, get treatment and swap stories about their summer vacation in locker and meeting rooms, all was quiet.
Players did not report to their team facilities Saturday, as Goodell announced would happen during a news conference Thursday in Atlanta.
It was busy upstairs at Dove Valley. Broncos general manager Brian Xanders educated his player personnel department on what he learned of the new salary cap, transaction and practice rules during his visit to Atlanta last week.
If the players ratify the proposal Monday, the Broncos would likely begin the business of signing their own draft picks and undrafted college free agents on Wednesday. The veteran free-agent signing period and report date for training camp could be anywhere from Wednesday to Friday.
The Broncos’ first workout under new coach John Fox is tentatively scheduled for 8:50 a.m. Thursday at the team’s practice fields, although it could be pushed back to Friday. Training camp sessions are open to the public, with free admission and parking.
Updates.
With or without a brief window to re-sign their own free agents, the Broncos are unlikely to prevent defensive tackle Marcus Thomas or offensive tackle Ryan Harris from jumping into the large free-agent market that would open Wednesday.
The Broncos would like to re-sign both, although it remains to be seen through their offers whether they are counting on Harris and Thomas to be starters.
If not, Harris and Thomas will test the market to see if a starting job, with starting money, is out there.
Harris, a three-year starter at right tackle, figures to get offers from zone-blocking teams, a group that includes Washington, Houston, Seattle and Oakland.
“Right now, all signs point to hitting the open market,” Harris said. “We’ll see what the Broncos really want to do.”
At right corner.
In light of Perrish Cox’s legal problems, it’s worth pointing out that he started nine games last season primarily because Andre Goodman was out with a quad injury. Goodman will begin camp as the Broncos’ starting right cornerback with Champ Bailey at left cornerback.
Goodman will soon turn 33; Bailey just turned 33.
No tackle football.
Among the concessions owners gave players in the proposed CBA was a drastic reduction in contact practice. Get this: During the 17-week regular season, coaches can have only 14 full-pad practices — 11 in the first 11 weeks, three in the final six weeks.
One smart-aleck comment on the bottom of Pro Football Talk’s blog asked if the players also demanded tea and crumpets during timeouts.
“Especially, later in the season it’s just not needed,” Harris said. “You either know how to play with shoulder pads in Week 15 or you don’t.”
There were seasons when Mike Shanahan rarely had his players practice in pads. Then there was the two-season Josh McDaniels regime. Raised in the Bill Belichick coaching system where most practices were in full pads, McDaniels believed a tougher, physical football team started with physical practices.
“It will be easier for some coaches than others to adjust,” Harris said. “As players, it will cut down on the wear and tear on the bodies. There’s no sense beating up the body, especially with all the concussion research coming out.”
