Time To Go To Work

April 28th, 2011

Joe has obtained from a source a document the NFL is sending to all NFL players concerning the current legal mess the NFL owners have found themselves in.

Apparently fearing charges of contempt of court, Friday at 8 a.m., the NFL will officially be back to work for current players. Below are the salient points of the memo:

1. Players will be permitted to use club facilities for physical examinations, rehabilitation and medical treatment, as scheduled by the club.

2. Clubs will be permitted to distribute playbooks, game film and other similar materials to players.

3. Coaches may meet with players for the purpose of discussing any materials distributed to players under item 2 above, as well as the club’s off-season workout program, its schedule of mini-camps, Organized Team Activities (“OTAs”), and other similar matters.

4. Voluntary off-season workout programs, including OTAs and classroom instruction, may begin subject to the rules in Article XXXV of the 2006 CBA and Appendix L. Participating players will be paid $130 per day, provided the player fulfills the club’s reasonable off-season workout requirements. Such workouts will count toward the requirements of any off-season workout bonus in the player’s contract.

5. On days during which no official off-season workouts or OTAs are scheduled under item 4 above, nothing shall prevent the club from permitting any player to use the club facility to work out on his own on a voluntary, unpaid basis during normal business hours, or such other hours as may be set by the club, provided: (i) there is no participation or supervision by any coach, trainer or other club personnel; and (ii) the club has first verified that the player has an existing medical insurance policy in place. Players without such personal coverage should not be permitted to work out at the club facility on an unsupervised basis under this item 5, but may do so under item 4 above. Unsupervised workouts will not count toward the requirements of any off-season workout bonus in the player’s contract. This item 5 will apply both prior to and after the commencement of the club’s official off-season workout program.

6. Mandatory and voluntary mini-camps may begin subject to the rules in Article XXXVI of the 2006 CBA.

7. The league office will promptly make arrangements to resume counseling, rehabilitation and treatment activities in connection with the substances of abuse and steroid programs. We will advise clubs as to when and on what basis testing will commence.

8. Players may participate in club-sponsored charitable and community relations events.

Tomorrow, the league is expected to distribute to all players the guidelines for “player transactions (such as signings, trades of player contracts, terminations, tryouts, etc.)” and the date of the NFL 2011 calendar year.

6 Responses to “Time To Go To Work”

  1. Chris FWC :) Says:

    YESSSSSSSSSSSSS! Great news!

  2. MakoPSK Says:

    Nice work Joe! Good news too!

  3. Jack Carter Says:

    The Owners have got to be tired of losing……0-4 record. Maybe time for a new coach!

  4. Pete Dutcher Says:

    Joe,

    Will they be able to do trades and free agent signings?

  5. Mauha Deeb Says:

    I hope this makes for public practices.

  6. gitarlvr Says:

    Joe- Well that certainly was a verbose post. But the bottom line is football’s back baby!!! YEAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!! NFL draft tonight!!!! And then we only have to wait 4 more months for kickoff!! Wait. Four months?? Thats not fair. Why do I feel like Hockey, Baseball and Basketball last twice as long as football? I can’t take it. They need to give these guys bionic implants or something so they can play like a 25 game season. I feel like I’ve waited forever just for the draft to get here only to have to wait four more freaking months for the season to start. I think I need football fan rehab.