PFT: Source: "Free agency could start at midnight"

[Armchair Quarterback]

Source: Free agency could start at midnight | ProFootballTalk

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

dont count on it, no FA till june now, and no we get to watch a useless draft that mean absolute squat...

 

[Rob0729]

The reason why the NFLPA decertified was to block a lockout so it is conceivable this will happen. Decertifaction does assure a lot of lawsuits, but it does force the league to continue the offseason as if nothing is wrong (probably with last year's rules in place).

I think it is possible it begins tonight, but the league will try to get an injunction to stop it. Granted, my guess is at least a few teams will take advantage of the free agency period to get their prized free agent acquisitions.

 

[BradyBranch39]

"Peyton?"

"Hello, Danny Snyder here. (...) How does 20% of ownership sound?"

 

[jays52]

"Peyton?"

"Hello, Danny Snyder here. (...) How does 20% of ownership sound?"

That's actually a really good point. Equity (albeit much smaller than suggested) would not only serve to circumvent the cap hit, but help fracture the union.

 

[Deus Irae]

Free agency before the draft could benefit the smart teams like the Patriots, because of the sheer volume of available players. On the other hand, Kraft & Co. might be inclined to stinginess (Not meant in a bashing manner, since it would make some pretty solid financial sense) if they don't have a solid number to work with.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

The only way FA occurs is if the owners opt not to lock the players out. And if that's the course they take they will make the interim rules and maybe unsigned Franchise tags will be worth a lot less...but they'd still be available. And that last best offer with the $109M cap will make it less likely the 500 FA see that big day they all been dreamin' about. Because these lawsuits with appeals could drag on for a long, long time.

If they lockout everyone remains in limbo unless the players can get Doty to grant them an injunction against a lockout. Which the owners can then appeal based on they are damned if they do (facing lawsuits by locked out trade association members) do but equally damned if they don't (same trade association members will sue over their formulation of non bargained work rules) because of what they believe is a sham decertification.

 

[stinkypete]

I don't see any team owner shelling any kind of money now. Free agency may start at midnight, but it doesn't mean any free agents sig.