Gritt23
New member
It may seem early to make a start, but there is always something keeping you interested in the NFL if you are enough of an anorak.
Yesterday, players began registering in Indy for the Combine, so this seems as good a time as any to kick off the thread for the next season.
For those who are interested to know more about teh off-season timetable:
Combine 22-28th Feb. This is where the best of the college players (328 this year) are invited to Indianapolis to perform a series of workouts in from of the TV cameras and the scouts of the NFL teams. Whether it is the 40-yard dash, or the 225lb bench press, or the vertical leap, it is about showing your skills and raw physical attributes.
Free Agency begins 13th March. This is effectively the transfer window opening up, specifically for players who are free to move teams. There are various rules and regulations that cover these moves, which I won't bore you with here, but essentially an "unrestricted free agent" is free to move wherever he likes, whereas a "restricted free agent" accepts an offer from another team, and his existing team can meet the offer and keep him if they like.
Pro Days. between now and teh Draft, college players will have their own "pro days" which are essentially mini combines, but the players are showcasing their talents according to what THEY want to do, rather than following the laid down programme of the combine.
Draft, 26-28th April. Round 1 is on the Thursday, Rounds 2-3 on teh Friday and the 4-7th Rounds are done on the Saturday. The bulk of the excitemnent is therefore the first day, when the cream of teh crop of college players are selected. For those who don't know, the team with the worst record last season, the Indianapolis Colts, get the first pick of each round of the draft, whereas the best team, the NYG get the 32nd pick. That way, the best new college players go to the weakest teams, and that's how the competition remains so balanced.
The other notable date on the horizon is: March 8th, when Peyton Manning is due a $28m roster bonus. Unless he has been cut, traded or renogiated his contract by then, he will be due that bonus payment despite 12 months and 3 neck surgeries since he last played a game. With the first pick of the draft, the Colts are in prime spot to pick up Andrew Luck in teh draft, so look set to move on. But even so, it will be a BIG decision to cut a man of his stature loose.
Yesterday, players began registering in Indy for the Combine, so this seems as good a time as any to kick off the thread for the next season.
For those who are interested to know more about teh off-season timetable:
Combine 22-28th Feb. This is where the best of the college players (328 this year) are invited to Indianapolis to perform a series of workouts in from of the TV cameras and the scouts of the NFL teams. Whether it is the 40-yard dash, or the 225lb bench press, or the vertical leap, it is about showing your skills and raw physical attributes.
Free Agency begins 13th March. This is effectively the transfer window opening up, specifically for players who are free to move teams. There are various rules and regulations that cover these moves, which I won't bore you with here, but essentially an "unrestricted free agent" is free to move wherever he likes, whereas a "restricted free agent" accepts an offer from another team, and his existing team can meet the offer and keep him if they like.
Pro Days. between now and teh Draft, college players will have their own "pro days" which are essentially mini combines, but the players are showcasing their talents according to what THEY want to do, rather than following the laid down programme of the combine.
Draft, 26-28th April. Round 1 is on the Thursday, Rounds 2-3 on teh Friday and the 4-7th Rounds are done on the Saturday. The bulk of the excitemnent is therefore the first day, when the cream of teh crop of college players are selected. For those who don't know, the team with the worst record last season, the Indianapolis Colts, get the first pick of each round of the draft, whereas the best team, the NYG get the 32nd pick. That way, the best new college players go to the weakest teams, and that's how the competition remains so balanced.
The other notable date on the horizon is: March 8th, when Peyton Manning is due a $28m roster bonus. Unless he has been cut, traded or renogiated his contract by then, he will be due that bonus payment despite 12 months and 3 neck surgeries since he last played a game. With the first pick of the draft, the Colts are in prime spot to pick up Andrew Luck in teh draft, so look set to move on. But even so, it will be a BIG decision to cut a man of his stature loose.
