Source: NFL Network - Albert Breer
NFL Owners have Ratified to end the lockout. The vote was just completed in Atlanta.
The NFLPA is scheduled to have an 8pm EST conference call, where there could potentially be putting a player vote into place.
This is the first major step towards reaching an agreement for a new CBA, and ending the lockout. We should be seeing football very, very soon.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Injury to force Peyton Manning to miss start of Training Camp
Peyton Manning will watch at least the start of Colts training camp from the sideline, The Indianapolis Star reported Wednesday, citing a source familiar with the quarterback's health situation.
Manning, whose peers voted him the No. 2 player in NFL Network's "Top 100 Players of 2011," had surgery on a disk in his neck in late May, and Colts owner Jim Irsay said afterward that recovery was expected to take six to eight weeks. Last week would have been eight weeks.
NFL.com experts investigate the pressing issues facing each team when the lockout ends: » AFC East: Team needs | Where we left off » NFC East: Team needs | Where we left off » AFC North: Team needs | Where we left off » NFC North: Team needs | Where we left off » AFC South: Team needs | Where we left off » NFC South: Team needs | Where we left off » AFC West: Team needs | Where we left off » NFC West: Team needs | Where we left off |
How much time Manning, a five-time All-Pro, will miss is unknown, according to The Star. But once the lockout ends and Manning is able to meet with the Colts' training staff, a more specific recovery timetable should be available.
Manning's agent, Tom Condon, told NFL Network on Wednesday that his client's recovery is on schedule.
"It's not a great deal," Condon said. "He had surgery in late May. It hasn't been that much time from the surgery.
"He's addressed it as vigorously as he can. He's working out and rehabbing hard. He has not had the advantage of going into the Indianapolis Colts' facility or using their trainers. He's been seen regularly by specialists who all say he's doing well."
The Star reported that Manning, who also had minor surgery to remove calcium buildup in his neck in March 2009, endured recurring problems with his neck last season. He pursued several non-surgical options before deciding to go under the knife again.
Condon also sounded optimistic about working out a new contract for Manning with the Colts, who placed a franchise tag on the quarterback after last season because he was due to become an unrestricted free agent.
"I wouldn't say it's a formality," Condon said. "(Colts vice chairman) Bill Polian and I have done tons of contracts together, notably when Peyton was a rookie and then the next one he just finished, seven years ago. We've always managed to get them done."
Manning is one of the plaintiffs in the Brady et al v. National Football League et al lawsuit that is central to the lockout, and sources told Yahoo! Sports on Tuesday that he and New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees could demand a franchise tag exemption.
Later Tuesday, Condon, who also represents Brees, told The Star neither of his clients are seeking special treatment.
"Asserting anything else is nonsense," Condon said. "Drew and Peyton have been two of the staunchest supporters of the players throughout this process. What they are doing is endorsing the players' (bargaining position), not pursing anything individually."
Arthur Blank believes an agreement will be reached today
Posted by Michael David Smith on July 21, 2011, 10:17 AM EDT
Count Falcons owner Arthur Blank among those who believe an agreement to end the lockout will be reached today.
“Yes, I think so,” Blank told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution when asked if he thinks the deal will get done today. “I’d be disappointed like 330 million people in America if it didn’t get done today.”
For the most part, owners have avoided making predictions about when the lockout will end, but Blank’s statement that the deal should get done today is another sign that the owners are prepared to approve a new Collective Bargaining Agreement before they leave today’s meeting.
Here’s hoping that 23 other owners feel the same way, and that the players vote to approve a deal, too.
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