Offseason: Upcoming Important Dates

Welcome to the off season.
Population: Lots of businessmen, draft nerds, and college kids.

Now, don't let the name confuse you. The off season is everything but off. This is the time of the NFL "season" when contracts are negotiated, trades are made, coaches are fired, collegiate athletes are drafted, and "true" fans of their team are counting down the days to Week 1 of next season. Some fans even argue that it is the best time of the NFL season. While I disagree that it is the better portion of the season, I believe that the NFL off season is indeed very interesting. I mean, don't say that you don't create mock drafts of your own and even hold draft day parties. Truth is, we all love it. The off season is the time to recover from last season's woes and make up a million excuses as to why your team will hold up the Lombardi Trophy next year. The off season; when everybody is high on hopes.

Let's look at the upcoming schedule:

February 5th:
First day that teams may designate franchise or transition players.
Tomorrow is the first day in which teams may place the franchise tag on players. Each team gets one franchise tag to place on any unrestricted free agents they have. It is basically a one year guaranteed contract. Here is a list of the 2009 costs of placing a franchise tag on each position.

Quarterback	$14,651,000
Offensive Linemen	$8,451,000
Wide Receiver	$9,884,000
Running Backs	$6,621,000
Tight end	$4,462,000
Defensive End	$8,991,000
Defensive Tackle	$6,058,000
Linebacker	$8,304,000
Cornerback	$9,957,000
Safety	$6,342,000
Kicker or Punter	$2,483,000

Rumors are swirling around the league that New England QB Matt Cassel will be placed with the team's franchise tag.

February 8th:
The Pro bowl in Hawaii
Still urging for some professional football? The pro bowl is still lurking in the dark. This upcoming Sunday, the AFC all stars and the NFC all stars will clash in Hawaii for conference supremacy. However, there are so many restrictions on this game, one could not possibly call this a football game. No blitzing? No interest! Being a fan of the game, I will tune indeed tune in. You should too.
Click here for complete 2009 pro bowl rosters.

February 18th-24th:
NFL Combine
The meeting place every year for NFL wannabees, NFL scouts, and NFL draft nerds. What a lovely combination. Like every year, the combine will be held in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium. The combine is where collegiate players who are entering the NFL draft to workout and "show-off" their talent and skills. Draft stocks rise and fall faster than stocks in the stock market. If you show up and do very well, you could earn yourself a few hundred thousand or even a few million dollars more. If you show up and suck a muffin, you will most likely drop in the draft and lose out on the cold hard cash. Nothing better than seeing kids under pressure. Competition at its finest!

February 26th:
Deadline for teams to qualify offers to restricted free agents.
Restricted Free Agents are to receive offers from NFL teams, besides the team they are currently with, by this date.
Visit for more information.

February 27th:
Free Agency Begins
The big money day. Top free agents will fly off the free agency shelves at a high price. Will your team acquire a big name free agent to improve for next season? You can only hope. This is the last time an NFL team can improve their team before the NFL draft.
List of Unrestricted Free Agents by position
How much money does your team have to spend?

March 16th:
First day for mini camps and off season workouts
Team off season workouts and mini camps are allowed on this date. It's always nice to get an early look at your favorite NFL team, even if the practices aren't in-depth.

March 22nd-24th:
Annual NFL League Meeting
What new rules will be in place for next season? Well, this year, we saw the elimination of the force-out rule, the decision to defer to the second half during the coin toss, and instant replays covering field goals. All of which were decided at the annual NFL Meeting. Which rules will be put into place for the 2009 season? Stay tuned on these dates.

April 25th-26th:
2009 NFL Draft
The big kahuna. The pinnacle of the NFL off season. When college kids' dreams come true and fans get introduced to their team's next big stars. There is a lot that goes into the draft every year, as it has become a huge television event. The first round takes nearly 5 hours, but rating are always up. Who stares at the television for 15 minutes between every first round pick, all the while listening to Mike Mayock, Todd McShay, and Mel Kiper Jr strut their wings? True NFL fans.
Information on the 2009 NFL Draft

So there you have it. This year's off season. It should be plenty fun and interesting. Just remember, we at Pigskin Pros will cover nearly all of these topics throughout the entire off season, so please stay tuned. The NFL never takes a day off, and neither do we. Happy off season!

-Alec
Alec82@gmail.com
Comments/Emails appreciated