sbk92

2
Messages
12,134
Reaction score
6
Cowboys to open facility to players on Friday morning

Gerry Fraley / Reporter


While awaiting a word from the Eighth Circuit Court on its request for a stay on a lower-court ruiling that ordered an end ot the lockout, the NFL today relaxed some of the provisions that have limited clubs for the last seven weeks.

If the NFL gets the stay, it will go back to a full-scale lockout. If the request for the stay is denied, the league year could begin as soon as Monday.

Until the court decides, clubs are immediately allowed to contact players to set up medical and rehabilitation activity and to arrange meetings with coaches for activities such as film study and classroom work.

This is significant to the Dallas Cowboys because they have a new defensive coordinator in Rob Ryan. The lockout has kept him from having the classroom sessions needed to start installing his defense.

The other changes, which will start on Friday morning, are:

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

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

+ Coaches may meet with players for the purpose of discussing any materials distributed to players, as well as the club's off-season workout program, its schedule of mini-camps, Organized Team Activities ("OTAs"), and other similar matters.

+ Voluntary off-season workout programs, including OTAs and classroom instruction, may begin subject. 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.

+ On days during which no official off-season workouts or OTAs are scheduled, 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: there is no participation or supervision by any coach, trainer or other club personnel; and the club has first verified the player has an existing medical insurance policy in place.

+ Mandatory and voluntary mini-camps may begin.

+ 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.

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


The NFL expects to set on Friday a procedure for player transactions.
 
Top Bottom