NFL Draft 2011: The Lockout Is over but Can the NFL Block Draft-Day Trades?

U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson has denied the NFL's request to stay the ruling that put NFL players back to work, saying the league "has not met its burden for a stay pending appeal, expedited or otherwise."

While the league decides how to proceed with free agency, the NFL can't deny that the lockout is over for the foreseeable future. This creates an immediate issue to which Roger Goodell needs to be able to respond.

There is nothing precluding teams from trading players except the NFL, and they have been ordered to resume business as usual.  

The court hasn't ordered free agency to start yet, but, should the Seattle Seahawks wish to send their fifth-round pick to the Cincinnati Bengals for Carson Palmer, there might not be anything that precludes them from doing so.

The league is taking the stance that contractual issues should continue basically as if the lockout was still in effect in regards to signing free agents and making trades. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello has stated that clubs have been notified that they should continue to follow the current rules and practices (no free agency and no trades) until informed otherwise.

While the NFL has been given time to figure out free agency rules, direction on allowing trades has not been specifically addressed. The league has simply been told to start their league year. 

In their motion for a stay of Judge Nelson's ruling, the NFL argued that "absent a stay, it will be impossible to restore the parties to their respective positions as of April 25, 2011, if this Court determines that the District Court's Order was in error.  Nor would it be possible to unscramble the egg in terms of player transactions (trades, signings, cuts) that would occur in the interim."

The social club known as the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) feels differently.  

In a letter to players and agents, they stated "we believe the 2011 League Year now has to begin; the Clubs must open their facilities to allow players to work out, meet with coaches and otherwise perform their jobs; and the NFL and the Clubs cannot collectively continue to refuse to deal with players."

This leaves the league in a precarious position should two clubs have a strong interest in making a deal this weekend. The league has been told to start their year, which normally would involve allowing teams to make trades.  

Carson Palmer wants to be traded and Pete Carroll has reportedly shown an interest in making a deal to bring him to Seattle. If the league attempts to block a trade of the disgruntled quarterback, how long will it take the NFLPA to press for the league to be held in contempt?

It isn't likely to take too long.  

The NFLPA also stated in their letter that the NFL and its teams "will be in contempt of court if they do not comply with the order unless and until they hear differently from the Eighth Circuit (the NFL has filed an appeal with the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals)."

The concern with unscrambling the egg relative to player trades seems trivial. Why would it matter to the NFL if teams make personnel decisions? New contracts aren't being signed, but what is the potential harm if a team exchanges a player for draft picks in this weekend's draft? Does the NFL really expect any of us to believe it will matter once free agency begins?

The draft could be a wild, chaotic ride should the NFL not change their stance on trades in the next few hours. It is time for the commissioner to step up and do something in the interest of the fans and the good of the game by allowing trades involving players.

UPDATE: No player transactions today.