The Most Important Dates Remaining on NFL Training Camp Schedule

There are two weeks left of training camp. It's a hectic time for NFL teams as they figure out which players will make the final roster cuts, with only two more preseason games left on the schedule in which to evaluate the talent. 

Whenever I think about the month of August, my mind automatically goes to the Christmas song, It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

I'm a big fan of the garbage-time portions of preseason games. This is when those with eyes to see get their first glimpses of the NFL stars of tomorrow. That doesn't mean I'm paying full price to go to the ballpark and watch, but that's a discussion for another time. 

The dog days of summer aren't so bad any more since the new CBA changed all the rules for training camp. Even so, the last couple of weeks in August are a magical time when players who have been previously unknown conquer the odds and their in-camp competition to earn a coveted roster spot.

Let's take a look at the most important dates left on the schedule as we head into Week 1.

August 23 to 26, Preseason Game No. 3

Since teams need to concentrate solely on the bottom half of their roster in the fourth and final game of the preseason, most teams will use Game 3 as the dress rehearsal for their starters. This is the one and only game of the preseason that starters will play well into the third quarter, and it's a crucial time for the starting units to develop chemistry before the games really matter. 

It's also the game when many coaches who aren't completely sold on any starting roster spots will mix and match the guys that they feel give the team the best chance for success, so it's a make-or-break game for many potential starters. 

Guys I'll be specifically watching for include Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks and John Skelton of the Arizona Cardinals—both of whom have an opportunity to lay claim to a starting quarterback spot with a solid performance. 

August 28, Cut Roster Down to 75 Players

This is the first, and lesser, of the two big cut dates teams face on a yearly basis. Although it's never easy to let players go after working with them for months and watching them put forth their best efforts, these cuts aren't anything close to being as difficult as the ones teams must make one week later. 

Some players who get cut will find themselves catching a flight to a different city within hours of their disappointment, while others might not ever get another chance to play for an NFL team in their lifetime.

The NFL is an unforgiving business that chews most players up and spits them out, and only the strongest of the strong survive to become household names.

September 2, Cut Roster Down to 53 Players

This is the big one. Teams must shed 22 roster spots and let many of their favorite camp players walk. This is the date that general managers and coaches dread—not to mention the players involved. 

Many of the players who get cut will receive calls from other teams, as the NFL is just like any other part of life: One man's trash is another's treasure.

Fans dread this day as well, because many players become fan favorites during the preseason, only to be cut at the last moment. 

This is also one of those days that can make or break a general manager. Some players that get cut go on to have monster careers with other teams—something an unforgiving owner may not have the patience for. 

September 3, Sign Players to Practice Squad

Teams are allowed to sign up to eight players to their practice squad. These players are more often than not rookies that teams really like, but who are too raw to make any positive impact on the active roster. 

Being a member of the practice squad means that you get to practice with the team during the week but don't get to suit up on Sundays. It also means you don't get paid as much, but for a player hoping against hope to win a roster spot someday, it's a nice gig. 

Some practice squad players end up playing at some point during the season, too, if the team they play for gets hit with a rash of injuries. 

One week later, the real games begin. 

Which underrated players do you believe deserve to earn a roster spot? Let us know in the comments section below.

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