NFL Rumors Regarding the CBA Just Hours Before Deadline

While almost everyone is sure the NFL will not be agreeing to a new CBA before the old one expires on March 4, it also seems likely that at some point a new one will be signed.

With the amount of tension between the two sides, there will definitely be some changes in the NFL the next time games are played.

This slideshow goes into some of the rumors floating around about what could possibly be included in the new collective bargaining agreement and when that agreement could be signed.

Feel free to add any other rumors you have heard below.

No More Restricted Free Agency for Fourth-Year Players

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 28: Sidney Rice #18 of the Minnesota Vikings in action against Asante Samuel #22 of the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 28, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

We can assume this rumor to be almost sure to be true because it comes from a very respected source in Peter King.

In King's Sports Illustrated Monday Morning Quarterback, he says the quote below about the free agency situation.

"It's very likely that when a new CBA happens, unrestricted free agency will revert to the original rules—if you're not franchise- or transition-tagged when unsigned after four or five years, you're free."

King goes on to say that players like Sidney Rice will be effected by this because he has been with the Vikings for four years now.

This obviously would be more beneficial to the players because they could go out and look for bigger contracts without being restricted by their current team.

Deadline Pushed Back

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - MARCH 03: Gates sit outside of the New Meadowlands Stadium, home of the NFL’s New York Jets and New York Giants, March 3, 2011 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Last minute negotiations between the NFL owners and its players union are

Rumors are currently flying around that the deadline could be pushed back a week or two, therefore not locking out the league just yet.

Sports Illustrated's Jim Trotter says that the owners had set a deadline of 11:59 p.m. on Thursday to get a deal done, and if that deadline were to pass, the players would be locked out.

According to Trotter, the players are then in return ready to file antitrust lawsuits against the owners.

Obviously there are legal implications, and the league may need to push the deadline back in order to avoid that.

President Obama Offers His Opinion

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WASHINGTON - AUGUST 09: U.S. President Barack Obama (R) greets members of the New Orleans Saints during a reception for the 2010 National Football League Super Bowl champions in the East Room of the White House August 9, 2010 in Washington, DC. The Saint

The President of the United States has offered his opinion of the situation today, and it seems very similar to that of the rest of the fans of the game.

The following quotes, courtesy of Adam Caplan of Fox Sports, are President Obama speaking about the CBA.

“You’ve got owners, most of whom are worth close to $1 billion. You’ve got players who are making millions of dollars. My working assumption at a time when people are having to cut back, compromise and worry about making the mortgage and paying for their kids’ college education is that the two parties should be able to work it out without the President of the United States intervening.

“I’m a big football fan, but I also think for an industry that is making $9 billion a year in revenue, they can figure out how to divide it up in a sensible way and be true to their fans who are the ones who, obviously, allow for all of the money that they are making. My expectation and hope is that they will resolve it without me intervening because it turns out I have got a lot of other stuff to do.”

These quotes drive home the idea that the players and owners are fighting over more money then almost all of us will make in our lives.

I also agree that Obama should not be spending any time helping the two sides come together—there are actually more important things on his agenda than football.

Are the Dolphins Breaking the CBA Rules?

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 02: Vince Wilfork #75 of the New England Patriots pressures Chad Henne #7 of the Miami Dolphins on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The Miami Herald is reporting that the Miami Dolphins may have broken CBA rules when quarterback Chad Henne admitted to meeting with new offensive coordinator.

According to the NFL, players and coaches are not supposed to meet at this time, and several teams, not including the Dolphins, have been sent warnings.

This is obviously not a massive deal, but Henne should probably be more quiet the next time he meets with his new coach.

It may be a good thing for Henne that the NFL has bigger things on its plate right now that policing these meetings.