It looks like the NFL lockout is close to ending, as two major hurdles that kept the sides apart seem to have been resolved.
The first is the agreement of a rookie wage scale, which I think is a good thing for the league. Some highlights of that agreement:
• Five-year contracts, with a team option for the fifth year.
• If the team option is exercised, in the fifth year the top 10 picks would receive a salary equal to the average of the top 10 player salaries at their respective positions. That money would be guaranteed if the option is exercised after the third year of the contract.
• If the team option is exercised, in the fifth year picks 11-32 would receive a salary equal to the average of the Nos. 3-25 salaries at their respective positions. That money would be guaranteed if the option is exercised after the third year of the contract.
As to the salary cap number, it appears both sides have agreed to $120 million for the 2011 season. But with no salary cap for the 2010 season, it looks like teams might get a ‘one player exception’ to go over the $120 million.