Last year, the final four rule was over and the Jets was able to sign anyone. What was that date? it was in July or August. Reason. The longer the lockout last, the better chance the final four rule will not be put into place.
That rule is in place for a reason so its likely the league adjusts the date to put the spirit of the rule in effect.
It will likely be a capped season, if that. AFAIK, final 4 rule only applies during uncapped year(s).
It was June 21st for what it's worth. The way things are shaping up I don't think last year's rules will come into play. The appeals court will rule for the owners, the TV case for the players. There will be no deal through the courts at this rate. It's negotiations or bust...or both. Gonna be a LOOOOOONG summer....
If there was ever a chance that last year's rules were going to apply it's over now. The players are going to see how well they do in the TV case and hope to get lucky in the 8th circuit, but once those decisions are final the legal matters should be settled enough that the sides can reach an agreement.
Maybe im wrong, but the longer the holdout is the more LIKELY the final 4 rules are no ? Longer the hold out, means less likely for a new deal to come in place. Which makes them more likely to pull a fuck it at the last mintue and put last seasons rules into place. Unless of course you actually think theyre going to completely revamp everything and make this huge deal last minute in july/august so that they dont miss the regular season
This is exactly what's going to happen. The negotiations aren't tough because they're all that complex-whether draft picks become unrestricted free agents after four years, five years or six years is a pretty easy issue. The negotiatons are tough because there are massive amounts of money involved.
Final 4 rules likely will not apply. If they do, then the date would be changed in the new CBA, cap or no cap. Without a new CBA, there will not be football.
If you are worried about the Final 8 rule (or final four in our case), you are assuming the upcoming season will be uncapped. Final 8 rule were put in place BECAUSE it was an uncapped season. Why? Because the NFL doesn't want a Manchester United/NY Yankees esque teams where the team with the highest budget keeps taking the best players off the FA each year. Teams making the final 8, and then final four have to be good to reach that far, hence all the restrictions on those teams to keep the league competitive. Again, Final 8 rule applies during an uncapped season. If there will be a season, it will be capped in all likelihood.
