Cole: Changing combine, free agency and draft schedule would force teams to adapt

[WoodysGirl]

This past week, the NFL floated ideas and all of them are aimed at highlighting events such as the scouting combine, the draft and the start of free agency. In addition, the league has talked about having a coordinated day for when all 32 teams will start training camp.

The combine would be moved to March, the start of free agency would be in April and the draft would be in May. Currently, the combine is held in late February, free agency starts on March 12 (this year) and the draft is held in late April.

Training camps generally start anywhere from July 20 to August 1, with teams staggering the dates depending on when their first preseason game is scheduled or how deep they went into the playoffs.

Predictably, the idea of change was met with resistance, but also with a mentality that resistance is futile.

Read the rest: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl--co...225429317.html

[hipfake08]

Originally Posted by WoodysGirl

Predictably, met with resistance, but also that resistance is futile.

Sounds like you bringing home a date....

[Risen Star]

They need to hold the draft before veteran free agency. That would give teams a better idea of what holes need to be filled in FA after the unknown of what you're going to get in the draft.

Hold the draft in March. FA in April.

[Nation]

Originally Posted by Risen Star

They need to hold the draft before veteran free agency. That would give teams a better idea of what holes need to be filled in FA after the unknown of what you're going to get in the draft.

Hold the draft in March. FA in April.

I don't think that should matter, as it has been proven that best player available is a better way of drafting than needs-based.

Players Association will never go for this, for the record.

[Iago33]

Free agency after the draft would allow a purer BPA draft.

Why are they thinking of pushing back the schedule?