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Ravage!!!
05-12-2011, 06:14 PM
Old rules would impact final eight
A return to 2010 free-agent system would restrict divisional playoff teams

Clayton By John Clayton
ESPN.com


Just in case the Eighth Circuit Court upholds the ruling of federal judge Susan Richard Nelson to lift the NFL lockout, a group of front-office executives and owners is studying what type of free-agent system to implement.

Ultimately, lawyers would help to decide on the system because they would have to defend it in court. Players could file a suit claiming the new system violates antitrust laws, and the league could be on the hook for treble, or triple, damages. That is why it's possible the league could implement a system different from the 2010 system that requires six years until a player reaches unrestricted free agency. Under those rules, 247 players expected to be unrestricted free agents would become restricted free agents, and with no union, they would claim restraint of trade.


If the league does impose the 2010 system, it will be interesting to see if it brings back the "Final Eight" plan. In an uncapped year, the top eight finishers from the previous season are handcuffed in free agency: The four teams that played in the title games can sign a free agent only if they lose a free agent, and the four teams that lost in the divisional round of the playoffs can sign a player at a modest cost, roughly $3.8 million in the first year.

...rest of article http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=6527565