Prepare for the lockout to be lifted

Besides updates on the efforts to lift the lockout, this summer has been full of overly saturated stories about  rudimentary details like James Harrison's disparaging remarks about quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, Rashard Mendenhall's comments about the killing of Osama Bin Laden and guestimates of where various soon-to-be high profile free agents will land. Obviously, the media has had no free agency or offseason trades to discuss so they have been left to argue over minor occurrences but if the lockout ends this week, as some are predicting, many of the activities that usually occur during the long eight months of down time will happen in quick succession.

I'm sure teams have analyzed what the assets they have, which ones they still need and how to acquire them in an abbreviated offseason. April's NFL draft allowed teams to select young, talented players at positions each team knew needed to be revamped or upgraded. The Baltimore Ravens selected two wide receivers, one in the second and one in the fourth round, because they recognized the urgency of getting younger at the position. Four of the top twelve picks were quarterbacks taken by teams with losing records. Why? They hope a young first-round quarterback they chose can ignite a change of culture in their organization.
Beyond the three-day draft extravaganza, no other NFL events or transactions (besides the rookie symposium) have been permitted. In fact, those drafted have yet to be signed because no contracts can be agreed upon while the players are locked out. The entire summer has been fueled by speculation. Watching NFL Live on ESPN has been a drag.

Not only will the end of the lockout end this dry spell, it will bring about changes to the league. The way in which rookies are payed may change. Over the past few years, the numbers on the paychecks rookies are being handed have increased exponentially as they are paid for they work they are prospected to do rather than what they have produced at the professional level.

Reportedly the replay rules will change this upcoming season as well. Every time a team scores, the replay official will automatically review the play. This rule was made in hopes of preventing mistakes like Calvin Johnson's end zone catch (or non-catch) in week 1 of the most recent season.