On the verge of an NBA season to be opening on Christmas day, fans will enter a familiar place where curiosity sets in for their beloved teams and how far they can go this year. However, with the exception of the summer’s draft picks, teams have remained relatively the same since the end of last season due to the lockout prohibiting trading and free agency. Therefore, expectations should be the same.

With free agency set to begin on December 9^th, just sixteen days before the season tips off, several general managers will make significant roster moves that can have a huge impact on the playoff picture at season’s end.

The 2011 class doesn’t contain any stars the way that the 2010 list did with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, but it does possess some interesting talent that can really shake up the final standings in comparison to last year. So out of the dozens of players available which ones should fans hope that their teams go after exactly? Let’s break it down categorically beginning with restricted free agents.

Some of the top restricted free agents include names like Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler and Grizzlies center Marc Gasol. Chandler brings the ability to score from anywhere on the floor, which is why he was a major piece of the trade that sent Carmelo Anthony to New York. Meanwhile, the much improved Gasol brings incredible size with the ability to also shoot at 7’1, 265 pounds.

Other restricted free agents that will spark interest include Nuggets guard Arron Afflalo, Celtics forward Jeff Green, Heat guard Mario Chalmers, and Clippers center DeAndre Jordan for his remarkable athleticism. Although there aren’t any restricted names that jump out as great scorers, there are a few unrestricted ones that could help a team put up points down the stretch to complement their primary threats.

This includes Mavs forward Caron Butler and Magic guard Jason Richardson. Richardson has averaged 18 points per game over his career since coming into the league in 2001, while Butler has averaged 16.6 since beginning a year later in 2002. While Butler did not contribute to the Mavericks title run in 2011 due to injury, three key components on that team will also be available on the 9^th.

Guard J.J. Barea, who brings great energy and a consistent jumper, will be on the market along with teammate forward Tyson Chandler, who adds ferocious defensive intensity and strong rebounding.

Guard Peja Stojakovic, an extremely lethal shooter, helped spread the floor for the offense as well, while hitting a number of big shots throughout his career going all the way back to his early 2000’s days with the Kings.

Every team needs at least one pure three-point threat similar to Stojakovic. The Nuggets’ J.R. Smith, the Hawks’ Jamal Crawford, and the Heat’s James Jones provide excellent shooting for any team that lacks it. Jones won last year’s three point shootout and shot almost 43% from behind the arc, while Crawford and Smith can also score off the dribble as well.

But shooters and scorers won’t be enough to win championships. That can only be done by obtaining size to clog up the paint and rebound, along with lockdown defenders to shut down perimeter scorers in the big moments of a game. Players such as Boston’s Glen Davis, Denver’s Nene and Kenyon Martin, and New Orleans’ David West make the best available big men.

Memphis’ Leon Powe and Shane Battier, Phoenix’s Grant Hill, and Detroit’s Tayshaun Prince are the main desired defenders. Although there are several more players who will become free agents in a matter of days, these seem the vital pawns for a team’s playoff run, and even perhaps to win a championship.

Fans should hope that their teams can acquire any of these players, especially those that played for them last year. While there are other players who seem interesting on paper such as Mavs forward DeShawn Stevenson, Lakers guard Shannon Brown, and Wizards guard Josh Howard – their character issues make them distractions that fans should hope their teams stay far away from.

Image Courtesy of  http://www.flickr.com/photos/ccho/

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The NFL is presently facing one of its worst labor disputes in league history. Countless meetings have been had between the Players Association and the owners in attempts to negotiate the terms of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. The new agreement would in effect end the current lockout of the leagues players, a time fans have been dreaming about for over three months now. Though rumor has it that talks are “heating up,” as of late, a term the media has used all too often to describe the tiniest bit of progress, fans must begin to think about what their lives would be like should the NFL have a shortened season, or worse…no season at all.

Option A: The Shane Falco Effect

For those of you who do not understand the reference, immediately stop reading, google Shane Falco, and watch the corresponding movie. Seriously, stop.

Still here? Great.

Roger Goodell has stated that the league has no plans of using replacement players whatsoever as a bridge between the lockout and the supposed regular season. There really is no reason not to believe him, except for the the fact that he has also stated that he fully expects there to be a full NFL season and seems cool as a cucumber in every one of his interviews. Clearly he is hiding something.

A commissioner, with the media the way it is today, could never realistically reveal to the leagues loyal fans that he is contemplating replacing its all-world athletes with some broken down ex-college players who could never quite make it in the league. Granted, for those guys who just missed getting drafted, or wouldn’t be looked at ever again because of some horrific career ending injury, this could be a second chance and a dream come true.

In fact, in 1987 the league used replacements went the players went on strike early in the year. Sure, most stadiums were empty compared to what they normally had been. Fans didn’t know the names and numbers of every player, stat-lovers (the fantasy players of today) were finding day-jobs, and the players barely knew the routes they were running. The funny thing about all of that was, many fans still tuned in.

Eventually the players crossed and all went back to normal, but it was sure an interesting time that taught us something. Some football on Sundays is better than none, and the fans stayed loyal to their teams. Ratings took a hit, but they were still there, and I would have to assume that it would be the same way today. In fact, I’m sure some of these replacements would become internet celebrities after their time in the sun was over. Maybe some of them would even parlay their time into a real contract. Who knows?

If it came down to replacements, at least there would still be something. Besides all the journalists out there would have a field day.

Option B: The UFL

Okay, so most of you don’t know that Andre Dixon (Connecticut) is a running back for the Hartford Colonials in a professional football league, big deal! As we just said, football is football right?

Well, sort of. Realistically if Goodell keeps to his word that replacement players won’t be used, the UFL might be the next best thing. The newly founded league would finally get the break it has been praying for since the beginning.

There are certainly some big names there. Many former prominent NFL players and coaches that have fell off of NFL teams but still wanted to play competitively are currently filling the UFL’s rosters. Who doesn’t want to watch Daunte Culpepper throw the old pigskin around one more time?

At the very least, there surely would be a lot of “I remember that guy” moments to be had.

It might not be quite the talent level that the NFL has, but what is? It’s the same game, it has big venues, and its professional (nothing against college football, but it should be treated as a completely different entity and left out of this discussion altogether).

Surely a big-time television network would snatch up these rights and pray that fans are more desperate for football than we may have thought. Maybe the UFL really is entertaining if we would just give it a try, maybe.

For now their best bet is to send a spy into these NFL player/owner meetings to try to be an instigator. It’s really the only shot they have.

Option C: Watch old game tapes in your basement and cry because this really could have been your teams year.

Sadly, the most realistic of the options. A year without football is like cookie dough ice cream with no chocolate chips: we don’t exactly know why it has to be there, but life would just be too weird without it.

Traditional Sundays would be destroyed. These new days would be full of productivity and/or bad movies on television that we’ve already seen. That’s just not what Sundays were made for.

The bottom line is. A deal absolutely needs to get done, and a shortened season would be better than no season at all. If there is no NFL in 2011 everyone is in trouble, because I don’t know about everybody else, but I left Daunte Culpepper in 2004, right next to my Linkin Park CDs.

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We saw 4 quarterbacks taken in the first round of the draft and it was somewhat surprising to say the least.  Now the work officially begins, the problem is that the work has not begun…not for the coaches nor the players.

The fact that the league has canceled the rookie symposium does not bode well, but this may be just a way for the NFL to show how serious this is and hopefully try to scare the players into doing something; who knows.

The league has praised this mandatory activity in the past, a stage in which they speak to rookies about how to manage themselves in the NFL and tips on managing their money, so this comes as a surprise.

The larger issue in terms of football is the impact this lockout or negotiation will have on the players and the level of football being played if in fact football is played at some point.  These four quarterbacks all underclassmen have been drafted to play sooner rather than later; aside from Blaine Gabbert who will most likely back up Garrard until he is given the reigns in Jacksonville.

This will not only affect the young signal callers, every rookie will be affected and their impact will be limited.  The NFL is hard enough already for seasoned veterans who have played in the same systems for years, so the learning curve will be even steeper for players who must learn more in limited time.

One thing we forget about is the undrafted guys who make this league… along with free agency, this is how teams are built and while this portion of the offseason is postponed so to speak the business of the NFL and the teams is left unfinished.

Also these players are not given a fair opportunity to make a team and do not have a realistic chance to play and make a reasonable impact on the game.

I strongly believe that there will be games played this season and the season will start on time but the game might suffer for the first few weeks.  Veteran quarterbacks like Alex Smith and McNabb will benefit from this steep learning curve for rookie quarterbacks and we most likely will not see a player like Sam Bradford this season.

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Although free agency has been a bit lost in all of the lockout talk, at this point in a normal season, it would be the main topic of discussion. Teams are not currently allowed to have any contact with players whatsoever, including signing free agents. This means that those who are not currently signed to a contract are stuck in limbo, and given no choice but to wait it out. Depending upon the specifics of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement which is currently being negotiated, some rules regarding free agency may change, but one thing is for sure, these guys are not being forgotten:

Nnamdi Asomugha (CB):

Everyone better learn to say this guys name. The former raiders’ defensive back is the gem of this years free agent class. Asomugha is unquestionably one of the best defensive players in all of football, and often referred to as one of the few true “shut-down” corners in the NFL. He has the ability to blanket all of the top receivers in the league, and though he doesn’t put up incredible interception numbers, it is mostly because teams refuse to throw to his side of the field altogether. Owners better be ready to open their wallets for him, but are sure to get a star-player out of the deal.

DeAngelo Williams (RB):

If Asomugha wasn’t a free agent, the buzz would be much bigger for this former Pro-Bowl running back from Carolina. Though slowed by injuries in 2010, his 20 touchdown 2008 season showed what kind of talent he really has. His incredible speed and agility make him not only an exciting player to watch, but a big-play threat every time he touches the ball. He is yet to get the chance to play on a true contender, and at only 28 years old, many teams will be drooling over the opportunity to add some explosion to their offense for years to come.

Santonio Holmes (WR):

Super Bowl XLIII MVP, enough said. Great hands, great speed, and a thrill for the dramatic make him a highly coveted target for any quarterback to have. Last year Jets fans saw him make countless key receptions at key times, scoring six touchdowns in just 12 games to lead them all the way to the AFC Championship. Rumor has it the Jets will try to re-sign him, but with Braylon Edwards being a high-priced free agent as well, money may become a key factor. If the Jets can’t work out a deal, look for Holmes to make a big splash with a new club.

Johnathan Joseph (CB):

Most people don’t know enough about this young corner out of the University of South Carolina. He’s been far and away the best defensive player on the perennially mediocre Bengals defense, and has shown real promise in his five seasons in Cincinnati. A much better tackler than Asomugha, with much higher interception totals, teams will throw toward Joseph much less in the future. If he goes to a new team, look for him to make a big name for himself as one of the top defensive backs in the league.

Ahmad Bradshaw (RB):

Some might question his appearance on this list, but Bradshaw could be a key contributor to a team lacking in the running department. Coming into his own in 2010, racking up 1,235 yards and 8 touchdowns, Bradshaw showed signs of things to come in the future. Standing at just 5-foot-9, he’s not just the everyday speed back that every team seems to have these days, he’s a bruiser. Countless times Giants fans saw him run not just around, but through defenders on his way to big plays. If he can fix his fumbling problem, Bradshaw will be the sleeper of the 2011 free agent class.

The entire 2011 NFL season to date is one giant question mark. Will the season start on time? Will there be a season at all? What will the new Collective Bargaining Agreement mean for the players and the owners? Nobody knows the answers to these questions just yet. What we do know is that football fans around the world are patiently waiting for everything to get back to normal and see their favorite teams vie for the top unsigned players around the league.

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The NFL officially has a work stoppage. As of 12:00 a.m. March 12, 2011 the NFL owners imposed a lockout, disallowing any players from entering the teams’ facilities. This came just hours after the NFLPA’s union dissolved itself, and just as the current CBA expired.

There seemed to be some light at the end of the tunnel, as the CBA kept being extended and the two sides continued to meet for 16 days of face-to-face mediation in front of a federal mediator. Now NFL fans should be worried. The NFL has become incredibly popular to a level unprecedented. The last two Super Bowls have ranked as the highest watched programs in U.S. television history.

So the big question now is what happens next? Now that there are chains locking players out, negotiations will head to the courts. A number of NFL players have filed a lawsuit to try to block the owners’ lockout. These players include some of the league’s biggest stars, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Drew Brees. The antitrust suit attacks the NFL’s policies on several key issues including the draft, salary cap and free-agent restrictions such as franchise tags.

Who knows how long things could drag out in the courts. The key figures, DeMaurice Smith and Roger Goodell now take a back seat to relevancy as judges and lawyers become the role players for now. Goodell even reduced his salary to $1 during the lockout, a symbolic gesture, but also to belittle his role from here on out.

Clearly the biggest loser in this whole ordeal is the fans. The draft becomes less exciting because draft-day-trades can only include picks for picks and not player swaps. No players that are drafted can be signed until an agreement is reached, leaving new players and old players in a sort of limbo, not knowing when and where their futures lie. Fans usually excited about the draft and impending free-agency, or prepping their fantasy teams, will be left hoping for a season at all. What good is a fall Sunday on the couch with no football? What else is exciting about a Monday night?

Not all is doom and gloom for fans though. College football isn’t going anywhere, and although the sanction-ridden league constantly has problems, nothing will ever stop the games from being played. Players that might jump to the NFL early will stick around, and NFL coaches that are out of jobs could jump into the college game, making the product on the field that much better. With the added attention to the college game, perhaps something will be done about the awful BCS system and the lack of playoffs.

Television networks could also capitalize on a lack of football, putting premier shows on Sunday or Monday nights, or trying out some new pilots for the future.

The last time there was serious labor problems in the NFL was 1987 when there was a player strike, and the NFL brought in replacement players. They could attempt the same thing this year, but the lack of star power would make it a tough product to sell.

Another interesting idea that has been out there is the players creating their own league to force the owners’ hands. Former and current players would simply create and run their own league, or could even join the UFL, making it relevant and sliding around the NFL’s demands. Several networks would rush to pick up TV contracts, and there are plenty of stadiums around the country that would fill up to see an NFL game, minus the NFL tag. This would give the players all the power, forcing the NFL to make concessions, or disappear forever. Imagine Jerry Jones with his billion-dollar stadium, and a Dallas Cowboys team that no longer exists.

This is just one proposed idea of many but hopefully the two sides don’t allow things to get that far. The selfishness and greed needs to end and an agreement on how to split billions of dollars from TV contracts, ticket and merchandise sales, sponsorships, etc. needs to be compromised.

Reports stated that the NFL and union were still about $185 million apart when talks broke down on Friday, which is progress, but there were still so many other issues involving free-agency, pensions, safety, the number of games, and rookie salaries that the two sides could not agree on.

The union also had a problem with NFL owners not opening their books to prove that they needed the money they were claiming, citing a problem of trust and transparency.

So although it may be a tough pill to swallow for fans out there. Don’t give up. Things will work out in some way, and regardless, there will be good TV in the fall NFL or not. The “fat cats” in this issue will not come out on top, and hopefully in the end the game will once again be the most important aspect, the game for the fans.

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