With the reports that have been coming out in the last couple of weeks, people have been anticipating that the end of the NFL’s lockout is very near. Now if Carolina Panthers tight end Jeremy Shockey is to be believed, we can now put an actual date on that ending.
Via Busted Coverage:
Just minutes ago, through our vast Rolodex of NFL contacts, we got off the phone with Carolina Panthers tight end Jeremy Shockey who was busting it back to Miami from a diving trip to pack his bags and prepare for the end of the NFL lockout. “The deal will be done Thursday and we’re being told to report to Charlotte for a three-day camp the 22nd through 25th,” Shockey said sounding like he was ready to hit someone.
Shockey’s comments are backed up by Albert Breer (who has covered the negotiations closer than anyone else in the media), who tweeted on Monday that “the NFL has sent a memo out to clubs. A labor seminar is set for Friday for up to 4 execs per team if a deal is ratified Thu.”
It means that fans should buckle up for what will be a very crazy couple of weeks of OTAs, free agency and training camps in order to get ready for the start of the pre-season and then the regular season. But the bottom line is…football is back!