GMs, coaches at cram session on new NFL rules

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By Tom E. Curran
CSNNE.com Patriots InsiderFollow @tomecurran

ATLANTAWhile NFL owners scooted out of town after jamming through a vote on the proposed CBA Thursday night, team decision-makerscoaches and GMswere meeting at an airport hotel to discuss what it all means. Owners are still hoping that the players could ratify the CBA and doors would swing open Saturday. If so, theres a lot of information to process and a small amount of time to process it. The landscape, according to one AFC GM will be freaking nuts.Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum told me that the labor seminar being held at the Atlanta Airport Westin is crucial. Weve been preparing for a while and as soon as we have more clarity on what the rules will be we can go forward, Tannenbaum said. Were looking forward to being productive over the next few days depending what the calendar is.The initialcalendar indicates that teams are clear to contact and begin negotiations with their own free agents and draft picks at midnight Friday (or 12:01 a.m. Saturday). Players may also be waived. At 2 p.m. EST Saturday afternoon, undrafted rookies and free agents from other clubs are fair game to contact. Undrafted rookies can be signed as early as Sunday at 2 p.m. On Wednesday, free agency opens. This may have all changed a smidge since players are not anticipated to take a vote by the end of the day Friday. Amid this frenzy, newly created plans like the rookie wage scale must be understood and implemented. This is all subject to the players ratifying the CBA proposal owners ratified Thursday evening. Well have the opportunity to spend time in the labor seminar with the crew and get a jump start on it, said Bills Chief Operating Officer Russ Brandon. We have a pretty good understanding of it. Everybodys in the same boat so well just go to work.

Tom E. Curran can be reached at tcurran@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Tom on Twitter at http:twitter.comtomecurran

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