This year's Pro Football HOF game between the Bears and Rams scheduled for Aug. 7 “has been cancelled,” according to sources cited by Mike Mulligan of the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES. Although the NFL has not made an “official announcement,” one source said that the teams “were informed by the league.” A Bears source said that “word was out among key figures in the organization.” Pro Football HOF VP/Communications & Exhibits Joe Horrigan said the NFL informed him “the lockout has not ended and no games have been cancelled.” However, he added that the HOF “wouldn’t be informed until after the teams were because it merely serves as a venue for the game.” A new CBA “could be ratified at the NFL owners meeting July 21 in Atlanta,” and the NFLPA then “would reform for a vote” in order to complete the deal. A source said that with “a couple days designated for signing draft picks and adding undrafted free agents -- and a couple more days for standard free agency -- it is unlikely teams would report to training camp before July 27 or 28” (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 7/17). Bears coach Lovie Smith on Friday said, “If an agreement gets done and the NFL says we’re going to play the game, we’ll be ready. Right now, we haven’t been told anything has been canceled.” Pro Football HOF President & Exec Dir Steve Perry said that preparations for the game “have continued as scheduled despite the uncertainty and a decline in ticket sales” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/16).
HELPFUL HINTS: CBSSPORTS.com’s Clark Judge offered a "few suggestions on how the next few weeks should unfold.” The NFL first should “cancel the Hall of Fame game,” and then “open all camps Aug. 1.” Judge: “There are all sorts of player transactions that need to take place, and soon. ... The league should mandate that all teams start the same day, thereby giving nobody an advantage. Plus, that would allow everyone a chance to start assembling rosters first.” The NFL should “open the window to exclusive negotiations.” Judge: “Normally, the new fiscal year starts at the beginning of March, when player contracts expire, but the lockout put everything and everyone on hold. So put them on hold a few more days. It’s not going to break anyone’s bank, and it would provide order to what is expected to be a tidal wave of player transactions” (CBSSPORTS.com, 7/16).
