The NFL and its teams "continued piecing together contingency plans for how to proceed with their business in the weeks ahead" on a day that "shook the sports landscape with landmark cancellations and changes in the professional and college ranks," according Dan Wiederer of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. The league on Thursday announced that it "canceled this month's league meetings in Palm Beach, Fla., with the usual business from that gathering -- including discussions and votes on playing rules and bylaws -- pushed back to the spring meeting in May in California." Meanwhile, the Bears are "temporarily closing Halas Hall, suspending all business air travel for team personnel and cancelling all prospect visits until further notice." The team's April 24 draft party at Soldier Field also "has been canceled." Wiederer notes the Vikings, Jets, Buccaneers and Redskins were "among the first to announce they were suspending travel for their coaches and scouts." As of Thursday night, 14 teams had announced a "complete suspension of travel for coaches and scouts." The Eagles announced that beginning Friday they "would be closing their facilities at the NovaCare Complex and Lincoln Financial Field until further notice with team staff instructed to work from home" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/13). In Chicago, Lieser & Finley note it is "unclear if -- or when -- the Bears and other NFL teams eventually will resume hosting draft prospects" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 3/13).
STILL ON SCHEDULE: In Boston, Volin, McBride & Princiotti note other "immediate league matters remain on schedule." Players "still have until midnight Saturday" to vote on a proposed CBA, and the teams "still have until midnight Monday to decide whether to use a franchise or transition tag on players" (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/13).
