How the Coronavirus is affecting the Lions / NFL overall

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How the coronavirus is affecting the Lions, NFL

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This new thread relates to the following thread:

Ex. Lions WR Kris Durham quarantined in Italy- precaution

www.mlive.com/lions/2020/03/how-the-coronavirus-is-affecting-the-lions-nfl.html


The common sense thing for the NFL to do is push back the Free Agent Period and the NFL Draft at least a month. As of a few minutes ago, nothing has changed with the NFL calendar.

It's worth keeping in mind that in 2011 when there was an NFL Lockout, Free Agency didn't begin until after the Lockout ended in the summer. With no NFL team activities other than the Draft taking place. Interestingly, the Lions won all 4 pre-season games and got off to a 5-0 start that season ( the best Lions start in the 50 seasons I have been a fan of the team ).

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Detroit Lions pull all team personnel off road because of coronavirus

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It's hard to even comprehend that the NFL Free Agency period will begin next Wednesday as currently scheduled.

With NFL Pro Days being cancelled, I think that will lead to the NFL Draft being pushed back at least 2 weeks. Probably, longer.

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Detroit Lions pull coaches, scouts off road as coronavirus concerns intensify

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Virtual Meetings aren't going to help in terms of testing players in Combine Type of drills ( for players that didn't participate in one or more of those drills at the Combine, for one or more reasons ) or in terms of medical evaluation.

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The Detroit Lions, NFL free agency and what must happen in wake of coronavirus

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Regardless what one thinks regarding the image factor in terms of what the NFL should do in this period of uncertainty that's affecting practically everyone in one form or another, it's not practical for the NFL to begin its new league year ( which is the beginning of the Free Agent period ) on Wednesday, March 18. It also doesn't seem practical for the NFL Draft to be held in in late April.

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NFL shuts down pre-draft travel and pre-draft visits

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If the draft goes ahead as planned in terms of the April 23 to 25 dates, the risks associated with drafting players that are coming off injuries, and haven't been cleared medically are going to be substantially higher than if this was a typical pre-NFL Draft year. It could easily lead to some GMs, Coaches, and Personnel executives / Scouts being fired in the next 1 to 4 years as a result of them not having sufficient updated medical information on one or more players.

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Shea Patterson, other Michigan players hold their own pro day

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This might be helpful regarding some drills. But regarding measured times, it could prove misleading.

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Pro Football Hall of Fame to close amid coronavirus concerns

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This news isn't surprising based on so many other museums closing temporarily.

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NFL still plans to start free agency next week

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The only positive that NFL Free Agent period beginning this coming Wednesday can provide is the relative normalcy for NFL fans, compared to the vast majority of other facets of the lives of people. Even without FA visits as part of the process, the news of NFL Free Agent movement and rumors probably help many that are feeling isolated because of Coronavirus concerns.

Having said this, it's not practical to sign some Free Agents because of uncertain injury situations. And even with FAs that likely would pass a physical, how can a team sign a FA to a lucrative contract without administering a medical physical examination?

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With CBA vote in, attention shifts to start of 2020 league year

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I think there's around a 60 % chance the NFL will delay the start of the League Year, which is also the start of the Free Agent Period.

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NFL, NFLPA discussing delaying start of free agency

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Team doctors not being able to examine Free Agents coming off injuries is the # 1 reason by far why I think the NFL Free Agent period should be delayed.

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Reports: Team executives expect league year to start on time

Free agency will proceed as planned

Report: NFLPA wouldn’t provide consent to move league year

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Even if people are able to fly, it would be a mistake by the NFL and NFLPA to expect a player to get on a flight in order to go to a team facility or other facility for a physical. Unless a player can get to a facility by traveling by automobile/ private vehicle, the NFL and NFLPA should prohibit him from traveling any other way.

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CDC recommendations give NFL no choice but to call off Vegas draft plans

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If the NFL holds the draft on April 23 to 25 as scheduled, TV productions with as few employees as possible on the TV sets will likely be the recommendation. With the NFL not having draft tables for each team and a table upfront for league representatives. The draft itself is going to have to be conducted by Conference Call.

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Once the 'legal' tampering period begins, it will be more difficult to halt the start of the NFL Free Agent period/ league year. It might be already, being the illegal tampering that probably took place as today moved on.

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NFL moves forward, but everything is subject to change

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After seeing Vikings UFA LB Anthony Barr back out of a verbal contract agreement that was reached during the 2019 legal tampering period with the Jets, in order to re-sign with the Vikings, it was a reminder that no contract is official until it's signed. And this was when life was relatively normal. The risks associated with NFL contract agreements ( without signings ) during the Coronavirus situation that's affecting practically everyone, seem much higher than in March, 2019. And in practically any other time.

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NFL will hold draft as scheduled, no public events in Las Vegas

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Though the news of the NFL Draft not being a public event in Las Vegas was inevitable, the question becomes will the NFL Draft go ahead as currently planned regarding the April 23-25 dates? Plenty has already changed in recent days.