Mayhem: Be Prepared for the Wildest Off-Season Week in NFL History

Al Pacino once said, "I don't want the labor pains, I just want the baby."

NFL fans have been experiencing the miserable pains of labor for over 130 days during this NFL lockout.

However, today NFL fans can breath a sigh of relief as their beautiful baby has arrived in the form of a 2011 NFL Season.  

This coming week is going to be just as crazy as bringing a newborn home for the first time, so here's a breakdown of what to expect during what will be the CRAZIEST OFF-SEASON WEEK in NFL history.

Monday

- The NFL published the official list of all free agents available for signing.  This list includes, restricted, unrestricted, rookies, released and undrafted players.  Teams cannot talk to these players directly, however this does give teams the opportunity to break down the list and see which players fit their programs the best.  (Don't worry, teams have been doing this for months already)

- Notable Free Agents include Oakland Raider defensive back, Nnamdi Asomugha & Matt Hasselbeck, quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks.

Tuesday

- Trades between teams can officially begin.  This includes trading players, draft picks and even cash.  Many teams throughout the NFL are looking to make trades in order to get under the new salary cap of $120million.  Some big names that could be on the move this week are Steve Smith (Carolina Panthers), Carson Palmer (Cincinnati Bengals) and Reggie Bush (New Orleans Saints).  All three of these players will more than likely have a new team next year and they could all be shipped off in the same week.

- Every team is allowed to sign rookies and undrafted free agents.  Expect rookies to receive much less than last years' draft class because of the new rookie wage scale & the new team salary cap.  Some notable undrafted free agents are Kendric Burney and Deunta Williams from North Carolina and Derrick Locke of Kentucky.

- Veteran free agents are allowed to negotiate, but not sign with NFL teams.  (Terrell Owens & Randy Moss among the names of veteran free agents)

- Players can report to team facilities for physicals and voluntary workouts

Wednesday

- Training camp opens for 10 NFL teams

- Broncos, Cardinals, Chargers, Cowboys, Eagles, Jaguars, Patriots, Raiders, Ravens, Seahawks

- Denver & Dallas may enter training camp lighter than usual because both teams will have to cut players in order to get back under the new salary cap.  (Denver +5million & Dallas +16.5million)

Thursday

- Training camp opens for 10 more NFL teams

- 49ers, Bengals, Buccaneers, Chiefs, Dolphins, Falcons, Lions, Redskins, Saints, Steelers

- Teams can cut players beginning at 4:01pm  

- Expect players such as, Albert Haynesworth, Nick Barnett, Vince Young, Chad Ochocinco and Brandon Jacobs to be cut from their respective teams.  The Ravens have already announced that Willis McGahee, Todd Heap and Derrick Mason will be cut before training camp.

- Many of these players will be resigned, just with lower salaries in order for teams to get under the salary cap.

Friday

- NFL teams can sign free agents.  Players do not have the ability to participate in physical team activities until August 4th.  

- This may be the most intense free agent signing day in NFL history

- Bears, Bills, Browns, Colts, Giants, Packers, Panthers, Rams, Titans, Vikings 

Sunday

- Final two NFL teams open training camp

- Jets & Titans

Be prepared for the wildest NFL off-season week in the league's history.

- Mason McVerry