Hall of Fame Game a casualty of continuing settlement talks?

by Ryan Van Bibber on Jul 7, 2011 9:19 AM CDT in Preseason

DALLAS TX - FEBRUARY 5: Marshall Faulk looks on after being named into the 2011 Pro Football Hall of Fame class during an announcement at the Super Bowl XLV media center on February 5 2011 in Dallas Texas. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

The St. Louis Rams and the Chicago Bears are scheduled to kick off the preseason NFL schedule with the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on August 7. Just a month away, that game could be the only casualty to the NFL schedule as labor talks continue. In his update today at SI.com, my Combine media table neighbor (thanks for lending me your headphones) Don Banks suggests the possibility of the August 7 game getting nixed.

While it has been presumed that the two sides would have to have a deal in place by July 15 in order to play the entire preseason schedule, it is now thought that only the Aug. 7 Hall of Fame Game between the Rams and Bears would have to be sacrificed if an agreement came together as late as July 22. Saving 64 of the league's 65-game preseason schedule would be considered a satisfactory success rate and would not severely dent the estimated $800 million of revenue that's at stake in the preseason.

It is just one game.

The most reasonable estimates now are that an agreement could be reached by the middle part of next week, but as Banks suggests, it could be longer. The truth is, nobody knows, since details from inside the meeting are too sketchy for specific dates.

Something else to consider is just how far the NFL has to be between a handshake and a signed contract to get the season started. Last time around, they were able to resume business before the agreement was technically certified.

Just how much time do the Rams and Bears really need to play the game though? As Mike Silver pointed out the other day, it is just a glorified scrimmage. There are enough players on the roster to go through the motions on short notice.

Poll

Do the Rams and Bears really need that much time to play the Hall of Fame Game on August 7?

Yes, at least 10 days of work before that

151 votes

No, just play it

95 votes

246 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I am concerned that if they

don’t have ample time to get into football shape, we will start the season with some injuries that could have been avoided. Not to mention the new playbook, coaching etc.

by OakCityRam on Jul 7, 2011 9:37 AM CDT reply actions

Remember, Bengals LT Andre Whitworth

said “sub-par football” would be a result of the lockout.

Turf Show Times editor, Mocking the Draft writer, and I gots that Twitter too, yo.
"my keyboard won't corporate, neighter will my smell check." - Knoxfan

by 3k on Jul 7, 2011 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions

The majority of players will arrive in shape

Hold out the exceptions- it’s not like legit starters play more than a few plays anyway.

Let the UDFAs and borderline guys have the game to showcase their abilities.

No reason that a little over a week wouldn’t be sufficient to prepare for this game. True it’s going to be a crap game but then again when is it ever not?

By stepping on to the field for practice or a game a player risk injury. It’s just the nature of the game. That’s why you don’t play starters deep into preseason games. I just don’t see more of a risk between playing this game versus a hard practice schedule early in camp. Anyway I’m sure the coaches are smart enough to figure out how to manage the risk if they had to play a game the first week of camp. I think they should play the game if at all possible. The hall of fame deserves this much.

by Sggladden on Jul 7, 2011 11:00 AM CDT reply actions

I did say it's Rams Jynx to be the HOF participant

during a CBA year….Rams fans long and strong know what it is I speak of with regard to jynxes……maybe it is the whole LA connection thing, afterall, the Dodgers are jynxed too, Raiders, Kings and everyone else except the LAKERS. Wonder Why?

Ownership!

by jlcdb70 on Jul 7, 2011 12:11 PM CDT reply actions

I couldn't care so much for the game

It is the camp that I want them to have.

"Doin' blow off a strippers nipple" -VanRam

by Eric Nagel on Jul 7, 2011 12:47 PM CDT reply actions

yup

Wolf. Wolfgang Wolf

by dbcouver on Jul 7, 2011 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions

+3

We sure need...another Dick Bass,
or someone like him.

Go RAMs !!!

by VETT on Jul 7, 2011 4:29 PM CDT reply actions

That sucks if the HoF game doesn't happen.

It might be just one game, but it’s our game. An extra opportunity to see our favorite players play football. Hope we can still get it done.

by StopSpe on Jul 7, 2011 4:48 PM CDT reply actions

I am on the fence...I guess it gives the Rams more time to evaluate players.

But I am going to be pissed off if somebody gets a season ending injury over a meaningless game. It’s no different in preseason, but this is effectively what it is…an extra preseason game for someone to get hurt in.

- And here's the Rams' 2010 season in a series. Incomplete pass, 18-yard run, incomplete pass, 7-yard run, 5-yard pass, 3-yard run, sack, incomplete pass, punt. Shoot me. - 3K

by leadhead on Jul 7, 2011 7:20 PM CDT reply actions