This is the worst news to come out of the NFL lock out so far, the rookie symposium has been canceled. Now that’s the meeting where all the first year players get lectures on adjusting to life in the NFL and get some tips on staying out of trouble. It’s the first official offseason activity to be lost because of the lockout; sure we missed some mini camps and off season workouts but this came straight from the NFL higher ups.

I think the scariest part is not that rookie’s would have their orientation but the time of this symposium. The event was going to be held in Canton on June 26^th, over a month away. This is a clear sign that the NFL owners don’t see an end to the lockout until at least July. Now we will have the appeal hearing on June 3^rd and the next meeting between owners and players on June 6^th. So why even though all these things are going on that could end the lockout would the NFL say we are canceling an event that is at the end of June? Simple the owners don’t plan on having the lock out done anytime soon.

So don’t get too excited that the appeal hearing is coming and don’t jump up for joy when you hear the owners and players are “making progress”. I think this is the sure sign that it won’t be until mid to late July we see football if not later.