I can’t say this comes as a huge surprise considering the situation we are in with the lockout and missing training camp time, but it still breaks my heart. If Hard Knocks isn’t the best show on TV these days, it is certainly my favorite show at the very least. It’s the kind of thing I look forward to every year, not only because of how riveting it is every week, but because it’s our first real taste of NFL football after several months away from the game. I guess it’s only fitting that in this disaster of an offseason we would lose one of the greatest parts of the offseason, but it’s still a huge bummer.
All I can say is that I hope Hard Knocks is back and better than ever in 2012, because I will eventually get over the lockout costing me this season of the show, but I will never forgive the NFL if the lockout costs me Hard Knocks for good.

In other bad NFL news of the day, apparently the Philadelphia Eagles are interested in bringing in Brett Favre as a backup to Mike Vick. Yeah, I really don’t know what to make of this either. I would be absolutely shocked if Favre played again, but I’d be even more surprised if he did it as a backup. I can’t imagine there’s any chance of this actually happening, but I learned a long time ago to never assume Favre is done.

Over the past three months, we’ve been rattled with this word and all the agony that accompanies it. Every evening we watch Sportscenter, patiently sit through a story about Derek Jeter’s leg, and hope that there will be a story about how a minuscule amount of optimism has somehow presented itself in the NFL labor talks.

But, no.

Instead, we hear about DeMaurice Smith meeting with the players and lawyers, lawyers meeting with Goodell, Goodell meeting with the owners, owners meeting with other owners in private jets, NFLPA meeting with the NFL, and Manning secretly meeting with Gisele. You see, the lockout has fans going absolutely delirious as they find a place for their latest Fathead.

All of this gridiron turmoil will force us, the fans, to look at ourselves and realize how forgiving we really are. When the lockout so rudely came into our lives, some fans said they would boycott the NFL, even after the lockout had come to a conclusion. That means no more merchandise, no more tickets, no more watching the game on television. Although I believe a boycott of the NFL would never actualize, I certainly know that the fans here in St. Louis would be quick to forgive and forget.

There’s so much hype about this upcoming season for the Rams. When this lockout ends, Rams fans won’t care how it transpired. They won’t care if the players harness their demands, the owners grow a heart, or if DeMaurice Smith and Art Rooney mud wrestle. Whichever it is, Rams fans have so much to be excited about when the upcoming season commences. It all starts with Bradford, who from all accounts has taken control of this team. And if it were possible to draw any conclusions from a couple rain-soaked practices at Lindenwood University, I’d have to agree.

When the inferno that is the lockout is extinguished, Rams fans will converge toward the Edward Jones Dome. Labor negotiations will be an afterthought, and the only angst will be to finish that last beer before you walk through the turnstile, settle in your plastic throne, and watch Sam and the boys do something special.

“Dear Rams Fans,

Fresh off of a 2010 season that re-energized our fan base and reminded St. Louis of the collective joy that NFL football can bring to this region, it is disappointing to be writing you today regarding the NFL Players’ Association decision to de-certify and the expiration of the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement.  While we are frustrated that an agreement is not in place, we remain committed to the collective bargaining process and to federal mediation, which is the fastest and most fair path to reach a negotiated agreement with our players that will benefit our fans, players and clubs for the 2011 season and beyond…”

“As this process unfolds, our coaches, scouts and employees are hard at work to improve our team and deliver the experience you deserve as a valued fan. General Manager Billy Devaney and his scouts are on the road scouting this year’s draft class to find the best possible fits for our team. Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo and the coaching staff are game-planning for our 2011 opponents with an eye on capturing the NFC West title.”

You have to appreciate the fact that the team seems to be committed to making the best out of this situation, and the fact that they recognize the importance of the fans. Once again, check out the team’s site to read the entire thing.