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.

Now, moving on to the Rams. Sports Illustrated released their “Fortunate 50″ of the top-earning American Athletes of 2011. Bradford checked in at number 12 overall, which is quite a bit higher than I expected. I mean, I knew Bradford was making big-time money, but I can’t believe there are only 11 other athletes who make more than him. In fact, Bradford blew Cardinals superstar first baseman Albert Pujols out of the water by 14 spots. Now, I have a feeling Pujols is going give Sammy a run for his money (no pun intended) in next year’s rankings wherever he signs, but at least for now, Bradford is the king of St. Louis. According to SI, “The Rams signed last year’s No. 1 draft pick to the largest rookie deal in NFL history, with the bulk of money being paid out over 2011: an $18 million option bonus and an $8.4 million roster bonus.” That’s some pretty sweet coin.

In case you were wondering who else was on the list, Bradford is slotted in between Dwyane Wade and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Tiger Woods (despite his difficult year) was still number one on the list, followed by fellow golfer Phil Mickelson. I think Bradford more than lived up to

When I see people who are in the know like Freeman and King sounding so optimistic, it really makes me think that things are starting to turn around. The meetings last week were reportedly positive, and if a deal is reached by July we should have no problems getting the season going without issue. I know I have been skeptical, so the fact that I’m starting to come around should be at least some indication that things are getting better. Again, I caution everyone to not to get too overly excited here, but you should certainly feel better about negotiations. Things are better