Photo of the Day (8/5/11): New CBA Finalized in Front of HOF

As of this morning, the new 10-year Collective Bargaining Agreement has officially been finalized after Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith signed the deal.

What better way to finalize the deal than to sign it while sitting in front of the league's most coveted site: the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

The two are in Canton this weekend for the HOF enshrinement of seven players–Richard Dent, Marshall Faulk, Chris Hanburger, Les Richter, Ed Sabol, Deion Sanders and Shannon Sharpe.

Photo: Michael Loccisano, Getty Images

THE END IS FINALLY HERE

That's right, the agonizing, four-month-long NFL lockout has finally come to a close as of earlier this morning.

Last week the owners and league reps came up with a new bargaining deal–31 out of the 32 owners voted for it to be ratified–but just this morning the NFLPA executive board and the 32 team reps unanimously voted to approve all of the terms to the proposed CBA.

The official end to the lockout, however, was not announced until Commissioner Roger Goodell and the head of the NFLPA–DeMaurice Smith–gathered for a special joint press conference to make the announcement earlier today.

Either way, we, as fans and followers of the league and respective teams, are the most thankful that the egos of owners and players alike did not prevent us from losing the entire season due to this prolonged work stoppage. Just one game, the Hall of Fame game which was set to be played August 7 during HOF enshrinement weekend, was cancelled as a result.

With Twitter being blown up with "football is back" tweets and "who will go where" speculation, it's clear that this will be one wild week for the National Football League. Especially when you consider the fact that there have already been talks of a Brett Favre return (big surprise, huh?). This time, the Eagles are the center of attention in Favre talks? Oh, my.

Well, there you have it, a full off-season filled with labor negotiations and speculation on where free agents will land once it has been lifted.

Now, what will happen next?

At this point, anything can happen. Hang in there, it's going to be a roller coast-esque August filled with non-stop football action.

Photo credit: found on pageonebook.com

Good news, football fans!

As of Monday afternoon, all things are pointing towards the idea that there will in fact be a 2011 NFL season. Amidst all the talk of the MLB season in full-swing, along with the NBA and NHL playoffs, it looks like football fans can breathe again and maybe relax?

It's not final yet, of course, but pending the owners' appeal it looks like the lockout will be lifted.

Players were allowed to report to team facilities, but still aren't allowed to resume activities until the lockout has officially been lifted. Either way, great news for all the fans. Despite the half-effort, thrown-together regular season schedule, the chances of 2011 happening are greater than they were a couple of days ago.

Commissioner Roger Goodell has been quoted, saying that "fans will suffer if players get their way" and he has also stated he wants to get directly back into the negotiations. So there obviously is quite a bit of work to get done before we will see the NFL back in its normal state of being, but we're making great progress.

Other news around the league (4/27/11):

*Two-time Super Bowl champ and former Miami Dolphin player and radio announcer Jim Mandich has passed away at age 62.

*Redskins may move up and draft QB Gabbert in first round.

*Steelers interested in reuniting Pouncey brothers.

*Ochocinco says 'his time is up in Cincinnati.'

The coverboy for Madden '12 will be announced later today (4 P.M. ET) on ESPN2's Sportsnation. We will either see Michael Vick grace the cover for the second time, or bull-of-running back Peyton Hillis of the Browns grace it for the first time in his short career.

The first round of the draft kicks off tomorrow night, meaning I will be bringing you one last brief preview of round No. 1 tomorrow afternoon. Wondering who will rise and fall in the first round? Stay tuned for more coverage.

Photo credit
DeMaurice Smith and Roger Goodell: found on Google