According to PFW writer Mike Holbrook, the NFL will be discussing moving the NFL Draft up to late February, with FA set to begin after the draft, and after the rookie mini camps, giving teams a chance to see what they got in the draft, and leaving the FAs hanging in the balance. The whole thing is a scheme to drive down the FA salaries and make them sign quicker, although they've put up the shroud of giving the NFL a true break from May to June. Also in his article he mentions both the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine game are considering moving to Tampa permanently to put themselves in and NFL venue. The games would be played on consecutive weekends, making it less expensive for NFL team scouts to travel. A lot of interesting info in this article...check it out here:

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/Featu...brook032209.htm

I think thats a neat idea.

My only objection is the draft being in April works out well for us psychos who would be depressed if we had to watch a Feb draft then wait forever until the regular season. I personally like it in April.

If that were to go through it wouldn't give the players to much time for pro days.

Actually, under that plan pro days would be pretty much eliminated and the two bowl games in Tampa would be the major scouting venue. However, the combine would be expanded. Since I posted that article I've read a new article where Rich McKay states this is not on the agenda to be discussed, so unless this guy has better contacts than McKay it's likely rumor.

Compensatory Draft picks for the 2009 NFL Draft are scheduled to be released some time today.

DUDE, that's too cool!! Keep us all posted!

I read the same thing on ProFootballTalk this morning after they posted the story as well. A couple of members of the competition committee said that it came up about 8 years ago and hasn't been discussed since.

Mike Florio of PFT has a story up with the Comp. Picks:

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/03/23/...ry-draft-picks/