A look at how free agency will progress:
1. When can teams sign their own players?
All teams can start negotiating with their own free agents — and those from other teams — as of 10 a.m. Tuesday. However, they can’t extend an offer sheet or sign any of them until 6 p.m. Friday. And none of these players can participate in practices until the new league year begins Aug. 4. The Redskins have 11 unrestricted free agents.
2. When can they sign draft picks and undrafted free agents?
Every team can start signing their own draft picks as of 10 a.m. Tuesday morning. Once signed, they can participate in team activities as soon as possible. They also can sign undrafted free agents after this time. The Redskins have 12 draft picks they need to sign.
3. When can they make trades and cut players?
Trades can be made as of 10?a.m. Tuesday. They can start cutting players as of 4:01 p.m. on Thursday. The Redskins will look to trade quarterback Donovan McNabb and defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth. It’s likely that many deals, with an entire offseason to plan, could be made quickly. But the Redskins aren’t yet prepared to cut either player.
4. When will training camps begin?
Teams will open training camps on either Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or Sunday. They can’t be earlier than 15 days from their first preseason game. The Redskins open Thursday. According to the new labor agreement, the first day is reserved for physicals and meetings. And there are no practices in full pads for the ensuing two days. Two-a-day workouts also are a thing of the past. Players can start working out voluntarily at the facilities as of 10 a.m. Tuesday.
