Those players with eligibility that elected to forgo the NFL Draft and preserve their amateur status are feeling pretty good about their decision right about now.  These athletes are preparing to prove themselves again hopefully raising their stock for the 2012 NFL Draft.  It's not unusual for parties to negotiate new terms at the expiration and renewal for a multi-billion dollar business.  Subsequent to the expiration of options to gain leverage through third parties (a/k/a "litigation"), the CBA will be renewed and football will resume.  

For Seniors whose time had come and the others that chose to jump, it's time to make the best of your situation.  Let's take a moment to focus on the bright side of the lockout.  Typically, players are whisked away immediately following being drafted or signed undrafted.  They are immediately thrust into competing for one of the most competitive jobs in America.  Often times, players fail to appreciate the critical decisions being made daily based on their performance.  Sometimes, players are forever cut from football because of their lack of effort and perceived commitment, rather than skill.  Players seldom have a detailed plan in place for managing their friends, family, teammates and finances while securing and doing their job. 

Players caught in this lockout limbo should be seriously evaluating your skills against those with whom you will be competing and developing a plan for the short term and long term future.  Consider your physical skills as well as your mental game.  How quickly do you learn and retain plays?  How well do you understand the various strategies and where you fit within each system?  How do I improve and get better? Create a plan for entering camp: learning the personnel that takes care of the players and each of their respective roles; digesting the play book with hundreds of pages and appreciating the strategy behind each play; learning your teammates, their roles as well as developing rhythm as you become part of the team fabric; handling your friends and family and balancing the boundaries you have set for yourself to maximize your opportunity; handling your "new" friends & fans in a professional manner along with the inevitable requests for your time and money; budgeting your expenses and managing your income; setting your professional advisors in place and chosing a captain (i.e., agent) to coordinate with you so your life will run as smooth as possible.

Set pen to paper and write out the plan, list your professionals and make sure that they know each other and have each others contact information.  Have each of your professionals review your plans and assist with their development.  Seek out mentors to assist with your development.  Once you have your plan on paper you can begin to visualize the plan taking shape and efficiently manage the time you have; while the lockout continues as well as when it lifts and you are back in the whirlwind.  Use your time wisely and good luck!