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Once upon a time in the NFL there was no “Free Agency.” Drafts went to 20-rounds. Hall-of-Fame Linebacker Chris Hanburger was taken in the 18th round in the 1965 Draft. He found out he was drafted when a reporter called him for comment. Teams retained the rights of a player until he was cut, traded, or retired. As a result Training Camp became the place where the roster was really formed. There the 20 Draftees and the veterans fought for a roster spot and a paycheck for the winter. That’s all gone by the stern now. The modern process is a study in 3D Chess with a strict clock counting cadence. Long before Training Camp the roster is set to within a few players. Camp is for installing the Offense and Defense. The first stage of roster construction is upon the WFT and all the other teams in the League.
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