Off Season Schedule for the Arizona Cardinals

Don't worry guys, we're not done breaking down Super Bowl XLIII or the Arizona Cardinals improbable playoff run, but I just wanted to preview what we'll be covering over the next couple of months. The good news for us fans, is that a Super Bowl run means that we've got a shorter off season to endure, but for the Cardinals it means that Rod Graves and front office have to get the wheels rolling much faster than normal. Here are the important dates on the 2009 NFL calendar:

• Feb. 15: Deadline for teams to sign CFL players who are under contract
• Feb. 22: Deadline for teams to designate franchise and transition players
• Feb. 18-24: NFL Scouting Combine
• Feb. 27: Free Agency begins
  
• March 1: Teams must be under salary cap
  
• March 3: NFL trading and veteran free agent signing periods begin
  
• April 15: NFL restricted free agent signing period ends
  
• April 25-26: NFL Draft
  
• June 1: Deadline for old clubs to send tender to unsigned unrestricted free agents to receive exclusive negotiating rights for rest of season if player is not signed by another club by July 22; Deadline for old clubs to send tender to unsigned restricted free agents or to extend qualifying offer to retain exclusive negotiating rights.
  
• June 15: Deadline for old clubs to withdraw original qualifying offer to unsigned restricted free agents and still retain exclusive negotiating rights by substituting tender of 110 percent of previous year's salary.

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We'll start covering all things off season-related as well as recapping the season towards the ends of the week and in case anyone is wondering, ROTB's coverage of the Arizona Cardinals doesn't have an off season. With so many big name free agents and guys who want new contracts, the next four months should be very interesting. We'll be here talking Red Birds every single day and breaking down and analyzing everything from team needs heading into the draft to any and all free agent movement, so don't miss out.

That brings me to one last thing before we get back into our regular scheduled programming: If anyone has comments on suggestions on how to improve ROTB, feel free to email us (revengeofthebirds@gmail.com) and if anyone is interested in taking on a bigger role and writing 'main page' articles on a regular or semi-regular basis, use the same email to get more information.