Yesterday, the NFL Coaches Association filed a brief with the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals expressing support for the players in the ongoing labor battle. The coaches cite an inability to properly prepare for a season in an impatient, high-stakes league as reason to believe that the lockout is damaging their career prospects.
Not all players feel that way. Most established veterans would like to get back to playing football, but aren't feeling the same stress as a player like, for example, Buffalo Bills left tackle Demetrius Bell - a young player eager to prove himself to his team long-term, particularly after his team gave him a vote of confidence in the 2011 NFL Draft.
"The lockout is hurting me," Bell told ESPN's Tim Graham earlier this week from player-organized workouts. "I'm still in my learning stages. I'm still picking up the game, still getting stronger. I'm not where I want to be, and this lockout is hitting me hard. I have to find ways on my own to keep my stride, to keep learning, to keep improving."