Glauber: NFL union leader says league wants lockout in 2011

NFL lockout

on horizon?

NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith said Thursday that the league appears intent on locking out the players before the 2011 season.

"The simple fact is they have engaged in a concerted course of conduct where anybody looking at it will see that they have done more to prepare themselves to not play football than to play football," Smith said in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

"On the one hand, you have a collective-bargaining process designed to have two equal parties negotiating over issues. On that side you have concerted action designed to severely restrict, and critically enhance [the NFL's] bargaining leverage."

Smith hinted that the NFL might be attempting to break the union. "The first data point, you hire the guy who orchestrated the hockey lockout in [2004-05],'' Smith said, citing the March 10, 2008 hiring of Bob Batterman, the attorney who represented the NHL during the longest work stoppage in sports.

"In 2008, 2009, you negotiate television contracts that pay the teams even if the games aren't played. You renegotiate coaches' contracts envisioning a lockout. And you are arguing in front of the United States Supreme Court that the antitrust laws should no longer apply to you. What does that sound like to you?"

The NFL said it believes there will be a resolution of the labor issues. "The agreement will get done," NFL vice president Greg Aiello said. "It's just a question of when."

Freeney to test ankle

Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney, who hasn't practiced since suffering a sprained ankle in the AFC Championship Game against the Jets, said he expects to test the ankle in practice today.

"I will probably go out and see what I can do, and then Saturday a lot more," he said.

Freeney hopes to make a decision about his availability by Saturday, but it might come down to game day.

"I am still day-to-day," he said. "Every time I wake up in the morning, I reassess the situation. I'm just feeling it out. It's starting to feel a little better and it is starting to look more like an ankle now."

Manning's new alter ego

Until this year, Jim Caldwell served as Peyton Manning's quarterbacks coach. His replacement: former Bills backup quarterback Frank Reich.

Reich is best remembered for the greatest comeback in NFL history, rallying the Bills from a 35-3 second-half deficit to beat the Oilers, 41-38, in an overtime playoff game Jan. 3, 1993.

"It's been a great journey," said Reich, who started seven games for the Jets in 1996. "When I decided to get back into football, the first call I made was to Bill Polian, and thankfully he just opened the door. He said, 'Tell me how I can help you.' I said, 'If something comes up . . . ' "

Reich started as a coaching intern, and when Caldwell took over as head coach, he was tabbed as Manning's position coach.

Manning loves having Reich as his mentor.

"Frank has got a lot of football knowledge," Manning said. "Serving as kind of a mentor-type coach, if you will, to Jim Kelly throughout the majority of his career. Then when being called upon to play, going in, leading one of the greatest comebacks of all time. I really think at this point in my career, being a veteran, I like having somebody that has played longer than me, who has actually played the game and knows what is going on."

Saints' game plan almost complete

Coach Sean Payton said the Saints' game plan is "probably 85 percent in. There are some things we'll give them [today]."

Payton said the week off between the conference championships and the Super Bowl has done wonders for his players.

"I think the extra week really affords you a chance to get their legs back," he said. "We were careful not to install too much last week. We got them on the field and off the field, and really gave them a chance to kind of catch their breath, if you will. The routine here is a little different and yet we got good work in Wednesday with pads."

Peyton's advice: Don't watch TVPeyton Manning has some advice for his teammates on what to do leading up to Sunday's game. That includes trying to have as normal a Saturday as possible, which includes studying tape and getting a good night's sleep. And on Sunday?

"One thing I have learned is not to watch the pregame coverage," he said. "That can certainly cloud your mind a little bit. I did a good job of avoiding that last [time]. It is a little bit of hurry up and waiting, but you are excited when you finally board the buses and head toward the stadium."