NFL: No Deadline For When Games Would Be Canceled

NEW YORK – The NFL doesn’t have a deadline for when games would be canceled without a collective bargaining agreement.

Executive vice president Eric Grubman says the league and teams are working so that they will be ready to start the season quickly once a deal is reached, even during the lockout. Grubman spoke Friday at a meeting with Associated Press Sports Editors.

The 2011 schedule released Tuesday has games beginning Sept. 8 but includes some flexibility.

The NFL could still squeeze in 16 games with a delayed start by eliminating bye weeks and the week between the conference championships and the Super Bowl, and the league has a deal with host Indianapolis to potentially play the Super Bowl a week later.