Like many others, I am eager for the return of the NFL.  Since the owners have approved and the players are reviewing, it appears that ratification of a new CBA may be close.

I must admit that I am guilty of spending an obscene amount of time hanging on each and every word of the NFL Network or most any other person 'in the know' with an ESPN presence.

But one thing is curious to me.

Why is there a growing sentiment among the pundits and peception peddlers that the NFL owners are giving away the farm with respect to practice and safety related issues?

The regulation and reduction in OTA's and contact practices only serves to limit the wear and tear on the players bodies and brains.

How can anything that will potentially keep players healthy longer both during and after their careers possibly be a bad thing?

Studies clearly show that all contact (including routine practice) counts and is cumulative in nature when in comes to potential brain injury.

Both players and owners have a financial risk when it comes to splitting up the $10 billion per year NFL pie...man that's a big number.

But only the players have a physical and mental risk.

Remember.

Owners can only lose money...though none of them do.

Players can lose far more...and many of them do.