51.   The free-agent signing period that begins Friday in the NFL has become even more important in pro football than the college draft.

52.   The free-agent signing period begins tomorrow and McDaniel can negotiate with any other NFL team.

53.   The league has said it will need about three weeks to conduct training camps and a free-agent signing period.

54.   The New York Giants agreed to terms Friday with defensive end Keith Hamilton, an unrestricted free agent, on the eve of the free agent signing period.

55.   The NFL will produce an official list at the start of the signing period.

56.   The pool of unrestricted players is expected to be the leanest in years when the signing period begins Monday.

57.   The period allowed for contact with recruits ends Sunday, and the monthlong signing period begins Wednesday.

58.   The signing period begins today.

59.   The signing period could be as little as two weeks.

60.   The signing period for unrestricted free agents begins tomorrow.