The lull between offseason workouts and the start of training camps can feel like the deadest time of the year for news in the NFL. These are the days when it seems like the entire league packed itself into a giant box and disappeared from view for an entire month.
But it's not true, of course. Just look at Thursday's developments, in which three prominent players, Chargers tight end Antonio Gates, Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain and Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, were hit with four-game suspensions for violating the league's drug policy.
Beyond that, multiple issues and situations need to be addressed and resolved before football returns for good and we get ready to welcome the 2015 season, the 50th in the Super Bowl era.