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What to expect

Email|Link|Comments (0) Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff March 31, 2008 08:50 AM

PALM BEACH, Fla. -- On the first official day of the NFL's annual meeting, here are two things to expect:

1) High profile opening weekend games. The league is expected to announce which teams will play the nationally televised games on opening weekend (Sept. 4-8). On Saturday, we projected some thoughts as to the Patriots' possible opponents.

2) Compensatory picks awarded. On this day last year, the NFL awarded compensatory draft picks to teams. A team that lost more or better compensatory free agents than it acquired in 2007 is eligible to receive 2008 compensatory draft picks. The number of picks a team receives equals the net loss of compensatory free agents up to a maximum of four. The Patriots shouldn't figure prominently into the mix.

A press conference is scheduled for 1 p.m., which will provide an update as to some of the discussions at the meeting. The expectation is that the Dolphins' sale of 50 percent of the franchise will also be voted upon.