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It has already been a busy week for the four rookie quarterbacks selected in the first round of the draft. A roundup of what they have been doing to make their mark during the lockout:

Cam Newton, Carolina. On Wednesday, he finished his second day of unofficial workouts with Panthers teammates at a Charlotte high school. Players in attendance include left tackle Jordan Gross and running back Jonathan Stewart.

It’s unclear whether wide receiver Steve Smith is with them, but Newton would benefit greatly if tight end Jeremy Shockey, fresh from his European excursion, would join them. Shockey’s knowledge of new Carolina offensive coordinator’s Rob Chudzinski’s system would offer a living, breathing playbook for Newton during this period in which he can’t work with coaches. Chudzinski coached Shockey at the University of Miami.

Jake Locker, Tennessee. The Titans ideally don’t want to start Jake Locker as a rookie, but he’s doing his best to make a case for the job. Locker is working this week at a Nashville high school with Titans teammates, who were quick to see his determination.

“He is dedicated and ready to jump in and learn,” wide receiver Damian Williams told The Tennessean. “It says a lot about his character and his willingness to work. He is out here ready to work, and we have a lot of guys on the team that aren’t out here.”

Blaine Gabbert, Jacksonville. He is doing some important work off the field. The Ballwin, Mo., native and former Missouri quarterback, in a joint effort with his agency, CAA, and the United Way, is helping raise money for tornado-ravaged Joplin, Mo., as part of a group called “Athletes for Tornado Victims.”

Christian Ponder, Minnesota. Ponder didn’t get quite the turnout he expected for the workouts he organized in Florida. The rookie had hoped to work with Vikings receivers at the IMG Madden Football Academy on Wednesday in Bradenton.

The St. Petersburg Times reports wide receivers Sidney Rice, Bernard Berrian and Percy Harvin and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, who all had early intentions of showing up, were unable to make it. Still, Ponder was able to work out with fellow QB Joe Webb, wide receiver Greg Camarillo and rookie tight end Kyle Rudolph.

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Several NFL owners, including New England’s Robert Kraft and Dallas’ Jerry Jones, traveled secretly to suburban Chicago this week, presumably to discuss labor strategy, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The gathering took place ahead of Friday’s court hearing in St. Louis between the league and representatives for the players.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft (left) is seen boarding a jet at an airport outside Chicago on Wednesday. (AP Photo)

Kraft was seen boarding a private jet at DuPage Airport on Wednesday, a day after arriving in Illinois. Jones’ jet was spotted at the airport, and sources told the Tribune that NFL commissioner Goodell arrived Tuesday via private jet. The Tribune also was told Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, one of the league’s leading negotiators, may have been present.

The newspaper could not confirm whether a formal meeting among the owners took place, or whether the players’ association was represented.

The NFL locked out the players in March after the league’s collective bargaining agreement expired. Friday’s hearing before the U.S. 8th Circuit Court is considered a key to getting the labor process moving.

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Former NFL linebacker and Alabama football star Keith McCants returned to jail in Mobile, Ala., on Sunday, according to multiple reports.

McCants had two drug-related warrants served against him, according to records at Mobile County Metro Jail. McCants, 43, was arrested in April in St. Petersburg, Fla., for possession of cocaine, WALA-TV reports. He was released from Pinellas County Jail on May 26.

He is reportedly expected to be in court later this week.

AOL FanHouse columnist David Whitley: Keith McCants wants his life to serve as a warning

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When New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady talks, teammates listen.

According to ESPNBoston.com, Brady is back in the Boston area and will lead Patriots teammates through workouts beginning Wednesday. Brady has spent most of the offseason in California, but he has returned to New England to do some charity work this weekend for Best Buddies International.

With Brady on the East Coast, a number of teammates have changed their schedules in order to work out with their quarterback, according to the ESPNBoston.com report.

Tight end Rob Gronkowski, and wide receivers Julian Edelman and Brandon Tate are among those expected to attend this week’s sessions, eager to get in some work with Brady.

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With the 2011 NFL Draft history, we are looking at quarterbacks who’ll likely be on the move once the labor situation gets resolved.

While there are rumors floating about the possible destinations, there has been little when it comes to current evaluations of their skills and what teams would fit best at this stage of their careers.

Washington Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman hands the ball off to Ryan Torain during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys at an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sharon Ellman)

We’ll be evaluating one veteran quarterback a day for two weeks based on their play in 2010 (except for Marc Bulger, who did not play last season).

The scouting grades are on a 1-to-9 scale.

REX GROSSMAN — GRADE 4.2

STRENGTHS: Grossman is a veteran quarterback who has consistently done a solid job as a fill-in starter in recent seasons. He has a compact throwing motion and can get rid of the ball quickly — almost like three-quarters dart throwing motion. When he has space in the pocket and strides into throws correctly, he shows good zip at all ranges. Grossman has good arm strength and the ability to make the skinny post throws beyond 15 yards down the field. He does not panic when his primary receiver is covered and does a good job of keeping his eyes moving to find alternate receivers. He has the athleticism to roll out and buy time and throws accurately on the move. Grossman also has the athleticism to avoid sacks when he senses pressure coming.

WEAKNESSES: Grossman is not as consistently accurate as his talent suggests. Too often he throws with a stiff front leg or strides off to the side. Both bad habits lead to accuracy issues. Despite having the athleticism to avoid sacks, Grossman does not sense pressure well and takes a lot of sacks that he should have tried to avoid. He does a bad job of protecting the ball when hit. As a result, pass rushers are often to strip the ball loose and cause fumbles. Based on how quickly blitzers are able to get to him, I wonder how well he reads the blitz before than snap so that he can make appropriate protection calls.

BOTTOM LINE: Grossman was not an impressive quarterback to evaluate as he consistently struggled with accuracy, took too many sacks and did not protect the ball. He is without question tough enough and will stand strong in pocket to take hard hits. Grossman is also willing to throw the ball away when he does not find an open receiver. Since he’s not a big QB, it leads to him getting more than his share of tipped passes. In games we evaluated, Grossman had 1.67 passes tipped at the line of scrimmage, which is higher than any of the other quarterbacks charted during SN’s look at veteran QBs. Overall, Grossman did not show me enough to be confident he can be a quality starter in the NFL. However, he seems to be a good backup candidate and could end up staying in Washington and competing for its No. 2 or 3 job.

Past evaluations

Donovan McNabb:

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2011-05-16/mcnabb-still-has-tools-but-flaws-becoming-more-pronounced

Kevin Kolb:

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/feed/2011-02/nfl-free-agency/story/kevin-kolbs-franchise-talent-comes-with-one-glaring-bad-habit

Marc Bulger:

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/feed/2011-02/nfl-free-agency/story/marc-bulger-skilled-but-has-look-of-shell-shocked-qb

Matt Flynn:

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2011-05-19/matt-flynn-has-starters-talent-minus-rocket-arm

Carson Palmer:

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2011-05-20/carson-palmers-skills-worth-a-borderline-no-1-to-the-right-team

Matt Hasselbeck:

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2011-05-23/matt-hasselbeck-the-cream-of-free-agent-quarterback-crop

Kerry Collins:

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2011-05-25/kerry-collins-can-still-be-a-solid-backup-in-right-situation

Alex Smith:

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2011-05-24/alex-smith-equipped-with-plenty-of-appealing-qualities-except-one

Matt Moore:

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2011-05-26/matt-moore-may-be-best-young-qb-on-free-agent-market

Vince Young:

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2011-05-27/maturity-issues-still-raw-mechanics-cloud-vince-youngs-future

Kyle Orton:

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2011-05-30/kyle-ortons-biggest-weakness—-lack-of-improvisation

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The NFL lockout won’t preclude any Ohio State players from a chance to be selected in the league’s supplemental draft.

An NFL official told ESPN that if any Ohio State players decide to apply for the supplemental draft in the aftermath of coach Jim Tressel’s resignation, they will have an opportunity to be drafted in spite of the lockout.

Ohio State receiver DeVier Posey would be eligible for the NFL’s supplemental draft should he enter it. (AP Photo)

“If there is one, the supplemental draft would be held mid-to-late July, no later than 10 days before the first training camp opens,” the league official said. “So far, there have been no applicants.”

Since the supplemental draft began in 1977, 40 players have been selected. It is intended for players who missed the filing deadline for the regular NFL draft or had other issues develop that affected their college eligibility.

NFL teams submit picks to the league and if their bid is the highest, they get the player but lose the corresponding pick in the next draft. In last year’s supplemental draft, the Bears took BYU running back Harvey Unga and the Cowboys picked Illinois defensive end Josh Price-Brent — both in the seventh round, meaning those two teams forfeited their seventh-round picks in the 2011 NFL Draft.

More: Jim Tressel to the NFL? One analyst says it’s unlikely

Terrelle Pryor, Mike Adams, Daniel Herron, DeVier Posey and Solomon Thomas — all seniors in the fall — are suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season.

Sporting News football scout Russ Lande says Pryor, without question the player who has received the most national attention, is not considered a top NFL prospect.

Pryor “needs a ton of work on his fundamentals — especially footwork and delivery — in order to become a quality passer. He would likely be a late-round pick, at best.”

Posey, a talented wide receiver, will likely be a fourth- or fifth-round pick because of his physical tools.

Adams, an 6-8, 300-pound offensive tackle, also is rated a late-round pick along with Herron at running back.

Thomas was a backup defensive lineman at Ohio State, and unlikely to be drafted.

According to Lande, it’s important to note that supplemental-eligible players viewed as late-round picks usually don’t get drafted because NFL teams don’t want to give up picks on a player not highly rated.

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The fallout from Jim Tressel’s stunning resignation from Ohio State led some to speculate the embattled coach’s future might be in the NFL.

NFL.com analyst Gil Brandt, a former Dallas Cowboys VP of player personnel, isn’t buying it and doesn’t see a good fit with Tressel and the pro game.

NFL.com analyst Gil Brandt, a former Dallas Cowboys VP of player personnel, isn’t buying it and doesn’t see a good fit with Tressel and the pro game. (AP Photo)

More: Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State teammates reportedly eligible for NFL supplemental draft

“He likely has no future now in college. He might at a much lower level, but not in the big conferences,” Brandt wrote on his NFL.com blog. “As for the NFL, I think there’s a tremendous difference between the two levels. You look at all the highly successful college coaches and not many of them seem to translate that to the NFL. I don’t think the NFL is for Jim.

“In the end, I think he’ll end up at some small school in an unpaid type of capacity in which he helps young coaches and young people. That’s what he always loved doing.”

Brandt said he knows Tressel well, and in a bit of irony, recounted a phone conversation between the two shortly after Tressel was named Buckeyes coach in 2001.

“… I’m really concerned about players getting in trouble with agents and academics. I want you to come in to talk to our players,” Brandt wrote about his chat with Tressel.

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Although Cadillac Williams can become a free agent once the NFL lockout ends, the seventh-year running back would prefer to stay with the Bucs, the team that drafted him in 2005.

“Tampa is a very special place for me,” Williams told Tampa Bay Online. “It’s a team that has been through the good times and bad times with me. At the lowest point of my career, the organization was definitely behind me.”

A first-round draft pick out of Auburn, Williams rushed for 1,178 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie. After two career-threatening knee injuries in ’07 and ’08, he rebounded and played in all 16 games in ’09 and 2010. Rookie LeGarrette Blount took over as the Bucs’ lead back midway through last season, and Williams finished with only 125 carries for 437 yards and two TDs.

Last week, Pro Football Weekly reported that the Rams are interested in pursuing Williams as a backup to Steven Jackson. That was news to Williams.

“I definitely hadn’t heard that report,” Williams said. “It’s a mixed feeling. It’s definitely good to be wanted, but with the whole lockout you definitely can’t visit a team. You can’t sit down to talk to people to get that feel about the organization. It’s a tough situation to be in.”

Bucs coach Raheem Morris recently said he would like both Williams and free-agent linebacker Barrett Ruud back on his roster in 2011. He cited both players as having “great character” and being “leaders in our community.”

Williams has similarly good feelings about Morris.

“First of all, Rah is a standup guy. He’s really a good guy,” said Williams, who has rushed for 3,677 yards and 20 TDs during his career. “Just his coaching technique and the way he treats players, letting them go out and be themselves. He’s a very motivating coach. It’s really a player’s dream to play for a coach like that.”

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Toronto has enjoyed a good taste of NFL football as the Buffalo Bills have come across the border to play regular-season games there past three seasons. With an insatiable hunger for more consistent league showcases in Rogers Centre, the political powers in Canada’s largest city continue their wishful thinking they can make that a permanent home for another NFL team.

While trying to not disrespect the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts, who are currently in season, city councilman Doug Ford, brother of mayor Rob Ford, told the National Post (Canada) on Monday they are ready to make room for both leagues.

Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler throws under pressure from Buffalo Bills’ Akin Ayodele during at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010. (AP Photo)

“What better company to come along than the NFL to support the CFL,” Doug Ford said.

“We’re pretty confident. How can the NFL keep ignoring one of the largest markets in North America? You can’t.”

Toward their goal of bringing the NFL to Toronto by 2014, the Fords aren’t counting on expansion. They have continued to target a team from one of the smallest markets in the league: Jacksonville. It’s the second time Doug Ford has mentioned the Jaguars being ripe for the plucking in a month. This time, however, he kept from also including the New Orleans Saints as such a possibility.

It’s natural with the lockout hurting the bottom-line potential of NFL teams there would be some relocation speculation this offseason. That has put cities such as Toronto and Los Angeles back on the map regarding such talk, and Southeastern cities such as Jacksonville, New Orleans and Charlotte have been haphazardly been thrown out as candidates to lose a team.

As much as the NFL’s business looks bleak at the moment, once some sort of labor agreement is reached, North America’s most popular professional team sport will start rolling as a profitable juggernaut again.

Although the NBA and MLB have already spilled into Ontario, and the Canada-friendly NHL’s latest upward mobility has the Atlanta Thrashers moving to Manitoba, there’s no need for the NFL to set up permanent residence in any country beyond the United States.

Other than the occasional export to Toronto, London or Mexico City, the NFL works best as an exclusively American sports league. There’s never been a real clamoring — like basketball, hockey, baseball and soccer — to give football an international showcase such as the Olympics or a World Cup. A big reason for that is that unlike the other sports, the NFL has only a handful of players who don’t hail from the U.S.

For now, NFL fans in Toronto who want to see a NFL game in their hometown will need to look forward to the next Bills regular-season game scheduled to be played there – against the Washington Redskins on Oct. 30.

The Ontarians in the best position to enjoy NFL football every Sunday, however, remain in the city of Windsor. For the foreseeable future, the only Ford family that will be involved in owning an NFL team is the one in nearby Detroit.

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The NFL is ahead of the pace on season-ticket sales compared with this point last year, a counter-intuitive trend given the uncertainty of the league’s 2011 season with a lockout that has now stretched into its 12th week.

Owners were briefed on the sales results last week at their spring meeting in Indianapolis. The gains were ascribed in part to the earlier sales start many teams used this year in anticipation of a potential lockout, which began March 12. The selling season traditionally begins in mid- to late March.

Dolphins management says the sale of season tickets is about on par compared to last season. (AP Photo)

Whether the development deflects from the NFL’s argument that it is losing revenue during the lockout is uncertain. It was also unclear whether the seemingly surprising development might influence any new offer the league makes to the players.

Specific sales numbers and details on the gains compared with last year could not be determined.

Questioned by the media last week about the economic effect of the lockout, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell responded, “The longer it goes, the more damage that’s done to the game, the more revenue is down, the less money to be divided amongst the parties. Obviously, we made this point back in March.”

Before the lockout, the NFL predicted that if it did not have a new labor deal in place before the expiration of the old one, the league would lose $120 million in revenue. The projected revenue loss would increase to $350 million by early August, the league said, and $1 billion if the season did not start on time in September.

The losses are not just in ticket sales, but also from sponsorships, merchandise, licensing and other team activities. The league emphasized to reporters in late January that replacing season tickets is much tougher than simply renewing them.

The league could, of course, begin to fall behind pace if the lockout lasts much longer, but for now, most teams that publicly talked about their sales reported being ahead.

“The good news on the league financials is that everyone seems to be doing well,” said Mike Dee, president of the Miami Dolphins, one of the few teams down somewhat from last year. But Dee described his team’s season-ticket sales as not far off last year’s pace.

“It’s in the same ZIP code,” he said.

One team that does appear to have significant issues at the moment is the Jacksonville Jaguars. Because the club last year employed a significant sales effort following a down year in 2009, the team is having trouble keeping pace this year, said Bill Prescott, Jaguars chief financial officer. The team is about 10 percent off last year’s pace, he said.

Dick Cass, Baltimore Ravens president, said team ticket sales are tied more to market factors than the lockout. He did not comment on his club’s ticket progress.

Under league policy, fans are refunded money for lost games, but the NFL has left the decision to the teams whether fans also should receive interest.

– Daniel Kaplan is a staff writer for SportsBusiness Journal, a sister publication to Sporting News

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