NFL calendar

The NFL this afternoon released its calendar through its kickoff weekend.

Thursday: Deadline for submission of qualifying offers by clubs to their restricted free agents whose contracts have expired and to whom they desire to retain a right of first refusal/compensation.

Thursday: Deadline for clubs to submit offer of minimum salary to retain exclusive negotiating rights to their players with fewer than three seasons of free agency credit whose contracts have expired.

Friday: Veteran free agency signing period begins.

Friday: Trading period begins.

(March 24: Bengals' offseason strength and conditioning program begins.)

March 30-April 3: NFL Annual Meeting, Palm Beach, Fla.

April 18: Signing period ends for restricted free agents.

April 25: Deadline for old club to exercise right of first refusal to restricted free agents.

April 26-27: NFL Draft, New York City.

May 19-21: NFL Spring Meeting, Buckhead, Ga.

June 1: Deadline for old clubs to send tender to unsigned unrestricted free agents to receive exclusive negotiating rights for rest of season if player is not signed by another club by July 22.

June 1: Deadline for old clubs to send tender to unsigned restricted free agents or to extend qualifying offer to retain exclusive negotiating rights.

June 15: Deadline for old clubs to withdraw original qualifying offer to unsigned restricted free agents and still retain exclusive negotiating rights by substituting tender of 110 percent of previous year's salary.

June 29-July 2: NFL Rookie Symposium, Carlsbad, Ca.

Late July: Training camps open.

July 22: Signing period ends at 4 p.m. for unrestricted free agents who received June 1 tender.

Aug. 3: Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, Canton, (Indianapolis vs. Washington).

Aug. 7-11: First preseason weekend.

Aug. 26: Roster cutdown to maximum of 75 players.

Aug. 30: Roster cutdown to maximum of 53 players.

Sept. 4-8: Kickoff 2008 Weekend.