How quickly do teams get their draft picks signed? Would you suspect all of them to be done in a month, two months? Is there a certain date by which the young guys have to sign, or is it just getting it done in time to report for rookie ball? Please shed some light on the mechanics, if you don't mind. Thanks.

Teams must tender a contract within 15 days of the draft. Usually this happens by FedEx delivery. But this will just be the standard 7-year form, no bonus involved. If there are bonus negotiations, it's like any other case of negotiations, it can go fast or slowly depending on whether the two sides see eye to eye.

In some cases, there are no negotiations. If a player was considered "unsignable", things may never get beyond the required contract tender hitting the circular file upon receipt.

August 15 is the new deadline that took effect under the collective bargaining agreement changes that took effect in 2007. Sign by then or become a free agent. If you set foot in a 4-year college classroom, however, you're off the market until 2011.

After the date of August 15, they are not free agents in the sense that they can sign with another team. They would have to wait until the next draft at the earliest (As long as they were not at a four year school).