Each team had a list of protected and unprotected players.

It also allows teams to use a first-round draft pick to select protected players from a team's farm system.

Phillips said he made two late changes in his list of protected players.

Each team was permitted to designate a number of "protected" players from schools within their area.

The players' lawyers have argued effectively that the 37th protected player on a team is not more valuable than the head coach.

The protected players are subject to the right of first refusal.

Under the draft rules, each team was permitted to designate a number of "protected" players from schools within their area.

McNeil and the seven other plaintiffs were among the protected players listed by their teams.

If a protected player leaves, the old team must be compensated.

Coming into the game, Testaverde was the most protected player in football.