Three reasons the lockout may have been advantageous for the players.

1. They got a break both physically and mentally. Most, if not all, are disciplined enough to keep themselves in shape. Maybe having several months away from the office will be good for their mental health.

2. Several were recovering from surgery (Matthew Stafford, Ndamukong Suh, Louis Delmas, Lawrence Jackson, Gosder Cherilus) so the break gave them time to rehab at their own pace and not rush back.

3. They didn’t miss any paychecks

(Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche. Will offer daily lists of threes through July 22. Tell your friends. Let me know if you agree or not.)