The NFL players' union has advised its members to prepare for a lockout, telling players to save their last three game checks this year in case there is no season in 2011. In a letter to the players that was seen by The Associated Press, NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said the union had an "internal deadline" for agreeing to a new collective bargaining agreement. "That deadline has now passed," he wrote. "It is important that you protect yourself and your family."