2011 NFL offseason thead.

[PIMking]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

It will be interesting to see how the CFL reacts. If I were the CFL I don't want to be loaded up with talent just to watch it all go away in August. Somehow they will need to get a full year committment out of the player. IE write in penalties that are 3x the annual salary to not perform on the deal. Not sure how enforceable that is (maybe a deposit is put in trust) but the CFL will want to think of something.

yeah right, they will take the talent and exploit it like other hockey leagues did during the NHL's lockout

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by PIMking

yeah right, they will take the talent and exploit it like other hockey leagues did during the NHL's lockout

I don't know, they aren't going to get the top talent of the nfl, they won't risk the injury for 60k. They will get practice roster or 53rd man type players. And that won't sell an extra seat, so no real upside, then the rosters get decimated half way through the year? They won't want that kind of turnover.

[calgaryrocks]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

I don't know, they aren't going to get the top talent of the nfl, they won't risk the injury for 60k. They will get practice roster or 53rd man type players. And that won't sell an extra seat, so no real upside, then the rosters get decimated half way through the year? They won't want that kind of turnover.

53rd man players won't have a major impact, and as you said, won't sell an extra seat, so there wouldn't be that much turnover for teams anyways. IF the NFL were to come back this year, those players would be locked into 2 year contracts, and would have to pay hefty fines to get out of them, if the NFL team was allowed to sign them (don't know where the agreement between the CFL and NFL stands at the moment).
middle of the road NFL players may get around $100k, which isn't bad money. but is it worth the risk of injury/2 years out of the NFL? maybe, its that or sit around not making money or going to school etc. maybe they would go to the UFL as another poster mentioned. I laughed at that at first, but maybe. they only play 6 games so its not as high a risk of injury, and it looks like the UFL will continue next year.
The players would have to make a decision in may, on whether they think there will be an NFL season, and it is doubtful they would want to sign a 2 year contract with another league if they aren't sure. If some NFL players come to the CFL, it will be because they are sure the NFL is going to be locked out or it will be in Aug/Sep when the league actually is locked out. at that point, they wouldn't make that much in the CFL anyways because of the CFL cap (4.3 million - teams will be close to it by then anyways) and the players would only get a contract for the last half of the season. If the player would have got $100k, he would only get $50k etc.

[Bobblehead]

Here is a pretty good article that explains the labour situation in more straightforward terms.

In numerous conversations with parties who have interests on both sides of the argument, as well as Ross (who is not involved in the dispute), the generally held belief is that there will be an agreement to ensure football in 2011. "All this talk about jeopardizing the season is preposterous," one well-placed source said. "Neither side is arguing about a principle that comes close to justifying the loss of any games." Each side is positioning itself to gain leverage in negotiations toward a new collective bargaining agreement.

http://www.csnbayarea.com/03/18/11/b...71&feedID=5936

[PIMking]

So the NFLPA say that the 18 games would cause so much more pain and injuries but the NFLPA has no leg to stand on when it doesn't back the NFL's suspensions and fines of players who intentionally go out of their way to injure someone. The NFLPA is hypocritical to say the least

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by PIMking

So the NFLPA say that the 18 games would cause so much more pain and injuries but the NFLPA has no leg to stand on when it doesn't back the NFL's suspensions and fines of players who intentionally go out of their way to injure someone. The NFLPA is hypocritical to say the least

The NFL claims it cares about the health of its players, but then wants to add two more games to the schedule. The NFL is hypocritical to say the least.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by rubecube

The NFL claims it cares about the health of its players, but then wants to add two more games to the schedule. The NFL is hypocritical to say the least.

Are they really adding 2 games though? Or are they just taking 2 of the pre-season games already being played and making them matter?

I dont know the actual minutes played in exhibition, but it has to be close to where making the starters play those 2 full games would equate somewhat to what they already play in 4 pre-season games. I know they rarely play in the last pre-season game as it is, and they play limited in the 1st game.

I am just not sure that there will be THAT much more football played by the starters than already is, and with the thought that any extension of regular season games played there will be added roster spots as well as more compensation, I dont think it is as bad as many claim. Obviously there will be some more minutes for the important guys, but how much in reality?

I think whats far more important is the easing off of off-season workouts and mini-camps. Seems to me that there isnt a lot of time for real rest and recovery for a lot of guys.

[Pagal4321]

The thing is the NFL has agreed to not move to an 18 game format until the PA approves it themselves, so discussing an 18 game season is a moot point now.

The issue at hand is back to money. Like anyone is surprised by this.

[transplant99]

According to the figures obtained by the AP:

-- In 2005, player costs were $3.32 billion, and all revenue was $6.49 billion;

-- In 2006, the first year under the just-expired CBA, player costs rose to $4.1 billion, an increase of $780 million, which is 61 per cent of that year's $1.28 billion increase in all revenue to $7.77 billion;

-- By 2009, player costs were $4.5 billion, while all revenues were $8.88 billion.

[Sylvanfan]

The NFL invokes some new rules today which should result in a few more touch backs and fewer violent collisions on kick returns. Still it looks to take an exciting part out of the game where momentum can change on a dime. Kick offs are going back to the 35 yard line which is where it was about 10 years ago IIRC. The biggest difference is going to be lining up players 5 yards apart as to the current 10....I wonder how that will affect onside kicks.

They opted against briging touch backs out to the 25 which will give teams a bit more incentive to run kicks out of the end zone, and they'll still allow a two man wedge...which really what's the difference between a two man wedge and a double team?

[FlamingLonghorn]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

The NFL invokes some new rules today which should result in a few more touch backs and fewer violent collisions on kick returns. Still it looks to take an exciting part out of the game where momentum can change on a dime. Kick offs are going back to the 35 yard line which is where it was about 10 years ago IIRC. The biggest difference is going to be lining up players 5 yards apart as to the current 10....I wonder how that will affect onside kicks.

They opted against briging touch backs out to the 25 which will give teams a bit more incentive to run kicks out of the end zone, and they'll still allow a two man wedge...which really what's the difference between a two man wedge and a double team?

All the good kick returners Leon Washington, Cribbs, Hester, etc... hate the new rules. Can't say I am a fan either.

[Displaced Flames fan]

I, for one, have decided on a complete disconnect from the league until this gets resolved. Other than the draft, I'm not focusing too much attention on anything NFL related. It is just going to make me angry if I do.

Anyone else feeling the same way?

[Pagal4321]

Umm, I'm watching NFL Total Access as I type this. So no, I guess I don't feel the same way.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

I, for one, have decided on a complete disconnect from the league until this gets resolved. Other than the draft, I'm not focusing too much attention on anything NFL related. It is just going to make me angry if I do.

Anyone else feeling the same way?

For the most part I'm the same. I'll tune into Sirius 124 occasionally, but at this time last year I was listening to that channel non stop and couldn't wait for the draft. Granted, the draft was the highlight of the season for the Chiefs. Now....they actually have a decent team that might not get to play and that's depressing.

[FlamingLonghorn]

Originally Posted by transplant99

According to the figures obtained by the AP:

-- In 2005, player costs were $3.32 billion, and all revenue was $6.49 billion;

-- In 2006, the first year under the just-expired CBA, player costs rose to $4.1 billion, an increase of $780 million, which is 61 per cent of that year's $1.28 billion increase in all revenue to $7.77 billion;

-- By 2009, player costs were $4.5 billion, while all revenues were $8.88 billion.

I believe the players are fine with a 50% tie to revenue. The owners on the other hand want to take a billion off the top before the 50/50 split giving the players the lowest percentage across all major sports. I think that's a bit ridiculous.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

I, for one, have decided on a complete disconnect from the league until this gets resolved. Other than the draft, I'm not focusing too much attention on anything NFL related. It is just going to make me angry if I do.

Anyone else feeling the same way?

Pretty much sums up my feelings 100%. The extent of my football news comes from checking this thread, which I just skim arbitrarily lately (aside from the Draft, as you said). I remember being all over the NHL coverage during the 04-05 lockout, I just don't have the patience for it anymore. It really infuriates me now. I take no sides here, as far as I'm concerned both sides are greedy idiots, and I refuse to justify them at all by paying attention to any of it. Wake me when it's time to play some huck it chuck it football.

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

I, for one, have decided on a complete disconnect from the league until this gets resolved. Other than the draft, I'm not focusing too much attention on anything NFL related. It is just going to make me angry if I do.

Anyone else feeling the same way?

I feel like I really, really like Saturday football. Who knows I may watch some CFL post labour day this year if the lockout extends into the season.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

I feel like I really, really like Saturday football. Who knows I may watch some CFL post labour day this year if the lockout extends into the season.

Ya was having this talk with a buddy the other day, in the "what if there's no NFL season next year" category. Ever since the NHL lockout I discovered the glory that is NCAA sports, especially football and March Madness. I've admittedly been a casual fan, though I try to watch every Irish football game I can the past few years (usually see 6-7). If there's no NFL next year, I think it'll be the year I make the jump from casual to full blast NCAA football fan. And it may stay that way even when NFL comes back, this stuff RRGMG.

[Cheese]

A good article from players who have played 18 game schedules.

[CofR]

It seems that Aqib Talib is in more legal trouble. This time he allegedly pistol whipped his Sister's boyfriend, then either Talib or his Mother shot at him as the guy ran away.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/T...warrant-032911

Police in Garland, Texas, issued felony arrest warrants Tuesday for Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib and his mother in connection with a domestic incident in which a gun was fired, the Tampa Tribune reported.