2011 NFL offseason thead.

[transplant99]

Some details of the proposed new CBA...think this thing is done within about 10 days.

Among the details NFL commissioner Roger Goodell revealed to owners Tuesday at the league's meeting in Rosemont, Ill., is that in the next proposed agreement players will receive a 48 percent share of "all revenue," without the $1-billion-plus credit off the top that had been a point of contention in earlier negotiations, according to sources familiar with the presentation.

Under the new formula being negotiated, players will receive 48 percent of all revenue and will never dip below a 46.5 percent take of the money, sources said.

A rookie wage scale will be part of the new deal but is still being "tweaked," and the much-discussed 18-game regular season will be designated only as a negotiable item with the players and at no point is mandated in a potential agreement. A new 16-game Thursday night TV package beginning in 2012 will be the source of new revenue.


If and when an agreement is reached, all players whose contracts have expired and have four or more years of experience are expected to be unrestricted free agents, sources familiar with the talks told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Certain tags will be retained but that still is being discussed.

Players are willing to commit to at least a 10-year labor agreement if the sides can agree on the terms, sources told Clayton.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6687485

[rubecube]

Don't like the Thursday night games, but I'll suck it up to get football back.

[KTown]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Don't like the Thursday night games, but I'll suck it up to get football back.

I'm opposite, the more NFL the better. As much as I like Sunday with all the games going on in a 6hour or so span, I have a hard time waiting to Sunday after Monday night football.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by KTown

I'm opposite, the more NFL the better. As much as I like Sunday with all the games going on in a 6hour or so span, I have a hard time waiting to Sunday after Monday night football.

I think I'm just mad because I have class on Thursday nights.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Chad Pennington heading to FOX....at least for a year.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shu...urn=nfl-wp2740

in theory he should be really good, seems like a very well spoken guy and for his limited skill set he has done quite well so he obviously understand the x's and o's very well

but.... if he wants to get back in the league he is going to be very careful in what he says and he could be like Gruden and just call everyone and everything great

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by rubecube

I think I'm just mad because I have class on Thursday nights.

You plan on attending classes for the next 10 years?

I don't like the Thursday games because they can throw a wrench into your fantasy football teams as guys will sit out some of those short week games. If there's 16 of them, every team in the league will likely end up playing one Thursday night game.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

You plan on attending classes for the next 10 years?

At least 7.

[Displaced Flames fan]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6745011

Was surprised this wasn't already posted. Baltimore Colts great and HOF TE John Mackey passed away this morning at the age of 69. We talk about players who revolutionized the game or their position a lot when we talk about sports, I think Mackey falls into that discussion. He was one of the first TEs to be a weapon.

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6745011

Was surprised this wasn't already posted. Baltimore Colts great and HOF TE John Mackey passed away this morning at the age of 69. We talk about players who revolutionized the game or their position a lot when we talk about sports, I think Mackey falls into that discussion. He was one of the first TEs to be a weapon.

One hell of a player. Colts plan a tribute for him during the season.

[valo403]

I love the fact that Manning is playing the 'I have to rehab by myself' card due to the lockout. I mean c'mon, are we supposed to believe that the only capable Dr's and therapists in the country are employed by NFL teams? This multi millionaire is left to hit his local golds gym and figure it out on his own with the help of a couple local amateur veterinarians? Probably the most pathetic claim i've heard throughout this whole thing.

[Montana Moe]

Hines Ward busted for DUI in Atlanta.

http://m.yahoo.com/w/news_america/st...us&.lang=en-us

[Displaced Flames fan]

You can take the Pac Man out of his name but you can't take the Pac Man out of the player...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6754092

[KelVarnsen]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...2_a6&eref=sihp

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...2_a6&eref=sihp

The Chris Chelios of the NFL


Moron...and it will cost him games IMO.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Looked for a separated at birth thread worthy of puting this in but couldn't find one. I think these two are related....

[CofR]

Several people familiar with the negotiations said an agreement in principle could be completed by Tuesday. If so, the players’ executive committee could make a recommendation to the players on whether to ratify it Tuesday afternoon, when the full committee is scheduled to meet. Some committee members began their deliberations Monday at the Players Association’s downtown Washington offices.

The deal would have to be approved by a majority of the nearly 2,000 NFL players, and that vote could come by conference call or e-mail.
The deal would have to be ratified by at least 24 of the 32 owners. The league informed teams Monday that a seminar on the deal would be conducted for clubs’ front-office executives late Thursday and Friday in Atlanta if it’s approved.

If the deal is approved, free agency likely would begin next week. There are tentative plans for teams to be given a three-day window to try to re-sign their own free agents before those players would be eligible to sign with other clubs. Hundreds of players are eligible for free agency, and free agent signings and trades of players have been on hold during the lockout.
It’s not clear if the opening of training camps would be pushed back. The St. Louis Rams and Chicago Bears, who are scheduled to meet in the league’s preseason-opening Hall of Fame Game Aug. 7, are scheduled to be at their training camps this weekend. The first round of preseason games for the rest of the league is scheduled for Aug. 11-15. The regular season is to begin Sept. 8.

Also, people with knowledge of the talks said the league and players agreed last week to $945 million in improvements in retiree benefits over the 10-year life of the potential deal. That includes $620 million in a “legacy fund” for retirees, plus improvements to other programs. The agreement on improved benefits was first reported by ESPN.
The deal apparently would be for 10 years, although it’s not clear if it would contain an opt-out clause.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports...IMI_story.html

It certainly seems like were coming to the end of this

[rubecube]

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post...gers-cromartie

Talks of a Kevin Kolb for Rodgers-Cromartie deal. Not sure if I'd be crazy about a 1-for-1 deal like that, but it would certainly address Philly's biggest need and allow them to chase down an LB, DE, or RT in free agency.

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by rubecube

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post...gers-cromartie

Talks of a Kevin Kolb for Rodgers-Cromartie deal. Not sure if I'd be crazy about a 1-for-1 deal like that, but it would certainly address Philly's biggest need and allow them to chase down an LB, DE, or RT in free agency.

If you think Kolb can come in and be a top 15 starting QB than a 1-for-1 deal is steep. That all said the return the other way is a pro-bowler in his prime. The proposed deal matches both teams needs very well.

[Pagal4321]

Here's a great way to endear yourself to the rest of your fellow players!!

Earlier today, Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports reported that Patriots guard Logan Mankins and Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson have requested either free agency or $10 million each in exchange for their signature on the settlement of the case.

You can add Manning and Brees to that list too.

[rubecube]

I'd love to see some 3rd-string scrub file a lawsuit against those four, alledging lost wages. It probably wouldn't get far but it would be good for a laugh.