2011 NFL offseason thead.

[FlamingLonghorn]

As someone who is firmly on the players side, the directions for college players to not attend the draft is bush league and not a smart pr move. I believe they had the majority of informed fans on their side, but there was quite a backlash when this was released. I understand the reasoning, NFL will make money off the draft, but robbing the young kids their moment in the sun is not worth it. Also, the draft is at least something the fans will be interested in even without a season. Dumb move.

[dirk diggler]

Originally Posted by Sowa

As someone who is firmly on the players side, the directions for college players to not attend the draft is bush league and not a smart pr move. I believe they had the majority of informed fans on their side, but there was quite a backlash when this was released. I understand the reasoning, NFL will make money off the draft, but robbing the young kids their moment in the sun is not worth it. Also, the draft is at least something the fans will be interested in even without a season. Dumb move.

also when a guy like Adrian Petersen comes out and calls the NFL, "modern day slavery", a lot of people arent going to be feeling for the players too much... with a comment like that, you would think he plays for the Jets

[PIMking]

Originally Posted by dirk diggler

also when a guy like Adrian Petersen comes out and calls the NFL, "modern day slavery", a lot of people arent going to be feeling for the players too much... with a comment like that, you would think he plays for the Jets

Or when Chad Ochowhateverthehellheisnow runs his yap like he is a union rep....

[PIMking]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

They are a professional association.

Yeah, sure, right.... They're a union that is posing as a "professional association" the union is still alive, this is the way for the players union to get it's dirty work done since they had no intentions to negotiate at all.

[PIMking]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

You mean the guys who will be protecting them in the pocket, throwing them the ball, you know, their teammates?

The owners complain the the players always intended to decertify and weren't honest in their negotiating yet the owners were the ones who negotiated into their TV contract a guaranteed revenue stream if there was a labour stoppage. The owners who took a break to consult, then decided to break for the night and left the players at the bargaining table stewing.

There is PLENTY of mud that can be thrown.

Yes, these players to be drafted are being put in a tough spot, and I disagree with the pressure being put on them. These potential first rounders should have the chance to enjoy being drafted.

The same union that allowed a guy with a glass shoulder get more money than Manning or Brady without ever taking a snap?

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by Sowa

As someone who is firmly on the players side, the directions for college players to not attend the draft is bush league and not a smart pr move. I believe they had the majority of informed fans on their side, but there was quite a backlash when this was released. I understand the reasoning, NFL will make money off the draft, but robbing the young kids their moment in the sun is not worth it. Also, the draft is at least something the fans will be interested in even without a season. Dumb move.

It just proves to me that the union errr or whatever they call themselves this week is just as disingenuous as the NFL owners. I think many people are slanted towards being sympathetic to the union because most people have a personal experience of being screwed by the man and naturally see that side of the story easier. But they are both aggressive/dirty and want to push the other side over a cliff. It's also US business culture to squeeze longer and wait for the other side to blink.

And of course they call all do this because the fans will come back no matter what. So I don't like watching it, but I understand why they are negotiating the way they are.

Lastly I hate how some people characterize this as billionaires vs millionaires, and how there is $9B to split, what's so hard about that? The reality is that because the $'s are so large, it makes it significantly harder to negotiate because more is at stake and there is more to lose from an opportunity perspective.

[Bobblehead]

I think I'm more biased towards the players because the owners aren't losing any money, they are just saying their profits aren't big enough. The players are trying to maintain the same cut they currently have. And I'm all for a rookie salary cap. Against 18 game season.

[Pagal4321]

I'm not leaning one way or the other because in my eyes they are both at fault here. I agree that the players should be compensated accordingly and see no issue with them asking for additional compensation if league revenues exceed expectations. I agree with the owners in my thinking that the NFLPA* didn't bargain in good faith because they already knew they were going to decertify.

And now they are all acting like little spoiled kids, especially NFL & NFLPA spokespeople Greg Aiello and this Atallah character. Stop passing the blame and get something done!!!

[PIMking]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

I think I'm more biased towards the players because the owners aren't losing any money, they are just saying their profits aren't big enough. The players are trying to maintain the same cut they currently have. And I'm all for a rookie salary cap. Against 18 game season.

the only difference is that they were going to get rid of the two worthless Preseason games and add them to the regular season.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by PIMking

the only difference is that they were going to get rid of the two worthless Preseason games and add them to the regular season.

So then they'd have two worthless regular season games, in addition to the 1-2 useless regular season games they have now. I don't care about them having preseason games, but quit charging STHs full price for them. That's entirely on the owners and their greed.

[PIMking]

Originally Posted by rubecube

So then they'd have two worthless regular season games, in addition to the 1-2 useless regular season games they have now. I don't care about them having preseason games, but quit charging STHs full price for them. That's entirely on the owners and their greed.

they would have worthless games if they only had a 10 game schedule too. Your always going to have teams that aren't going to make it to the playoffs before the regular season is over. So should we just have a 6 game season with all inter division and the winners all move to the playoffs?

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by PIMking

they would have worthless games if they only had a 10 game schedule too. Your always going to have teams that aren't going to make it to the playoffs before the regular season is over. So should we just have a 6 game season with all inter division and the winners all move to the playoffs?

I'm not talking about bad teams that miss the playoffs. I'm talking about good teams like the Colts who usually pack their starters in around week 15.

[PIMking]

Originally Posted by rubecube

I'm not talking about bad teams that miss the playoffs. I'm talking about good teams like the Colts who usually pack their starters in around week 15.

well then other teams need to beat them and not allow them to have it packed in by week 14. You're going to have an issue with games meaning nothing at the end of a season no matter how many games they play.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by PIMking

well then other teams need to beat them and not allow them to have it packed in by week 14. You're going to have an issue with games meaning nothing at the end of a season no matter how many games they play.

Yeah, but why add more? Most of the playoff spots were locked up this year after week 15, and adding another two weeks of games wouldn't have changed that. So instead of having two weeks of meaningless games, you now have four and the fans are still paying for sub-par football and risking more injuries to the players, which then makes the quality of playoff football not as good.

What makes the most sense would be to cut the number of preseason games down to 2 or 3 and only charge fans (especially STHs) half price for the games. However the owners will never go for that.

[KelVarnsen]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Yeah, but why add more? Most of the playoff spots were locked up this year after week 15, and adding another two weeks of games wouldn't have changed that. So instead of having two weeks of meaningless games, you now have four and the fans are still paying for sub-par football and risking more injuries to the players, which then makes the quality of playoff football not as good.

What makes the most sense would be to cut the number of preseason games down to 2 or 3 and only charge fans (especially STHs) half price for the games. However the owners will never go for that.

I would like to see another playoff team added, #1 team in each conference gets a bye. That could help get rid of meaningless games.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

I would like to see another playoff team added, #1 team in each conference gets a bye. That could help get rid of meaningless games.

Either that or determine home playoff teams by record instead of seeding.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by Pagal4321

I'm not leaning one way or the other because in my eyes they are both at fault here. I agree that the players should be compensated accordingly and see no issue with them asking for additional compensation if league revenues exceed expectations. I agree with the owners in my thinking that the NFLPA* didn't bargain in good faith because they already knew they were going to decertify.

And now they are all acting like little spoiled kids, especially NFL & NFLPA spokespeople Greg Aiello and this Atallah character. Stop passing the blame and get something done!!!

Both sides knew it was going to come to that. The NFL took less money in their TV contract (money that should have been split with the players) in order to get money to tide them over during the labour disruption.

Both sides fully expected this action, neither side trusts each other, and both of them are now going to wait for this to go through the courts because they don't know who is going to end up with the balance of power. Neither will settle until then becaue they both think if the court rules in their favour they may get a better deal. In the mean time, both will accuse the other of being disingenuous (and both are correct about that) and attempt to curry favour with the public.

[PIMking]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Both sides knew it was going to come to that. The NFL took less money in their TV contract (money that should have been split with the players) in order to get money to tide them over during the labour disruption.

Both sides fully expected this action, neither side trusts each other, and both of them are now going to wait for this to go through the courts because they don't know who is going to end up with the balance of power. Neither will settle until then becaue they both think if the court rules in their favour they may get a better deal. In the mean time, both will accuse the other of being disingenuous (and both are correct about that) and attempt to curry favour with the public.

with the amounts of money that is involved it goes without question why no one trusts anyone.

[Cheese]

Are Jason Babin and other NFLers serious about the CFL?

As Shutdown Corner's Doug Farrar wrote, Babin's comments that he was considering joining a CFL team thanks to the ongoing NFL lockout fit right in with statements made by George Atallah and other members of the NFLPA leadership on how many NFL guys may seek alternative leagues to play in this year.

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by Cheese

Are Jason Babin and other NFLers serious about the CFL?

As Shutdown Corner's Doug Farrar wrote, Babin's comments that he was considering joining a CFL team thanks to the ongoing NFL lockout fit right in with statements made by George Atallah and other members of the NFLPA leadership on how many NFL guys may seek alternative leagues to play in this year.

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.