Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

^^Agreed

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

[quote=hooskins;778507]CRedskins, I understand your point completely. But look at this statement you made:

[B]The owners are no better. Tell other ceo's that their return rate in this economy is "only" 8% (or whatever). Or take their woe is me story to baseball which would love to have the same type player salaries and non-guaranteed contracts.[/B]

As much as the owners gripe about the players, the truth is the pie has grown larger and the game has gotten much more violent. For every Manning there are hundreds of Ethan Albrights. Those players who will continue to make relative chump change if we go in the direction the owners would like.

Yes there are billionaires and millionaires in the NFL. But the rising tide has not lifted all boats equally.[/quote]


Thats becaus they are not equal. Thats how life works.

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

[quote=warpaint;778538]O.K. with this said what is better for them? The general workers that are never seen. Is it better for the owners to come on top or the players?[/quote]Owners. The FO, maintenance and team people are paid out of the owners pockets, not the players %. If teams are really struggling they will cut team staff before they cut player salaries so they still try to field a competitive team.

My question to those supporting the players is; do the players give back some of their salaries if the team doesn't hit their revenue goals or loses $$$ (Buffalo, Jax, Detroit, Cincy, etc.)? Of course not. Who takes the ultimate financial risk, the owners.

Good read:
[URL="http://www.forbes.com/2010/08/25/most-valuable-nfl-teams-business-sports-football-valuations-10-intro.html"]The Most Valuable NFL Teams - Forbes.com[/URL]

From the article:
At the other end of the scale, the NFL's low-revenue teams are struggling to keep pace with their big-market competition. The NFL's 10 least valuable teams all declined in value over the past year, led by the Jacksonville Jaguars, which fell 16% to $725 million. The Jags lost 17,000 season ticket holders following a disappointing 5-win, 11-loss season in 2008. The poor support forced the Jaguars to have all but one of its games blacked out locally on TV. The Jags boosted their season ticket base for the upcoming season, but did it with heavily discounted tickets.

The Detroit Lions (owned by auto scion William Clay Ford) are one of only two teams to lose money ($2.9 million) last season on an operating basis (the [URL="http://topics.forbes.com/Miami%20Dolphins"]Miami Dolphins[/URL] lost $7.7 million). This marks the third time in four years the Lions have posted an [URL="http://topics.forbes.com/operating%20loss"]operating loss[/URL].
The team is burdened with a hefty debt load of $350 million thanks to the Lions' contribution to the $440 million Ford Field, which opened in 2002. The Lions have struggled to sell tickets since becoming the first NFL team to ever finish winless in a 16-game season in 2008. The Lions had half of its eight home games blacked out last year as it failed to sell out 72 hours before kickoff. The team cut ticket prices on 19,000 seats for this season in hopes of boosting attendance.

Also, looking at the Packers' numbers, their profit was down 52% in 2010. League-wide, total team values fell 2%.

Like any negotiation there will be trade-offs on each side, it shouldn't be too difficult to resolve though:

- 18 games - No way.
- Owners fund better after playing career health coverage. - Absolutely
- Rookie wage scale - Absolutely
- Players take a slight % cut of approx. 5% instead of 18%

CBA done, how hard was that?

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

Firstdown, I never said they need to be equal, but they need to be proportionate for it to be fair. When owners' growth would be exponential and the players' is not, there is a problem.

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

[url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/michael_mccann/01/18/collusion/]NFL hit with collusion charge, but case could be hard to prove by players - Michael McCann - SI.com[/url]

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

[quote=hooskins;778663]Firstdown, I never said they need to be equal, but they need to be proportionate for it to be fair. [B]When owners' growth would be exponential and the players' is not, there is a problem[/B].[/quote]

That's totally going in my blog

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

[quote=skinsfan69;778620]Not sure I would even watch the NFL if they do what they did in 87 and have scab games.[/quote]
Are you CRAZY?
NFL strike year........
Redskin SB year..........

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

Well since I have so many people jumping on my comments I won't even bother replying to one quote. Maybe I overstated my point to some degree. I agree with many of you that athletes at the NFL level are a rare commodity and in a world of supply and demand they obviously will be compensated higher than an occupation that can easily be filled at a larger rate.

That being said, I am a teacher and I do have a bone to pick with anyone who says anyone can be a teacher, firefighter, or police officer. It takes a special skill set to do all of those things. Especially with teaching in this time period, if you can not handle a lot of problems thrown at you from other faculty, administration, not to mention parents, you won't make it. On top of all of that is pressure from standardized tests to get student pass rates up each year with the addition of things like NCLB.

At the end of the day I know athletes' salaries and public servant type jobs will never be on an equal playing field. However, that does not mean that people getting paid for entertainment, actors and TV personalities included, not to mention business CEOs, should get virtually limitless amounts of money, while other people that work hard too, get average salaries.

Yes I know this is our capitalist system hard at work, but I think there should be some boundaries. If even a fraction of that money was capped from the NFL and given to charitable organizations it would be put to much better use than someone's $75,000 diamond ear ring that gets lost on a practice field. Moot point as this will never happen and you all can jump on me all you want, I just feel like I had to say something. I am happy at least they will have a rookie cap. Hopefully that will prevent Jamarcus Russell 2.0 in the future.

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

[quote=SkinzWin;778761]Well since I have so many people jumping on my comments I won't even bother replying to one quote. Maybe I overstated my point to some degree. I agree with many of you that athletes at the NFL level are a rare commodity and in a world of supply and demand they obviously will be compensated higher than an occupation that can easily be filled at a larger rate.

That being said, I am a teacher and I do have a bone to pick with anyone who says anyone can be a[COLOR=Red] teacher, firefighter, or police officer.[/COLOR] It takes a special skill set to do all of those things. Especially with teaching in this time period, if you can not handle a lot of problems thrown at you from other faculty, administration, not to mention parents, you won't make it. On top of all of that is pressure from standardized tests to get student pass rates up each year with the addition of things like NCLB.

At the end of the day I know athletes' salaries and public servant type jobs will never be on an equal playing field. However, that does not mean that people getting paid for entertainment, actors and TV personalities included, not to mention business CEOs, should get virtually limitless amounts of money, while other people that work hard too, get average salaries.

Yes I know this is our capitalist system hard at work, but I think there should be some boundaries. If even a fraction of that money was capped from the NFL and given to charitable organizations it would be put to much better use than someone's $75,000 diamond ear ring that gets lost on a practice field. Moot point as this will never happen and you all can jump on me all you want, I just feel like I had to say something. I am happy at least they will have a rookie cap. Hopefully that will prevent Jamarcus Russell 2.0 in the future.[/quote]

i would like to add our men and women serving our country in the military to this list.

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

[quote=redskins5044;778763]i would like to add our men and women serving our country in the military to this list.[/quote]

A very big agreed. Of anyone, they should be making the most money. And don't anyone disagree with me on that.... or else.

[QUOTE=SkinzWin;778761]Well since I have so many people jumping on my comments I won't even bother replying to one quote. Maybe I overstated my point to some degree. I agree with many of you that athletes at the NFL level are a rare commodity and in a world of supply and demand they obviously will be compensated higher than an occupation that can easily be filled at a larger rate.

That being said, I am a teacher and I do have a bone to pick with anyone who says anyone can be a teacher, firefighter, or police officer. It takes a special skill set to do all of those things. Especially with teaching in this time period, if you can not handle a lot of problems thrown at you from other faculty, administration, not to mention parents, you won't make it. On top of all of that is pressure from standardized tests to get student pass rates up each year with the addition of things like NCLB.

At the end of the day I know athletes' salaries and public servant type jobs will never be on an equal playing field. However, that does not mean that people getting paid for entertainment, actors and TV personalities included, not to mention business CEOs, should get virtually limitless amounts of money, while other people that work hard too, get average salaries.
[/QUOTE]

Start a National Teachers League and see if you can draw an average of 50,000+ people to watch everyday you work.

I am sypathetic to your concern but it really has no grounds. If anything is to blame it's the American lust for, and overattachment to, entertainment.

If we all stood back and stopped vesting our valuable time (this forum) and money on the insignificant distractions that is movie and sports entertainment we'd all probably in better boat (Teachers included).

...But let me reiterate, I can't do that because I'm too wrapped up in professional football as are most of us who are posting on a forum devoted to a sole NFL franchise.

...and yes I do agree with you if you are thinking that even if you stopped all attachment tomorrow the NFL coffers wouldn't miss you one bit. That's why we're all kind of pot committed to sticking around...that and the game of football is just awesome!

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

[quote=Skinny Tee;778784]Start a National Teachers League and see if you can draw an average of 50,000+ people to watch everyday you work.

I am sypathetic to your concern but it really has no grounds. If anything is to blame it's the American lust for, and overattachment to, entertainment.

If we all stood back and stopped vesting our valuable time (this forum) and money on the insignificant distractions that is movie and sports entertainment we'd all probably in better boat (Teachers included).

...But let me reiterate, I can't do that because I'm too wrapped up in professional football as are most of us who are posting on a forum devoted to a sole NFL franchise.

...and yes I do agree with you if you are thinking that even if you stopped all attachment tomorrow the NFL coffers wouldn't miss you one bit. That's why we're all kind of pot committed to sticking around...that and the game of football is just awesome![/quote]

I agree 100% with what you said. I realize that in reality nothing I said will every happen because we are, as a culture, hooked on our entertainment and the large volumes of people participating and buying merchandise bankroll that. However, that does not prevent me from thinking that I do not like it and wish it were not this way. Maybe I should have stated when I first made the comment that this was not a realistic idea. Just one I did not agree with.

I think the thing that burns me up more than anything is big corporate CEOs making millions and bonuses and stock options out the a@@ when their companies get bailed out because of terrible business practices, and now they are making billion dollar + QUARTERLY profits. Just saw an article on msnbc about it yesterday. I will stop now since I know this is not a forum for those topics.

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

Fck them, I will watch more college football if there is no NFL next season. I got options mother fckers, you ain't the only game in town! Might even get back into baseball or into hockey. No mercy.

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

[quote=saden1;778874]Fck them, I will watch more college football if there is no NFL next season. I got options mother fckers, you ain't the only game in town! [B]Might even get back into baseball or into hockey. [/B]No mercy.[/quote]

MLB and NHL?

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

[quote=Daseal;778509]I hate this argument. Let's really step back and look at this. Anyone can be a cop or a firefighter. Most people on this board could study/train for a year and become a cop or fireman. None of us could become world class athletes. What these players have are special skills that they hone, either for free or pay [tuition, equipment costs, etc], until the age of 20-21ish. Then they are given a very short career span to make money. Their routine work day includes far more violence and danger than the typical cop and fireman as well. I'm not saying service people don't face danger, but I'm arguing over the course of a week, a football player has a far higher risk of being seriously injured. Most of these guys get a short amount of time in the NFL, it's important they're well compensated.[/quote]

THIS, THIS and THIS!! Thank you for spelling it out.. Nothing infuriates me more than the 'teachers, fire fighters and ditch diggers don't get paid this much' argument as if athletes should apologize for their salaries. Wah, wah, wah.. These guys are in the top 1% in the WORLD of those with similar skill sets. There's a reason why elite artists, actors, businessmen and athletes get paid the amount they do. I hate that argument with a passion..

Now, on the topic of this dispute, I side 100% with the players. The owners exercised the option to void the CBA, causing this scenario. With record ratings (although lower attendance figures) it would be beyond moronic for the NFLPA and owners to allow a lockout to proceed past the draft. I doubt it will go that far though because teams need a full offseason to incorporate free agency and drafting into their 2011 plans.

A couple of things/signs are working in favor of a short work stoppage:
-The amount of coaching turnover. Outside of Carolina, all of the owners who made coaching changes will be paying a portion of their fired coaches salaries. If there is a lockout in place into the season, they would be paying a former coach as well as a current coach with no revenue coming in. A few analysts indicated the coaching carousel would be a sign of the owners intent going into the offseason. High turnover would be a good indicator of a short stoppage, low turnover would mean they were locked in for the long haul.
-The large FA class. This is supposed to be the biggest and deepest FA class since free agency began since it's basically 2 years worth of players on the market. The players aren't stupid. They know that the longer the offseason lockout exists, the shorter the FA period and the shorter the dollars will be as well. In addition, the possibility exists of an extension of 2010 terms on all expiring contracts which means hundreds of unhappy players. The NFLPA wants no parts of that either so they will be motivated to make a deal.

Expect a deal around Easter, in time for abbreviated FA before the draft and much more activity afterwards.

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

I only watch baseball when I have trouble falling asleep.

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

The attendance drop wasn't even 1%. I had thought, largely based on people I spoke with, that we would have a resolution by October and the first month of the season would be cancelled.

But, lately I'm hearing that a lot of secret meetings are taking place and it's quite possible this will get resolved much much sooner than that. As in by March

Here's hoping

Go players!

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

SS is your blog linked in your signature?

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

[quote=SmootSmack;778879]MLB and NHL?[/quote]


I use to watch the Orioles and Caps on the regular...then they had strikes and with that I left and never really cared for either sport again. The NFL will get the same exact treatment if they strike.

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

[quote=hooskins;778909]SS is your blog linked in your signature?[/quote]

Yes

To be clear though, it's not mine. A handful of us share the responsibility for it.

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

[quote=saden1;778910]I use to watch the Orioles and Caps on the regular...then they had strikes and with that I left and never really cared for either sport again. The NFL will get the same exact treatment if they strike.[/quote]

It's kind of comical though that you'd go back to sports you left because of lockouts and strikes because your upset with another sport locking out.

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

How pumped do you think Ted Leonsis would be if there was an NFL lockout?

I would definitely contribute all of my time to MLB (shudder), NBA, and NHL if their was no NFL. I love watching the my Caps, O's, and Wizards... but really... I'd take the Redskins over all of them combined.

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

[quote=SolidSnake84;778627]Scab games is what we need. America loves the NFL and the league needs to field replacement teams if they refuse to agree to a new CBA....

Can they even use replacement players?? Someone earlier said that replacement players are forbidden.

EDIT: I answered my own question. The linked article says that the league may indeed use replacement players...[/quote]They can use replacement players if...

1) The Owners agree to play a 2011 season under a new set of NFL rules
2) The NFLPA, when given the option to play under those (non-collectively bargained) rules, opts instead to strike.

Then replacement players (non-NFLPA members) can be used.

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

The NBA is closer to a lockout than the NFL, Rob. You might lose that, as well, for a longer period of time.

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

There WILL NOT be a lockout. These guys like spending way to much. They'll eventually crack.

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

[quote=SmootSmack;778914]It's kind of comical though that you'd go back to sports you left because of lockouts and strikes because your upset with another sport locking out.[/quote]

I have to fill my time with something...I tried women's volleyball but it wasn't satisfying. I will probably stick mostly to college football and basketball.

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

[quote=saden1;779014]I have to fill my time with something...I tried women's volleyball but it wasn't satisfying. I will probably stick mostly to college football and basketball.[/quote]

You should start watching the PPDA. There are a lot of teams so it definitely is something close to anyone who wants to become a fan.

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

[quote=skinzwin;779032]you should start watching the ppda. There are a lot of teams so it definitely is something close to anyone who wants to become a fan.[/quote]

ppda?

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

[quote=saden1;779033]ppda?[/quote]

Professional Pole Dancers Association. I thought everyone new about this... lol

Buster doesn't mind scab players as long as they get the shoulder stripes right.

Personally... if they take a year off, nbd. I'll spend more time having fun and less as a Sunday afternoon masochist.

Sent from my Evo using Tapatalk

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

Let's dispel some of the myths here. On average - 80% of NFL players are nearly bankrupt within 2 years of leaving the league, their careers only last 3 years, and have a median salary of $790,000 per year. Only a few are like Peyton Manning/Tom Brady/Haynesworth.

[U][B]First the facts:[/B][/U]
- NFL Average salary: $2 million / year ([url=http://content.usatoday.com/sportsdata/football/nfl/salaries/team]nfl salaries[/url])
- NFL Median salary: $790,000 ([url=http://www.ehow.com/about_6611223_average-income-nfl-players_.html]nfl median salaries[/url])
- Career of an NFL player: avg 3 years ([url=http://www.nflplayers.com/about-us/FAQs/NFL-Hopeful-FAQs/]nfl career[/url])
- Firefighter/Teacher - median $41,000 ([url=http://www1.salary.com/Fire-Fighter-Salary.html]salary firefighter[/url] or [url=http://www.payscale.com/research/US/All_K-12_Teachers/Salary]salary teacher[/url])

So:
- [B]teacher/firefighter[/B] $41,000 x 45 years (20yo->65yo) = $1.85 million, after 15% tax: [U][B]$1.6 million[/B][/U]
- [B]NFL playe[/B]r: $790,000 x 3years = $2.4 million, after 35% tax: [U][B]$1.6 million[/B][/U]

My point is that although the NFL players make a lot of money per year, [U]their career is OVER after they retire[/U]. They are thus compensated for a lifetime - and it is similar to what others make over a lifetime of work. So teachers are "millionaires" too - over their lifetime. Sure, NFL players can get other jobs after their NFL careers, and this means they will probably make more over a lifetime -- but it's still hard for them to support themselves & million dollar house going from the NFL to working at the grocery store. At least the firefighter or teacher gets the money over a lifetime, so they can more carefully invest it -- most NFL players are 20-something and waste much of the money & crippled by divorces.

In fact, most NFL players declare bankruptcy -- 78% of players are nearly bankrupt within 2 years ([url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1153364/index.htm]sports illustrated[/url], or [url=http://www.rollingout.com/insiderohome/ro-today/8597-almost-80-percent-of-nfl-players-near-bankrupt-60-percent-of-nba-ballers-why.html]other reference[/url]).

Not to mention the fact the average lifespan of NFL players is only 55 years - they usually die young of heart disease ( [url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2313476]espn - nfl lifespan[/url], [url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/story/2008/11/19/fifthestate-headgames.html]cbc nfl lifespan[/url]).


[U][B]Second,[/B][/U] even if they make a little more over a lifetime - they probably deserve it. In our society and capitalism, people are rewarded for what they do. It is MUCH MUCH harder to become an NFL player, and they are compensated as such. People (ie. all of us) are willing to pay to watch them - if we did not value what they did, we wouldn't pay $4000 a ticket to the Superbowl.

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

Good stats ethat. A few questions:

1) in terms of 78% being bankrupt shortly after leaving the game - what does this prove to you? I ask since you quoted the stat. For me it says that regardless of the amount paid, many players will poorly manage their money. And would lead me to the suggestion that maybe less focus should be on salaries, and more on retirement care and follow up.

Same question about the average lifespan. I don't see that much as an argument for or against the player's union, as much as a need for greater education of the player's on healthy after football lifestyles.

I don't think anyone, players, owners, or fans, are saying players should be paid at the same rate as a teacher, or policeman, etc. However, no teacher starts at 41000 at 20 y.o. Most teaching positions require at least a BA degree, and higher paid positions certainly require MBA or better. Although policemen may start at 20 y.o. I also doubt that most teachers or policemen work for 45 years as the stress and general environmental factors would drive those who make it 20 years to seek retirement somewhere along the lines.

One last hypothetical (and truly this is not anywhere near reality), given your statement [QUOTE]At least the firefighter or teacher gets the money over a lifetime, so they can more carefully invest it -- most NFL players are 20-something and waste much of the money & crippled by divorces. [/QUOTE] what would you think of a proposal that a significant portion of a player's salary be put in a fund, and paid out over a 10-year time frame, thus hoping to reduce the number of bankruptcies and give players more time to prepare for their after-NFL career.

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

[quote=Daseal;778509]I hate this argument. Let's really step back and look at this. Anyone can be a cop or a firefighter. Most people on this board could study/train for a year and become a cop or fireman. None of us could become world class athletes. What these players have are special skills that they hone, either for free or pay [tuition, equipment costs, etc], until the age of 20-21ish. Then they are given a very short career span to make money. Their routine work day includes far more violence and danger than the typical cop and fireman as well. I'm not saying service people don't face danger, but I'm arguing over the course of a week, a football player has a far higher risk of being seriously injured. Most of these guys get a short amount of time in the NFL, it's important they're well compensated.[/quote]
Halle-freaking-lujah

I tire of this argument too. The commerce of our country and (increasingly in the rest of the world) is governed by freedom. In a free market, products and services of value are paid at the level at which they are available (scarcity). Professional athletes are amongst the most scarce commodities anywhere. You don't have to like it but it is the system by which you yourself gain a great amount of benefit.

The common misconception is that people get paid to do their job based on how "important" society deems it. That couldn't really be any further from the truth. It's a function of value and scarcity. And where there is little scarcity (teachers) there is little pay no matter how much society values the work they do.

I appreciate what teachers do (as an example) and I have many friends/acquaintances who do it. A few complain about pay some. I always ask why so many people teach if the pay isn't good enough. They never have a real answer.

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

[quote=saden1;778910]I use to watch the Orioles and Caps on the regular...then they had strikes and with that I left and never really cared for either sport again. The NFL will get the same exact treatment if they strike.[/quote]

I truly applaud your free market consumerism. I wish I had the intestinal fortitude to do that with sports. I love 'em too much though. Otherwise I would have given up on the sorry group of legacy killers we call the Redskins nowadays a long time ago. Boo me.

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

[quote=FRPLG;779382]I truly applaud your free market consumerism. I wish I had the intestinal fortitude to do that with sports. I love 'em too much though. Otherwise I would have given up on the sorry group of legacy killers we call the Redskins nowadays a long time ago. Boo me.[/quote]


It helps being in the West Coast. It's an effort for me to watch them and I'm not interested in expanding effort for a bunch of millionaires squabbling about who should get more millions.

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

[quote=FRPLG;779381]Halle-freaking-lujah

I tire of this argument too. The commerce of our country and (increasingly in the rest of the world) is governed by freedom. In a free market, products and services of value are paid at the level at which they are available (scarcity). Professional athletes are amongst the most scarce commodities anywhere. You don't have to like it but it is the system by which you yourself gain a great amount of benefit.

The common misconception is that people get paid to do their job based on how "important" society deems it. That couldn't really be any further from the truth. It's a function of value and scarcity. And where there is little scarcity (teachers) there is little pay no matter how much society values the work they do.

I appreciate what teachers do (as an example) and I have many friends/acquaintances who do it. A few complain about pay some. I always ask why so many people teach if the pay isn't good enough. They never have a real answer.[/quote]

Interesting concept. I'm not sure I completely buy it though. I believe one reason cops and teachers are paid the way they are is because they are state employees. While state employees tend to have pretty good benefits, their salaries aren't always high, but I don't know if that is an argument of scarcity or just the fact that the government is only going to supply X amount of money to pay these state employees, since the government has X amount in their budget to pay for each and every program.

A truer comparison would be if all education and law enforcement was privately funded. Not saying cops and teachers would be making millions a year, but I could potentially see them making more.

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

Teachers are paid less because their "firm", aka government, doesn't get as much money coming and/or has to spread out the money coming in to more recipients and expensive goods such as asphalt. The government can only get income from its tax base or loans from other governments. It's often not a very willing transfer of money to the government.

NFL has a ton of money distribute to its employees because people always spending a giant-ass amount money to satisfy their football fix, other companies want to put their advertising money into the NFL because they believe that they'll grab a ton of consumers, etc.

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

I wanted to invite all of you to check out the NFLPA's Super Bowl ad. The players want only one thing, let us play!

Check it out on Youtube by pasting this link into your browser: youtube.com/watch?v=Jl9BpUgYljQ

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

[quote=NFLLockout;782419]I wanted to invite all of you to check out the NFLPA's Super Bowl ad. The players want only one thing, let us play!

Check it out on Youtube by pasting this link into your browser: youtube.com/watch?v=Jl9BpUgYljQ[/quote]


To be fair, the one thing the players want it to be allowed to play - - under terms that do not change from the present terms in any significant way. They have said from the beginning that they are happy with the current CBA and don't need to negotiate any changes to it at all.

So, "Let us play!" is a bit of an over-simplification of the confrontation here.

In addition, the idea that all they want is "Let us play" sort of conflicts with DeMaurice Smith's statement that the NFLPA and the NFL are "at war".

This is NFLPA "propaganda" just as the interviews with Roger Goodell on NFL Network (gee, who owns NFL Network?) is NFL "propaganda". When really serious negotiations start, NONE of that propagandizing will happen. Things have not yet gotten serious at the bargaining table...

Re: Rock out with your Lockout
 

Hey guys, as many of you know, the NFL recently filed a claim with the National Labor Relations board against the NFLPA.

The NFLPA has responded to that claim:

[I]The players didn’t walk out, and the players can’t lockout. Players want a fair, new and long-term deal. We have offered proposals and solutions on every issue the owners have raised. This claim has absolutely no merit.[/I]

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this!