Alternate NFLPA draft event
 

If this goes down I think I'll totally skip watching the draft this year.

[url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/03/15/nflpa-merely-recommends-that-rookies-dont-attend-draft/]NFLPA* merely “recommends” that rookies don’t attend draft | ProFootballTalk[/url]

Re: Alternate NFLPA draft event
 

I really really really dislike demaurice smith................

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[quote=SOUL-SKINS;789247]I really really really dislike demaurice smith................[/quote]

+1 (add as many zeroes as you like to this.)

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I'm on the players' side in the overall debate, but personally I don't agree with what they're suggesting here. I know many players aren't either, so I'm guessing this won't fly

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This is ridiculous and absolutely selfish of the NFLPA. This is the moment all these kids have been working hard for their entire lives. To hear your name called, put on a hat, and hold that big #1 jersey. It's unfair for the NFLPA to make these kids choose between that moment and feeling closer to their soon to be teammates.

However, I have a question. THE NFLPA dissolved. How can they suggest/tell any players to do anything? I feel like if they decertify they have dissolved and it seems as if they're still working as a union. Is that still legal?

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Nothing illegal about "suggesting" players don't attend. They certainly can't order them not to though.

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They are working as a trade association in close relation with the player agents. They and the player agents are basically going to brow beat these kids and force them to toe the union(that's not a union) line. It's not illegal, but in every other way, it's just wrong.

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It just sucks that on a day where it's supposed to be all about the players coming in, they have to deal with this divide between the players and owners.

The draft is gonna be a shitshow if this goes down. You just know the fans at Radio City are going to be chanting and booing all day, and then you'll have split coverage between Radio City and another venue. Just a mess across the board.

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Do you really think 10-12 guys not showing up will break the draft? If anything it will make it better (for the viewer.) I hate the camera panning to the player getting a phone call before the pick. I ignore twitter/etc to keep the picks a surprise. I like the suspense.

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Break it? No. But it will definitely cause a stir at the draft itself and cause more drama than there needs to be.

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I'll be watching the Draft, players there or not.

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[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;789279][SIZE=4][B]I'll be watching the Draft, players there or not[/B][/SIZE].[/quote]
.........

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Oh, you gotta have the players there. Watching Brady Quinn cry was hilarious....plus his smokin hot girlfriend......

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[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]I guess I thought more people would think this is a great idea…. [/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]The NFL only invites 15-20 people, so I guess ive always felt that its not in a rookies best interest to show up in the first place unless a big priority for them is to make a name or brand themselves, in which case I lose respect for the player as a person. Besides the number 1 pick and the player your favorite team drafts the things I always remember most about the “top tier” players invited to the draft are awkward moments. Like when Brady Quinn “slipped” or when Eli Manning didn’t wear San Diego’s hat and forced through a smile. Or when the Texans made a “mistake” not taking Bush. Or when the Eagles drafted McNabb and Eagle fans flipped out. Or when you see the look of embarrassment or uncomfortableness when a player isn’t drafted as high as his agent told him he would be.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]To me the NFL is merely using these really young adults who don’t really know a whole lot yet to grow their brand. I enjoy watching the draft its fun but I like watching the highlight film and hearing the commentary from Kipper and all the other guys as time ticks down for the next selection. Imagine if you were going to be one of the top 15 drafted and Mr. Goodell invites you to NY. Would you go? Or would throw a party with all your friends and family, the ones who helped you get to this point in your life, like Sean Taylor (5th overall). Or maybe say no thank you and go fishing with your dad and check the news later like Joe Thomas (3rd overall). I guess you could go to NYC and start selling out before you even sign a contract, I mean you have your brand to work on…..[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]I don’t think you have to conform to what the NFL or the NFLPA wants from you but I think a player needs to consider that being a top 15 pick creates a lot of issues in the locker room. There’s a good chance he may hold out. He will be one of the highest paid players on the team without proving anything at the pro level. He will have a jersey available for sale and will get a lot more attention than most other players on the team. And if he goes to the NFL sponsored draft he will likely hug and shake hands with a man most players associate with taking away their livelihoods. In my opinion its nice the NFLPA is offering an alternative to the players that have to have the cameras on them from day one.[/FONT][/COLOR]

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They need to leave the rookies out of this fight. This is the day they've worked their whole lives for and to take it away is just stupid and disrespectful. If they want these rookies on their side, this is not a good first impression.

The "alternate" event serves no purpose. It's still calling attention to the draft. The only thing it could do is speed up the broadcast since the Commish won't have to hug anyone.

I bet most of the players WILL attend the real draft. They should...it's their moment and they earned it.

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question:

If the players charge for their gala, will they show the owners their books?

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I know this may sound like a naive comment, but I feel like, why is the NFL going on about business as usual if the next season is up in the air? Personally, I feel like nothing else should be going on until they resolve whether there will be football or not next season.

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[quote=SOUL-SKINS;789247]I really really really dislike demaurice smith................[/quote]


He's a ****tard, it all went downhill when Upshaw passed

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I've got no issues with De Smith but I think this is a bad idea. I'm 100% on the players side on this saga but this this a poor attempt at grandstanding and trying to steal the spotlight from the NFL and the draft process. I'd be pissed if I was an incoming player or the parent of an incoming player and my 'ceremony' is being tainted by the dispute and me facing scorn if I attend. Bad move NFLPA.

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Anyone else getting tired of DeMaurice Smith? Personally I knew we were in trouble when he called Collective Bargaining a "war." Seriously he compared negotiating billions of dollars to getting shot at. Now we have this sham of a draft event were the great DeMaurice Smith, the true players advocate, will doll out the hugs in a worn down hotel ball room.

The players clearly hired the wrong guy. Gene Upshaw got the players 60% without shouting and screaming at least in public. Smith on the other hand thinks he can bully 32 guys that can't seem to agree on anything.

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I am not tired of him. Gene Upshaw had a personal relationship with the Commish, so that helps reach agreements.

I understand being overly combative is detrimental, however if high profile rookies do not go to the draft(stay at home or go to the NFLPA draft) it sends a message on a national level. If a player is smart, he realizes the long-term impacts of the current labor disputes rather than being self-absorbed in one moment.

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A lot of the players love him, I don't think it is clear cut he is the wrong guy. I think your opinion about the situation is allowing you to portray him negatively.

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Not really getting all the De Smith hate.. Sure he's misguided on this but didn't the owners pick this fight by opting out of the CBA? Should he just be a good little boy and do what the owners say?

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Bottom line, owners are opting out and locking the players out. It is not a strike.

Somehow that all gets overlooked.

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[quote=hooskins;789332]Bottom line, owners are opting out and locking the players out. It is not a strike.

Somehow that all gets overlooked.[/quote]

Exactly, even with decertification if the owners decided to just leave things as they were in 2010 for 2011 we'd be rolling in trades and free agency right now. They locked out causing the stoppage of the league year.

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[quote=Paintrain;789328]Not really getting all the De Smith hate.. Sure he's misguided on this but didn't the owners pick this fight by opting out of the CBA? Should he just be a good little boy and do what the owners say?[/quote]

Initially yes, the owners were being ridiculous and Smith had the world behind him. Since then the NFL has come to the table with a fair offer, and Smith and Co. rejected it. This offer was at the very least a fair starting point and rather then come back with a slightly modified counter offer Smith decides to drag this out and take it to court. Now, as the head of a union, that technically doesn't exist, he's telling players to boycott the draft and attend a sham draft party.

I don't know if it's Smith who made the final decision to reject the NFL's offer but whoever did make that call is taking an unnecessary risk with the 2011 season and beyond. For me the draft boycott is simply the straw that broke the camels back.

[quote]"The union left a very good deal on the table," the NFL said in a statement. "It included an offer to narrow the player compensation gap that existed in the negotiations by splitting the difference; guarantee reallocation of savings from first-round rookies to veterans and retirees without negatively affecting compensation for rounds 2-7; ensure no compensation reduction for veterans; implement new year-round health and safety rules; retain the current 16-4 season format for at least two years with any subsequent changes subject to the approval of the league and union; and establish a new legacy fund for retired players ($82 million contributed by the owners over the next two years).

"The union was offered financial disclosure of audited league and club profitability information that is not even shared with the NFL clubs.

"The expanded health and safety rules would include a reduction in offseason programs of five weeks (from 14 to nine) and of OTAs (Organized Team Activities) from 14 to 10; significant reductions in the amount of contact in practices; and other changes."

New York Giants owner John Mara, Panthers owner Jerry Richardson and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones joined NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in addressing the media after the union decertified.[/quote]

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People seem to have this romanticized memory of Gene Upshaw, but in reality he had his share of critics amongst the players, especially retired players who felt he didn't do enough for them and catered more to active players. He was also viewed by many as being a little too close with NFL execs and didn't always have the best interests of the players in mind.

I honestly don't know enough about De Smith yet. He does seem to have strong support from the players. Plus he's a Skins fan, so he can't be that bad. ;)

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[quote=Dirtbag59;789325]Anyone else getting tired of DeMaurice Smith? Personally I knew we were in trouble when he called Collective Bargaining a "war." Seriously he compared negotiating billions of dollars to getting shot at. Now we have this sham of a draft event were the great DeMaurice Smith, the true players advocate, will doll out the hugs in a worn down hotel ball room.

The players clearly hired the wrong guy. Gene Upshaw got the players 60% without shouting and screaming at least in public. Smith on the other hand thinks he can bully 32 guys that can't seem to agree on anything.[/quote]

Well he's not the first person to make a "war" analogy in sports

And did we forget Upshaw led the players to a strike in 1987; that he decertified the union, that he filed (on behalf of the players) multiple lawsuits

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[quote=SmootSmack;789337]Well he's not the first person to make a "war" analogy in sports

And did we forget Upshaw led the players to a strike in 1987; that he decertified the union, that he filed (on behalf of the players) multiple lawsuits[/quote]

He's not the first person I've gone after for making the war analogy. Heck it's practically a canned speech for me in real life.

And you're absolutely right. Upshaw was certainly a key figure in the 1987 players strike. However Upshaw had to work under a different set of circumstances. In 1987 there was no salary cap (read *no salary floor*), no free agency, no $9 billion industry. Also at the time the NFL was neck and neck with the NBA and MLB. Now both leagues are barely in the NFL's rear view mirror.

I think the thing that irks me the most among other things is that the owners came to the table with a reasonable offer and rather then putting together a counter offer they simply said "see you in court."

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"reasonable offer" depends on who you ask I suppose

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Does anyone know if the nflpa plan on airing there draft event aswell and seprate from the nfl draft? Would nfl network and espn be able to cover any of the nflpa draft event ,or because of legal issues not be able to? So nfl network and espn would air music city hall while another channel like tbs or usa would air the nflpa's draft event. I also heard that the draftie's would go up to a stage and shake hands with some of there new found teammates. Which i don't think is the worst idea , but was wondering if anyone else heard that aswell.

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[quote=halodoc;789352]Does anyone know if the nflpa plan on airing there draft event aswell and seprate from the nfl draft? Would nfl network and espn be able to cover any of the nflpa draft event ,or because of legal issues not be able to? So nfl network and espn would air music city hall while another channel like tbs or usa would air the nflpa's draft event. I also heard that the draftie's would go up to a stage and shake hands with some of there new found teammates. Which i don't think is the worst idea , but was wondering if anyone else heard that aswell.[/quote]I heard a rumor that ESPN3 is airing it and SmootSmack is taking over the Mel Kiper roll. He better go get his hair did.

[QUOTE=ArtMonkDrillz;789353]I heard a rumor that ESPN3 is airing it and SmootSmack is taking over the Mel Kiper roll. He better go get his hair did.[/QUOTE]


Lol. He has quite a head of competition.

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[quote=ArtMonkDrillz;789353]I heard a rumor that ESPN3 is airing it and SmootSmack is taking over the Mel Kiper roll. He better go get his hair did.[/quote]

Never heard of an AI getting TV time. Should be interesting. Hopefully they update him so he doesn't continue to recommend that teams with a need at QB take Jevan Snead :D

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[quote=Dirtbag59;789361]Never heard of an AI getting TV time. Should be interesting. Hopefully they update him so he doesn't continue to recommend that teams with a need at QB take Jevan Snead :D[/quote]

All I'm saying is with a Snead/Daniel combo at QB...we wouldn't need to talk about filling the QB position for the next decade. That's all I'm saying

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Full disclosure I have friends that used to work at the NFLPA and I have fond memories of meeting the late Gene Upshaw.

Gene may have been close to the NFL execs but that didn't stop him from getting the players how can I say this...a kick ass deal.

To us its a game but for them this about their livelihoods, their families their future and the future players.

The stakes are high.

I think as fans we should take our emotions out of it and look at what's going on.

What have the owners done to cause the situation vs what have the players done?
---------------------------------------------------------------
I understand the reasoning behind NFLPA wanting to have the draft at another venue not sponsored by the NFL owners.

It does strike me as a sham for the owners to hold the draft ceremony when they are in fact preventing the new draftees from signing contracts, meeting with their coaches and staff, training in the team facilities etc. in short they are limiting the players from the means to prepare to excell at their jobs.

Imo the NFL draft held by the owners during a lockout with no CBA is kinda paradoxical at best, exploitive at worst.

If the NFLPA can preserve the spirit of the draft experience for the incoming players then I completely agree with their intent.

The incoming players deserve the recognition and they and their families deserve the moment.

But, the execution and production of the event better be flawless.

My suggestions: hire a former player/celeb as host; invite as many former player/celebs as possible, invite celebs, invite the fans FOR FREE, have as many current players on hand as possible to welcome there new teammates into the NFL players fraternity, have as much media on hand as possible






The lockout will be over the 1st week of April anyway.

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[quote=Ruhskins;789308]I know this may sound like a naive comment, but I feel like, why is the NFL going on about business as usual if the next season is up in the air? Personally, I feel like nothing else should be going on until they resolve whether there will be football or not next season.[/quote]


I have another naive comment to raise with my fellow posters: Has it occurred to any of you that this is one big ----ing act that the owners and union members are putting on for the fans and the media's benefit? Why do we have to make a decision about "who is right or wrong" in this dispute?

If fans did not take a side, I am willing to bet it would be resolved by next month before the draft. I refuse to play their game!

Just suppose they both wanted to get rid of the previous CBA agreement because it was getting out of control with regulations and rulings by the owner's watch dog, the commish along with the rules committees. Being indifferent in this matter has more leverage for the fans than siding with either the owners or the players.

Just maybe they will want to reinvent the game again and bring back football without the softer side of it. The game has gotten to the point where it is getting too scripted by those who don't play the game.

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[quote=juskins;789405]I have another naive comment to raise with my fellow posters: Has it occurred to any of you that this is one big ----ing act that the owners and union members are putting on for the fans and the media's benefit? Why do we have to make a decision about "who is right or wrong" in this dispute?

If fans did not take a side, I am willing to bet it would be resolved by next month before the draft. I refuse to play their game!

Just suppose they both wanted to get rid of the previous CBA agreement because it was getting out of control with regulations and rulings by the owner's watch dog, the commish along with the rules committees. Being indifferent in this matter has more leverage for the fans than siding with either the owners or the players.

Just maybe they will want to reinvent the game again and bring back football without the softer side of it. The game has gotten to the point where it is getting too scripted by those who don't play the game.[/quote]

Um....

I think I'll just answer Ruhskins comment: Ruhskins-teams need to move forward as if business as usual (to the best of their ability) to be prepared for whenever an agreement is reached. If they don't, they'll fall way behind.

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Heck the NFLPA might as well go out and broker their own television deals. The owners/NFL maybe chooses FOX, the players/NFLPA can go choose NBC. I mean if their going to have their own draft day party they might as well broker their own TV deals also.

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[quote=SmootSmack;789406]Um....

I think I'll just answer Ruhskins comment: Ruhskins-teams need to move forward as if business as usual (to the best of their ability) to be prepared for whenever an agreement is reached. If they don't, they'll fall way behind.[/quote]


Come April 6th, the judge will hear both sides in this matter and declare that she or he will make a ruling in X amount of days. More than likely the judge will rule with the players by ruling that the owners have not negotiated in good faith from the beginning and cannot lock the players out of their work place. A deal gets done and the players form another union, guild or whatever. Both sides celebrate!

Does that sound about right? Been there, done it.