8th Circuit Court Grants Stay, Lockout Continues

[CRedskinsRule]

For what it's worth. In my opinion the huge win that was out there for the players was all the non cash benefits they could get from the owners in exchange for a larger exemption. No books need be shown (win for owners) for any of these type ideas:

reduce restricted free agency to 3 years.
impose a 1 year maximum on franchise tags
reduce or eliminate mandatory ota's, even changing bonus structures so that they can't be used as hammers
increased health benefits post career (on this one, the owners would probably ask to enlarge the exemption, but it seems worth it to me)
remove 18 games completely (heck we all figure the owners through that in as a bargaining chip, so use it for best gains)

there are probably more ways too. So rather than scream show us the books, just use it as a tool- no books, ok, healthcare for everyone. 1.4b exemption ok pensions start at age 50, not 55. 1.5b, ok, unrestricted after 3 years for everyone.

I believe the owners were expecting and willing to handle that negotiation, but instead we get a steady diet of war, books, and lawsuits, that none of the owners are going to buy into as a negotiation.

Dang it, put me at a table with a bunch of vet min/RFA guys, and we will get a deal done!!!