NFL Offseason 2011 - The Longest Yard?

[tomalak301]

I've believe the new deal when I see the new deal. It just feels like every week is the same thing, the Media reports the league and players are getting close, and every week the Lockout is still happening. Personally, the only thing I believe is ESPN is so desperate to get Football back that they will say everything and because it's ESPN, people will eat it up as fact. I hope this lockout ends soon as well, but right now, I'll give it another 2-3 weeks before that happens.

 

[archeryguy1701]

NFL owners approved the deal, while the players didn't. There are many different stories going on as to why.... The media (particularly NFL network reporters) are saying it's because they players aren't happy with stuff in the agreement. In particular, the reports are claiming that the owners slipped stuff into the agreement at the last second that was never discussed.

A few players are claiming it's because they just got the proposal and no one's had a chance to actually look at it, so they're not going to vote on something they haven't seen.

And according to a Yahoo! article that quotes an email from the NFLPA lawyers to the players, there are indications that this whole song and dance may end up being a moot point anyways. Of most concern is.....

We received the NFL's proposed procedure for finalizing a settlement. Among other things, it … Demands that the players re-form as a union and provide evidence by Tuesday, July 26 that a majority of players have signed union authorization cards…
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… In addition to depriving the players of the time needed to consider forming a union and making needed changes to the old Agreement, this proposed procedure would in my view also violate federal labor laws. Those laws prohibit employers from coercing their employees into forming a union, and could result in any Agreement reached through the procedure being declared null and void. ​

Not sure what to make out of all of this. I can't help but wonder if someone's playing games with all of this. I can certainly understand the players not wanting to sign something they haven't seen. I can understand them not wanting to sign something that has new stuff slipped into it, though I don't understand how that happens. The last part, though, screams to me that the lawyers don't want to settle.... they want to keep this sucker in the courts. I just want football back.

Actually, I just the players to at least start practicing again so that there's finally something new to add to the media's daily Tebow vs Orton articles.... The same article, with the occassional new quote, has been printed every day for 4 months and I don't want to read it anymore.
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[Timby]

Apparently the players are insisting on an opt-out clause (available to both sides, with penalty) after year seven of the CBA, along with the ability to report to team facilities and do in-person votes on recertification (the NFL just wants them to give assent via email).

Sucks that the Hall of Fame Game has been scuttled, since Richard Dent is being inducted.

 

[pork3]

Apparently the players are insisting on an opt-out clause (available to both sides, with penalty) after year seven of the CBA, along with the ability to report to team facilities and do in-person votes on recertification (the NFL just wants them to give assent via email).

Sucks that the Hall of Fame Game has been scuttled, since Richard Dent is being inducted.

Another more pressing concern is how the people of Canton, whose economy is somewhat centered around the Hall of Fame game and associated festivities, will be affected due to its cancellation this year...

-Jamman

 

[Timby]

Apparently the players are insisting on an opt-out clause (available to both sides, with penalty) after year seven of the CBA, along with the ability to report to team facilities and do in-person votes on recertification (the NFL just wants them to give assent via email).

Sucks that the Hall of Fame Game has been scuttled, since Richard Dent is being inducted.

Another more pressing concern is how the people of Canton, whose economy is somewhat centered around the Hall of Fame game and associated festivities, will be affected due to its cancellation this year...

-Jamman

Well, let's be fair. I work in tourism, and believe me, I know how much "heads in beds" and having a massive influx of visitors means to a city. But let's not get silly -- it's the Hall of Fame induction that draws the people to town. Fawcett Stadium only holds, what, 22,000 people?

The Hall of Fame Ceremony will still go on, and there will still be bucketloads of people there to see it. And I'm almost positive that the NFL will re-schedule the HoF game for later in the post-season.

I'm wondering if the HoF

 

[SmoothieX]

^Not just the HoF game and Canton being impacted by this, but I also read a story recently that a number of teams will hold camp at the team facilities, rather than whatever university they typically hold them at. The Jets and Ravens being among them if I recall correctly.

Local businesses were complaining how they would be pinched by this, since many of these places are out in the sticks, and the tourism for that month gives them a boost.

 

[Yoda]

I don't know, maybe that pizza place will find it refreshing when they don't have to haggle with Mark Sanchez over a 59 cent extra ranch sauce.

 

[SmoothieX]

So if football is really back now, the football gods won't strike me down when I say...

Fuck the Jets!

And I'm still mad at you for January, Pats! Way to shit all over my wife's first playoff game. Every time she doesn't have a happy ending, you're the baseline she compares it so. Seriously, 6 months, gallons of scotch, and 14 therpay sessions later, I still don't get the fake fucking punt?!? And after not throwing a ball his way all year, you decide to make Flowers for Algernon Crumpler your featured fucking receiver? And you're surprised he dropped a sure TD?

Oh, and just in case no one told you before hand, you were down before you bled 9 minutes off the clock and went 16 yards.

Aw well, me being pissed at the Pats is like an old, comfy blanket. As soon as this shit is finally official, I'm buying tickets for the Colts game.

 

[archeryguy1701]

Not that the season is officially back, I can start feeling excited for this season. Things can't be any worse than last season and I'm excited to see how things go. I'm hopeful that King John and the Fox will steer Denver back in the right direction. I think the thing that excites me most is that Fox likes the things that represented Denver when I first got into football: a strong defense and a tough running game. The passing game was exciting and everything, but I sorely missed having those other two aspects be a part of recent Denver teams.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

How many minutes after trades can happen do you think it will be before Kevin Kolb is traded to Arizona for Rodgers-Cromartie?

 

[Sheep]

The important news that no one is talking about...will the Eagles sign Favre?

It's most likely some Philly reporter trying to sell newspapers and/or get page views but given past history I wouldn't be surprised in any way to see the geezer to un-retire. Again.

 

[archeryguy1701]

I gotta say that I am somewhat surprised.... We have a Favre Watch 2011, and it's not even Favre's fault for once. Doesn't make it less annoying, but it gives me more hope that it won't actually happen.

 

[Chaos Descending]

How many minutes after trades can happen do you think it will be before Kevin Kolb is traded to Arizona for Rodgers-Cromartie?

LOL! I expected to be a virtually done deal already.

 

[SmoothieX]

Haynesworth to the Pats...interesting. They've gotten something out of character issue guys in the past, and a D-line if Haynesworth, Wilfork, and Ty Warren could be pretty sweet - assuming Albert doesn't cause problems and Warren is fully healthy.

 

[Skywalker]

Damn, I was just coming to post that. They only had to give up a 5th-round pick in 2013 for him. If Haynesworth finally decides to live up to his potential...

Great move for the Pats, if he does. Pass rush was arguably their biggest need this offseason.

 

[SmoothieX]

Their secondary is pretty solid, and this would sure up the line.

It killed me to watch slow 2nd string QBs eat a sandwich in the pocket before finding a guy for 8 on 3rd and 6.

 

[Skywalker]

Ugh. No kidding.

I'd still like to see them pick up another linebacker, and a wide receiver who can stretch the field (and actually create some separation). But putting Haynesworth on the line is a big help.

 

[SmoothieX]

You know of a good site that lists available FAs position by position?

I see Top 100 lists, but not the whole breakdown.

A field stretching WR would open up the field for Welker, Branch, Gronk, and Hernandez to go over the middle.

I haven't seen enough of Tate to see if he can fill that role.

 

[Skywalker]

I don't, unfortunately. I'd like to find one, though. Maybe someone else around here knows of a site like that.

I agree with you about Tate. He's got plenty of speed, but he seems to be unable to create separation between him and the DBs. I'm actually kind of curious to see if the Patriots will look into Braylon Edwards.

 

[SmoothieX]

^I am too, he seems on his way out of NY for cap space. Addition by subtraction from your rival is always nice too.

Problem is he's another head case.