Official: NFLPA To Decertify

[thewarden86]

Bye-bye 2011 season

[url="http://eye-on-football.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22475988/27860259"]My link[/url]

[Token]

This just ruined my day

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='thewarden86' timestamp='1299882238' post='652147']
[b]Bye-bye 2011 season[/b]

[url="http://eye-on-football.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22475988/27860259"]My link[/url]
[/quote]

You think that for sure?

[Clutch Ravens]

It's official: DeMaurice Smith is the footballing Anti-Christ.

[JO_75]

I blame this Smith guy, he looked clueless and didn't seem like he knew what he was getting into from the beginning. Can't believe the players hired him, so I guess Roger Goodell can be happy that the players hired a clueless person to represent them and take the down fall of no NFL in September.

[berad]

Pisses me off...

A bunch of stubborn jerks in a room together, and they wonder why they didn't get a deal done...

[thewarden86]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1299882541' post='652151']
I blame this Smith guy, he looked clueless and didn't seem like he knew what he was getting into from the beginning. Can't believe the players hired him, so I guess Roger Goodell can be happy that the players hired a clueless person to represent them and take the down fall of no NFL in September.
[/quote]

That appears to be the general consensus.

[Clutch Ravens]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1299882541' post='652151']
I blame this Smith guy, he looked clueless and didn't seem like he knew what he was getting into from the beginning. Can't believe the players hired him, so I guess Roger Goodell can be happy that the players hired a clueless person to represent them and take the down fall of no NFL in September.
[/quote]

Where did they find him? He looks like a retarded fish.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

In all honesty, we could sum up the CBA negotiations by saying that they were two sides of rich men trying to get even more rich, led by goons in Smith and Goodell. It was never going to end well.

No matter how much I love the sport, I will never, ever understand sportsmen (not just footballers) who feel they aren't paid enough.

[thewarden86]

Yea, no question; the players union scumbagged it. Apparently they were at the table "negotiating" after 4pm when the paperwork to de-certify was submitted AT 4pm.

Mara (Giants owner) says they offered a 50/50 split at noon today and the NFLPA responded at 4pm with "that's not sufficient."

I hope the players get less in court.

[berad]

If anyone's watching this Jeff Pash guy on ESPN, he is slamming the union. If what he's saying true, the union turned down almost everything they wanted.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1299883086' post='652163']
If anyone's watching this Jeff Pash guy on ESPN, he is slamming the union. If what he's saying true, the union turned down almost everything they wanted.
[/quote]

Yep, the perception is they [i]wanted[/i] litigation all along.

[Clutch Ravens]

[quote name='thewarden86' timestamp='1299882934' post='652159']
Yea, no question; the players union scumbagged it. Apparently they were at the table "negotiating" after 4pm when the paperwork to de-certify was submitted AT 4pm.

Mara (Giants owner) says they offered a 50/50 split at noon today and the NFLPA responded at 4pm with "that's not sufficient."

I hope the players get less in court.
[/quote]

If that's true a lot of people who were behind the players will turn on them.

They kept saying things like "We just want to play ball." or "We want a season next year as much as the fans." then they're offered effectively what they were asking for and respond with that's not enough.

Off with the NFLPA's head! (DeMaurice Smith)

[thewarden86]

[quote name='Clutch Ravens' timestamp='1299883226' post='652166']
[b]If that's true a lot of people who were behind the players will turn on them.[/b]

They kept saying things like "We just want to play ball." or "We want a season next year as much as the fans." then they're offered effectively what they were asking for and respond with that's not enough.

Off with the NFLPA's head! (DeMaurice Smith)
[/quote]

Including me. I was on the fence but slightly with the owners. Now I'm 100% on the owners side.

[JO_75]

[quote name='Clutch Ravens' timestamp='1299882678' post='652154']
Where did they find him? He looks like a retarded fish.
[/quote]

LOL that's funny. Also let's not forget Roger Goodell isn't a bright one either so I guess when you put two clueless people in one room you get this mess. So it seems no Free Agency until after the Draft now.

Well... so what are us fans going to do with the only Draft happening?

[Clutch Ravens]

[quote name='thewarden86' timestamp='1299883383' post='652169']
Including me. I was on the fence but slightly with the owners. Now I'm 100% on the owners side.
[/quote]

I was the same as you. Now all I can think is "<[i]bleep[/i]>you, NFLPA. You were planning this all along."

It didn't matter what the owners were going to offer them (outside of anything unrealistic) they were going to throw it back in everyone's faces.

The NFLPA is an embarassment and a disgrace.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='Clutch Ravens' timestamp='1299883532' post='652171']
I was the same as you. Now all I can think is "<[i]bleep[/i]>you, NFLPA. You were planning this all along."

It didn't matter what the owners were going to offer them (outside of anything unrealistic) they were going to throw it back in everyone's faces.

The NFLPA is an embarassment and a disgrace.
[/quote]

Couldn't agree more.

[Moderator 3]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1299883086' post='652163']
If anyone's watching this Jeff Pash guy on ESPN, he is slamming the union. If what he's saying true, the union turned down almost everything they wanted.
[/quote]


But then the union's outside counsel says the NFL owners are lying.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='Clutch Ravens' timestamp='1299883532' post='652171']
I was the same as you. Now all I can think is "<[i]bleep[/i]>you, NFLPA. You were planning this all along."

It didn't matter what the owners were going to offer them (outside of anything unrealistic) they were going to throw it back in everyone's faces.

[b]The NFLPA is an embarassment and a disgrace.[/b]
[/quote]

I hope there are some sort of sanction passed on them so that in the future they don't have the power to force a lockout when they have a legitimately good offer on the table.

[Ed_Reed20]

I've read and heard the judge that will be ruling on the case is pro-union? Even so, this was a bad move on the NFLPA's part.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

Not to forget that they came out and the end of the day and said that they had [i]"the best interests of the fans at heart"[/i]. Which I don't doubt is a lie otherwise they would have come to a compromise by now.

[berad]

[quote name='thewarden86' timestamp='1299883187' post='652165']
Yep, the perception is they [i]wanted[/i] litigation all along.
[/quote]

[quote name='Moderator 3' timestamp='1299883682' post='652173']
But then the union's outside counsel says the NFL owners are lying.
[/quote]

Can't say I'm surprised on either accounts. More just disappointed.

[JO_75]

Mediator: We are here to discuss a new CBA for the NFL

Goodell and Smith at Once: HUH??

Mediator: You hired me to get a CBA done for you.

Goodell: What's a CBA? Sounds like a new penalty, that sounds dangerous and could be harmful to the QBs.

Smith: HUH?

Mediator: I GIVE UP!

[ryan23945]

no lock out yet, but it doesnt look good, have to wait for the judge to rule, i wonder how many/if any players will sue, i imagine their will be a rash of players who will if there is no season next year

[ryan23945]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1299883838' post='652176']
I've read and heard the judge that will be ruling on the case is pro-union? Even so, this was a bad move on the NFLPA's part.
[/quote]
ya i heard that too, he ruled in favor of mike vick in 08, saying he can keep his roster bonuses, and ashley lelie as well, and there were a few other cases as well.

apparently that was part of the owners offer as well, they dont want players to b able to keep that money in certain cases.

[Clutch Ravens]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1299884911' post='652186']
Mediator: We are here to discuss a new CBA for the NFL

Goodell and Smith at Once: HUH??

Mediator: You hired me to get a CBA done for you.

Goodell: What's a CBA? Sounds like a new penalty, that sounds dangerous and could be harmful to the QBs.

Smith: HUH?

Mediator: I GIVE UP!
[/quote]

Nah, for this to happen the mediator must've sat in his chair spinning round while poking his belly button and giggling. [i]<Slightly inappropriate South Park/Kanye West reference>[/i]

[svt2nv04]

I don't know what side to believe.

[Moderator 2]

[url="http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Articles/2011/03/Press_Release_-_NFL_Statement.aspx"]NFL STATEMENT:[/url]

The fastest way to a fair agreement is for both the union and the clubs to continue the mediation process. Unfortunately, the players’ union has notified our office that at 4pm ET it had “decertified” and is walking away from mediation and collective bargaining, presumably to initiate the antitrust litigation it has been threatening to file. In an effort to get a fair agreement now, the clubs offered a deal that would have had no adverse financial impact upon veteran players in the early years and would meet the players’ financial demands in the latter years.

The union left a very good deal on the table. 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.

At a time when thousands of employees are fighting for their collective bargaining rights, this union has chosen to abandon collective bargaining in favor of a sham ‘decertification’ and antitrust litigation. This litigation maneuver is built on the indisputably false premise that the NFLPA has stopped being a union and will merely delay the process of reaching an agreement.

The NFL clubs remain committed to collective bargaining and the federal mediation process until an agreement is reached. The NFL calls on the union to return to negotiations immediately. NFL players, clubs, and fans want an agreement. The only place it can be reached is at the bargaining table. [right]
[/right]

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='PWNEDbyDEANO' timestamp='1299882920' post='652158']
In all honesty, we could sum up the CBA negotiations by saying that they were two sides of rich men trying to get even more rich, led by goons in Smith and Goodell. It was never going to end well.

No matter how much I love the sport, I will never, ever understand sportsmen (not just footballers) who feel they aren't paid enough.
[/quote]
Yep. I don't blame one side more than the other, I blame both sides evenly. This entire display in the media has been childish and classless. If either side thinks they'll get sympathy from the fans, they're sorely disappointed.

Sure, the initial assumption is that fans will automatically side with the players against the evil, greedy owners. However, when you really sit down and think about it, there is no good guy in this situation. Everyone wants more; while this is the nature of business, if either side really cared about the best interest of the fans, they would've put their differences aside long ago and would've come to a temporary agreement to ensure that there'd be NFL football this fall.

[Shawn`]

I'm absolutely shocked that a big business neglected customers over personal profits. That's [b][i]never[/i][/b] happened before.

[img]http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif[/img]

/sarcasm