Official: NFLPA To Decertify

[JO_75]

Here is a very REFRESHING voice of reason in this whole mess. Former Vikings QB Fran Tarkenton offers his thoughts and says he could get a labor deal done in two minutes.

[quote][b]“With everything going on in the world,[/b] we’ve got the tragedy in Japan and what’s happening in all the Middle East when all these people are wanting freedom, and it’s a wonderful thing. And [b]here we have the most successful sports franchise in the world, the National Football League, we don’t want to give this up. And we understand in professional football, teams win, individuals don’t.[/b]

And it’s time for these owners and time for these players to sit down together, [b]get the lawyers out of the [room], lawyers don’t help things. Lawyers muck up things. Lawyers cause problems, lawyers in divorce suits, they don’t help the people get back together, [/b] [b]we need to get real people, get the lawyers out of the negotiating room, stop the lawsuits, and let’s get real people, owners and players, who are partners in all this, let’s let them get together and get this thing solved now rather than later.”[/b][/quote]

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/03/24/fran-tarkenton-says-hed-get-labor-dispute-solved-in-two-minutes/

That I agree with 1000%!

[berad]

Tarkenton always takes strong stands and voices his opinions. He did it with Brett Favre and all of his drama [i](which I loved)[/i] and he's, apparently, doing it now. Have to agree with him, again. Too bad both sides will probably stick with their guns, and they're lawyers, until they reach a tipping point and start losing big money.

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1301030790' post='658563']
Tarkenton always takes strong stands and voices his opinions. He did it with Brett Favre and all of his drama [i](which I loved)[/i] and he's, apparently, doing it now. Have to agree with him, again. Too bad both sides will probably stick with their guns, and they're lawyers, until they reach a tipping point and start losing big money.
[/quote]

Yeah, the problem is that everyone involved in the negotiations is an attorney, so that's not really going to change anything. I think the problem was bringing in an outsider (D-Smith) to run the NFLPA.

[JO_75]

The big day is tomorrow. The Big court case.... and even though the players have been acting like spoiled little brats this whole time, this very dull and boring off-season can become interesting with Free Agency, Trades and all of that happening and there would be Football in September. Here's how:

[b]If Players Win: "The lockout would end, free agency would begin, trade would be made, offseason workouts would start, OTAs and minicamps would happen, training camp would begin on time, and the full season would be played."[/b]

If The Owners Win: The lockout would continue. And it would end only if an agreement is reached by the parties on a new labor deal.

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/05/ten-things-to-know-about-the-wednesday-hearing/

So look the Players may not have been doing a good job getting people to side with them and they have more people siding against them, well if the players winning means Free Agency begins, and we can start seeing players sign and trades happening, I'll take it.

[AwakenTheDemon]

Apparently another rookie is joining the suit: Middle Tennessee's Garrett Andrews. I can understand why rookies would want to help try to avoid a lockout, but to me they should just sit on the sidelines and watch. They aren't even in the NFL yet, and I believe this kid didn't even make it to the combine. Let the Mannings, Bradys, and Breeses handle business, you kids just worry about making it into the NFL.

[hawkprey]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' timestamp='1302066418' post='662447']
Apparently another rookie is joining the suit: Middle Tennessee's Garrett Andrews. I can understand why rookies would want to help try to avoid a lockout, but to me they should just sit on the sidelines and watch. They aren't even in the NFL yet, and I believe this kid didn't even make it to the combine. Let the Mannings, Bradys, and Breeses handle business, you kids just worry about making it into the NFL.
[/quote]

Probably trying to get his name out there before the draft, even if it's bad attention. I doubt anyone knew who he was before this.

[JO_75]

Court Update:

- Only 1 mention of irreparable harm and [Judge Susan] Nelson said it ‘appears players have strong case.

- Judge Susan Nelson reportedly mentioned mediation a few times early in the session, and wondered why the owners and players aren’t there now instead.

- The NFL’s attorney David Boies spent a lot more time answering questions and speaking to Judge Nelson than the player’s attorney.

- NFLPA to Judge: [b]“Let them go back to work and do what they do, and that’s playing the game of football,” said lawyer James Quinn, speaking for the players. “The lockout itself is illegal. Over 800 players are unsigned. These players have no jobs. They have nowhere to go.”[/b]

They just took their second break of the day and will resume once again at 3PM.

Sources: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/06/we-have-our-first-reports-from-the-antitrust-hearing/

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/06/judge-nelson-asks-owners-and-players-why-they-arent-in-mediation/

Update: The NFL has asked why won't players submit blood tests and for their argument said "If a 13-year-old gymnast or figure skater can handle getting the blood test, I think our players should be able to do so as well."

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1302057127' post='662380']
The big day is tomorrow. The Big court case.... and even though the players have been acting like spoiled little brats this whole time, this very dull and boring off-season can become interesting with Free Agency, Trades and all of that happening and there would be Football in September. Here's how:

[b]If Players Win: "The lockout would end, free agency would begin, trade would be made, offseason workouts would start, OTAs and minicamps would happen, training camp would begin on time, and the full season would be played."[/b]

[b]If The Owners Win: The lockout would continue. And it would end only if an agreement is reached by the parties on a new labor deal.[/b]
Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/05/ten-things-to-know-about-the-wednesday-hearing/

So look the Players may not have been doing a good job getting people to side with them and they have more people siding against them, well if the players winning means Free Agency begins, and we can start seeing players sign and trades happening, I'll take it.
[/quote]
I think that's ironic because it was the owners who allegedly laid a deal out for the players right before they decertified, and it was rejected by the players (Although some say they were gonna decertify regardless). You'd think if the owners win, they'd just resort to that deal and if the players win, they'd have to agree on a new one.

[JO_75]

From Multiple Sources:

Judge Susan Nelson will impose FORCED Mediation between NFL and NFLPA early this week. This is great news but the league still can't agree with the NFLPA, League wants mediation in DC while the NFLPA wants it in Minnesota. It also being said that the mediation period this time could land a new CBA Deal.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1302478579' post='663918']
From Multiple Sources:

Judge Susan Nelson will impose FORCED Mediation between NFL and NFLPA early this week. This is great news but the league still can't agree with the NFLPA, League wants mediation in DC while the NFLPA wants it in Minnesota. It also being said that the mediation period this time could land a new CBA Deal.
[/quote]
Man, let's hope!!

[JO_75]

Like everyone thought, the League and Players couldn't decide on Mediation so Judge Nelson forced it on them like expected but this time there is no Cohen who was the original mediator. Judge Arthur Boylan will over see the next session of Mediation period between the League and Players, in Minnesota.

Round 2 of Mediation begins Thursday!

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/11/judge-nelson-appoint-magistrate-judg/

[quote]The mediation session begins Thursday, in Magistrate Judge Boylan’s Minneapolis chambers. It remains to be seen whether any, some, or all of the specific parties will be required to attend in person.[/quote]

[JO_75]

Well Here is the update on the Mediation today. 4 Owners have showed up, it is unclear who showed up for the players. I must say I have faith that a CBA can get done considering that Robert Kraft, Clark Hunt, and Art Rooney are 3 of the Owners present. The only downside is QB Hating Owner Jerry Richardson is also in attendance. Other than that maybe the 3 more sensible Owners will out rule the QB Hating Owner and a deal will be done.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/14/only-four-of-32-owners-at-mediation/

[berad]

Richardson's only bitter because he's never had a good QB... well except for when he played with the Colts back in the day...

[George70]

I'm rather a little leery of this court-ordered mediation, but yet I am willing to do whatever is required to save the season and give the people what they want.

[JO_75]

Oh Great..... Court Ordered Mediation is over and guess what, mediation won't resume until........... May 16th!!!!!!!!!!!

Words can not express my frustration hearing that so I used all those emoticons to express my feelings. May 16th??? Wait, I didn't get to the best part, the guy who is running this mediation session, his schedule for the next month or so is so packed that is the reason for mediation ending until May 16th. Gee... about giving it to the guy who did the first mediation session!!!!

Looks like since we won't get back to the table until May 16th, Week 1 is starting to fade away......

These Judges are stupid, do they not realize that a CBA has to be done ASAP and that Mediation can not wait until May 16th, see what you did DeIdiot Smith, you wanted to go to court and now we are in this mess... thanks alot!

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/20/mediation-breaks-for-nearly-a-month/