Rock out with your Lockout

Well since I have so many people jumping on my comments I won't even bother replying to one quote. Maybe I overstated my point to some degree. I agree with many of you that athletes at the NFL level are a rare commodity and in a world of supply and demand they obviously will be compensated higher than an occupation that can easily be filled at a larger rate.

That being said, I am a teacher and I do have a bone to pick with anyone who says anyone can be a teacher, firefighter, or police officer. It takes a special skill set to do all of those things. Especially with teaching in this time period, if you can not handle a lot of problems thrown at you from other faculty, administration, not to mention parents, you won't make it. On top of all of that is pressure from standardized tests to get student pass rates up each year with the addition of things like NCLB.

At the end of the day I know athletes' salaries and public servant type jobs will never be on an equal playing field. However, that does not mean that people getting paid for entertainment, actors and TV personalities included, not to mention business CEOs, should get virtually limitless amounts of money, while other people that work hard too, get average salaries.


Start a National Teachers League and see if you can draw an average of 50,000+ people to watch everyday you work.

I am sypathetic to your concern but it really has no grounds. If anything is to blame it's the American lust for, and overattachment to, entertainment.

If we all stood back and stopped vesting our valuable time (this forum) and money on the insignificant distractions that is movie and sports entertainment we'd all probably in better boat (Teachers included).

...But let me reiterate, I can't do that because I'm too wrapped up in professional football as are most of us who are posting on a forum devoted to a sole NFL franchise.

...and yes I do agree with you if you are thinking that even if you stopped all attachment tomorrow the NFL coffers wouldn't miss you one bit. That's why we're all kind of pot committed to sticking around...that and the game of football is just awesome!

Start a National Teachers League and see if you can draw an average of 50,000+ people to watch everyday you work.

I am sypathetic to your concern but it really has no grounds. If anything is to blame it's the American lust for, and overattachment to, entertainment.

If we all stood back and stopped vesting our valuable time (this forum) and money on the insignificant distractions that is movie and sports entertainment we'd all probably in better boat (Teachers included).

...But let me reiterate, I can't do that because I'm too wrapped up in professional football as are most of us who are posting on a forum devoted to a sole NFL franchise.

...and yes I do agree with you if you are thinking that even if you stopped all attachment tomorrow the NFL coffers wouldn't miss you one bit. That's why we're all kind of pot committed to sticking around...that and the game of football is just awesome!

I agree 100% with what you said. I realize that in reality nothing I said will every happen because we are, as a culture, hooked on our entertainment and the large volumes of people participating and buying merchandise bankroll that. However, that does not prevent me from thinking that I do not like it and wish it were not this way. Maybe I should have stated when I first made the comment that this was not a realistic idea. Just one I did not agree with.

I think the thing that burns me up more than anything is big corporate CEOs making millions and bonuses and stock options out the a@@ when their companies get bailed out because of terrible business practices, and now they are making billion dollar + QUARTERLY profits. Just saw an article on msnbc about it yesterday. I will stop now since I know this is not a forum for those topics.

Fck them, I will watch more college football if there is no NFL next season. I got options mother fckers, you ain't the only game in town! Might even get back into baseball or into hockey. No mercy.

Fck them, I will watch more college football if there is no NFL next season. I got options mother fckers, you ain't the only game in town! Might even get back into baseball or into hockey. No mercy.

MLB and NHL?

I hate this argument. Let's really step back and look at this. Anyone can be a cop or a firefighter. Most people on this board could study/train for a year and become a cop or fireman. None of us could become world class athletes. What these players have are special skills that they hone, either for free or pay [tuition, equipment costs, etc], until the age of 20-21ish. Then they are given a very short career span to make money. Their routine work day includes far more violence and danger than the typical cop and fireman as well. I'm not saying service people don't face danger, but I'm arguing over the course of a week, a football player has a far higher risk of being seriously injured. Most of these guys get a short amount of time in the NFL, it's important they're well compensated.

THIS, THIS and THIS!! Thank you for spelling it out.. Nothing infuriates me more than the 'teachers, fire fighters and ditch diggers don't get paid this much' argument as if athletes should apologize for their salaries. Wah, wah, wah.. These guys are in the top 1% in the WORLD of those with similar skill sets. There's a reason why elite artists, actors, businessmen and athletes get paid the amount they do. I hate that argument with a passion..

Now, on the topic of this dispute, I side 100% with the players. The owners exercised the option to void the CBA, causing this scenario. With record ratings (although lower attendance figures) it would be beyond moronic for the NFLPA and owners to allow a lockout to proceed past the draft. I doubt it will go that far though because teams need a full offseason to incorporate free agency and drafting into their 2011 plans.

A couple of things/signs are working in favor of a short work stoppage:
-The amount of coaching turnover. Outside of Carolina, all of the owners who made coaching changes will be paying a portion of their fired coaches salaries. If there is a lockout in place into the season, they would be paying a former coach as well as a current coach with no revenue coming in. A few analysts indicated the coaching carousel would be a sign of the owners intent going into the offseason. High turnover would be a good indicator of a short stoppage, low turnover would mean they were locked in for the long haul.
-The large FA class. This is supposed to be the biggest and deepest FA class since free agency began since it's basically 2 years worth of players on the market. The players aren't stupid. They know that the longer the offseason lockout exists, the shorter the FA period and the shorter the dollars will be as well. In addition, the possibility exists of an extension of 2010 terms on all expiring contracts which means hundreds of unhappy players. The NFLPA wants no parts of that either so they will be motivated to make a deal.

Expect a deal around Easter, in time for abbreviated FA before the draft and much more activity afterwards.

I only watch baseball when I have trouble falling asleep.

The attendance drop wasn't even 1%. I had thought, largely based on people I spoke with, that we would have a resolution by October and the first month of the season would be cancelled.

But, lately I'm hearing that a lot of secret meetings are taking place and it's quite possible this will get resolved much much sooner than that. As in by March

Here's hoping

Go players!

SS is your blog linked in your signature?

MLB and NHL?


I use to watch the Orioles and Caps on the regular...then they had strikes and with that I left and never really cared for either sport again. The NFL will get the same exact treatment if they strike.

SS is your blog linked in your signature?

Yes

To be clear though, it's not mine. A handful of us share the responsibility for it.