8th Circuit Court Grants Stay, Lockout Continues

Hooray for big business! Take that workers. Viva la fat cats!

Oh wait, breakthrough. Crap. I hate compromise. You have to take what you want and crush the spirit of the opposition. Negotiation is a war, except without guns and killing and unspeakable atrocities. But other then that it's the same.

I see this lockout lasting because the owners geared up for it beforehand. The previous two CBA extensions just seemed like a band aid on the overall owners/players dilemma.

Though I have been critical of Goodell he has been absolutely right that they need to settle this through negotiation/mediation rather then through the courts.

And though we've been burned before on the idea that both sides are close I still remain hopeful especially since that means that not only do we get football back but our main free agent target Davin Joesph becomes unrestricted. I guess part of us lucked out with guys like Franklin and C. Jenkins being UFA's no matter what (2010 rules or New CBA) but getting a pro bowl guy on the interior in his prime is just such a huge boost for us.

Add a Right Tackle among Brown, Harris, and Trueblood and the revamping of our line is about 70% complete.

Damnit now I'm getting to excited.

There really isn't much pressure from either side at the moment to do anything. Won't be until late June/early July when players start realizing they need to get their paychecks and owners realize they're better off with improving/amending their rosters and getting games back on the field.

In the meantime, Redskins players will hold another organized workout next week.

And the further we get from lifting this lockout, the less likely it gets for someone like VY to sign with the Skins


I definitley find myself rooting for the owners and for this lockout to drag on ..... and on ...... and on. The thought of VY in B&G makes me sick.

Just for the sake of perspective here's the NFL's last offer to the NFLPA before they decertified (which actually reminds me why I was so pissed off at the players for a while as their attempt to bully their way through the courts with anti-trust litigation didn't help the lockout).

Here’s an excerpt: ”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.

”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.”

Would of liked to have seen the lockout ended so players can actually get a playbook, I know there probably looking over the shoulder of teammates so they can see the playbook.

A question then a statement: don't the players and new rookies already have the playbooks?

I'm asking because on the NFL network they mentioned how rookies were getting help from vets with the play book. Then they said players were handed their play books when they reported to their teams for their introduction to the media.

Maybe that was for Thurs draftees who could show up on Fri. but I would bet good money teams had a plan on how to get the play book to the rookies. Maybe Fletcher was responsible for handing out the playbook.

Plus just another reason I think the NFL said they were investigating teams having contact with players. I'm betting somehow teams handed the book to someone they could trust and the book made it to the players hands.

A question then a statement: don't the players and new rookies already have the playbooks?

I'm asking because on the NFL network they mentioned how rookies were getting help from vets with the play book. Then they said players were handed their play books when they reported to their teams for their introduction to the media.

Maybe that was for Thurs draftees who could show up on Fri. but I would bet good money teams had a plan on how to get the play book to the rookies. Maybe Fletcher was responsible for handing out the playbook.

Plus just another reason I think the NFL said they were investigating teams having contact with players. I'm betting somehow teams handed the book to someone they could trust and the book made it to the players hands.

Early first round picks like Cam Newton most definitely have playbooks. Maybe a few second rounders as well. Late round picks have gotten access to playbooks through player organized workouts and meeting up with future teammates.

Don't get overly excited. The owners were asked to make a proposal before the end of the night tonight. It could be handed over at 8:59 and possibly one the players would not like, but the owners can say they were acting in good faith by presenting a proposal.

Don't get overly excited. The owners were asked to make a proposal before the end of the night tonight. It could be handed over at 8:59 and possibly one the players would not like, but the owners can say they were acting in good faith by presenting a proposal.

Same s**t different day
Progress in mediated talks disputed | ProFootballTalk (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/05/16/progress-in-mediated-talks-disputed/)

I'm finding it extremely hard to care about football with all this crap going on... it's actually pretty depressing.