Turmoil in the NFLPA?

[mooby]

ESPN - Stover e-mail shows plan to find successor to NFLPA boss Upshaw - NFL

Originally Posted by espn article

An effort to oust Gene Upshaw as the NFL Players Association Executive Director became evident Monday, when veteran Baltimore Ravens kicker Matt Stover e-mailed a plan to fellow player representatives to have a new union boss in place by March 2009.

Personally I agree with Matt Stover, I think Gene Upshaw needs to be replaced. He's done a good job over the years but I just think we need someone who is more willing to work with the owners in place, because the current CBA clearly isn't working and if he stays in place we could be looking at a lockout in the future. And this shows that there are some players out there that don't think he's the best option for the future. I support their cause and I hope they find a good candidate to replace him by next year. What do you guys think?

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Upshaw sounds like a real jerk, but it also seems like he has been an effective Director. Remember, his job is to negotiate the best possible deal for the players, not to bend over for the owners.

[Schneed10]

Isn't the whole reason the players want to get rid of Upshaw because they feel like he bends over for the owners way too often?

My understanding was that the major criticism of him was that he doesn't stand up strongly enough for the players' interests. If they're looking to replace him, they're looking for someone who will draw a much harder line than Upshaw.

[SmootSmack]

Remember those comments from Gumbel last summer (or maybe the summer before) about how Upshaw was basically in Tagliabue's pocket? I guess they're sort of coming back up to the surface now.

I think though that a lot of it has to do with current players realizing they will one day be former players and questioning if Upshaw is doing enough to set them up for that.

[hooskins]

And to follow up SS, they think Upshaw isn't doing enough for retired players. Thing is Stover had support, but now that this is public I think Gene will have other ideas.

Stover recently apologize for the public remarks, saying something like "it was meant to be a private email" and he didn't want it to be public. Some stupid player snitched.

[mooby]

Yeah I read that too, I'm not suprised he wanted them kept private. And I definitely agree about Upshaw not doing enough for retired players, his whole stance is that because they are retired it's not his job to look after their interests. I don't like hearing these stories about former greats that have huge medical bills that should be taken care of by their retirement pension plan but they aren't getting approved.

[FRPLG]

I think they are probably more worried about the fact that he is trying to position himself to never be replaced. That plus the fact that he makes an awful lot of money for a union leader probably makes them nervous that this has simply become a cash cow for him and that keeping the peace so as to keep his cash flowing and power growing is his main objective and not taking care of players. Motivations are everything for representatives like him.

[redskinsfanatic]

he sounds like a jackass to me.the players do need a current player looking over them.after 25 years,upshaw needs to go.

[rypper11]

I think that Tags and him had a great relationship (call it being in his pocket or whatever but peace prevailed) and now there is a new commisioner and he's been called out. Instead of trying to forge the same kind of relationship he is going the other way and being an agontistical ass to show that he is "strong".
Always remember, a great compromise is when neither side is happy. I say let Troy Vincet take over and we'll maintain the peace and prosperity and we'll be able to bitch about the little stuff.