Cardinals come tied last in NFLPA player poll

Harry

ASFN Consultant and Senior Writer
Joined
Jan 7, 2003
Posts
11,926
Reaction score
26,060
Location
Orlando, FL
I’m obviously WAY out of touch, but why wouldn’t players pay for their own food when they’re training? I’ve never worked for a company where the cafeteria food was free? It’s no wonder this country is a mess. And these players have more money than God. It’s no wonder these primadonna’s have no respect for anything. It’s a good thing I don’t own a football team lol. And trust me, not many on this board criticizes the Bidwills as much as I do. Michael, fix the damn facility though!!!
Some teams want players eating healthy. They us dietitians and chefs. They don‘t charge in training camp.
 

kerouac9

Klowned by Keim
Joined
Feb 14, 2003
Posts
38,419
Reaction score
29,823
Location
Gilbert, AZ
I’m obviously WAY out of touch, but why wouldn’t players pay for their own food when they’re training? I’ve never worked for a company where the cafeteria food was free? It’s no wonder this country is a mess. And these players have more money than God. It’s no wonder these primadonna’s have no respect for anything. It’s a good thing I don’t own a football team lol. And trust me, not many on this board criticizes the Bidwills as much as I do. Michael, fix the damn facility though!!!

You know who the players don't have more money than?

Michael Bidwill.

If it's agreed that it's better that players are in the facility working OVER DINNER, watching film or working out or getting rehab, it's RIDICULOUS for the team to charge them to put in extra.

Sorry, my man, but every time my employer has asked me to stay overtime and work through dinner, they've paid for my meal.
 

Arz101

ASFN Lifer
Joined
Apr 23, 2014
Posts
4,906
Reaction score
5,600
Ever since last year it is apparent that Michael has a free cash flow problem.
This. I also think that there are a lot of Bidwill prince and princess that get a cut of revenue legally making the pie left to run franchise small with every generation.

PS: I wonder if this is one the factors for "poor" owners who sell franchises.
 

DemsMyBoys

ASFN Icon
Joined
Nov 18, 2008
Posts
12,375
Reaction score
4,656
Location
Cave Creek
Let’s face it. We all knew Michael was cheap. Remember when he was selling drinks in Kolb cups a year after he left the team? Yes, I’m still ticked off about that. Attention to detail is a sign of quality.

I dunno….maybe Bill B. Left all his money to the Church.
 

Krangodnzr

Captain of Team Conner
Joined
Jul 21, 2002
Posts
36,490
Reaction score
34,470
Location
Charlotte, NC
I’m obviously WAY out of touch, but why wouldn’t players pay for their own food when they’re training? I’ve never worked for a company where the cafeteria food was free?
None of your employers had a real vested interest in your nutritional needs.
It’s no wonder this country is a mess. And these players have more money than God. It’s no wonder these primadonna’s have no respect for anything.
ASU probably has better facilities than the Cardinals. The Cardinals are supposed to a part of a professional football league. I don't think having the expectation of having above college level facilities amenities is unreasonable

College athletes get free meals too.
It’s a good thing I don’t own a football team lol. And trust me, not many on this board criticizes the Bidwills as much as I do. Michael, fix the damn facility though!!!
Michael was a slight upgrade from his father, but he needs to do more.
 

kerouac9

Klowned by Keim
Joined
Feb 14, 2003
Posts
38,419
Reaction score
29,823
Location
Gilbert, AZ
This. I also think that there are a lot of Bidwill prince and princess that get a cut of revenue legally making the pie left to run franchise small with every generation.

PS: I wonder if this is one the factors for "poor" owners who sell franchises.
I don’t think there are. Three kids in the trust?
 

GatorAZ

feed hopkins
Joined
Oct 17, 2011
Posts
25,473
Reaction score
18,383
Location
The Giant Toaster
This kind of comment is truly the last refuge of the damned. It's the moral equivalent of "Why doesn't a player just come out and say that Kyler is a spoiled brat?" The reason is that the NFL is a fraternity and no player is going to take a dump on another franchise because he could be looking for a job with that franchise in nine months!

Add in to the fact that probably 80% of free agents sign their deals without ever setting foot in the team facility. I actually don't think state taxes are really an issue here for the same reason; it's in the weeks for a 25 year-old.



Talk about an assertion without any foundation. Why does the break point have to be "losing out on a player due to facilities"? Can't you just take pride in the idea that you have a state-of-the-art training center? I'm sure Dignity Health is super-amped by this report.

Wouldn't it be sweet to have Will Anderson in for a visit and not have to apologize that the facilities are not as nice as what he's leaving in Tuscaloosa?

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
The attention to detail in that place is astounding. No wonder St Nick isn’t leaving anytime soon.
 

MigratingOsprey

Thank You Paul!
Joined
Jul 20, 2003
Posts
13,920
Reaction score
6,830
Location
Goodyear
I’m obviously WAY out of touch, but why wouldn’t players pay for their own food when they’re training? I’ve never worked for a company where the cafeteria food was free? It’s no wonder this country is a mess. And these players have more money than God. It’s no wonder these primadonna’s have no respect for anything. It’s a good thing I don’t own a football team lol. And trust me, not many on this board criticizes the Bidwills as much as I do. Michael, fix the damn facility though!!!
You also never were an NFL player or one of the best people in the world in your profession.

To try and make value judgements for the world is ridiculous.

I worked for a company 20+ years ago in the Philadelphia area that had catered lunches everyday. They also had breakfast treats that included a Starbucks setup. Sodas cost a quarter and there was only a charge because people suck and would stock up for home. Pretzels were brought in Tuesday and Thursday. There was a company gym with private shower stalls. The company had tickets to most sports in the city and it wasn't uncommon for us college kids to get them. Right before I moved out of the city they gave me all the tickets for the Phillies field box for a game against my favorite team. Office parties were a blast.

It was by far the best work environment I've ever been in.

In a competitive industry it mattered.

They attracted and retained employees and were a company that people strategized to work for.

The other benefit is that they never had issues with people not being at work. There was no reason to leave.

Employees worked through lunch, came early, stayed late.

Sometimes there is a bigger picture.
 

carrrnuttt

Didactic
Joined
Feb 22, 2005
Posts
9,716
Reaction score
9,696
Location
Phoenix, AZ
You also never were an NFL player or one of the best people in the world in your profession.

To try and make value judgements for the world is ridiculous.

I worked for a company 20+ years ago in the Philadelphia area that had catered lunches everyday. They also had breakfast treats that included a Starbucks setup. Sodas cost a quarter and there was only a charge because people suck and would stock up for home. Pretzels were brought in Tuesday and Thursday. There was a company gym with private shower stalls. The company had tickets to most sports in the city and it wasn't uncommon for us college kids to get them. Right before I moved out of the city they gave me all the tickets for the Phillies field box for a game against my favorite team. Office parties were a blast.

It was by far the best work environment I've ever been in.

In a competitive industry it mattered.

They attracted and retained employees and were a company that people strategized to work for.

The other benefit is that they never had issues with people not being at work. There was no reason to leave.

Employees worked through lunch, came early, stayed late.

Sometimes there is a bigger picture.

Don't forget about Google and its campus with professional chefs catering to their staff. Just so they can attract the best talent in the country.
 

SunsTzu

ASFN Lifer
Joined
Aug 28, 2003
Posts
4,866
Reaction score
1,674
Don't forget about Google and its campus with professional chefs catering to their staff. Just so they can attract the best talent in the country.
Or executives that expense their meals to the companies they work for.

Since I moved to work from home my company has either catered or paid for a restaurant outing every time I've gone into the office.
 

DVontel

ASFN Icon
Joined
Jan 28, 2015
Posts
13,057
Reaction score
23,256
I mean, player comfort isn't my primary concern.

I've said many times recently the facilities need upgrading. I called it "a mid 90s tyre manufacturers regional sales office".

I see you've found the next thing to hate Mike over so that's fun for y'all.

"You cleaned house but a peeling floor is beyond the pale"
Man, you had an open layup to finally heavily criticize Bidwill for something that something he deserves MAJOR criticism(& then some) for, but of course, you decide to shield him with a bulletproof-vest on.

Sad.
 

SOCALCARD

Veteran
Joined
Aug 2, 2022
Posts
164
Reaction score
243
Location
San Diego, Ca
Was talking to my adult son for the reason Sean Payton did not want to coach for the Cardinals. He told me one of the reasons why he wouldn't coach the Cards was the facilities. I guess this was talked about on the Pat Mcafee Show not long after the Broncos hired him.
 

BritCard

ASFN Icon
Joined
Jan 10, 2020
Posts
22,492
Reaction score
41,047
Location
UK
Talk about an assertion without any foundation. Why does the break point have to be "losing out on a player due to facilities"? Can't you just take pride in the idea that you have a state-of-the-art training center? I'm sure Dignity Health is super-amped by this report.

Wouldn't it be sweet to have Will Anderson in for a visit and not have to apologize that the facilities are not as nice as what he's leaving in Tuscaloosa?

Why don't you ask the people making dozens of comments in this thread that it's costing us players?

I completely agree with

Can't you just take pride in the idea that you have a state-of-the-art training center?

We absolutely should have a state of the art training center. There's not really any excuse for it. He does have the money and it absolutely could be much better. I don't even think Mike is being cheap. Cheap dudes don't buy private planes so the team can travel better. You ever heard the term "nose blind"? When something stinks but you're around it so much you don't notice it anymore. I believe that's Mike's problem. It was his problem with Keim and various other things over the years.

I'm not in anyway defending him on this which is why I started the thread in the first place.

At the same time, and to counter much of the nonsense on this thread, I'm as sure as I can be that it's never cost us a player. As well as all the reasons I already stated 95% of FA deals are done before a player see's the facilities.
 

BritCard

ASFN Icon
Joined
Jan 10, 2020
Posts
22,492
Reaction score
41,047
Location
UK
I’m obviously WAY out of touch, but why wouldn’t players pay for their own food when they’re training? I’ve never worked for a company where the cafeteria food was free? It’s no wonder this country is a mess. And these players have more money than God. It’s no wonder these primadonna’s have no respect for anything. It’s a good thing I don’t own a football team lol. And trust me, not many on this board criticizes the Bidwills as much as I do. Michael, fix the damn facility though!!!

There are 2 things in play with this poll.

On one hand, the facilities do need upgrading and there are probably some real concerns that need addressing.

On the other, you give employees a poll on their employers and 99% of them are going to use it to bitch. The prime example here is "We used to have a bigger private plane and now we have less lie down seats". I mean, jeez.

Two things are true. 100% some things need to be better. Also 100% it's not as bad as this poll makes out.

Pats got a D+ for travel!

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
 

Stout

Hold onto the ball, Murray!
Joined
Dec 30, 2002
Posts
39,809
Reaction score
24,016
Location
Pittsburgh, PA--Enemy territory!
Players don't think it's important. This survey isn't players saying it's important.

They were asked to answer a questionnaire.

If players thought it was important nobody would sign here and our own players wouldn't re-sign here.

On a players list of importance none of this makes the top 10.
Spin, baby, spin.
 

BritCard

ASFN Icon
Joined
Jan 10, 2020
Posts
22,492
Reaction score
41,047
Location
UK
Spin, baby, spin.

Facts are not spin.

Unless you know of a player that hasn't signed for us due to the facilities? Or even know of any player in the history of the NFL that has said the training facilities are a key factor in their decision making?
 

Stout

Hold onto the ball, Murray!
Joined
Dec 30, 2002
Posts
39,809
Reaction score
24,016
Location
Pittsburgh, PA--Enemy territory!
Facts are not spin.

Unless you know of a player that hasn't signed for us due to the facilities? Or even know of any player in the history of the NFL that has said the training facilities are a key factor in their decision making?
lol "Stout doesn't have specific information that would require insider NFL knowledge so I'm not spinning this as no big deal in defense of Bidwill." About sum it up?
 

BritCard

ASFN Icon
Joined
Jan 10, 2020
Posts
22,492
Reaction score
41,047
Location
UK
I will say this. It's not a defense, certainly not for dodgy flooring or charging for meals, but it is a practical reality.

Upgrading the training facility is not straight forward. It's in constant use year round. The gym, locker rooms, canteen, all the offices and meeting rooms. You can't just shut them down for 5 months. Even if you could I'm not sure you could get the work done if you started the Monday after the superbowl before camp started.

The team have done major work on it before in 2015 adding 14,500 square feet of new space at a cost of $15m but it had to be done in 3 phases. The gym, locker room and cafeteria are only 7 years old.

A full-service, 4,830-square-foot cafeteria that includes a 12-person staff. There was no kitchen before. Players ate catered meals either at small tables in a 600-foot dining area or at their lockers.

More than doubling the size of the weight room to 9,000 square feet.

Expanding and upgrading the locker room, including wider lockers with power outlets for items such as cell phones and tablets.

Improved hydrotherapy area, including a cold tub that can accommodate 12 players at a time, nine more than the old one, and a rehab pool that includes a treadmill.
Additional meeting rooms and a “player recovery room,” where players can rest during down time.
 

BritCard

ASFN Icon
Joined
Jan 10, 2020
Posts
22,492
Reaction score
41,047
Location
UK
lol "Stout doesn't have specific information that would require insider NFL knowledge so I'm not spinning this as no big deal in defense of Bidwill." About sum it up?

Would it require NFL knowledge to know if one player in the history of the NFL has even mentioned not signing somewhere because of facilities?

Were not talking crap stained walls, busted toilets, rats infestations and prison food. The Cardinals facility, but any reasonable standards, are still very good. Are they the fanciest most complete full service facilities in the league? No they are not. But no player is

But it's silly to think players are turning down coming here because we don't offer day care or our only 7 years old gym floor needs replacing. The gym, canteen and locker room were all fully replaced in 2015.

"Sorry man. I love the team, the coach, the QB, the weather and the state tax is one of the lowest in the country. But you don't have a creche"

For all Mike's issues does he seem like the kind of person who would buy a team airplane to improve travel but not make changes at the training facility if he got feedback from an agent that the complex was the reason an FA went elsewhere?

It's just more hate porn to fantasize that we are losing out on players because the gym is a 7 instead of a 10.
 
Top