http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2009/03/a-new-chief-a-new-direction/
A New Chief, A New Direction
[FONT="]Congratulations to DeMaurice Smith — or as the players are already calling him, DeeSmith — for landing the role of NFL Players Association executive director.[/FONT]
[FONT="]I know there have been several reports out of Maui that the vote was unanimous, but I believe, based on my sources, that it wasn’t. However, my sources say he most likely garnered about 28 or more votes. I know the NFLPA wanted to show a sign of solidarity by saying the vote was unanimous. Close enough![/FONT]
[FONT="]According to several team reps, the reason DeeSmith emerged as the winner was that he clearly was the most cerebral and dynamic candidate of the bunch. He wowed the reps with his knowledge of labor law, high-stakes litigation tactics and his connections on Capitol Hill. He delivered his message with swagger and confidence. As one player rep put it, he was an Ivy League professor giving a lecture, while the other candidates came across like students presenting a paper or a thesis.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Going into the presentations, many of the players thought it would come down to Troy Vincent or Trace Armstrong. Unfortunately for Troy, he had to spend about half his time in his presentation and panel discussions defending himself against accusations relating to his outside business dealings. At one point, he told a player representative that he knew the rep didn’t want him to be executive director. However, he said he still loved the rep anyway and would fight for him if elected. That move momentarily won over a few players because he respectfully confronted his opposition from a place of understanding. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Although Vincent’s supporters didn’t give him the votes he needed, some still left the process convinced Troy is passionate about helping players and the union reach their goals and objectives. Two reps told me they hope DeeSmith finds a place for Troy in the union as he has his finger on the pulse of the players and their issues. Furthermore, many are convinced that somebody of power in the union conspired to promote a “smear campaign” against Troy. I wouldn’t be surprised if we hear more about this in the coming weeks. [/FONT]
[FONT="]I have never met Vincent, but I know he loves helping young players. When Al Harris, a client of mine, went to the Eagles in 1998 to be the third corner, Troy was the guy who took him by the hand. Even though Al was out to take his job, Troy tirelessly spent many hours mentoring Al on how to be fiscally responsible and how to be an NFL professional. From what I’ve heard, he has done this with young players everywhere he’s gone.[/FONT]
[FONT="]I heard Armstrong was unimpressive in his presentation and did little to win over team reps.[/FONT]
[FONT="]David Cornwell, I’m told, had some good ideas but couldn’t measure up to the presence of D-Smith.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Overall, I believe the players listened carefully to the candidates, were thorough in their diligence and picked the right man for the job.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Here are some of my thoughts on issues that need to be addressed by the new union chief:[/FONT]
[FONT="]Labor peace[/FONT] [FONT="]: Neither the players nor the owners can afford a work stoppage. Yes, there are several issues that need to be addressed, including gross income sharing, team revenue sharing, the salary cap, free agency, guaranteed money (vets and draft picks), hard cap/soft cap, number of regular-season games, preseason games, etc. The bottom line is, we have to keep the golden goose — that is, the NFL game — healthy and intact. The fans deserve a continuance of the game that they made in to America’s favorite pastime.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Player Health[/FONT] [FONT="]: It still bothers me that the average player’s career lasts about 3.7 years. This statistic has not changed in more than 25 years. I know part of the reason is the simple ebb and flow of talent, but the other factor is injuries. Players are still getting bigger, faster and stronger; thus, the collisions and contact are even more violent than ever. We need more research on concussions and their prevention, less contact during camp, and a later start to offseason workouts (April 15 at the earliest), especially for the players who went to the Super Bowl. They played more games, so they need more recovery time.[/FONT]
[FONT="]I would also recommend some uniformity about how coaches use contact drills, especially during two-a-days in camp. Most players are injured during camp. There is also a trend by first-year coaches, there are 11 this year, to make their first camp and offseason tougher, harder hitting and more demanding than head coaches with some tenure. It’s the old adage about “cleaning house and sending a message to players.” This may work for some players, but it also puts added trauma and risk to players’ bodies. There are certain coaches who have a bad reputation for beating on players during camp. Many top free agents, who have some leverage, will rarely even visit these teams. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Education/support[/FONT] [FONT="]: The union has to take a stronger role in educating players to be fiscally and socially responsible. A five-day crash course currently in place by the league is simply not going to cut it. It’s not working, guys. Players are still making bad financial and social decisions. We need to have a constant educational support system in place in the locker room. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Reorganize NFL Players[/FONT] [FONT="]: “NFL Players” is the marketing arm of the union. Many agents and marketing people feel this is the most underperforming asset in sports. From what I hear, DeeSmith feels the same way and has big plans to have this entity produce substantially more income for the players. I say more video game partners and cross over our assets (the players) into other demographics such as action sports, NASCAR and NHRA. Let’s endorse supplement companies, beverages and fitness products. Why not an NFL Players TV Network? I’m sure Comcast and several other cable companies would love to talk to us right now.[/FONT]
[FONT="]I’d like to see us promote the players we don’t see enough of, such as offensive and defensive linemen. These guys are some of the most entertaining guys in the locker room and at practice. The fans actually relate more to the blue-collar player than the Bentley-driving high profile receivers and running backs. Let’s see more of them. The fans want and deserve more access.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The Junior Rule[/FONT] [FONT="]: It’s not working and is simply giving agents who cheat a bigger advantage. Let’s move the date that juniors can talk to agents to late November.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Agents[/FONT] [FONT="]: Let’s rein in agents and agencies that are inducing college players to sign with cash over $100,000. The largest agencies are loaning or fronting draft picks with huge credit lines, marketing advances and outright signing bonuses. These amounts sometimes exceed $1 million. My problem with this is that it limits the ability of good, honest agents to compete. More important, it conditions a young pro athlete to think it’s OK to get into debt and spend large amounts of money before he actually earns it. So let’s cap loans at $100,000 and police the marketing and financial community as well. Unfortunately, I doubt this will happen or be enforceable if it does. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Let’s put some teeth into punishing agents who recruit players currently under contract with another agent. If a player is unhappy with his representation, he should first contact the NFLPA, which would help him set up interviews for new counsel. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Conflicts[/FONT] [FONT="]: Let’s eliminate “conflicts of interest” between the agent community and the NFLPA. For one, no one who works for the NFLPA should be represented by a NFL player agent. Two, give the agents a bigger say in union activities. We feel as if we’ve been muzzled over the years. The agents have been fighting in the trenches for players but have little say in union activities. Let’s have a rotating board of five agents that serve two-year terms, or two retired agents who act as a voice for the agent community directly to the executive director. The players trust us; why shouldn’t the union?[/FONT]
[FONT="]Media[/FONT] [FONT="]: I would like to see fans learn more about how much NFL players give back to their communities. Players like Drew Brees and his wife, Brittany, raise millions of dollars on their own, using their own resources, but the media seldom writes about it. On the other hand, if Drew ever got a speeding ticket, the media would be the first to let you know. I’d like to see the union strengthen its public relations arm so fans can see for themselves that the majority of NFL players are amazingly generous and caring.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The Fans[/FONT] [FONT="]: Any time I receive a nickel from one of my clients, I know the direct source of that income — the fans. It all starts with a fan buying a ticket, a pro jersey or hat and consuming NFL football on TV, radio or by playing fantasy football. The money travels through the owners’ pockets to the players, and eventually I receive my small percentage. The majority of players realize this as well.[/FONT]
[FONT="]I would love to see the union create more opportunities for the players and fans to come together and share the NFL experience. I know we already have some programs that do to this, but I would love to see them expanded. Especially if it can positively affect the country’s youth.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Go get‘em, DeeSmith
............................................................................................................
Clearly this is a big deal. Smith has a tough road ahead of him, and if the owners and player's association don't want to kill the best thing going they've got to work quickly and intelligently, to get a new deal put together.
A recession is the worst time for a millionaires' squabble inflate to a work stoppage and they'll loose more fans then they could anticipate.
[/FONT]
A New Chief, A New Direction
[FONT="]Congratulations to DeMaurice Smith — or as the players are already calling him, DeeSmith — for landing the role of NFL Players Association executive director.[/FONT]
[FONT="]I know there have been several reports out of Maui that the vote was unanimous, but I believe, based on my sources, that it wasn’t. However, my sources say he most likely garnered about 28 or more votes. I know the NFLPA wanted to show a sign of solidarity by saying the vote was unanimous. Close enough![/FONT]
[FONT="]According to several team reps, the reason DeeSmith emerged as the winner was that he clearly was the most cerebral and dynamic candidate of the bunch. He wowed the reps with his knowledge of labor law, high-stakes litigation tactics and his connections on Capitol Hill. He delivered his message with swagger and confidence. As one player rep put it, he was an Ivy League professor giving a lecture, while the other candidates came across like students presenting a paper or a thesis.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Going into the presentations, many of the players thought it would come down to Troy Vincent or Trace Armstrong. Unfortunately for Troy, he had to spend about half his time in his presentation and panel discussions defending himself against accusations relating to his outside business dealings. At one point, he told a player representative that he knew the rep didn’t want him to be executive director. However, he said he still loved the rep anyway and would fight for him if elected. That move momentarily won over a few players because he respectfully confronted his opposition from a place of understanding. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Although Vincent’s supporters didn’t give him the votes he needed, some still left the process convinced Troy is passionate about helping players and the union reach their goals and objectives. Two reps told me they hope DeeSmith finds a place for Troy in the union as he has his finger on the pulse of the players and their issues. Furthermore, many are convinced that somebody of power in the union conspired to promote a “smear campaign” against Troy. I wouldn’t be surprised if we hear more about this in the coming weeks. [/FONT]
[FONT="]I have never met Vincent, but I know he loves helping young players. When Al Harris, a client of mine, went to the Eagles in 1998 to be the third corner, Troy was the guy who took him by the hand. Even though Al was out to take his job, Troy tirelessly spent many hours mentoring Al on how to be fiscally responsible and how to be an NFL professional. From what I’ve heard, he has done this with young players everywhere he’s gone.[/FONT]
[FONT="]I heard Armstrong was unimpressive in his presentation and did little to win over team reps.[/FONT]
[FONT="]David Cornwell, I’m told, had some good ideas but couldn’t measure up to the presence of D-Smith.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Overall, I believe the players listened carefully to the candidates, were thorough in their diligence and picked the right man for the job.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Here are some of my thoughts on issues that need to be addressed by the new union chief:[/FONT]
[FONT="]Labor peace[/FONT] [FONT="]: Neither the players nor the owners can afford a work stoppage. Yes, there are several issues that need to be addressed, including gross income sharing, team revenue sharing, the salary cap, free agency, guaranteed money (vets and draft picks), hard cap/soft cap, number of regular-season games, preseason games, etc. The bottom line is, we have to keep the golden goose — that is, the NFL game — healthy and intact. The fans deserve a continuance of the game that they made in to America’s favorite pastime.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Player Health[/FONT] [FONT="]: It still bothers me that the average player’s career lasts about 3.7 years. This statistic has not changed in more than 25 years. I know part of the reason is the simple ebb and flow of talent, but the other factor is injuries. Players are still getting bigger, faster and stronger; thus, the collisions and contact are even more violent than ever. We need more research on concussions and their prevention, less contact during camp, and a later start to offseason workouts (April 15 at the earliest), especially for the players who went to the Super Bowl. They played more games, so they need more recovery time.[/FONT]
[FONT="]I would also recommend some uniformity about how coaches use contact drills, especially during two-a-days in camp. Most players are injured during camp. There is also a trend by first-year coaches, there are 11 this year, to make their first camp and offseason tougher, harder hitting and more demanding than head coaches with some tenure. It’s the old adage about “cleaning house and sending a message to players.” This may work for some players, but it also puts added trauma and risk to players’ bodies. There are certain coaches who have a bad reputation for beating on players during camp. Many top free agents, who have some leverage, will rarely even visit these teams. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Education/support[/FONT] [FONT="]: The union has to take a stronger role in educating players to be fiscally and socially responsible. A five-day crash course currently in place by the league is simply not going to cut it. It’s not working, guys. Players are still making bad financial and social decisions. We need to have a constant educational support system in place in the locker room. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Reorganize NFL Players[/FONT] [FONT="]: “NFL Players” is the marketing arm of the union. Many agents and marketing people feel this is the most underperforming asset in sports. From what I hear, DeeSmith feels the same way and has big plans to have this entity produce substantially more income for the players. I say more video game partners and cross over our assets (the players) into other demographics such as action sports, NASCAR and NHRA. Let’s endorse supplement companies, beverages and fitness products. Why not an NFL Players TV Network? I’m sure Comcast and several other cable companies would love to talk to us right now.[/FONT]
[FONT="]I’d like to see us promote the players we don’t see enough of, such as offensive and defensive linemen. These guys are some of the most entertaining guys in the locker room and at practice. The fans actually relate more to the blue-collar player than the Bentley-driving high profile receivers and running backs. Let’s see more of them. The fans want and deserve more access.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The Junior Rule[/FONT] [FONT="]: It’s not working and is simply giving agents who cheat a bigger advantage. Let’s move the date that juniors can talk to agents to late November.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Agents[/FONT] [FONT="]: Let’s rein in agents and agencies that are inducing college players to sign with cash over $100,000. The largest agencies are loaning or fronting draft picks with huge credit lines, marketing advances and outright signing bonuses. These amounts sometimes exceed $1 million. My problem with this is that it limits the ability of good, honest agents to compete. More important, it conditions a young pro athlete to think it’s OK to get into debt and spend large amounts of money before he actually earns it. So let’s cap loans at $100,000 and police the marketing and financial community as well. Unfortunately, I doubt this will happen or be enforceable if it does. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Let’s put some teeth into punishing agents who recruit players currently under contract with another agent. If a player is unhappy with his representation, he should first contact the NFLPA, which would help him set up interviews for new counsel. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Conflicts[/FONT] [FONT="]: Let’s eliminate “conflicts of interest” between the agent community and the NFLPA. For one, no one who works for the NFLPA should be represented by a NFL player agent. Two, give the agents a bigger say in union activities. We feel as if we’ve been muzzled over the years. The agents have been fighting in the trenches for players but have little say in union activities. Let’s have a rotating board of five agents that serve two-year terms, or two retired agents who act as a voice for the agent community directly to the executive director. The players trust us; why shouldn’t the union?[/FONT]
[FONT="]Media[/FONT] [FONT="]: I would like to see fans learn more about how much NFL players give back to their communities. Players like Drew Brees and his wife, Brittany, raise millions of dollars on their own, using their own resources, but the media seldom writes about it. On the other hand, if Drew ever got a speeding ticket, the media would be the first to let you know. I’d like to see the union strengthen its public relations arm so fans can see for themselves that the majority of NFL players are amazingly generous and caring.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The Fans[/FONT] [FONT="]: Any time I receive a nickel from one of my clients, I know the direct source of that income — the fans. It all starts with a fan buying a ticket, a pro jersey or hat and consuming NFL football on TV, radio or by playing fantasy football. The money travels through the owners’ pockets to the players, and eventually I receive my small percentage. The majority of players realize this as well.[/FONT]
[FONT="]I would love to see the union create more opportunities for the players and fans to come together and share the NFL experience. I know we already have some programs that do to this, but I would love to see them expanded. Especially if it can positively affect the country’s youth.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Go get‘em, DeeSmith
............................................................................................................
Clearly this is a big deal. Smith has a tough road ahead of him, and if the owners and player's association don't want to kill the best thing going they've got to work quickly and intelligently, to get a new deal put together.
A recession is the worst time for a millionaires' squabble inflate to a work stoppage and they'll loose more fans then they could anticipate.
[/FONT]
