OT: NFLPA Counter offer to the inevitable 18 game season...

[Shane]

Sounds reasonable enough to me.

http://nfl-facts-and-rumors.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22475988/25887763

Read entire article at above link:

* Voluntary offseason workouts would be reduced from the current 14 weeks to five weeks or 20 days (four days a week, four-hour maximum per day).
* Significantly reduced contact between players during training camp with four practices a week consisting of helmetless and padless periods.
* Two in-season bye weeks.
* Expanded rosters from the current 53 to 56 or 57, in addition to practice squads.
* Increased pro-rated salaries for players under contract.
* Reduction of the amount of games players need to become vested to qualify for post-career health care and pension benefits.

 

[Divide Et Impera]

I saw this summary on ESPN a couple nights ago and there isn't anything I would disagree with. Everything is a fair and reasonable request. Will the owners see it that way? If these are the requests, this should be the smoothest negotiations EVER. We shall see....

 

[NJCardFan]

Didn't they have 2 bye weeks in the mid-90's?

 

[desertdawg]

Sounds good for all, 2 bye weeks will suck as a fan but would benefit the teams in a longer season.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

The only thing i don't see is a need for an extra bye week. They could just start the by weeks later. Right now I think the Bye weeks are from week 4-10. They could make them like week 8-14 in an 18 game sched. That way nobody is playing 14 straight weeks.

 

[Shane]

The only thing i don't see is a need for an extra bye week. They could just start the by weeks later. Right now I think the Bye weeks are from week 4-10. They could make them like week 8-14 in an 18 game sched. That way nobody is playing 14 straight weeks.

I think 1 for every 9 weeks in this brutal game is completely reasonable.

But they shouldn't be able to have them before week 3 in each 9 week block.

 

[cardfaninfl]

* Voluntary offseason workouts would be reduced from the current 14 weeks to five weeks or 20 days (four days a week, four-hour maximum per day).
* Significantly reduced contact between players during training camp with four practices a week consisting of helmetless and padless periods.
* Two in-season bye weeks.
* Expanded rosters from the current 53 to 56 or 57, in addition to practice squads.
* Increased pro-rated salaries for players under contract.
* Reduction of the amount of games players need to become vested to qualify for post-career health care and pension benefits.

1. Limiting the offseason workouts this drastically would impact the the effecientcy of play. Selling a bad product is not a good idea.

2. Its not an episode of "The Biggest Loser", its Training Camp.

3. Don't like it from a product view, but it does make sense from a health and safety arguement.

4. I would have expected the Players Association to take a stronger stand. Pretty generous counter-offer to the owners' silly proposal of only one addition.

5. A little too vague for my understanding. Would the increase be equal to just an additional two games, or are the Players asking for a bigger split of the pie?

6. Nice PR move.

 

[titan]

is there anything about the draft picks only getting some sort of base salery instead of breaking the bank to sign them?

 

[BullheadCardFan]

is there anything about the draft picks only getting some sort of base salery instead of breaking the bank to sign them?

This.

I also believe that they need to fix the draft signings with a slotted type system. That way all picks get to camp on time and know in advance what they will be making.

 

[Zeno]

is there anything about the draft picks only getting some sort of base salery instead of breaking the bank to sign them?

I believe thats in the CBA bargaining not in the bargaining for the schedule.

 

[NJCardFan]

Not to compare the leagues but since football is football, the USFL had an 18 game schedule and the upcoming Arena schedule is 18 games. But personally, I believe 18 games to be just too long.

 

[oaken1]

less "VOLUNTARY" workouts??.....first off they are voluntary......but secondly and more importantly, many players are lazy as hell in the off season and do not work out.....team workouts keep them in better shape and help improve stamina during the season while reducing the risks of injuries...............
Less full pad workouts.........again, serious conditioning issue.
The players, like so many others want less work, and more money...............
If the league gives in to this, we will see dramatic increases in injuries.
.
Maybe,....give them what they want for voluntary workouts,....then add a four week mandatory camp from mid April thru mid May?
Right now the players do not get paid game pay for pre season,...so they are wanting to be sure they get paid more for adding two games.....that is fine, just keep that in mind when dividing the revenue pool.......
IMO a rookie salary cap/slotting system should be mandatory in any new deal....you would think anyone who is currently in the league would support that as it means more money for veterans.

 

[desertdawg]

As far as the pre-season changes go, the cream of the NFL will definitely rise to the top.
Basically (in dawg dawg world) I think all that's really happening is the last 2 preseason games will now count as real games.

So now teams will have to evaluate their FAs and rookies much quicker, with the preseason cut in half. (not good for the Cards) Owners wanted to get paid more from these 2 games, and I am glad the players aren't losing communication with every thing headed towards Lockoutcity,

The cream will rise to the top a lot sooner is this new season style.

 

[Duckjake]

As far as the pre-season changes go, the cream of the NFL will definitely rise to the top.
Basically (in dawg dawg world) I think all that's really happening is the last 2 preseason games will now count as real games.

So now teams will have to evaluate their FAs and rookies much quicker, with the preseason cut in half. (not good for the Cards) Owners wanted to get paid more from these 2 games, and I am glad the players aren't losing communication with every thing headed towards Lockoutcity,

The cream will rise to the top a lot sooner is this new season style.

Hey how about two half seasons like they do with some minor league baseball leagues.

Go 2-7 don't give up, you start 0-0 next Sunday. Winners of the second half get home field so first half winners can't coast. Playoffs expanded to 16 teams. Duplicated division winners are replaced by Wild Card teams until you get 16 playoff teams. So could be anywhere from 0 to 8 Wild Cards.

 

[Catfish]

Is anything being proposed about a rookie salary cap? That single issue seems to me to be the most glaring need right now in the bargaining agreement. It is needed to both, keep the owners from harming themselves, and to keep the veteran players from being dissed in favor of new blood. There needs to be some handle on what rookies receive by way of salary, and especially by way of guaranteed or up front money. Right now its just not fair to veterans who have paid their dues.

 

[Shane]

Is anything being proposed about a rookie salary cap? That single issue seems to me to be the most glaring need right now in the bargaining agreement. It is needed to both, keep the owners from harming themselves, and to keep the veteran players from being dissed in favor of new blood. There needs to be some handle on what rookies receive by way of salary, and especially by way of guaranteed or up front money. Right now its just not fair to veterans who have paid their dues.

That has nothing to do with the topic in the thread FYI. Whole other area.