Will there be an NFL strike?

[Duckjake]

that the most physically dangerous time is training camp and exhibition games where idiots are throwing their bodies around recklessly in the hopes of making an impression.

I totally agree with this. One thing about the CFL that would really make a difference in injuries and the game overall is the size of the field. 65X150 isn't it? You have the NFL littered with guys who are 6'4" 250 and run 4.6 forties and 300lb Offensive linemen, yet they play on the same size field as they did when they wore leather helmets and Hall of Fame LBs were 5'11" 217lbs.

 

[bg7brd]

I totally agree with this. One thing about the CFL that would really make a difference in injuries and the game overall is the size of the field. 65X150 isn't it? You have the NFL littered with guys who are 6'4" 250 and run 4.6 forties and 300lb Offensive linemen, yet they play on the same size field as they did when they wore leather helmets and Hall of Fame LBs were 5'11" 217lbs.

It's 110 X 65 with 20 yd endzones.

 

[WildBB]

I totally agree with this. One thing about the CFL that would really make a difference in injuries and the game overall is the size of the field. 65X150 isn't it? You have the NFL littered with guys who are 6'4" 250 and run 4.6 forties and 300lb Offensive linemen, yet they play on the same size field as they did when they wore leather helmets and Hall of Fame LBs were 5'11" 217lbs.

Expand the field! "We can't even cover right now!

 

[john h]

A lot and I don't want to even think about it.

But I will say that I will have patience for the situation from March to mid-August.

If nothing is done by then, I will take notice that the NFL is a greedy, greedy organization where the only thing that matter is money.

If all that matters is money, then I will re-think the way I watch NFL football. If cheap is the way the NFL wants to be, then the fans should follow their lead, IMO. There are thousands of dollars to be saved if you look at being a fan in a financially responsible way.

I think with owners and players it is mostly about money. At some point some players are so rich that winning a ring trumps money. Fitz just may be one of those cases.

Our owners have always been about money. No owner wants to lose money and like most people they want all they can get. Here we have multi millionaires fighting with multi millionaires about who will get the most. No one forces players to sign a contract and play. No one forces owners to pay outrageous salaries (certainly not our owners). I think the largest losers in this if the strike occurs will be the lower paid players who are probably just trying to make it in the NFL Many of the real rich players can miss a season with no pay and not miss a beat. The real greedy owners will not want to suffer a loss. Some of the very very rich owners are willing to hold out looking to the long run consequences.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

If your boss wanted you to start working weekends, with no pay increase, it would be a pretty ridiculous offer, correct?

Already happens.

It is no longer 1970. If you want to have a job you need to compete. If you don't work on the weekends when asked, then someone else will.

With all due respect. I would keep it relative to NFL football, and what the players and owners are talking about when it comes to the NFL, and just the NFL.

The notion of comparing anything going on in that league to what working class people deal with is ridiculous.

The players and owners are very blessed to have the oppourtunities they all have in front of them regardless of what the negotiations and out comes of those negotiations happen to be. Negotiating is rough part of being a union in America, but as Wisconsin shows, at least your union is still allowed to negotiate. Unlike teachers, and other public workers these days.

So while I am very appreciative of you coming onto the board, and giving us information, the sympathy card is a waste of time. And while I talk for myself, I don't believe I am the only person that has no sympathy for either side.

That being said I hope you and the league can come to a fair agreement and keep a great entertainment luxiary, and great sport alive and thriving.

But, if not ? I heard Fox is going to broadcast rugby during that time anyway

But, in all honestly I wish you the best of luck in the negotiations. I very much enjoy watching the NFL, and the product shows some of the best atheletes in the world, competing at top level competition, with amazing excitement and suspense. Hope to see it continue to thrive.

 

[john h]

My gut says the NFL is an industry that's "too big to fail". I've had this weird vision of a deadlock happening and someone like Bill Clinton stepping in to negotiate and save America from football-less Sunday.

Our government took over GM & Chrysler, many of the largest banks. the two largest lenders in the world in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, AIG, etc. All they need to do is add the NFL to their portfolio. Our government can solve anything so maybe there is the answer.

I think Barney Frank or Chris Dodd would make excellent choices to become the leaders of this newly formed NFL Government Managed League. (GML for short).

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Our government took over GM & Chrysler, many of the largest banks. the two largest lenders in the world in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, AIG, etc. All they need to do is add the NFL to their portfolio. Our government can solve anything so maybe there is the answer.

I think Barney Frank or Chris Dodd would make excellent choices to become the leaders of this newly formed NFL Government Managed League. (GML for short).

Don't even kid about that.

Imagine the NFL controlled by the government. Whatever team can pay the biggest kickback would win the Superbowl.

The officiating would be like a Cardinal vs. Cowboy game.

 

[Borderrat]

NFLLOCKOUT, Owners, Players and ASFNers,

What really bothers me about the potential lockout and the negotiations is the fans that support the game are never mentioned. What is being done to make the game more affordable for the common fan that fills the stadiums?

Honestly the ticket prices go up every year, concession prices go up every year, and more games are being put on pay to watch. Yet all I hear is how owners and players are going to divide up 9 billion dollars.

Eventually they will price out the common fans. I have read on the board more times than I care to how some loyal Cards fan can no longer afford tickets.

How about sticking to the 16 game schedule and get rid of two pre-season games? The biggest rip off in all sports is NFL charging full price for pre-season games. With all the mini-camps and voluntary off season workouts do teams really need those extra games? If they do how about lowering the ticket prices for those games?

I realize I have the option to not pay for the season tickets. As a 20 year season ticket holder I really hope it does not come to that someday but I see that day in the near future.

So NFL owners and players do not forget about the fans as you argue about 9 billion dollars. One day we might not be here to support you.

And yes I do believe there will be a lockout. I will probably not renew my season tickets.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

So NFL owners and players do not forget about the fans as you argue about 9 billion dollars. One day we might not be here to support you.

And yes I do believe there will be a lockout. I will probably not renew my season tickets.

Agreed.

Instead of thinking about Free agency, I spend my time thinking about what I can do with the money I won't be spending on football if there is a lockout.

That, and starting thinking about the rugby world cup.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

It's impossible to create a study that shows 2 extra games will definitely cause more injuries because they haven't tried it out yet; however, if you look at the number of injuries this year and the previous years, it seems all too likely. There were actually a record number of players on IR this year. Multiple owners, including Bill Ford, have come out and stated that they are against the 18 game season because of injuries. I have links to back this up, but I can't post them due to my total post count (it's too low). Let me know if you want me to PM it to you.

Playing in the NFL is like fighting against Tyson in his prime. Every time the players play another game, it's a gamble: they take a serious chance of injuring themselves. Adding two extra games just increases the likelihood that they will be seriously injured and unable to continue their career.

To your point about the CFL...the CFL is not the NFL, and it will never be. Yes, they aren't playing touch football, but it just doesn't compare to the physical abuse your body takes when playing in the NFL.

Ok.. I get it.

1, You don't have any studies to support that contention that more injuries will occur as a result of turning two of twenty games to be played in a season into one's of meaningful outcome.

2. And (2) you know absolutely squat about the CFL, where almost every player is a product of major College programs in the U.S.

Given that the only evidence you can offer is anecdotal, why not suggest we reduce the number of in-season games? According to your thinking it will definitely reduce the number of injuries.

 

[Buckybird]

Im still not worried about a lock out..

You & I all should be.

I've been saying for quite sometime now I feel this thing gets to around training camp & could effect part of the season. Well I just heard on ESPN radio 30 mins ago that Schefter had a source tell him the 2 sides are no closer now than at the beginning of negotiations & they can't agree to even a medium on any issue at this point. He thinks the only thing that keeps the situation from getting worse is the owners giving an extention to next weeks deadline but isn't optimistic anything changes.

 

[Buckybird]

Instead of thinking about Free agency, I spend my time thinking about what I can do with the money I won't be spending on football if there is a lockout.
.

Just wait Rugby, when/if they do come back watch the NFL get inside our pockets for more $$$ to pay these poor bastards as they force Directv to raise our Sunday ticket to $450-$500 next year!!! IMO the owners, players & league people don't give a rats ass about us...it's all about the mighty dollar & the players don't stand a chance.

 

[NFLLockout]

Ok.. I get it.

1, You don't have any studies to support that contention that more injuries will occur as a result of turning two of twenty games to be played into a season into one's of meaningful outcome.

No, I do have evidence, I just don't have enough posts to be able to post a link. I can send you a message with the links if you want. Let me know. Thanks.

 

[john h]

Already happens.

It is no longer 1970. If you want to have a job you need to compete. If you don't work on the weekends when asked, then someone else will.

With all due respect. I would keep it relative to NFL football, and what the players and owners are talking about when it comes to the NFL, and just the NFL.

The notion of comparing anything going on in that league to what working class people deal with is ridiculous.

The players and owners are very blessed to have the oppourtunities they all have in front of them regardless of what the negotiations and out comes of those negotiations happen to be. Negotiating is rough part of being a union in America, but as Wisconsin shows, at least your union is still allowed to negotiate. Unlike teachers, and other public workers these days.

So while I am very appreciative of you coming onto the board, and giving us information, the sympathy card is a waste of time. And while I talk for myself, I don't believe I am the only person that has no sympathy for either side.

That being said I hope you and the league can come to a fair agreement and keep a great entertainment luxiary, and great sport alive and thriving.

But, if not ? I heard Fox is going to broadcast rugby during that time anyway

But, in all honestly I wish you the best of luck in the negotiations. I very much enjoy watching the NFL, and the product shows some of the best atheletes in the world, competing at top level competition, with amazing excitement and suspense. Hope to see it continue to thrive.

I know that replacement players has been tried once before and failed. In this life there are few workers who cannot be replaced be it in baseball, basketball or football. Yes, you would not be looking at the best but those guys who just missed making the cuts in the NFL, given time could be worth watching. Even some the players who are currently on teams and who cannot afford to go a year with no pay would step up as they did when this happened before. It would take several years of reduced crowds and TV money but over time you would see some competitive football worth watching. You can bet that some of those 10 mil + players would not sit out for very long if the owners really did decide that once and for all they were going to bring all this back into perspective. Cost of tickets would drop to prices unheard off. Players near the later part of their career would not want to lose their last year or two of pay. Those nearing being vested would be more than just a little concerned.

I know this will be booed by most but like the Air Controllers found out President Regan fired them all and they all were replaced and the skies remained safe. If the fired ones wanted to be rehired they had to start at the bottom and submit their applications. The owners and players are arguing about how much you and I are going to pay not how much they are each going to receive. I have little sympathy for people who make millions of dollars a year going on strike or greedy millionaire owners wanting more. No one represents you and I. Joe six pack is priced entirely out of the game. These guys could very well kill the golden goose and I for one would be happy to see some hungry young talent step up and show us what they can do. After all there are leagues like the CFL and others that have talent who could step up. Why not just have some of the entire teams in the CFL replace an NFL team? Probably a lot of reasons but one has to think outside the box.

I know this talk is way out there in space but so it was with the Air Controllers who thought they were irreplaceable. Neither the owners or players would ever let it come to this as both have to much to lose. As usual, it will be the fans that lose. The NFL is headed down the path as did GM. The old saying so goes GM so goes the U.S.A. should not be lost on the players and owners.

In the state of Wisconsin the Teachers Union is one of the most powerful unions in the state. From the WSJ comes the fact that the average pay for a teacher in that state is $56,000.00. For ever dollar a teacher receives in pay he/she receives $.73 in benefits. This brings the average cost per teacher to over $100,000.00 per year. You can be sure with that kind of payout that in a free market system there would be a lot of teachers moving to Wisconsin to take a job. The Governor has a problem with the benefits not the salary of these teachers. The benefits are way out of line with the average worker in this nation. One also might note that teachers generally work nine months a year in most cases. It has also been found that there is no direct correlation between the pay of teachers and the education results of the students. The highest money spent per student in the nation is D.C. Well over $7000.00 per student. They also have the worst educational results of any state. We keep throwing money at schools with no apparent results.

 

[NFLLockout]

Time is ticking away right now. If you want to stay up to date on all the latest lockout news, be sure to visit our Facebook page. We just posted some great videos, and you fans should definitely give it a look. Since I can't post links, I'll just let you guys know what the address is:

Facebook.com/NFLLockout

 

[desertdawg]

Time is ticking away right now. If you want to stay up to date on all the latest lockout news, be sure to visit our Facebook page. We just posted some great videos, and you fans should definitely give it a look. Since I can't post links, I'll just let you guys know what the address is:

Facebook.com/NFLLockout

How long (honestly) do you see the lockout lasting?

 

[Buckybird]

How long (honestly) do you see the lockout lasting?

Dawg, I think it goes to TC or longer & I've been saying it for awhile. The 2 sides cant agree on even 1 issue from my understanding. I still say the players don't want 18 games & wont agree to give back a billion $. Looks longgggggg IMO!!!

 

[desertdawg]

Dawg, I think it goes to TC or longer & I've been saying it for awhile. The 2 sides cant agree on even 1 issue from my understanding. I still say the players don't want 18 games & wont agree to give back a billion $. Looks longgggggg IMO!!!

Totally agree, I think the Owners end up getting just about everything they want because they can wait it out. So essentially, the Players will be losing a whole lot of money during the lockout (if it goes through the season), and probably won't see much in return. The owners have all the leverage and an ax to grind. Right or wrong it is what it is.

 

[SuperSpck]

This upsets me to no end:
http://money.cnn.com/2011/02/28/news/companies/nfl_lockout_debt_ratings/index.htm

NFL may be able to weather 2-year lockout
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- National Football League owners will continue to generate much of their revenue in 2011, even if next season's games are cancelled due to a labor dispute, according to a note Monday by rating agency Standard & Poor's.

In fact, some teams may be able to survive two years without any games being played, according to S&P, which said it has confidential debt ratings on various stadium bonds for facilities used by NFL teams and also tracks teams' finances...

...But the continued flow of money from television networks, sponsors and some customers during a possible lockout puts the owners in good position to weather a potential canceled season...

...In judging the owners' ability to survive a prolonged lockout, S&P also cited a report in trade publication Sports Business Journal, that the league has built up a strategic reserve fund of about $900 million that teams can access in case of a work stoppage.

By and whole the owners appear to be fantastic businessmen, but lousy human beings.
With that kind of back-up plan how could they claim to be losing money?
And what happens when it comes time to renegotiate with TV networks? You think they'll forget?

 

[Buckybird]

This upsets me to no end:
http://money.cnn.com/2011/02/28/news/companies/nfl_lockout_debt_ratings/index.htm

By and whole the owners appear to be fantastic businessmen, but lousy human beings.
With that kind of back-up plan how could they claim to be losing money?
And what happens when it comes time to renegotiate with TV networks? You think they'll forget?

This is ESPN, Fox, NBC's fault!!! If I'm those networks, the next time we negoatiate a deal, the owners shouldn't get wheel barrels of $$$ if either side keeps the sport from playing. This is America & the owners assume the risk, so they have the right to tell these guys 2 take a hike...it's called capitalism!!! IMO the networks are a big part of why the fans pay more for tix, NFL Sunday ticket, among other things. When this is all resolved the fans will pay more $$$ for everything to support our sport.

Let me ask you this Spock...Do you think the company you work for pays even half it's income to the employees? Yeah the owners are greedy & the players are greedy. Most everyone in America has taken a paycut, with real $$$ or the rise in cost of living & making the same salary. Both parties make more $$$ in our lifetimes & yet many end up poor or live beyond their means, not lookign towards the later years.

 

[SuperSpck]

Let me ask you this Spock...Do you think the company you work for pays even half it's income to the employees? Yeah the owners are greedy & the players are greedy. Most everyone in America has taken a paycut, with real $$$ or the rise in cost of living & making the same salary. Both parties make more $$$ in our lifetimes & yet many end up poor or live beyond their means, not lookign towards the later years.

To answer the question: no, but unlike most situations the workers hold unique leverage. They are the bonafide razor's edge. There is no better and the NFL knows that if they try to replace all the talent in one fell swoop the fans won't pay (once the TV money runs out).
A rider thought: Not only are you and I (compared to NFL players) a breeze to replace, because the nation has been in the pits so long there's a good chance there's someone as qualified (if not more so) waiting to take our place for the same, or less, money then you and I make now.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

The 62% who believe their won't be a work stoppage are about to be disappointed (IMO)

 

[Buckybird]

The 62% who believe their won't be a work stoppage are about to be disappointed (IMO)

CC, The owners have the players by the balls & they know it...going to be a long one I'm afraid. Oh well CFL here I come

 

[Crazy Canuck]

CC, The owners have the players by the balls & they know it...going to be a long one I'm afraid. Oh well CFL here I come

As a Cards Fan you are duly required to take for the Grey Cup champion Montréal Alouettes!

 

[Seandonic]

The 62% who believe their won't be a work stoppage are about to be disappointed (IMO)

You misspelled there.

It's weird, but I think that some time off for these greedy factions (players and owners) would do them good. Maybe gain some perspective? I seriously doubt that will happen though and in the long run they are just hurting the fans.