Lockout Thread

[Rome]

The owners are farged now.   Good.  More power to the players.

[Eagaholic]

If true, this could be surprising

Source: Free agency could start at midnight
Posted by Mike Florio on March 11, 2011, 6:31 PM EST
Image (2) NFL_asomugha_250-thumb-250x185-13551.jpg for post 77686

As the league scrambles to process the meaning of the union's decision to decertify, a high-level source with one team tells PFT that the league is preparing for the possibility that free agency could begin soon.

As in at midnight.

Per the source, the league is bracing for the possibility of a ruling from Judge David Doty that would force the doors to remain open, compelling the league to allow player movement and trades as soon as 12:01 a.m. Saturday.

[SD]

That would be awesome if true. As a fan I don't really care much about the grudge match between the players and the owners. There are minor things I'm in favor of like keeping a 16 game schedule and a rookie wage pool because I don't believe an unproven player should make that much. I don't know how they'd make that work though without a CBA and cap in place. I guess it could be like last offseason for now.

[SD]

Jeff Mclane:

A high-ranking league source just told me that he didn't expect there to be free agency at midnight.

[Rome]

I'd rather see a quote from Todd than McLane but ok.

[MDS]

Just talked to my source and yes in fact they sent their jv team to the brownsville tourney and the varsity to the sharyland one

Not cool

[Diomedes]

The owners can go to hell.  Rotten bastiches, how much is enough?  For sitting on your ass and shuffling paper?  Bunch of thieving capitalist shteinheels.

[MDS]

youll all be happy to know that joe banner has an opinion on this

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/20110312_Eagles_president_Joe_Banner_is_frustrated_with_NFL_stalemate.html

[Eagaholic]

Good article by Don Banks. Pretty much nails as far as I'm concerned.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/don_banks/03/11/nfl.labor.front.ap/

[Diomedes]

Good article by Don Banks. Pretty much nails as far as I'm concerned.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/don_banks/03/11/nfl.labor.front.ap/

Transparency has been the big topic of the week in these negotiations, so here's some for you, in news flash form: What the league and its players are both trying to protect is as much of the NFL's $9.3 billion of revenue as possible. Nothing more. Nothing less. We all like money, so on some level we can relate to that. But we also like our football, and that's the part both sides seem more than willing to play with, even at the risk of doing harm to the game and to those people who watch it and make it so wildly popular.
And no matter what they say, or how much they spin, both sides are willing to take that risk and possibly inflict that damage because of the obscene amount of money that's at stake. They do so even while talking ever so respectfully about the NFL and the fans who have exalted it to such a special and cherished place in our society.

Ah...what damage?  What is Banks talking about?  A work stoppage will somehow damage the game itself?  The fans will be hurt?  Are you f'n joking?

The rich people who make all the money off these games will be fine, and so will the fans.  No one is going to actually suffer without this particular version of entertainment.  Some stadium workers and the like will suffer, of course, but the little guys are always the ones to get farged, that's nothing new.

Far as I can tell, all that will happen is some games won't be played and when they sort shtein out, they'll play games again, and the fans will continue to pay whatever the NFL charges.

[Rome]

The Eagles didn't have a problem taking my season ticket money.

[Feva]

This just crossed my computer at work...

Letter to Eagles season ticket holders from owner Jeffrey Lurie and president Joe Banner.

In light of the events that occurred yesterday, we wanted to take this opportunity to update you on the status of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and how it affects the Philadelphia Eagles. As we are sure you are aware, the contract between the league and the labor union representing the players has expired, the union decertified and we have entered into a lockout.
     However, the NFL remains committed to collective bargaining and the federal mediation process until an agreement is reached - an agreement that is good for the long-term health of the league. We believe that a deal will get done.
     We want you to know our focus is on preparation for the 2011 season and we are going to continue to do everything we can to strengthen our football team. We will be ready to take advantage of all opportunities within league rules to help reach our ultimate goal. We are also excited about the upcoming 2011 draft on April 28-30 and our preparation for that has been in the works for a long time.
     Regardless of what transpires throughout this offseason, our commitment to winning a Super Bowl remains the number one priority throughout our entire organization. We are also committed to keeping an open line of communication with you and our entire fan base throughout these labor discussions. We plan on hosting several events throughout the off season that our fans can enjoy. Our annual Draft Party will take place on April 28 at Lincoln Financial Field.
     We greatly appreciate your continued support.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Lurie and Joe Banner

barf...

[MDS]

so its lurie AND banner now?

has it always been this way? cause in times like this lurie used to kind of stand up and put himself above everyone else in the organization.

[Rome]

Nauseating.

[ice grillin you]

just like i dont think the skins are smarter than anyone else because they found a way to sign monster free agents even when they are way over the cap and everyone in the world said they wouldnt be able to sign anyone

That was only because they were lucky the league increased the cap much more than had been expected previously with the new CBA. Even so, they still had to cut at least 3 or 4 starters to get under the cap which set the team back talent wise so they really didn't "get away with it." They mortgaged sucking in the future to be able to suck in the present.

they done been doing it since 1997