An NFL Labor Resolution Could Be Two Weeks Away

by Dave Choate on Jun 12, 2011 8:00 AM EDT in NFL News

Daniel Kaplan's forecast may be based on the giddiest players and owners, or it might not. All I know is that after hearing that the beginning of the end of this stupid lockout could be coming within two weeks makes me want to moonwalk on water.

There's been a substantial number of reports backing up the optimistic rumblings coming out of meetings between players and owners in recent weeks, and this is by far the rosiest. If a framework could be agreed upon within two weeks, and a couple more weeks brought us a final agreement, the NFL could salvage a training camp, pre-season and full season. I don't have to tell any of you how awesome that would be at this point.

It would mean those unofficial player workouts would be replaced by mandatory, full-team workouts. It would mean a Falcons team that went 13-3 last season could finally get back to work in a meaningful fashion, bring aboard free agents and try to deliver on the considerable promise that bloomed in 2010. We could all be happy in that little NFL world, in other words.

Let's hope it happens. Where do you put the odds?

Tweet Comment 14 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I put the odds at dear sweet baby Jesus please let it happen

by FLA_Falcon on Jun 12, 2011 9:54 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs

It gives me hope at this point.

I want there to be some real headway before I bust out my celebratory pinata. Completely off-topic thought… what the hell is DeMaurice Smith wearing in the picture? Looks like a doctor’s coat. Give’s me a Doctor Octopus vibe.

Ron Artest = Ron (sm)Artest - He Is The Most Interesting Man In The World

by JoshChildressAfroIsCure4Cancer on Jun 12, 2011 10:40 AM EDT reply actions

I just hope they continue until a deal gets done and not revert back to their douche bag ways.

by Horner's Homer on Jun 12, 2011 11:08 AM EDT reply actions

WHY IS IT SO QUIET IN HERE???

by FLA_Falcon on Jun 12, 2011 1:11 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

P.S.

I am extremely bored

by FLA_Falcon on Jun 12, 2011 1:12 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Another side effect of the lockout I'd really like to have gone

by Dave Choate on Jun 12, 2011 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions

If his prediction actually comes true...

"My parents do a lot of things behind the scenes that go unnoticed"- Cam Newton, Heisman acceptance speech.

by TurnerTheBurner on Jun 12, 2011 1:35 PM EDT reply actions

Going way back

Is that from the short-lived Street Fighter II cartoon?

by KMarch on Jun 12, 2011 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions

yup haha

"My parents do a lot of things behind the scenes that go unnoticed"- Cam Newton, Heisman acceptance speech.

by TurnerTheBurner on Jun 12, 2011 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions

This...

is great, great news…lets hope it pans out!!

by Joseph K. Houston on Jun 12, 2011 1:46 PM EDT reply actions

Let's get..

This thing done, so we get on with our lives again. Got a lot to forward to this season coming up.

by falconplanet on Jun 12, 2011 1:47 PM EDT reply actions

I put the odds at less than 50:50

There has been some progress yes, but on issues that in reality should have been settled two years ago. Financials haven’t really entered the picture yet. While I have posted in the past that the framework of the deal is there (as a result of the players offer) they’re still too many questions. To whit:

1. The most basic (and what will continue as the major sticking point) is what constitutes revenue in the future. There are pieces of the pie to be split yes but, what are the ingredients used to make the pie. It is my firm conviction that the owners want to make the Super Bowl a PPV event. I mean c’mon they had people pay $200 to watch the game outside of the stadium. In at least one owners mind they’re “giving away [our] primary event for free” It’s one of the reasons that they did the market research on what percentage of fans had never attended a game (over 90%) The broadcast networks pay an enormous amount to televise the game and still make a profit. PPV brings a greater share of that money directly to the owners.

2. The manner in which future disputes will be settled. Will the players accept Goodell as judge, juror and executioner whose power to rule seems to be more powerful than that of the legal system.

3. The Reggie White case provided for a special master (an appointee of the court who makes certain that judicial orders are obeyed. The owners are adamant that this has to go. The players will look for a guarantee that the owners can’t unilaterally institute provisions that aren’t part of the collective bargaining process.

4. How the two other cases (TV rights and Brady v. NFL will be adjudicated. The TV rights case is potentially explosive because the damages (if any) could approach ten figures.

Early on I was the most optimistic because I thought both sides could surely see the potential damage to the game. But it’s not about that anymore. The commissioner wants to prove that he can manage these players, he’s no Tagliabue and DeMaurice Smith has to prove that he can get a better deal than Troy Vincent would have gotten and one equal to what Gene Upshaw would have done.

It’s plainly and simply hubris. Character is revealed in times of stress.

A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice.

by FrozenFinger on Jun 12, 2011 2:18 PM EDT reply actions