DeMaurice Smith: NFL Labor Deal Not Close

by Dave Choate on Jun 30, 2011 8:00 AM EDT in NFL News

I was really, really hoping I wouldn't have to deliver any more labor news that didn't involve the words "NFL lockout" and "over."

Unfortunately, whether it's a gambit or the truth, DeMaurice Smith delivered bad news to about 50 players on Wednesday. He warned them not to expect an immediate resolution, because the two sides are far apart on important issues like how hard they should punch fans in the face, as well as how often.

I kid! They've agreed it should be pretty hard and daily. The real issues appear to everything from years of service time before free agency to money parceled out to retired players. Those gulfs would appear to contradict some of the reports put out there by NFL reporters, who had begun to express confidence that a deal would be complete by mid-July.

What's going on here? Even guessing seems like asking for it, the way these negotiations have gone, but I'd say Smith is reacting to a little souring of the negotiations. You have your hard-line owners matched up against Smith, who is trying to drive the best possible bargain for his players. The result is a slowed-down process that will still end by August, if either side has any sense at all.

So it appears the wheels are spinning again. What say you?

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Comments

This sux, I love football and I don't want to get punched in the face!

"I'm about rings now"
~Arthur Blank

by CollegePark4Life on Jun 30, 2011 8:09 AM EDT reply actions

F word!

by FLA_Falcon on Jun 30, 2011 8:23 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

The longer this goes on, the crappier both sides look in the public's eye.

Smith would do well to remember that. They’re letting their bread and butter land on the floor butter side down.

I appreciate transparency on the part of a major deal maker in this process but all we hear from the NFL is “YAY WE’RE CLOSE!” and all Smith says is “GRR NO WE’RE NOT.”

It’s like an argument between two school yard children. “Is so!” “Is not!” “Is so!” “Is not!”

I wish both sides would just shut the hell up until they have something REAL AND TANGIBLE to tell us. I don’t need hyperbole, negative or positive. I need results. Bring them, NFLPA/NFL

You have opinions. We all do. Some of yours may have to do with the Falcons. Sign up today and share them.

by Adam Schultz on Jun 30, 2011 8:35 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

MOBILE REC!

by FLA_Falcon on Jun 30, 2011 8:56 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

agreed

Especially considering opening Sunday is the 10th anniversary of 9/11. It’d be a huge PR hit to not be on the field for that.

by tcd13 on Jun 30, 2011 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions

DeMaurice Smith is a boob.

There is not one thing that comes out of this guy’s mouth that isn’t completely stupid. I love how he started this with the statement, “We’re at war.” Hey, dummy…there are guys dying in an ACTUAL war. How about you not compare your money fight to a real fight?

Bottom line: I feel that Smith is saying this to try to gain a little leverage on the situation. I also feel that the players will send this guy packing after this mess is all over. He has confused “tactic” with “stupidity”.

I'm on the Twitter: twitter.com/edgrohl

by Duff_Man on Jun 30, 2011 8:46 AM EDT reply actions

He can come over here...

I will be leaving my room to head back to the states on Tuesday (when I leave my room…takes about 4-5 days after that to get home) so he can stay in this one. I am sure some of my brothers and sisters in Afghanistan will trade their spots with him as well.

DSmith, thanks for giving me ANOTHER reason not to like you, and as long as you are the spokesman for the players, and they allow this oral defecation to come out of your mouth, than I dont have a lot of respect for those players either. Makes me wonder if the players canned him a long time ago would the labor impasse be over?

At war…sheesh!

Dont cloud the issue with facts!

by muuzilla on Jun 30, 2011 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions

3 more died in Iraq today

Near the Iranian border. Is that the kind of war you are talking about Mr Smith? O, thats right, you are just talking about the one where players dont make enough money kind of war. Where they have to settle on a Mercedes instead of a Bentley. Instead of a long ride home in a box. What a tool. I think I better leave the site for the rest of the day.

If any players are reading this…please hit that idiot for me!

Dont cloud the issue with facts!

by muuzilla on Jun 30, 2011 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs

Rec'd

by Dave Choate on Jun 30, 2011 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions

this is just too literal

Are you saying that the word “war” is a derogatory word if not reserved for the men in women of combat? I guess people missed the whole “figure of speech” lesson in grammer school. I’ve seen this reaction before and I don’t get why people have to get on a high horse after hearing someone not in a “military” war mention “war,” as a figure of speech.

Atlanta will win a championship....someday

by maxxj3 on Jun 30, 2011 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions

because that somebody that took it literally (me) is in a war zone

and NOTHING they are doing can even come close to this. Especially after the 3 that died yesterday (it is Friday am already) or the fact that June was the deadliest month since 2008 in Iraq for the US. So no, that kind of figure of speech does not bode well with me at the moment.
And as for figure of speech, than why is it that some words are not allowed to be said to certain people? Or in certain areas? Maybe because the term “war” is not personal enough.

Dont cloud the issue with facts!

by muuzilla on Jun 30, 2011 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Don't tell me, a marine is sensitive to rhetoric?

Ok, I get that it’s sensitive for you. But, you do realize “war,” will continue whether you’re fighting it or not? Don’t you realize that you’re battling flesh and blood, but the war is not against flesh and blood.

Atlanta will win a championship....someday

by maxxj3 on Jul 6, 2011 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

the players love smith

he is all for the players and he can go toe to toe with gooddell and the owners. he’s not going anywhere. i know you see his picture up there and this news makes you want to blame ~~kill~~ somebody, but no one person in this labor dispute should take the blame. especially not the guy who’s just representing the players and doing the talking for the players.

by mr92687!!! on Jun 30, 2011 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Also rec'd

by Dave Choate on Jun 30, 2011 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Please

Just make it stop. The lockout, the negotiations, the constant updates. It’s like a horrible unending soap opera where my dreams slowly bleed out in front of me and I’m powerless to do anything about it.

Smokey says: Only you can BVG forest fires.

by VaderX5 on Jun 30, 2011 9:47 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs