Comments on: NFLPA* merely “recommends” that rookies don’t attend draft

By: orbearider66

orbearider66 — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:25:31 +0000

Dear NFLPA*

Thanks for the invitation to your alternative draft party. Not only are you not content with negotiating your way into a rookie salary cap that could cost me millions, but now you want me to miss out on the event that I’ve been dreaming of since I was a kid.

It’s your leadership skills that steered the Titanic into the iceberg.

By: burntorangehorn

burntorangehorn — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:13:35 +0000

This would be much more interesting if the union were to organize pickets at the draft and other such events. Watching Matt Birk lumber hither and thither with a bullhorn and picket sign would be gold.

By: mofrombk

mofrombk — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 16:46:21 +0000

From the original article: “The NFL Players Association is putting into place a plan that would prevent each top college prospect from attending next month’s draft in New York, according to multiple league sources.”

“League sources” implies the NFL. The NFL acts on the owners’ behalf. Therefore this propaganda is actually coming from the owners, who are locking out the players, not the NFLPA or NFLPA*.

By: mefolts

mefolts — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 16:05:28 +0000

This is a classic example of the union “holding a gun ” to the heads of new players. “we aren’t telling you can’t go. We just “suggest” that you not go.” Which means that new players that go to NYC will be looked down upon and new players that don’t attend will be lauded for their support. Unions are the reason your American car companies are struggling. They are the reason your school taxes are out of control. Everyone knows of someone who should be fired due to incompetance, but they are spared because of the unions. UNIONS SUCK!

By: opieterp

opieterp — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 16:04:16 +0000

The NFLPA is a walking public relations disaster. They should be garnering most of the support but they are alienating the fan base every day.

By: burntorangehorn

burntorangehorn — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:56:44 +0000

Hey young lady, instead of having your dad walk you down the aisle to give you away, saying your vows, and kissing your new spouse in front of all your friends and family, why don’t you and your fiance skip the wedding and exchange vows by yourselves at another venue down the street?

By: radrntn

radrntn — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:52:25 +0000

ever since I was a kid I dreamed of the day I would be drafted, walking on the stage and getting hugged by DeMaurice Smith….lmao

By: radrntn

radrntn — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:50:38 +0000

these guys are boneheads

By: Cowboys-Forum

Cowboys-Forum — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:40:53 +0000

The NFLPA has nothing to do with these kids until after they sign their contracts, so they should just mind their own business until then.

By: thestrategyexpert

thestrategyexpert — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:30:47 +0000

Again, this article has misleading terminology. First it was “they were informed not to go” which doesn’t make any logical sense. Now you are saying that it “cannot be an order”, that’s bologna. The NFLPA certainly can and could very well have “ordered” the players not to go. You don’t have to have authority and legal right to issue orders, anybody can issue orders, but if you don’t have authority or a right to issue orders, then that just means that those you issue orders to are not obligated to follow. And if they “were issuing orders”, then that shows a posturing of which is the important element of the story. So don’t say they “can’t order” them, cause they certainly can and could have, and we need to know if they did, because that’s important. But either way, they certainly can order anybody they want to do anything they want. It’s their God-given free will to make any dumbass mistakes of their choosing, and “issuing orders” applies. I thought you had a lawyer’s background? Or did you scrap your roots once you hit the football limelight like every other football guy on TV? It makes you lose credibility, and every day I’m seeing articles on here that are sloppy and unprofessional, c’mon PFT, step up your game and please get some quality writers on staff!

By: dfinpds

dfinpds — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:15:06 +0000

This is getting absolutely rediculous. Greedy owners, greedy players, greedy agents……..Have you people no shame? Pathetic.pathetic.pathetic……

By: FinFan68

FinFan68 — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:13:22 +0000

If there is no union and the draft happens, couldn’t the teams sign some sort of temporary contract with the draftees so they can get them started on learning the offensive/defensive schemes? With no union it seems to me that the league would be allowed to have contact with the new kids.

By: dchuwo

dchuwo — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:12:48 +0000

If I’m Goodell and the owners, I look into canceling the draft. Public sentiment is shifting in favor of the NFL big time in light of the NFLPA’s sham decertification and apparent refusal to negotiate further. NFL has done a much better PR job lately and Smith and players better realize this. They are counting on the popularity of the game but that will last only so long. Anyone reading this, just remember, the ones with the power here are us fans. If WE don’t buy tickets, jerseys, etc. and don’t watch these games, there is no league. We’ve fed the beast and created the monster so we can’t complain now unless we are prepared to act. Again, I say keep the players locked out. When the pay checks stop coming, and there’s no free agency signing bonuses, etc., you will start hearing rumblings.

By: thebigolddog

thebigolddog — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:01:19 +0000

The people driving the NFLPA bus are all malcontents. They were carefully chosen by De Smith for that reason. Just listen to them. They are all talking enough and have no desire to hide the truth because, as I said, they all have a hair across their buttocks when it comes to the NFL. De Smith and his carefully chosen gang have no desire to settle this until De Smith has gained power and fame. Playing the role of Commissioner at his own competing draft event is proof enough of his true intentions.

baring unforeseen events, it is now up to the Owners to suck it up as long as possible until the vast majority of happy NFL players revolt against De Smith and his Gang’s personal agendas.

By: gilgafresh

gilgafresh — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:01:01 +0000

All anybody has to do to figure out which side is winning the PR battle (and thus which side the fans are on) is to visit this site, take note of the comments, and see which direction most of the thumbs are pointing.

Despite the best attempts by the purveyors of this site and the former players with a voice to sway the public to the players’ side it’s become very obvious that this isn’t as polarizing as many think it is or should be. In fact, it isn’t even close.

151-8? 102-3? My word…

(NFLPA* and players, I’m talking to YOU)

By: jagmania65

jagmania65 — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:57:32 +0000

If you are the top pick in the draft, you have two choices now: get a sweaty man hug from Roger Goodell in front of a national TV audience, or get a sweaty man hug from De Smith in front of, well, no TV coverage at all. Your choice!

By: elgatowis

elgatowis — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:57:05 +0000

Seriously DeMO is the problem, you hire a LITIGATOR to lead your Negotiations you get LITITGATION!!!! Jesus who did not see that coming. The NFLPA is greedy, and tell Drew breeze to shut his mouth, he is making it worse. They look terrible in this. the NFL Owners are the OWNERS, Do they not deserve to make more than their top player in Profit? It really is ridiculous when a team has less profit that 2 or 3 of its players for the season..

What is with DeMo’s face he is hard to look at… Am I the only one who sees this, am I taking crazy pills!!!

By: fngs1

fngs1 — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:50:57 +0000

Maybe the College kids should sue the NFLPA*, like Brady-Manning-Bree’s are sue the NFL for not allowing them to work.

By: vetdana

vetdana — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:48:20 +0000

This is DEAD WRONG !…and public sentiment is going AGAINST the NFLPA !! This whole thing has a real stink to it and the fans are losing any respect they had for players and owners that is going to be felt with a decrease in financial support !!

By: jw731

jw731 — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:20:38 +0000

Something just seems wrong about D Smith treating players like children who’s parents are getting divorced, and having a custody battle….Will it effect the Union if they attend what is a once in a life time experience?

By: angrycorgi

angrycorgi — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:12:48 +0000

Funny how nobody has mentioned the hiring of DeMoron Smith in the first place. It’s well known that the players hired him BECAUSE they wanted it to make it court LONG ago. Now they got their wish. This isn’t just D’s fault. The players WANTED this outcome. Think about that a few times before you say “D-Smith is ruining this”. If I go buy a gun and shoot someone, not many people will try to put the gun on trial.

By: easyeddie

easyeddie — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:05:00 +0000

I agree with realitypolice:
Mar 15, 2011 9:35 AM
“This was a huge PR blunder by the NFLPA*. ”

I would add that they’ve blundered their way through the entire process, so far.

By: mrznyc

mrznyc — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:02:20 +0000

Way back when, greed killed boxing – Don’t think it can’t kill other sports as well.

By: hedphurst

hedphurst — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:01:46 +0000

Can the NFLPA also “recommend” that current players refrain from tweeting about their shiny new kicks, cars, versions, clothes, etc, while they’re “laid off?”

By: thefiesty1

thefiesty1 — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:01:05 +0000

I recommend that the NFLPA just shut the hell up!

By: edion1473

edion1473 — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:52:15 +0000

Here’s a thought : Maybe if no one showed up for the draft, or tuned in to watch it these people would understand who has the power to make football extinct. The fans. I mean, it’s not like we can’t look on Profootballtalk.com to find out the draft results anyways. I think it’s time the fans got a voice, and by not paying attention to either side would be a good start. It would be akin to letting a two year old throw a temper tantrum, and walking away and ignoring it. Eventually the child will realize that the temper gets them no where.

By: angrycorgi

angrycorgi — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:40:31 +0000

The players are spoiled. This morning on Sirius, they were saying “they are asking us to take a 20% pay cut”, which is untrue. They also neglect to mention the annual 15% pay increase they’ve had for the past 4 years, almost doubling everyone’s pay. I don’t know about you guys, but the economy has caused my employer to essentially freeze salaries for 2 years…during that time, the average NFL player salary increased by >32%. These guys are living in a fantasy world, if you ask me.

By: 3octaveFart

3octaveFart — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:40:01 +0000

Brilliant idea!
What better way to launch a career in this economy than by skipping out on on your first day of work…?

By: chatham10

chatham10 — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:37:46 +0000

Mike & Mike made a great point this morning, they said ” the union is recommending that they do not attend” which they think is wrong but they said ” if they do attend and when the CBA is signed that these guys will have to be in the same locker room with the union guys who told them not to attend”. They are not scabs but could be treated like one. The NFL should not invite them and just think of the money they would save and also take the pressure off these guys.

By: realitypolice

realitypolice — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:35:12 +0000

This was a huge PR blunder by the NFLPA*. Up until this point, they had done a fairly decent job of not completely alienating the fan base. But this was just stupid.

That being said, I would be happy if the players didn’t go. The clumsy interactions with the commish and dreary awkward player interviews with ESPN’s talking head of the day are the worst parts of the drafts anyway.