Let’s get one thing cleared up. The players butter the owners bread, not the other way around.

Very true…but the owners not only own the bread…but the butter as well…

Absolutely. this is exactly what I thought when I first heard the union wanted the rookies not to attend.

The players that would be invited would be the very players most effected by the rookie wage scale, which the union caved into almost immediately when negotiations started.

“So, um, I know we rolled over on a rule that will severely restrict your earnings on your first contract, but could you do us a favor and skip the draft?”

Spoken by someone who’s never been in a locker room in his life.

Attempt this crap and the rookie’s life would be hell.

Watches to see this get censored – oops I mean moderated. No criticism of our glorious leader allowed in word or deed.

The one fact ole Teddy is not mentioning in his ignorant little rant, is that the NFLPA could have used it’s money to pick up and continue the players insurance but chose not to!
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If that is true that is a big strike against them in their rants. Any argument is much more powerful if it isn’t merely rhetoric or words and rants but is backed by actual action.

I was just mentioning to someone the other night when a player was on NFL channel how I was surprised they would do this in light of the NFLPA’s* decision to balk at having a rebuttal to Goodell on there for what I figured was this very reason: they didn’t want to appear on the NFL’s channel thereby supporting the league.

Of all the players who have been on since the lockout, Saturday’s appearance is the worst since he will be doing continuing appearances and has been a vocal member of the players’ executive committee. Had he merely come on to give the NFLPA’s* rebuttal I would have understood that.

I strongly disagree on Bruschi’s stance and am disappointed in it; but that said, the man is no hypocrite. He always walked the walk. Never even had an agent until after his stroke and took lower than average contracts for a guy of his performance level rather than hit FA and leave because he always said he wanted to play his whole career with one team.

Um, Smith is the one shutting down the game so that rookies can make $1.1 million instead of just $1 million.

I feel so sorry for the players. NOT.

“down with all communist unions that cause more job loss than the economy. we can’t afford you any more.”

Communists?
Faux News claims another minion.

Also Bruschi wasn’t making a point, he was making a threat.

So Tedy, reach in your own fat wallet and pay for your own health insurance just like I’ve had to do since I can remember. And your rich buddies can do the same.
Yeah, I’m crying for you and your team mates.

Well, you gotta admit, it’s hard to carry another players shoulder pads when your pants are down around your knees.

The problem is Bruschi’s inference (that inference being that players are ‘suffering’). Folks resent that, I think.
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Thanks for the compliment. I agree that in Bruschi’s mind he feels that the players are in fact “suffering”, and I can understand the resentment.

Believe me, I am not defending the millionaires or the billionaires. I think both sides need to wake up.

I just try not to take it personally. Because if you believe, as I do, that the owners and players don’t care much about the fans, the logical inference is that they aren’t doing anything expressly to hurt us, because we simply don’t register on their consciousness.

If the lockout is lifted by an injunction then the subject is moot. Players play – draftees are drafted. The fact they bring it up so early is a sign NFLPA* think they will lose come April 6.

I would hope they aren’t telling them not to attend because they believe the draft is “illegal”. That arguement could have ramifications through all the Major Sports (football, basketball, hockey, MLS). Also would kill a good sized source of TV revenue for the league. Draft is very popular and gets good ratings.

The young drafted rookie will be shaking hands with the man who will be initiating an experience of a lifetime.

If bitter Vets can’t handle that…then perhaps they should consider a different sport…maybe synchronized swimming.

Why does everyone on here think that NFL Players care whether Joe Six Pack considers them a kindred spirit?

Bruschi states a simple fact- Goodell canceled player insurance.

He didn’t say “now all the players are struggling to pay their cobra just like Joe Six Pack”.

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The problem is Bruschi’s inference (that inference being that players are ‘suffering’). Folks resent that, I think.

But as always, realitypolice, you hit the nail on the head irt expecting players or owners to relate to fans. We’ll have about as much luck waiting on that to happen as we will becoming NFL players or owners ourselves. You do justice to your name, sir!

It’s bad enough they’re not going to make the same kind of coin as their predecessors. At least let them stand up on a stage and appear to be happy wearing a i.e. Cincinnati Bengals cap. It may be the last time they’re proud of being a Bengal.

As far as I am concerned, they are there on that day to represent their COLLEGE program that allowed them to get them to the NFL draft.

They haven’t paid their 15 grand (or what is it now?) of union dues yet …so, they are certainly not full fledged trade association members because of the draft.

They and their agent however, will be making lots of bucks when this temporary lockout concludes. The NFLPA does realize that the lockout is not forever…right?

Has Demarcus Ware actually ever said that?

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Would never happen. Anyone who has ever met or seen an interview with Demarcus would know this. He is the class of the league.