Random Ramsdom, 2/5: Lockout likely?

by VanRam on Feb 5, 2010 6:50 AM CST in Random Ramsdom Comment 16 comments

Is there a game this weekend? Oh, wait. Funny enough, to me, this seems like the first Super Bowl in a long time where the "other" football conversations, i.e. the draft, CBA, etc., have received just as much attention as the game itself. Of course, I think much of that has to do with how we consume information now that technology allows us to filter out the subjects of less interest, to some extent, and focus on what we do want to listen to. Is that a good or bad thing? On to the news I deem important!

Turley: Martz a better coordinator than head coach - Something that should come as no surprise to Rams fans.

Rams sale rumors impacting CFL - The Toronto Argo react to the rumors of a the Toronto connected bidder for the Rams. The article also says a move to Toronto is "unlikely."

Kansas City Politician Files Bill To Reverse NFL Blackout Policy - Just when you think politicians can't do anything right, a state-level David aims his slingshot at the NFL.

Kiss the cap goodbye forever? - NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said in his news conference yesterday that once the league and the players experience life without the salary cap, it will be "virtually impossible" to return to life with a cap. That's not good, as it would destroy competitiveness and, thus, profits in the league.

Smith says lockout likely - More from Smith's presser yesterday: it's 75 percent negotiating bluster, but Smith also said that a lockout in 2011 is almost certain. I'm going to be talking about the CBA situation much more; it's starting to get interesting.

Brandon Marshall saga continues - To trade or not to trade? Is there really any point trying to read the tea leaves at this point in the game?

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For the past 6 months I've ignored

the possibility of a lockout in 2011. Today is the first day I am officially worried. I am worried for a few different reasons. Obviously, no football in 2011 will SUCK. I don’t even want to think about it.

Also, no salary cap will destroy the Rams. Dallas and the Raiders will become the Yankees. We’ll be the Pirates.

What is happening to our beloved sport.. yes money has it’s way of destroying things on every corner.

"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall." - Vince Lombardi

by VTramsFan on Feb 5, 2010 8:28 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't worry too much.

The players union in the NFL is not like the players union in MLB.

The NFLPA has virtually no power. Granted, this scenario kinda puts a little more wind in their sails, but there’s no history of anything the PA has ever accomplished to make the owners waiver.

Personally, I think a rookie salary schedule (much like the NBA) would go a long way to appeasing the players. It would not only eliminate the unproven rookies who are making more paper than the vets, but it would also create either more jobs or more higher paying jobs for established vets because there’s less guaranteed money (much less actually) going to the rookies.

Maybe I’m just being optimistic….

Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.

by Tackle Box on Feb 5, 2010 11:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I like the way you think

by BruinHalo on Feb 5, 2010 1:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No one will ever want money taken away from them

Sad, sad, sad.

The House of Spears reigns supreme

by ram_rod on Feb 5, 2010 2:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The rookies aren't in the players union.

So, they have no say. By limiting how much they can be paid, you automatically free up more money for the vets.

Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.

by Tackle Box on Feb 5, 2010 3:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Unions stand to lose as much by failing to take care of their future brothers

as they do their brothers. I’m in a union that failed to take care of our agreements at the benefit of their past membership. It’s rather awkward when the subject comes up. It may not seem like much but when a union loses unity it can’t recapture it, it’s gone forever. It may as well be anyway

by dbcouver on Feb 5, 2010 6:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The rookies won't be playing for minimum wage.

There still going to get paid, it just won’t be 50 million guaranteed.

Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.

by Tackle Box on Feb 5, 2010 6:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

My point is

You don’t give up somebody elses’ wages or benefits without expecting a future problem with solidarity. I’m not grieving for any of these rookies, trust me. But they have agents too, some of whom represent many of the vets as well. The agents will create a bridge of loyalty between the rookies and the vets, resulting in a mutual interest that will act as representation in these negotiations.
The rookies may appear to have no say, but they may as well be sitting at the table with everyone else.

by dbcouver on Feb 5, 2010 6:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That's very insightful

Unions are only created in unity and breaking that unity is a key tactic to use against it. I’ve been in a couple of unions, and on both sides too. You’re right about once the unity is lost but don’t forget in this case their second contract still has unlimited potential. I think of it kind of like a benefit of seniority. Those guys will be fully vested.

by CoachConnors on Feb 5, 2010 6:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

A lockout would suck.

I’m worried for the NFL, it could either come back like baseball and strive, or it could lose a lot of popularity like the NHL.

He didn't need the backboard on that one!

by StopSpe on Feb 5, 2010 2:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

It needs steroids to come back like baseball.

by BruinHalo on Feb 5, 2010 3:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

are you trying to say there are no steriods in football?

Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.

by Tackle Box on Feb 5, 2010 3:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Baseball didn't exactly bounce right back.

Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.

by Tackle Box on Feb 5, 2010 3:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Certainly part of the strong statements is negotiating bluster.

The players say the league wants to cut their salaries by 18%. My guess is we come out with a deal where almost all the reduction in salaries comes from the rookies, and it’s much less than 18%. If you can reach a deal to drastically cut their signing bonuses and salaries, there won’t be as much need to cut the salaries of the veterans. Further, if we go to a 17 or 18 game season, there will be more revenue for the owners to help with their profits. If both sides keep their heads, I think a reasonable deal can be reached before 2011. The real question is, will the hotheads on both sides screw things up or will cooler head prevail?

by andyrose on Feb 5, 2010 3:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Lets hope thats exactly what the strong statements are.

And I wouldn’t mind more games in the season, only if they are going to replace the preseason games. I think1-2 preseason games is enough.

by dbcouver on Feb 5, 2010 6:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

A Yahoo rumor puts Vick possibly coming to the Rams

And I am one who would not be in favor of that. I believe that we need to address our QB issues, but I don’t believe that Michael Vick would be the answer. I also don’t think Vick will ever return to his old form pre-prison.

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by zoomzoomj88 on Feb 6, 2010 12:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs