St. Louis Rams HC Spagnuolo conducts "mock OTA" as tension flare between coaches and the NFL

by Ryan Van Bibber on May 25, 2011 8:45 PM CDT in NFL Lockout

As if you needed another reminder of just how absurd the NFL lockout has become. Miles away from where players from the St. Louis Rams were holding informal practices, the Rams coaching staff was putting its front office personnel through a "mock OTA" at Rams Park.

Desperate to coach something, someone head coach Steve Spagnuolo put staff through the test. No word if he fired anyone after the exercise. Joking aside, it's a reminder that coaches need those offseason workouts to stay sharp too.

More than anything, it's a reminder of just how foolish this whole thing has become. Locked out, players and coaches can't have almost no contact. They have to get permission to go to player weddings even. Just another reminder that this, ahem, labor impasse needs to get solved...soon.

That the Rams coaches revealed their itchiness to start coaching again on the same day that the coaches association filed a brief in support of the players' court case today should not be lost on fans. The brief from coaches noted their relatively tenuous grasp on coaching jobs in today's NFL. Employment gets riskier in a results-driven league when they lose valuable practice time.

Just to remind coaches who signs their paychecks, the NFL sent out a heavy handed note to coaches today reminding them of the possible consequences for violating the rules prohibiting contact with players. The memo went so far as to remind them that it could result in termination.

In other news making the rounds today...

Players from the current Rams players and past players will be in Joplin to lend a hand to tornado victims tomorrow.
Marc Bulger reunited with Richie Incognito? Jason La Canfora says don't rule out Bulger to the Dolphins.

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Now that the coaches have joined the players in court, why can't they get together with the players for practice?

by Douglas M on May 25, 2011 9:01 PM CDT reply actions

that would be nice huh?

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by Ryan Van Bibber on May 25, 2011 9:04 PM CDT up reply actions

In the coaches motion, did they ask for damages from the league or were they just endorsing the players?

by Douglas M on May 25, 2011 9:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Wow!

So a coach can be terminated by the LEAGUE and not an owner? Are these bastards serious? This is an absolute disgrace, the countries most popular sport has been hijacked by a bunch of pompous assholes who quite honestly could care less about the fans and their over all image. Could you imagine if a coach was fired by Roger Goodell for talking to his player? If he thinks he gets booed now at public appearances he might actually get threats.

I’m appalled by the sheer bullshit by both parties, I have a ton of blame for the owners, but DeMaurice Smith is really no better. He’s nothing but a sleazy agent, Alvin Keels and Major Adams style. I absolutely despise this lockout, and what makes it so much more excruciating is that our team, the Rams, have finally turned the corner, finally got those special pieces that franchises wait decades for and we get “THIS”!

I’m absolutely disgusted in Demaurice Smith, Roger Goodell and owners like Mike Brown, Ralph Wilson, George Shinn, Wayne Weaver and Bill Bidwell. They are the lowest of the low, the guys who, I guarantee are behind this whole BS sticking it to the players and fans. I really do wish some of these guys would get completely out of the business and find something else, none of those teams wins and they all are teams that are considered low class and run by inept frugal owners.

I want my NFL, better yet I want my future NFC West Champs the St.Louis Rams.

by DaFranchiZe on May 25, 2011 9:39 PM CDT reply actions 3 recs

hear hear..

or is it here here?

by diehardram87 on May 26, 2011 12:03 AM CDT up reply actions

I would guess if the NFLPA would

withdraw their anti-trust lawsuit, re-certify the union and agree to start negotiations again, the ownwers would drop the lcokout and we’d be ready to go. It would be insane for the owners to drop the lockout without the union agreeing to drop all their nonsense.

By the way, the coaches organization shares the same quarters with the NFLPA. It isn’t too surprising they would join them in the suit against the lockout.

I truly wish the judges would start knocking heads together. They need to tell both sides they have to get back to bargaining, with the court appointing someone to watch over them at all times and insist on bargaining in good faith or the court will come down on them. Both sides are losing with the current mess, as are the fans.

by andyhawk on May 25, 2011 11:01 PM CDT reply actions