NFL ALUMNI AN "AFTERTHOUGHT", PRO DAY REPORTS & OSHA FINES OPENS IRISH TO MAJOR LAWSUIT
Part of the NFL's last proposal for a new CBA included $82 million in 2011 & 2012 for the league's ex-players. It was a 60% increase in their medical & pension benefits. The NFLPA walked away from the bargaining table & voted to de-certify. Now NFL Alumni President, George Martin(former NYG DE), is unable to get even a 15-minute sit-down with NFLPA President DeMaurice Smith. The current players give great lip service to the men who came before them but it's beginning to look like the NFLPA should change their name to NFLCPA(NFL Current Players Assoc.). Martin is furious about the snub, he represents over 2000 ex-players who did their 4-years to become vested. "We're still treated as second-class citizens or an afterthought" Martin said this morning. "We got a lot of men desperate for the added medical care & I can't even get an audience, he's too busy receiving honors" martin added. Smith is to be University of Maryland's commencement speaker. The NFL gave the alumni association a $1 million dollar, interest-free loan this week & there could be more on the way. Is this an effort to drive a wedge between current & former players orchestrated by the league? Both sides are so slimy in this fight.
I told you yesterday the NFLPA requested incoming draftees not attend the NFL Draft telecast in protest. Technically, the incoming players are not members of the NFLPA & can't join until there is a new CBA. The union claims they will have an "alternative affair" somewhere in New York City. They also intend to picket the draft. Asking kids & their families to boycott an all-expense paid trip to Manhattan for themselves, their families & their agent is hard to pass up, it's been a dream of their's for a very long time. Tough to pass on that face time on national television, some of these guys will be the future pitchmen for advertisers. Even if the NFLPA stages "an alternative event", who's going to televise it? Answer: nobody, the best the union could hope for is an online deal which is hardly "an alternative" to national TV. Both sides are so slimy in this fight.
The best defensive back available in next month's draft, Patrick Peterson of LSU, participated in the pro day at the baton Rouge campus yesterday. Over 3 dozen scouts & coaches were in attendance & no one went away with anything but positive remarks for the cornerback. "He was fluid, smooth & quick" one coach said, "He's positively amazing in his athletic ability" added another. Peterson is the best corner to come out quite possibly since Deion Sanders. He's big(6' 1/2" 219) for a corner, really quick & fast(4.36) & his balance plus the ability to flip his hips & run is really impressive. He is easily the best corner I've seen in run support in years, he is truly a force shutting down opposing runners. Peterson is also a superior kickoff returner. Top-5 prospect in my book. Peterson has already said he will not boycott the NFL Draft telecast, "this is what you work for, walking out on that stage & shaking hands with the commissioner & then posing for pictures with him & your family."
Central Michigan showcased two linebackers, Nick Bellore & Matt Berning yesterday & they did well enough to insure both would get drafted, maybe as high as the5th round. Bellore, an inside run-stuffer, ran 4.71, showing scouts the 6' 1" 245-pound prospect can close & get to the sideline. Berning, an outside linebacker who wasn't invited to the combine, ran 4.72, jumped 33" in the vertical & did 28 reps in the bench press. All these measurables were above the combine average for the position. Both players impressed scouts with their position drills.
Arizona's Brooks Reed looked sensational in the desert heat Sunday. He stood on his combine measuables, but his linebacker drills were appreciably better than at the combine. He could have moved himself into the top-40 players, which would eliminate him as a 2nd round possibility for the Chiefs. He should make a fine edge pass rusher, his potential ability to get to the quarterback gets better & better every time he works out for scouts. The 263-pounder has always been stout versus the run.
OSHA handed down a $77,500 fine for Notre Dame in the accidental death of student videographer Declan Sullivan. He fell to his death last October when a hydraulic scissor lift he was perched atop fell over in gusty winds. OSHA said Notre Dame was aware of high wind warnings & the lift wasn't specked to withstand such winds. The hefty fine & report now opens the litigation portion of this tragedy. His family, who has been very supportive of the university, will probably be offered a sizable out-of-court settlement very soon, I don't see this going into open court, it could be very damaging to Notre Dame.
Ouch........a current NFL star just uttered the magic phrase, the one that makes fans gag & vomit. Vikings Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson, when asked about the current labor strife, said "It's modern-day slavery you know?" A very unfortunate choice of words don't you think? Especially for a man making over $5 million a year. He uttered these words to Yahoo Sports, really bad quote. Both sides are so slimy in this fight.
I told you yesterday the NFLPA requested incoming draftees not attend the NFL Draft telecast in protest. Technically, the incoming players are not members of the NFLPA & can't join until there is a new CBA. The union claims they will have an "alternative affair" somewhere in New York City. They also intend to picket the draft. Asking kids & their families to boycott an all-expense paid trip to Manhattan for themselves, their families & their agent is hard to pass up, it's been a dream of their's for a very long time. Tough to pass on that face time on national television, some of these guys will be the future pitchmen for advertisers. Even if the NFLPA stages "an alternative event", who's going to televise it? Answer: nobody, the best the union could hope for is an online deal which is hardly "an alternative" to national TV. Both sides are so slimy in this fight.
The best defensive back available in next month's draft, Patrick Peterson of LSU, participated in the pro day at the baton Rouge campus yesterday. Over 3 dozen scouts & coaches were in attendance & no one went away with anything but positive remarks for the cornerback. "He was fluid, smooth & quick" one coach said, "He's positively amazing in his athletic ability" added another. Peterson is the best corner to come out quite possibly since Deion Sanders. He's big(6' 1/2" 219) for a corner, really quick & fast(4.36) & his balance plus the ability to flip his hips & run is really impressive. He is easily the best corner I've seen in run support in years, he is truly a force shutting down opposing runners. Peterson is also a superior kickoff returner. Top-5 prospect in my book. Peterson has already said he will not boycott the NFL Draft telecast, "this is what you work for, walking out on that stage & shaking hands with the commissioner & then posing for pictures with him & your family."
Central Michigan showcased two linebackers, Nick Bellore & Matt Berning yesterday & they did well enough to insure both would get drafted, maybe as high as the5th round. Bellore, an inside run-stuffer, ran 4.71, showing scouts the 6' 1" 245-pound prospect can close & get to the sideline. Berning, an outside linebacker who wasn't invited to the combine, ran 4.72, jumped 33" in the vertical & did 28 reps in the bench press. All these measurables were above the combine average for the position. Both players impressed scouts with their position drills.
Arizona's Brooks Reed looked sensational in the desert heat Sunday. He stood on his combine measuables, but his linebacker drills were appreciably better than at the combine. He could have moved himself into the top-40 players, which would eliminate him as a 2nd round possibility for the Chiefs. He should make a fine edge pass rusher, his potential ability to get to the quarterback gets better & better every time he works out for scouts. The 263-pounder has always been stout versus the run.
OSHA handed down a $77,500 fine for Notre Dame in the accidental death of student videographer Declan Sullivan. He fell to his death last October when a hydraulic scissor lift he was perched atop fell over in gusty winds. OSHA said Notre Dame was aware of high wind warnings & the lift wasn't specked to withstand such winds. The hefty fine & report now opens the litigation portion of this tragedy. His family, who has been very supportive of the university, will probably be offered a sizable out-of-court settlement very soon, I don't see this going into open court, it could be very damaging to Notre Dame.
Ouch........a current NFL star just uttered the magic phrase, the one that makes fans gag & vomit. Vikings Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson, when asked about the current labor strife, said "It's modern-day slavery you know?" A very unfortunate choice of words don't you think? Especially for a man making over $5 million a year. He uttered these words to Yahoo Sports, really bad quote. Both sides are so slimy in this fight.
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