'UNLESS SOMETHING UNFORESEEN HAPPENS IN THE NEXT 48-HOURS, I THINK WE HAVE A DEAL"
Those were my words just over 15 hours ago. Already we may have a major problem. Way back before the lockout began, NFLPA outside counsel, Jeffrey Kessler, convinced DeMaurice Smith & the 1,900 or so players, to de-certify the union so the players could sue the NFL for anti-trust violations. Not wanting to appear ridiculous, after de-certifying, instead of filing 1,900 lawsuits, it was determined 10 was a number big enough to make their point. Kessler wanted the players to stick it out & beat the league in court. Unfortunately, none of these court cases would take place until next year thereby forcing the cancellation of the entire 2011 season. This "scorched earth" strategy wasn't one the players were willing to be a part of, it was just too risky alienating tens of millions of fans. So during the recent "countdown to an agreement" it was surmised by most everyone, me included, these suits would be dropped after everything else had been settled. Ten guys wouldn't stand in the way of the other 1,890 guys getting back to work. Apparently four of these suits are being held for ransom.
Chargers' wide receiver Vincent Jackson held out last season for 8 games, his team lost 5 of them, probably costing his team the AFC West. He didn't like his designation as San Diego's franchise player & damaging his team's chances to win weren't his problem. One of the lawsuits is in his name.
Logan Mankins is a Pro Bowl guard for the New England Patriots who was designated as the franchise player in 2010. After the season ended, the Pats slapped the franchise tag on him again for the 2011 season. For those who forgot, being named your team's franchise player is a good news-bad news kind of deal. The good news is you are guaranteed to be paid the average of the top-5 contracts league-wide at your position. The bad news it's only a one-year deal & it stops you from moving to another team. Every team can name one franchise player per year. Mankins was one of the lawsuits.
Drew Brees & Peyton Manning were also among the ten lawsuits. Both are in their "contract year," meaning this is the last year of their current contract. After the season if a new deal isn't worked out, their teams will almost certainly name them their franchise player. Since both are already paid in the top-5 at the quarterback position, it really doesn't hurt the team. But it does restrict both players from signing multi-year deals for much more money. Thru all the negotiations, Manning has griped about being separated from the Colts' physical therapist, saying little about his contract status. Brees on the other hand can't keep quiet, he's pissed a lot of people off on both sides. He really alienated the retired players early on & has slammed ownership in a fashion I never thought he had in him. I think Brees has really hurt his legacy.
Apparently now all four of these players are willing to hold up some 1,896 of their union brothers. Jackson wants the franchise tag lifted or $10 million. Mankins hasn't made his demands known thru his agent, but it's clear he wants to be a free agent, he doesn't want to play for the Patriots again. Manning & Brees, thru their agents, are demanding the Colts & Saints cannot designate either as the franchise player after next season. So, it appears the interests of 4 could derail the interests of the rest.
Vikings punter Chris Kluwe Tweeted:
"Sigh, & once again greed is the operative byword. Congrats Brees, Manning, Mankins & Jackson for being 'that guy.' #douchebags."
See the problem? Because these guys were named in one of the ten lawsuits, they can hold the CBA for ransom. The other 1,890 players? Well they won't have that kind of power. If this holds things up for even one day or these players gain free agency or say $10 million, there will be hard feelings. Especially directed at Manning & Brees, two of the highest paid players in the entire league. The bull's-eye NFL quarterbacks wear every Sunday just got bigger on these two.
At this point I don't know what to expect, I have the feeling all four will be accommodated to some extent, enough to get them to drop their lawsuits so the CBA can be approved. It was known when these suits were filed they could become a problem down the road, that was Kessler's vision. The stink of selfishness is pretty powerful today........somebody open a window.
Chargers' wide receiver Vincent Jackson held out last season for 8 games, his team lost 5 of them, probably costing his team the AFC West. He didn't like his designation as San Diego's franchise player & damaging his team's chances to win weren't his problem. One of the lawsuits is in his name.
Logan Mankins is a Pro Bowl guard for the New England Patriots who was designated as the franchise player in 2010. After the season ended, the Pats slapped the franchise tag on him again for the 2011 season. For those who forgot, being named your team's franchise player is a good news-bad news kind of deal. The good news is you are guaranteed to be paid the average of the top-5 contracts league-wide at your position. The bad news it's only a one-year deal & it stops you from moving to another team. Every team can name one franchise player per year. Mankins was one of the lawsuits.
Drew Brees & Peyton Manning were also among the ten lawsuits. Both are in their "contract year," meaning this is the last year of their current contract. After the season if a new deal isn't worked out, their teams will almost certainly name them their franchise player. Since both are already paid in the top-5 at the quarterback position, it really doesn't hurt the team. But it does restrict both players from signing multi-year deals for much more money. Thru all the negotiations, Manning has griped about being separated from the Colts' physical therapist, saying little about his contract status. Brees on the other hand can't keep quiet, he's pissed a lot of people off on both sides. He really alienated the retired players early on & has slammed ownership in a fashion I never thought he had in him. I think Brees has really hurt his legacy.
Apparently now all four of these players are willing to hold up some 1,896 of their union brothers. Jackson wants the franchise tag lifted or $10 million. Mankins hasn't made his demands known thru his agent, but it's clear he wants to be a free agent, he doesn't want to play for the Patriots again. Manning & Brees, thru their agents, are demanding the Colts & Saints cannot designate either as the franchise player after next season. So, it appears the interests of 4 could derail the interests of the rest.
Vikings punter Chris Kluwe Tweeted:
"Sigh, & once again greed is the operative byword. Congrats Brees, Manning, Mankins & Jackson for being 'that guy.' #douchebags."
See the problem? Because these guys were named in one of the ten lawsuits, they can hold the CBA for ransom. The other 1,890 players? Well they won't have that kind of power. If this holds things up for even one day or these players gain free agency or say $10 million, there will be hard feelings. Especially directed at Manning & Brees, two of the highest paid players in the entire league. The bull's-eye NFL quarterbacks wear every Sunday just got bigger on these two.
At this point I don't know what to expect, I have the feeling all four will be accommodated to some extent, enough to get them to drop their lawsuits so the CBA can be approved. It was known when these suits were filed they could become a problem down the road, that was Kessler's vision. The stink of selfishness is pretty powerful today........somebody open a window.
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