If I were an Owner

[DaveThePanther2008]

If I were an owner.

I would invite the whole team in for a discussion. I would lay out the proposal that was submitted to to the player association/Union. I would listen to what the they had to say about the situation. Maybe even write down minor changes.

Then I would put the deal on the table. This is where we are. Negotiations can happen if they want it to. The majority of the players want to play. I believe once you BREAK the union or alliance or association or WTFever. The deal will get done.

What is the problem

1. If there is a cap on spending. (agreed upon and raised or lowered based on the previous season)

2. If there is a minimum a team can spend

3. If the rookie salary cap is addressed

4. If the veterans are cared for

5. The owners can improve their stadiums and enjoy the profits of the game and the players get their dues.

There isn't a Union (or is there?) so the teams could have a discussion with individual players.

If the owners invite a bunch of players and they all decline then the owners could use that as proof the the players are still unionized. Make their point even stronger in the upcoming June 3rd ruling.

Either way.. The owners can break this player association but simply inviting them.

[rayzor]

union or not...players and owners aren't allowed to talk.

[DaveThePanther2008]

union or not...players and owners aren't allowed to talk.

As per the owner imposed lockout? Couldn't they allow it, if the owners all agreed to it.

Don't you agree that The starters that worked their way into a starting position, backups, special teams and practices squad guys make up the majority of the league.

[rayzor]

it's a nice idea.

won't happen. would really only serve to muddy everything up. both sides have strength in numbers. it isn't a team by team issue. they aren't individual entities. the owners need to act as a group as do the players. it's in their best interest to do that.

[DaveThePanther2008]

I don't necessarily agree. I think half the problem is the representatives are not showing the players what has been offered. I think they are being treated like mushrooms.

Kept in a closet and fed $hit.

I think what the owners has offered is more than fair and reasonable. It is the D. Smith and his bunch that are keeping this in the courts instead of at the bargaining table.

Best way, IMO, is to get the players to apply some pressure from their side. BREAK THE UNION..

[Guest]

*owners opt out of the cba*

*owners lock the players out*

*court ends lockout*

*owners fight in court for the reinstatement of the lockout*

goddammit d-bag smith you thug, you're just forcing this lockout and keeping the dispute in the courts. just do the honorable thing and capitulate to the billionaires who opted out of the cba to begin with

[jarhead]

Maybe we should have them hold hands and sing kumbaya.

If I were an owner I would fire allot of attorneys and get this out of the court system and start negotiating.

My opinion is this is headed to August September or longer until the players feel the financial pinch of not receiving a paycheck.The players need to realize that reality.The owners are losing fan base and don't make money w/o football. Somewhere in the middle is the answer and they should find it sooner rather than later.There are some very smart people who should realize that the court system route could be in place for months if not years

[SevenSixes]

...

I think what the owners has offered is more than fair and reasonable.

It is the D. Smith and his bunch that are keeping this in the courts instead of at the bargai

Best way, IMO, is to get the players to apply some pressure from their side. BREAK THE UNION..

Let's keep this in perspective..

The OWNERS are suing to keep the UNION in place.

They love the exemption to monopoly laws that let them negotiate between each other for players (i.e. the Draft) and for contracts ( officially licensed products, broadcast rights, and trading player contracts). In order to gain these advantages of monopoly the union must exist by law passed in congress to exempt the NFL.

Eliminating the union would end up eliminating free agency, the draft, playing AFC teams, etc..

So freak out as you want, but even DeMarcus Smith is a cooler head on this subject..

[Captain Obvious]

so if there is no season in 2011 or 2012 do we get to pick 1st in th draft both years? :D

[Bama Panther]

The OWNERS are suing to keep the UNION in place.

Wrong. The players filed the original suit. Without that filing, there was no mention of the owners intending to bring any suit in court. Are they appealing the lower court's decision? Yes, but why would you not if you lost a suit filed against you. They have always said the best way to handle this is for both sides to negotiate.

[jherald]

so if there is no season in 2011 or 2012 do we get to pick 1st in th draft both years? :D

We would get the number 1 pick again.

[DaCityKats]

Wrong. The players filed the original suit. Without that filing, there was no mention of the owners intending to bring any suit in court. Are they appealing the lower court's decision? Yes, but why would you not if you lost a suit filed against you. They have always said the best way to handle this is for both sides to negotiate.

they filed the suit to stop the lockout. please tell me who put the lockout into effect again?

[jherald]

Does anyone know what transpired? I'm confused as all hell now.

[Lumps]

so if there is no season in 2011 or 2012 do we get to pick 1st in th draft both years? :D

It's frequently assumed but no one knows for sure what will happen.