Commanders Post at The Warpath - View Single Post

30gut · 03-16-2011, 08:57 PM

Full disclosure I have friends that used to work at the NFLPA and I have fond memories of meeting the late Gene Upshaw.

Gene may have been close to the NFL execs but that didn't stop him from getting the players how can I say this...a kick ass deal.

To us its a game but for them this about their livelihoods, their families their future and the future players.

The stakes are high.

I think as fans we should take our emotions out of it and look at what's going on.

What have the owners done to cause the situation vs what have the players done?
---------------------------------------------------------------
I understand the reasoning behind NFLPA wanting to have the draft at another venue not sponsored by the NFL owners.

It does strike me as a sham for the owners to hold the draft ceremony when they are in fact preventing the new draftees from signing contracts, meeting with their coaches and staff, training in the team facilities etc. in short they are limiting the players from the means to prepare to excell at their jobs.

Imo the NFL draft held by the owners during a lockout with no CBA is kinda paradoxical at best, exploitive at worst.

If the NFLPA can preserve the spirit of the draft experience for the incoming players then I completely agree with their intent.

The incoming players deserve the recognition and they and their families deserve the moment.

But, the execution and production of the event better be flawless.

My suggestions: hire a former player/celeb as host; invite as many former player/celebs as possible, invite celebs, invite the fans FOR FREE, have as many current players on hand as possible to welcome there new teammates into the NFL players fraternity, have as much media on hand as possible

The lockout will be over the 1st week of April anyway.

03-16-2011, 08:57 PM	#10
30gut Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 3,323	Re: Alternate NFLPA draft event Full disclosure I have friends that used to work at the NFLPA and I have fond memories of meeting the late Gene Upshaw. Gene may have been close to the NFL execs but that didn't stop him from getting the players how can I say this...a kick ass deal. To us its a game but for them this about their livelihoods, their families their future and the future players. The stakes are high. I think as fans we should take our emotions out of it and look at what's going on. What have the owners done to cause the situation vs what have the players done? --------------------------------------------------------------- I understand the reasoning behind NFLPA wanting to have the draft at another venue not sponsored by the NFL owners. It does strike me as a sham for the owners to hold the draft ceremony when they are in fact preventing the new draftees from signing contracts, meeting with their coaches and staff, training in the team facilities etc. in short they are limiting the players from the means to prepare to excell at their jobs. Imo the NFL draft held by the owners during a lockout with no CBA is kinda paradoxical at best, exploitive at worst. If the NFLPA can preserve the spirit of the draft experience for the incoming players then I completely agree with their intent. The incoming players deserve the recognition and they and their families deserve the moment. But, the execution and production of the event better be flawless. My suggestions: hire a former player/celeb as host; invite as many former player/celebs as possible, invite celebs, invite the fans FOR FREE, have as many current players on hand as possible to welcome there new teammates into the NFL players fraternity, have as much media on hand as possible The lockout will be over the 1st week of April anyway.