Alternate NFLPA draft event

[MTK]

If this goes down I think I'll totally skip watching the draft this year.

NFLPA* merely “recommends” that rookies don’t attend draft | ProFootballTalk

[SOUL-SKINS]

I really really really dislike demaurice smith................

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by SOUL-SKINS

I really really really dislike demaurice smith................

+1 (add as many zeroes as you like to this.)

[SmootSmack]

I'm on the players' side in the overall debate, but personally I don't agree with what they're suggesting here. I know many players aren't either, so I'm guessing this won't fly

[Daseal]

This is ridiculous and absolutely selfish of the NFLPA. This is the moment all these kids have been working hard for their entire lives. To hear your name called, put on a hat, and hold that big #1 jersey. It's unfair for the NFLPA to make these kids choose between that moment and feeling closer to their soon to be teammates.

However, I have a question. THE NFLPA dissolved. How can they suggest/tell any players to do anything? I feel like if they decertify they have dissolved and it seems as if they're still working as a union. Is that still legal?

[MTK]

Nothing illegal about "suggesting" players don't attend. They certainly can't order them not to though.

[CRedskinsRule]

They are working as a trade association in close relation with the player agents. They and the player agents are basically going to brow beat these kids and force them to toe the union(that's not a union) line. It's not illegal, but in every other way, it's just wrong.

[MTK]

It just sucks that on a day where it's supposed to be all about the players coming in, they have to deal with this divide between the players and owners.

The draft is gonna be a shitshow if this goes down. You just know the fans at Radio City are going to be chanting and booing all day, and then you'll have split coverage between Radio City and another venue. Just a mess across the board.

[Daseal]

Do you really think 10-12 guys not showing up will break the draft? If anything it will make it better (for the viewer.) I hate the camera panning to the player getting a phone call before the pick. I ignore twitter/etc to keep the picks a surprise. I like the suspense.

[MTK]

Break it? No. But it will definitely cause a stir at the draft itself and cause more drama than there needs to be.

[Slingin Sammy 33]

I'll be watching the Draft, players there or not.

[Hog1]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

I'll be watching the Draft, players there or not.

.........

[Alvin Walton]

Oh, you gotta have the players there. Watching Brady Quinn cry was hilarious....plus his smokin hot girlfriend......

[mlmpetert]

I guess I thought more people would think this is a great idea….

The NFL only invites 15-20 people, so I guess ive always felt that its not in a rookies best interest to show up in the first place unless a big priority for them is to make a name or brand themselves, in which case I lose respect for the player as a person. Besides the number 1 pick and the player your favorite team drafts the things I always remember most about the “top tier” players invited to the draft are awkward moments. Like when Brady Quinn “slipped” or when Eli Manning didn’t wear San Diego’s hat and forced through a smile. Or when the Texans made a “mistake” not taking Bush. Or when the Eagles drafted McNabb and Eagle fans flipped out. Or when you see the look of embarrassment or uncomfortableness when a player isn’t drafted as high as his agent told him he would be.

To me the NFL is merely using these really young adults who don’t really know a whole lot yet to grow their brand. I enjoy watching the draft its fun but I like watching the highlight film and hearing the commentary from Kipper and all the other guys as time ticks down for the next selection. Imagine if you were going to be one of the top 15 drafted and Mr. Goodell invites you to NY. Would you go? Or would throw a party with all your friends and family, the ones who helped you get to this point in your life, like Sean Taylor (5th overall). Or maybe say no thank you and go fishing with your dad and check the news later like Joe Thomas (3rd overall). I guess you could go to NYC and start selling out before you even sign a contract, I mean you have your brand to work on…..

I don’t think you have to conform to what the NFL or the NFLPA wants from you but I think a player needs to consider that being a top 15 pick creates a lot of issues in the locker room. There’s a good chance he may hold out. He will be one of the highest paid players on the team without proving anything at the pro level. He will have a jersey available for sale and will get a lot more attention than most other players on the team. And if he goes to the NFL sponsored draft he will likely hug and shake hands with a man most players associate with taking away their livelihoods. In my opinion its nice the NFLPA is offering an alternative to the players that have to have the cameras on them from day one.

[Monkeydad]

They need to leave the rookies out of this fight. This is the day they've worked their whole lives for and to take it away is just stupid and disrespectful. If they want these rookies on their side, this is not a good first impression.

The "alternate" event serves no purpose. It's still calling attention to the draft. The only thing it could do is speed up the broadcast since the Commish won't have to hug anyone.

I bet most of the players WILL attend the real draft. They should...it's their moment and they earned it.