Alternate NFLPA draft event

[Paintrain]

Not really getting all the De Smith hate.. Sure he's misguided on this but didn't the owners pick this fight by opting out of the CBA? Should he just be a good little boy and do what the owners say?

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

Not really getting all the De Smith hate.. Sure he's misguided on this but didn't the owners pick this fight by opting out of the CBA? Should he just be a good little boy and do what the owners say?

Initially yes, the owners were being ridiculous and Smith had the world behind him. Since then the NFL has come to the table with a fair offer, and Smith and Co. rejected it. This offer was at the very least a fair starting point and rather then come back with a slightly modified counter offer Smith decides to drag this out and take it to court. Now, as the head of a union, that technically doesn't exist, he's telling players to boycott the draft and attend a sham draft party.

I don't know if it's Smith who made the final decision to reject the NFL's offer but whoever did make that call is taking an unnecessary risk with the 2011 season and beyond. For me the draft boycott is simply the straw that broke the camels back.

"The union left a very good deal on the table," the NFL said in a statement. "It included an offer to narrow the player compensation gap that existed in the negotiations by splitting the difference; guarantee reallocation of savings from first-round rookies to veterans and retirees without negatively affecting compensation for rounds 2-7; ensure no compensation reduction for veterans; implement new year-round health and safety rules; retain the current 16-4 season format for at least two years with any subsequent changes subject to the approval of the league and union; and establish a new legacy fund for retired players ($82 million contributed by the owners over the next two years).

"The union was offered financial disclosure of audited league and club profitability information that is not even shared with the NFL clubs.

"The expanded health and safety rules would include a reduction in offseason programs of five weeks (from 14 to nine) and of OTAs (Organized Team Activities) from 14 to 10; significant reductions in the amount of contact in practices; and other changes."

New York Giants owner John Mara, Panthers owner Jerry Richardson and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones joined NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in addressing the media after the union decertified.