2010 Free Agency and CBA Information

[Ruhskins]

So, as we start to having these threads about the offseason, wish lists, and things that you would do if you were the owner/GM etc., etc., I think it is important for everyone to be informed about how free agency is going to work in the upcoming 2010 uncapped season.

Right now, the owners and the players association have until March 4th to come up with an agreement in order to prevent 2010 from being uncapped. Since every sports pundit and both sides are very pessimistic about a deal in the next month, it seems an uncapped year is going to happen. Here's a good FAQ page from NFL.com about the CBA and how things are going to work out in the uncapped year:

Key questions and answers about the CBA

As far as who's going to be a restricted or unrestricted free agent, ProFootball Weekly has a nice list of RFAs and UFAs based on an uncapped year. A lot of the marquee players that some here are talking about acquiring, are going to be RFAs, and will only depart from their current teams by ways of a trade.

ProFootballWeekly.com - 2010 NFC free-agent preview

ProFootballWeekly.com - 2010 AFC free-agent preview

So if a team wants the likes of Vincent Jackson, Marcus McNeill, Brandon Marshall, or Ronnie Brown, they are going to have to cough up draft picks.

[GMScud]

Good info here from interviews with DeMaurice Smith and Kevin Mawae down at the Super Bowl.

Union leader: NFL lockout in 2011 quite possible - ESPN

[Schneed10]

The big quote from Smith was that if the scale is 1-10, the likelihood of a lockout happening is about a 14.

The economics are such that it's extremely likely we won't see football in 2011.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

The big quote from Smith was that if the scale is 1-10, the likelihood of a lockout happening is about a 14.

The economics are such that it's extremely likely we won't see football in 2011.

It takes a long time to recover from a strike/lockout. Just ask the MLB and NHL. The fans won't forget this anytime soon if they go through with this.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

The big quote from Smith was that if the scale is 1-10, the likelihood of a lockout happening is about a 14.

The economics are such that it's extremely likely we won't see football in 2011.

Even if the owners decide to go the scab route? I don't know enough about the factors involved in a lockout; if there is one it then prevents any union member from crossing the line, right? Or does it lead to decertification of the union, thus eliminating it?

1987 wasn't a "lockout" correct, just a players strike?

If that 87 scenario happened today, I think a lot of players would cross the line. This era of players, like society as a whole, has more money tied up in investments, luxuries, etc. & not enough saved to maintain their lifestyle. The economy would make it harder for the players these days to liquidate assets too. I think the owners are in a good position.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

Even if the owners decide to go the scab route? I don't know enough about the factors involved in a lockout; if there is one it then prevents any union member from crossing the line, right? Or does it lead to decertification of the union, thus eliminating it?

1987 wasn't a "lockout" correct, just a players strike?

If that 87 scenario happened today, I think a lot of players would cross the line. This era of players, like society as a whole, has more money tied up in investments, luxuries, etc. & not enough saved to maintain their lifestyle. The economy would make it harder for the players these days to liquidate assets too. I think the owners are in a good position.

The players union has for sometime now, been telling the players to put money away. Will all of them, no, but will any with halfway decent accountants - I would think so.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

The players union has for sometime now, been telling the players to put money away. Will all of them, no, but will any with halfway decent accountants - I would think so.

I'm sure some will be in fine shape, but I bet the majority would be forced to make some significant changes, e.g. sell a house. In this market that's not so easy. By 2011 maybe it will be much better though.

I also think players & their agents are much more aware of their age/ability to earn $. A player that's 28-29 is in a tough spot if he takes a year off. A year off for an older player can of course mean the end of his career. As players are playing longer to earn more $ these days, I think most would not want to strike or sit out a year.

[GusFrerotte]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

The big quote from Smith was that if the scale is 1-10, the likelihood of a lockout happening is about a 14.

The economics are such that it's extremely likely we won't see football in 2011.

Screw it. These guys need to accept a major paycut.Only the cream of the crop should be making a million a year, and I am talking about Brady, Manning, etc. It is sad when in the summer of '07 the NFL asked the Federal Govt for $2 billion to cover operating costs. Maybe the idiots need to scale down their operations(hype machine). AS for the economy, hell yeah you won't see any football in 2011, nobody is going to be able to afford to go to a game, or probably won't care since they will be using every moment they are awake trying to survive.

[DIE-NASTY]

Originally Posted by GusFrerotte

Screw it. These guys need to accept a major paycut.Only the cream of the crop should be making a million a year, and I am talking about Brady, Manning, etc. It is sad when in the summer of '07 the NFL asked the Federal Govt for $2 billion to cover operating costs. Maybe the idiots need to scale down their operations(hype machine). AS for the economy, hell yeah you won't see any football in 2011, nobody is going to be able to afford to go to a game, or probably won't care since they will be using every moment they are awake trying to survive.

No football would make me sad.

[Pocket$ $traight]

Originally Posted by GusFrerotte

Screw it. These guys need to accept a major paycut.Only the cream of the crop should be making a million a year, and I am talking about Brady, Manning, etc. It is sad when in the summer of '07 the NFL asked the Federal Govt for $2 billion to cover operating costs. Maybe the idiots need to scale down their operations(hype machine). AS for the economy, hell yeah you won't see any football in 2011, nobody is going to be able to afford to go to a game, or probably won't care since they will be using every moment they are awake trying to survive.

If the government is handing out cheap loans to everyone and their brother it would be stupid to not ask for one.

So the players should make significantly less but is is ok for the owners to make even more money? You are living in an alternate universe if you think the owners of the most popular sport are going to cut prices and ignore revenue streams "for the fan".

The economy isn't nearly as weak as you portray it. There is plenty of disposable income for the NFL owners and players to fight over.

[sportscurmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

The big quote from Smith was that if the scale is 1-10, the likelihood of a lockout happening is about a 14.

The economics are such that it's extremely likely we won't see football in 2011.

I doubt that you will not see football in 2011. You may see "replacement players" wearing NFL uniforms, but I think you will see football.

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by sportscurmudgeon

I doubt that you will not see football in 2011. You may see "replacement players" wearing NFL uniforms, but I think you will see football.

Recent NFLPA Exec Director finalist does not believe that there will be one

Wm. David Cornwell, Sr.: There Will Not Be a Lockout in the NFL

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

Recent NFLPA Exec Director finalist does not believe that there will be one

Wm. David Cornwell, Sr.: There Will Not Be a Lockout in the NFL

Real interesting article from the legal perspective. I hope he is right.

[T.O.Killa]

I saw lots of Gaurd and linebacker options, but best free agent tackle is Levi Jones.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by T.O.Killa

I saw lots of Gaurd and linebacker options, but best free agent tackle is Levi Jones.

Thats unfortunate. I personally think that Daryn Colledge could be a nice find if he's released by Green Bay. They tried him at LT but it didn't work to well. He's been playing Guard since then but I think he's worth the risk of trying him out at RT. He has all the attributes you need for a zone blocking scheme including experience and on a team that needs two or three tackles we need to start stocking up.

I believe the interior will be situated by adding Ben Hamilton and Chris Kuper, it's both tackle spots that worry me.