IT'S ARMAGADDON TIME !!!

[PantherPaul]

How does all of this affect the 2006 NFL draft?

Signing draft choices will be more difficult this year, because teams can prorate signing bonuses over only four seasons. Already, agents figure the most a top draft choice can make under that scenario is $15 million, a major reduction from recent years. That likely will lead to long holdouts by draft choices.

What are the long-term ramifications for the league?

Barring a new CBA, the players either will be on strike or the owners will lock out the players in 2008. The union likely will decertify, and antitrust rules will apply. Also, the NFL draft will go away in 2008 as part of a clause inserted in the current CBA. Players coming out of college could be free agents, with no salary restrictions. Open negotiations, including those for rookies coming out of college, will leave it to the players to get what they can get.

What are the long-term ramifications for the players?
If the union does decertify, it will cause a lot of uncertainty for the players. Teams could change the benefits package players receive, and there would be no organization to protect players' interests. Teams could offer players salaries well below the currently established minimums.


Makes you glad we don't have a top 3 draft pick!

 

[hasbeen99]

I'm loving the first clause. There is no way any rookie deserves to be paid more than $15m anyway.

As far as the 2008 meltdown goes, I'm confident this will get settled long before that has to happen.

 

[CelticCat]

So has the cut time been extened till 10pm or what?

I was looking forward to reading all the mayhem.

 

[BWI-Panther]

That's what I've read. They extended the deadline from 4pm to 10pm.

Tomorrow, this place should be all "abuzz" about our "dearly departed" and who is "out there" that can help us.

Should be some fun reading!

 

[Foxman]

As far as the 2008 meltdown goes, I'm confident this will get settled long before that has to happen.

You are more confident then than I am at this point. I think we are heading down a dark path with the very beginning of bitterness on the horizon. If both sides are dug in now what will it be like when the gloves come off?

 

[hasbeen99]

You are more confident then than I am at this point. I think we are heading down a dark path with the very beginning of bitterness on the horizon. If both sides are dug in now what will it be like when the gloves come off?

I think when enough high priced vets are cut and have to re-sign for wholesale versions of their original contracts, plus when the top 10 rookies get their contracts reduced by 75%, the NFLPA and their agents will put enough pressure on Upshaw to cave. Plus, there's no possible way I can see for them to win the media war that's already started. The stumbling block is the players pride and greed, and I don't think there's really any other way to spin it.

 

[Collin]

The period of self-destruction is always fun for those not directly involved. It's the aftermath that sucks, but for now we should just enjoy the ride.

 

[Clay]

If there's one thing the NBA has done right, it's the firm rookie pay scale.

 

[McFly41]

If there's one thing the NBA has done right, it's the firm rookie pay scale.

And that's the ONLY thing they've done right.

 

[hasbeen99]

If there's one thing the NBA has done right, it's the firm rookie pay scale.

Tru dat. And it's VERY much needed in the NFL.