NFL owners and players need to shut up and make this deal happen!!

NFL owners and players need to shut up and make this deal happen!!

The one thing the NFL lockout has showed us over the last 20 days or so is that owners and players have way to much time on their hands. There has not been a day that has gone by where someone from either side hasn't say something just plain dumb. Instead of letting the people they are paying tons of money to do their jobs of trying to find a meeting point to get a deal done and the NFL season back on track. But every-time Owners and Players have a mike is put in front of their faces they feel the need to take shot after shot at one another as if they want this war over money to never end.

There has been way to much time spent on name calling and false actuation, than throw in words like slavery and cartels used to describe theses CBA negotiations you can see why both sides should just shut their mouth's and let the people who supposedly know what their doing work on getting a deal done, instead of putting out their fires. As long some owners try to portray players as spoil little boys asking for more candy which by the way is a blatant lie ( players were happy with the deal they had in place ) theses two sides will stay a billion dollars apart.

The only thing we should be hearing from both sides is we're doing all we can to end the lockout. As their June 3 court date approaches to finally put to rest the legality of the owners imposed lockout of it's players, there should be only one thing on both the owners and players minds; how they might come together to ends this lockout. Not what can I say to get under the other side's skin.

Brought to by: AJ Jones from Cambridge
"Let's Talk Football" Visit- www.ajstakeontheNFL.blogspot.com

It's official NFL Owners and Players have lost their minds

It's official NFL Owners and Players have lost their minds

Now that we have the true first casualties of the NFL lockout ( the rookie symposium having been cancel ) it has become apparent that common sense is no longer apart of NFL football. The Owner have decided with all their wisdom to do the moronic by not taking care of the future of the NFL by not holding the rookies symposium. How hard can it be to get theses young NFL hopeful together to show them the do's and don't of the NFL. To let them know they are a part of the future growth of the league, not an inconvenience to be dealt with at a Later date.

The one true fact that has come out of this hold CBA negotiation is the NFL owners and it's current players have taken a very selfish stand with no regard to what the future of the NFL may look like. First the NFL players union ask these rookies to stay away from the draft to show solidarity for a union they have not yet jointed, taking away any joy that might have come from that day. And than owners knowing they could have relocked the doors after the draft, put their taint on the draft experience by closing the doors before day two of the draft even started.

This was never going to be a pretty situation from the start, the NFL and it's owners along with the players union knew they had a responsibility to this rookies class coming in for months. And with that responsibility come some kind of common sense. There should have been a plan in place knowing this lockout might still be going on at this time. Theses rookies deserve better treatment than their getting knowing they are the future of the NFL. The owners and players of the NFL have been saying all along this fight their having is not about money, but for the betterment of the game. So it's time both sides use a little common sense and understand the 2011 rookies class they are overlooking needs to be more involved for the betterment of the game.

Brought to by: AJ Jones from Cambridge
"Let's Talk Football" Visit- www.ajstakeontheNFL.blogspot.com

NFL Owners could win this fight if Judges rule in their favor.

NFL Owners could win this fight if Judges rule in their favor.

I've been told the man with the gold makes the rules, if ST Louis Judges grant Owners the permanent stay in their lockout hearing players will be at the mercy of the men who have the gold. The one thing NFL Owners have on their side is time, they have deep pockets and if they win in court there's the strong possibility they win on the field without taking a single snap. The players union took a huge risk when they decided to decertify and fight the Owners in court as individuals; because without the stay being lifted they don't have the luxury of time on their side.

In my opinion this will be the week that defines this labor negotiation. If NFL players are forced back to the negotiating table knowing there's no chance of football business without an agreement; I see no way they can outlast the Owners. The fact is without the lockout being lifted players have no ability to get paid, and as we have seen though out this has been a fight over money.

If the ST Louis Judges do rule in the Owners favor this week and this turn into a waiting game, I don't see players being able to forgo paychecks in order to stay in this battle. In this billion dollars game of chicken being played with the NFL Owners, NFL players may be force off the road if this ruling go's a-grist them this week.

Brought to by: AJ Jones from Cambridge
"Let's Talk Football" Visit- www.ajstakeontheNFL.blogspot.com

What is the end game for NFL Owners?

What is the end game for NFL Owners?

Can anyone out there tell me what the Owners want to end this lockout? I for one am very confused as to what it will take for theses guy to open the doors and let coaches and players get back to their jobs of trying to win football games. Has it come down to a billion dollars or nothing? With all the interviews we've seen Rodger Goodell give on this lockout situation, I still have not heard what it's going to realistically take to end it.

The Owners are the ones who order the lockout, so they should be the ones who let NFL fans know what they need to lift the lock out. The Players have come out and let it be known they were happy with the deal they had in place, Owners gave notice two years ago they were opting out of the deal. There's a dollar amount that will get this deal done and I think the time has come to let everyone know what that amount is.

It's time the Owners let their end game be known and leave all the rhetoric to the politicians. No one is buying the betterment of the game speech anyway. Trying to take back something you gave of your own free will is bad enough, but doing it at gun point makes you look like a thief. If Owners want any kind of fan support they need to put away the gun ( this lockout ) and go back to the negotiating table with a total open door policy. Since this is suppose to be about making the game better for the fans, it's time the Owners and Rodger Goodell let the fans in on their end game. Fans know it's aways been about the billion dollars, so open up and let everyone know what it's going to take for this to end!!!

Brought to by: AJ Jones from Cambridge
"Let's Talk Football" Visit- www.ajstakeontheNFL.blogspot.com

What does this mean?

What does this mean?

Now that judge Susan Nelson has ruled the lockout unlawful, will the NFL go back to business as usual? I don't see an easy end to this lockout, I think this has been anticipated by the Owners and Rodger Goodell, which means get ready for one hell of a ride. I can't see the Owners rolling over on this issue, they want the money so I think their all in regardless of the damage it may cause. Because this fight has always been about the billion dollars, I find it hard to believe we will see business as usual until the Owners and Players come to some sort of an agreement ( Now ) on how to spit the billion dollars.

Opening doors to the facility's without coaching and training personnel being there mean's nothing. The Players got permission to go into an empty building, not back to work. I'm not trying to be the Grim-Reaper on the Players tiny win in court, I call it tiny because I don't understand what it really mean's. My son see's the Owners as very smart business men who just want a fair deal for both sides; and will see they can't win in court and make a deal. I sure hope he's right, because up to now I've seen no brightness on either side in this hold negotiating process.

Just remember as the Owners, who are trying to appeal the Judges lockout decision and the Players who as of now can go back to their training facility's, it was a victory for the Players but just a small one. I caution fans to not run around giving each other high five's yet,because this is far from over. This is round 4 of a 12 round fight.

Brought to by: AJ Jones from Cambridge
"Let's Talk Football" Visit- www.ajstakeontheNFL.blogspot.com

Which teams in the NFL are poised to take that next step?

Which teams in the NFL are poised to take that next step?

If there was ever a worst time for a lockout in the NFL, I can't think of one for these 5 teams on the rise in the NFL.

Detroit Lions
Oakland Raiders
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kansas City Chiefs
ST. Louis Rams

These teams make huge strides last season and show their fans they were ready to again be mention as one of the better teams in the NFL. Only the Chief's out of this group made last season's playoff's, the Rams and Buccaneers were knocking at playoff 's door; while the Lions and Raiders show every team they played last season they were not a win to be just checkoff on their schedules. With the lockout seeming as if it might go a lot longer then even the Owners and the Players union envision when they took such a hard stance on the money issue; and no organize team workouts because of the no contact rule regarding Coaches and Players. The progress of these teams might come to a compete halt. Players working out by them-self's or in small groups in my opinion can't have the same impact as coaches monitoring their team's progress during the off season.

As Owners and Players gather around the negotiating table again to try and get a solution to these CBA proceedings. I see 5 teams and their fan base that should hope the resolution is quick and tidy so NFL football can get back on schedule and they can continue the momentum they gain last season.

Brought to by: AJ Jones from Cambridge
"Let's Talk Football" Visit- www.ajstakeontheNFL.blogspot.com

Stale Mate

Stale Mate

Now that Owners and Players have gone back to the bargaining table with a court order mediation request, this chess game will play out the way most of us felt it might. Both side doing what should have been done two years ago. Spit the billion dollars and agree to revisit the revenue sharing issue in 3 to 4 years and get back to actually tying to grow the game of NFL football; as has been talked about by Owners and the now decertify Players union from the beginning of this CBA negotiation. I feel the two sides are playing a game that can't be won by either side. Judge Sue Nelson echo millions of fans sentiments by asking Owners and Players to work out their problems at the bargaining table not in a court room.

Hopefully both, the Owners and the Players union will realize this time around, there's a lot of attention being pay to their negotiation and this game of chess they've been playing for two years. And because there's only a king and pawn left on both sides of the board ( Rodger Goodell and the Owners on one side with Demaurice Smith and the Players on the other ) there's only one play left, move their pawn to the middle of the board and call it a stale mate. That way nobody loses and both sides can claim victory for the growth of the game.

Brought to by: AJ Jones from Cambridge
"Let's Talk Football" Visit- www.ajstakeontheNFL.blogspot.com

Generational Gap On Lockout Argument

Generational Gap On Lockout Argument

With the Owners and Players engaged In what looks to be a lengthy lockout, and fans clearly being divided on witch side has the claim to the billion dollar prize at the end of the rainbow. The one thing this lockout has proven to me is age defines who's on who's side. It seem to me most of the fans under the age of 40 see the CBA negotiation though the eyes of the Players. Their doing all the hard work, putting their bodies and lives on the line every time they go on the field. I hear younger fans saying if it were not for the Players there would be no money to fight over. Now, I see older fans siding with the Owners, who believe they took the risk of ownership of a NFL franchise. That owners have the right to make as much as they can off their investment, and opening their books to the Players is a joke. The fact Players make way to much money.

While i'm not as surprise there's a huge age gap regarding who's right in this contentious labor dispute. I am left with a shocking feeling of disbelief at how the money has no bearing at all on the younger fans opinion on the CBA dispute. It's hard to believe any fan can think a player is worth anywhere near 20 million dollars a year to play a game. This is where the generation gap can really be seen. Every young fan I talk with has no problem at all with the absurd amounts of money being pay to professional athletes. It's leave's me wondering how did we get to this point where the talk of insane money can be tossed around like it's nothing!?

I personally think the money has gotten way out of line on both sides of this argument. When we have to sit back and watch these two sides fight it out in court on how to spit a billion dollars. It take's much joy out of the game. It looks to me the money has gotten into the way of the game. I'm not a hater, I love the way this game has grown in my life time; ( I am 54 years old ) But at the end of the day it's still just a game, that both sides needs to understand, has gotten financially out of control.

We have players signing franchise tag contracts that in some cases may pay a player 20 million dollars a year. Than there's an owner who single-mindedly destroyed what should have been a tremendous Super Bowl experience for over 2000 fans; with his need and greed to hold a record ( in spite of mother nature's contribution ). Now I know your asking yourself what dose this have to do With the generational gap? Here it is, both sides of the gap see Jerry Jones ask a greedy egotistical owner, out for the money. Young fans see's a player about to make 20 million dollars a year as getting his do. I know, these are the times we live in, but man! how can this not bring a smile to your face.

As life has taught us, there will always be some kind of generational divide on sports issues and how they might be handle. It's my hope, that Owners and Players along with fans young and old will see this as an opportunity to bring common sense to the table on this particular issue. So the game of NFL football is the only thing to debate ( who has the best team, who's the best Quarterback in the NFL, or witch team will win the Super Bowl ) this is something both sides of the gap can agree on.

Brought to by: AJ Jones from Cambridge
"Let's Talk Football" Visit- www.ajstakeontheNFL.blogspot.com

Time for all the dumbness to stop!

Time for all the dumbness to stop!

For months we have listen to the Owners and Players tell us how they wanted to get a deal done, I hope by now you have figure out, that was never going to happen. The players were never going to ok giving back a billion dollars to the Owners-no matter how far the books were open up to them. The Owners who started this lock-out process three years ago with the TV deal they signed had one thing in mind, get out from under a bad deal they'ed signed with the Player.

Both sides needed us to believe that Football not Money were the main talking points of the CBA negotiations. How growing the Game was at the top of their list, Player's health, taking care of the Players who came before them, but at the end of the day they could not get pass the Money!!I I'd like to believe something other than Money has been talked about, I don't think so!!!

I don't want to be misunderstood, I know professional football has become big business. The CBA give both; Owners and Players a way to protect their interest, but this dumbness has tainted the game. Fans feel they need to take sides in a fight over how to split a billion dollars. There is no side to take in this fight, they're both wrong for lying to Fans about their true motive for walking away from the negotiating table ( Money! ) nothing more, nothing less, ( just the Money! )

As Fans we need to step away from the dumbness of this fight, greedy people trying to sell you on the idea that they're looking out for the future of the game ( not their own pocket books). If the Game really came first in these talks they would have iron out the so called easy talking points ( rookie salary Capp , 18 game season, past and present Players Heath care, free agency. All of these thing could have been laid in stone ( this could have help bridge the gap between the two sides about the billion dollars). The Money had to come first.

There are times when you can see a clear cut bad guy in negotiations, this is not one of them. The Owners and Players knew for months this lockout was going to be a reality. They put a game plan in motion on how to handle the lockout ( war chest of TV Money for the Owners, a so call decertification as a way for Players to sue as an individual to stop the lockout ) no way to take a side here,They both had bad intentions from the beginning. I'm not saying both sides don't want to see an end to the lockout, what I am saying,until both side come clean on why the lockout came to be ( Money ) we won't see an end to this dumbness for awhile.

Www.ajstakeonthenfl.blogspot.com

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Tedy is way out of line with his remarks.

Tedy is way out of line with his remarks.

I am a fan of Tedy Bruschi, he dose a great job on ESPN,was a great Player in his day. But his take on the college Players not going to and being part of the draft is way out of line. He has no right to ask these young men to stay away,and I don't know why he think's it's in good taste to do so.

You're not just asking these players to stay away,but also their parents who deserve this day as much as the players.To tell these kids their letting down the players union by going to the draft is gutless and mean.These 15 to 20 young men have worked their butt's off in college to get to this point of hearing their names called,and walking across that stage so not only can they can be proud of all the hard work they put in,but also their parents can be proud of them.So the parents and the friends watching on TV can remember when they were just boys and it was one of their dreams to be on that stage.

This fight the Players and Owners are having over the CBA negotiation will hit them right between the eyes 24hrs later,when they wake up with a hat,a jersey and no contract or team to report to because of the lockout.

So let these guys be little boys for one more day. Please?

Ajjones

Sent from my iPad

Fantasy

Fantasy

I'd like to tell you about a dream I had the other day, no it was more of a fantasy than a dream. I woke up at 6am in the morning, let my dog out, put on a pot of coffee like I do each morning. Then i turn on ESPN to see what was going on in the world of sports. And there on a huge stage were ten NFL Owners among them were Jerry Jones and Dan Snider There were also ten Players with them Payton Manning, Tom Brady, and Drew Brees were among the Players there. They were surrounded by 200 fans. I saw Owners and Players going from fan to fan shaking hands and sincerely apologizing for being morons. At first fans were kind of cold toward them, you know kind of like that friend your husband or wife has, you don't care for them, can't put your finger on why, but that's how you feel.

To a man they were saying how sorry they were for not taking into consideration how fans might be taken back by all the selfishness on their part. How they had lost touch with fans and the fact that fans should not have to watch them fight over monopoly money. They said they were so sorry for pretending that it was not the billion dollars that had them walk away from the bargaining table. If I had not herd it with my own ears I would not have believed it(in my fantasy that is), a few Owners openly apologizing to season ticket holders for having the nerves to ask for a deposit on next seasons tickets, after having locked out players, and not knowing when the season might start. For not being more sympathetic with their economic needs( since this is the reason given for the extra billion dollars by Owners to run their teams).

After watching Owners and Players working the stage tying to win back fans trust, you started to see smiles everywhere. Then the alarm clock go's off, I let the dog out, put on my pot of coffee like I do every morning. Than I turn on ESPN, the first thing I hear is the Owners are digging in for a long lock out, and a Player comparing the CBA negotiation to modern day slavery(talk about out of touch with reality ). I know my fantasy of seeing everyone locked arm and arm singing we are all in this together, is just that a fantasy! My dream is that the Owners and Players wake up and smell the 9 billions roses in front of their noses before one by one they wilt and go away.

Ajjones

Sent from my iPad