This weekend was supposed to mark the return of the NFL.
Instead, the league remains in limbo, its lockout still in place as
players decide what step to take next
Jonathan Tamari, The Philadelphia Inquirer
ATLANTA
This weekend was supposed to mark the return of the NFL. Instead, the league remains in limbo, its lockout still in place as players decide what step to take next.
Players on Friday did not act on a labor deal approved by owners, meaning that league doors will not reopen on Saturday as owners had hoped. Until the executive board of the NFL Players Association votes to advance the deal, players cannot report to team facilities. The start of free agency may also be delayed from its projected start on Wednesday.
It was unclear when — or if — players would vote on the plan approved, 31-0, by owners on Thursday. What was obvious was that more talks and time would be needed to end the lockout that owners imposed on March 12.
One letter, obtained by ESPN, indicated that players would not meet again until Monday, though a later NFL Network report said the sides would keep working during the weekend and that there was no specific timetable for action by the players. That leaves the door open to both a weekend breakthrough and inaction lasting into next week.
The NFL has canceled the Hall of Fame Game, originally scheduled for Aug. 7.
An extended delay could threaten preseason and training-camp plans. The Eagles preseason opener is scheduled for Aug. 11 and the team hopes to open training camp in Lehigh as early as July 27, but needs a deal in place to do so.
As always with the lockout, the situation was fluid and could quickly change.
Some players reacted angrily to Thursday’s ownership vote, believing the league was trying to pressure them into ratifying the deal. With half a deal done, players could be painted in public as the roadblock to resuming football.
Several players have said they won’t be forced into a vote. They face a significant decision: The owners’ proposal calls for a 10-year deal with no-opt out clause.
“DeMaurice Smith is a great representative for the players. I love that he is not pressured to get this deal done if it’s not right!” Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham wrote on Twitter, speaking about the NFLPA executive director.
The latest dispute comes despite general agreement on the most significant issues — the split of league revenue, rookie pay, and practice rules.
“My understanding is we voted on an extensively negotiated and documented deal, but both sides have to confirm that,” Eagles president Joe Banner said after Thursday’s vote.
Players’ remaining concerns included if and how their union would recertify, payments for benefits they missed out on last season, and questions of compensation for plaintiffs who were restricted free agents in 2010. Players also complained that they had not seen all of the details of the deal Thursday night.
One agent said players did not react well to a sense of being backed into a corner by the owners’ unilateral action. But he said he would be surprised if the deal fell apart, considering how many key terms have been worked out.
Under the terms the owners approved, players cannot report to team facilities until their executive committee recommends approval of the collective bargaining agreement. Free agency and trades won’t begin until a full ratification vote of all players.
The players association said early Friday they were discussing the owners’ latest proposal but would not make any immediate comment in consideration of the Friday funeral for Myra Kraft, wife of Patriots owner Robert Kraft.
Team executives and general managers, meanwhile, went through a seminar in Atlanta Friday to learn details of new rules in the planned collective bargaining agreement. It’s still not clear when those rules will be used.
