Kansas City Chiefs linebacker and player rep Mike Vrabel suggested that negotiations on a new labor deal continue, minus the middle men, and the NFL is open to it. "We are willing to negotiate. But we don't want to negotiate with (outside counsel) Bob Batterman, (NFL vice president) Jeff Pash or (NFL Commissioner) Roger Goodell," Vrabel said to ESPN's George Smith from the players meetings in Marco Island, Florida on Friday. "Our executive committee needs to negotiate with Jerry Jones, Bob Kraft, Jerry Richardson -- their executive committee. People that are willing and can agree to a deal. Jeff Pash can't agree to a deal." NFL spokesman Greg Aiello responded, though he wouldn't go so far as to exclude Batterman, Pash, or Goodell from the talks. "The NFL's negotiating team--accompanied by the three owners Mike mentioned, Jerry Jones, Jerry Richardson and Robert Kraft--is prepared to meet immediately. Just tell us when and where," said Aiello. "Let's return to mediation and negotiate a CBA," Aiello added on Twitter. Source: macsfootballblog
Goodell and co are effectively the owners representatives. Removing him from negotiations would only make sense if they took the NFLPA figureheads (Smith, Mawae etc.) out of the equation as well. In other words, stupid and won't happen.
I think its the smartest thing anyone has said to date. Wouldn't taking out middle men include De Smith and Co as well. Technically the Players Union does not exist so what is Smith doing anyways? Taking out the middle men means leaving it to players and owners only, it will never happen but its an intelligent idea.
Lockout - When owners and Players can not figure out how to SPLIT more money than everyone on GIF will make in their lifetimes...combined.
