NFLPA President Kevin Mawae: "Owners Bringing Revenge Factor To CBA Talks"

Negotiations between the NFL Players' Association and the league's owners toward a new collective bargaining agreement are slow and unproductive, causing concern for NFLPA president Kevin Mawae. Mawae voiced his thoughts in an appearance on SiriusXM's Mad Dog Radio channel on Thursday: "If things continue on the way they've been going it's a good chance that we won't see some or portions of the football season [in 2011]. I know the players are committed to trying to get a deal done. I know the players want to play. But at the end of the day I hear all these words from the other side saying we need to communicate better. Well, we're waiting. Just give us dates when you want to meet with us and we will." The finger-pointing and posturing between the two sides isn't expected to die down anytime soon. Mawae, a center who enjoyed a 16-year career in the NFL from 1994-2009, doesn't know why the league won't negotiate in good faith with the players and believes that the owners have a score to settle. "That's something you would have to ask that side of the table, ask the Jerry Jones and Jerry Richardsons of the world," said Mawae. "I think what really happened is in 2006 we got such a great deal. I mean, the players got a good deal and the owners felt they got it handed to them and it's kind of a revenge factor, 'let's get back what we felt like we lost,' and things like that." Mawae refuses to believe that proposed changes to the CBA by the owners would be good for the league and its players. "You're telling us that the economics aren't working, well show us where the economics aren't working. Can you justify asking players to give back $1 billion in salaries? Can you justify why you're going to take away the players' healthcare insurance after March 3rd? Can you justify why 18 games makes sense for anybody that's playing the game? And to this point all they've said is 'Trust us, this is good for the game.' And without any proof or any validation behind it, we can't just take you on your word. That's not the way negotiations work." Mawae closed the interview by saying that his peers oppose expanding the NFL's regular season to 18 games. "Can't sell it. I can't sell it to the players. DeMaurice Smith [NFLPA chief] can't sell it to the players. The players don't want it, and quite frankly the fans don't want it. Could you imagine, if this was an 18 game season this weekend would just be the second round of the playoffs. Think about that. How long would the season be? And then on top of that, the stars you think might be playing in Week 18 were probably on the bench because you lost another 12 or 15 guys throughout the league due to injuries late in the season from overuse and stuff like that. It's not a sell. I can't sell 18 games."

Source: USA Today

 

Like hell it would be only the second round of the playoffs.. The season would stay the same, only take off 2 preseason games and replace it with 2 regular season games. I am starting to think the players are not willing to listen to reason about this.

From what I am hearing with an 18 game season they will up the roster number to accommodate for 2 more games. Furthermore with 2 more games comes more revenue. IMHO this is a win win.. I remember when the season went from 14 to 16 games... It was the same stink fest that is going on now and the game is fine... I think the players are looking too much into adding 2 games.

I do know that injuries will add up a little more, but with the right coaching and subbing (hence the added roster number) the players will adjust just like they did back in the late 70's.

my .02 for what it is worth. :beer:

 

stfu

 

I liked it better when the regular season started in late August or in early September before Labor Day.

If an 18-game season is finalized.....the regular season will commence around that time frame and the balance of the schedule would remain the same.

 

No it wouldn't the season would start at the same time. Nobody is watching NFL Games on Labor Day weekend and the ratings show that. Hence the reason they moved it. They would start it the same time they recently have and they would be in the second round of the playoffs.

 

And? Either way we would have more football that counts. just sayin..

 

Not good football if it's watered down with injury...just sayin...

 

I think its inevitable that the season will be 18 games......I would consider it an upset if a new CBA is reached without an expanded season.

I wouldn't knock it until the NFL officially expands to an 18-game season and we see what transpires during the course of that season.

 

I do see a problem if injury is ramped. But, I don't think we will have football next year if we don't expand to an 18 game season. I would rather have "not good" football than no football at all. :)

 

Leave it at 16 games with 2 extra bye weeks. Longer season, more health, better for the players, and shorter off season. And kill the 2 pre-season games.

 

The bad thing about losing those 2 preseason games is there will be a couple gems left out there that could possibly never see the NFL because they miss out on those opportunities to shine or show their stuff in those last 2 games...

I'd like to see it cut down to 3 games...left at 16 for the regular season...