NFL Network analyst Kurt Warner urges NFL players to consider compromise because there's so much to lose the longer the lockout lingers. He notes that players, who average $1.7 million per year, risk missing game checks and time they can't make up on often-brief careers. "I'm still optimistic that they're going to find a way to make sure there's football," Warner told Jim Corbett of USA Today. "The players have too much to lose. And as much as I hate to say it, at some point, the players have to give in. And, hopefully, they can gain some other things on their side. "But ultimately, they have too much to lose." "I don't think there's any question the players have to give back money," Warner said. "And we have to realize we've had it great for a number of years. "We made a lot of money, and the salaries went crazy. As a player, you have to say, 'It's OK for us to pull back a little bit and make less.' Source: USAToday
It seems pretty certain that the owners aren't going to cave here. And they are under no financial stress so it's not imperative they do. Now it'll be real interesting to see how the players all stand together if this extends into the season and these boys aren't receiving paychecks. It's all fine and dandy to unite in the offseason without actual dollars at stake, but I have a feeling attitudes could change real quick when they miss out on 1/17 of their income, then 2/17 of their income, and so on. And if they officially cancel the season, a lot of these players are going to be begging to come back the following year.
The guys I feel bad for are the ones making league minimum or fighting to make an NFL roster (UDFAs lower draft picks etc) those are the guys the will be hurt the most (not to mention all the people who rely on the NFL to have a job). The stars don't want to give up money because instead of getting an $100 million deal they'll get $80 million instead.
i really dont care who gives in as long as i get football on sunday. i really havent followed this whole lockout thing too closely because im rooting against both sides. i just wanna see football come september.
The NFLPA needs more level-headed people like Warner..... The players won the court-battles in the early going but it appears the owners have the advantage from here on out.
