As we lurch into a bumpy ride to the finish of this two-year negotiation between NFL Owners and Players, one issue represents the same turf that has been battled over previously -- and is being chewed up again -- holding up an agreement that both sides have claimed to want for several months. The bulk of negotiations regarding this issue really come down to the fifth year of the deal for rookies. The Players have wanted -- in exchange for reduced numbers on the deal -- the length to be four years, as buying out a year of free agency is a big concession to them, but they are agreeable to a fifth year option on these first-round deals, something they resisted for some time. Here are the two positions: Players: the team would have an option that would make the fifth year a very high level corresponding to top veteran, not rookie, contracts. Owners: they would like more fixed and lower cost to that fifth year with picks 1-8 being optioned at a preset level of roughly $9 million; picks 9-16 would be optioned at preset level of roughly $7 million; and picks 17-32 would be optioned at a preset level equivalent to the average salary at their respective positions. Source: National Football Post
Another idea is include certain incentives in the contract that if reached in year four of the deal....the contract is voided and the team would have to re-sign the player or let him walk via free agency.
Such a dumb, dumb, dumb thing to be getting stuck on. The owners obviously are arguing this point because they want something else from the players. The fifth year of a rookie deal isn't a big deal...at all.
Excellent idea, and i agree 86Ward at this point its really petty to be arguing something like this when games are on the line.
Everything said in here is either an on-point analysis or a good idea/legit selection. We ALL get it, it's way past the point of absurdity that they haven't gotten this crap together by now.
Now that I think about it, I wish fans would do something in unison to let everyone involved know that this has all been bullcrap and it better not happen again. IE: boycott a game, don't watch any of them on tv, don't buy Coors Light etc., everyone together in this for a weekend. Unfortunately that'll never happen, which is why the owners will never get it that collectively, we're the ones who truly have them by the balls.
I agree Snowman. It will never happen. Let them show up to an empty stadium, have no TV ratings..and buy no NFL Merchandise for a week. It would hurt them..MAJORLY, and let them realize that we're the ones that make this all happen..and that the lockout..is unfair to the fans, moreso than anyone else. We pay for the product, and because they're all rich and whining about money...we are the ones that are screwed over. However, like you said..that won't ever happen.
