Awww...aren't the NFL Players sweet, thank their fans

((ht: nflplayers))

Hey, let's start singing "We are the world!". Though we can't figure out why so many Sportswriters were dancing in the street after the NFL and NFLPA settled their labor issue yesterday, the making nice with everyone has begun.

The players association put out a video this morning saying "Thanks to the fans". Which yeah, it is a nice sentiment, but at the risk of sounding cynical...what did the fans miss? Mini-camp? O-T-A's? Really, that and the "Hall of Fame Game" are going to be the only actual football anyone missed.

Anyway, here's your video, continue your celebrating NFL Fan, revel in victory!

Your NFL Lockout Update: All that's left are the Pressers (Rich vs. Rich)- Day: 9,652

Return of the Jolly Roger

It's over. And...it's over pretty much exactly when we told you it would be way back when to boot. Way back when we first started doing these stories, we speculated that this would be resolved, but not until right before training camp started.

And lo and behold, that's exactly what has happened.

We are laughing at the battle now to be the first media outlet to report the "Lockout" is over and things are settled. Really, that doesn't matter.

It's also interesting to see how everyone is calling both parties "Heroic" for their efforts in resolving this. There's no heroism here; this was plain and simple all about greed and seeing who would blink first. In the end, nobody is going to lose any money (except fans), nobody is going to miss time on the job. You are getting your football.

Our friends at NFL.com tell us the tale of what is next. Included in that: Facilities open on Tuesday. The NFLPA (not a union-for the moment) will then re-certify. Free agency allegedly will begin on Friday.

Read more from NFL.com RIGHT HERE

Adam Schefter of ESPN says teams can start talking trades today, though they wouldn't be official until Saturday. The teams can also start signing Unrestricted Free Agents Tuesday at noon. Those contracts wouldn't kick in until Tuesday of next week. Schefter...and others report that 10 teams will report on Wednesday, 10 on Thursday, 10 on Friday with the Jets and Texans reporting on Sunday.

And the one question we have is this: How is everyone's pal the Jolly Roger (Goodell) going to handle the spate of off-field incidents with players this offseason. Will he discipline? Can he discipline? We'll soon see.

Stay tuned NFL Fan, because the next week or so will be a bit crazy. In some respects, it sucks for baseball , who's trading deadline is this week, because they are going to be overshadowed. Yes, you NFL fan have your game back. Congratulations. Aside from the folks at the NFL Hall of Fame, nobody really lost anything...except time.

Your NFL Lockout Update: Camp will still start next week (Rich vs. Rich)--Day 9444

Roger Goodell/DeMaurice Smith/File

Fear not NFL fan, despite the delay in ratifying the agreement by the players, you aren't going to lose much football. Unless you live in Canton, Ohio we suppose.

According to reports today, the league and the NFLPA (not a union for now), have ironed out most of their differences and according to Chris Mortensen and Professor John Clayton of the 4-letter word, the NFLPA executive committee will sign off on the deal Monday. It would allow the players to report to camp and actually vote in full on the deal come Wedneday

That would mean the league year could still start on Wednesday and training camps would start on Friday.

The intrepid Albert Breer of NFL.com doesn't quite go that far, but says it's more than likely going to happen.

Read the ESPN.com story RIGHT HERE

And Breer's story from NFL.com RIGHT HERE

Just so you know. None of this is surprising. We are very sure DeMaurice Smith and the players were not happy the owners publicly voted on and signed off on their version of the deal on Thursday. We think there was some disagreement on the timing and it sounds like some tweaking of verbiage.

Bottom line, the players felt dissed. Which we get. And by signing off on it and holding a press conference on it before the players got to look at things, boxed them in. It made the players look bad, like they were holding things up. It was a publicity stunt.

Considering how childish both of these sides of been, it's not surprising things are dragging out. But like we said, "Patience grasshopper", neither side wants to kill the goose that lays the golden egg.

Professor John Clayton of ESPN discusses it here:

Your NFL Lockout Update: Really, they are going to finish (Rich vs. Rich)--Day 9,107

NFL Owners Mtg in Atlanta

((ht: nfl.com))

It should be over. As we said on Monday, it isn't an "if" just a "when". And that when should be today (Thursday). Though it isn't a guarantee.

Said NFLPA (not a union) president Kevin Mawae on Wednesday, "We want to go back to work, but we will not agree to a deal unless it's the best deal for the players." He also said they weren't tied to having the deal done by Thursday.


The Thursday timeline is a somewhat media created time we believe because there is an owners meeting in Atlanta that fit the timeline. It also is pretty much a "Drop Dead" time for things to get started without a significant delay in exhibition games and/or training camps.


NFL Executive VP Jeff Pash says the league is prepared to do their part and the plan is for both sides to hold their votes on Thursday. 


We also know that several friends of the OSG have been put on notice to be prepared for work. We have several friends who do a variety of jobs associated with both covering and working for NFL teams.


You can also read a "Where things are" story from NFL.com RIGHT HERE


So there you have it. Yes, we know we said Monday this would be done on Thursday, and we stick by that.

Pretty much every Sports Journalist with a travel budget is in Atlanta right now because that will be where the "Let's Play" announcement will finally, ultimately come from. So stay tuned, keep an ear on the ground and keep reaching for the stars. ((sorry, went Kasey Kasem for a second))

Really that's all we've got. The NFL Hall of Fame game will kick off the exhibition season on August 7th, we still think that game will be played. And then your NFL season will be upon you and there will be much rejoicing by the masses.

Interpret this as you will:

Your NFL Lockout Update: It ends here (Rich vs. Rich)--Day 8,846

DeMaurice Smith/File

And we nearly have reached the end. Yes, it is true, an end to your NFL Lockout is fast approaching. No, it isn't here yet, be we and most everyone else fully expect it to be done by the end of the week.

Let's update the comings and goings at stately Wayne Manor:

The NFLPA (not a union) will be holding meetings in Washington D.C Monday morning ahead of more face to face meetings with legal teams and the owners themselves. The lawyers for both sides (who are making a fortune off this), met most of the weekend to peruse and agree to the language the parties have agreed to (??). And our pals, the Jolly Roger (Goodell) and DeMaurice Smith spent their Saturday hanging out together too.

According to reports, the agreement, for the most part is complete with only a few allegedly minor details to hammer out.

Among those: The use of a Franchise tag, settlement of the Brady anti-trust suit, Workman's comp issues and the TV. damages case.

Roger Goodell/File

They will all get together on Tuesday for "Group Mediation" with Judge Arthur Boylan and at that point is where the belief is they'll agree to agree. From there, the hope is the players will vote on the agreement Wednesday, the Owners on Thursday in Atlanta and the doors begin to open Friday.

Supposedly, internal free agents will get to negotiate with their current teams Friday, and a week from today, (Monday the 25th), we have Free Agency and camps opening later in the week.

According to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, major progress was made when owners conceded that there won't be any more 2-a-day practices and limiting OTA's  or Organized Team Activities, something that had been created over the past 6 or 7 years, which essentially were mini-camps under a different name.

What does this mean? It means were almost done. It's amazing to here what some of the idiotic arguments were about, but for the players sake, we're glad to here they got some concessions on some of them. The OTA thing was crazy, most players hated them, but had to come.

The interesting thing is going to be how teams install systems in a short period of time. Training camps will start almost immediately and we'll be playing exhibition football within a couple of weeks. Because if you look at the calendar, the NFL season is only about 45 days away.

So rejoice NFL fan, your stupid legal issues are all but resolved. Hope you put some money away over the summer, because while your ticket prices won't go up this year, they most certainly will next....

Here's your accompanying video, to be played while you read this story:

Your NFL Lockout Update: They've put a date on it: (Rich vs. Rich)--Day 6,642

Roger Goodell and owners/file

((ht: espn.com))

According to our friends at the 4-letter, we are a mere 10-days away from a ratified labor agreement which would trigger the beginning of this years NFL season.

Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter are both reporting that the deal is near completion and quote an owner as saying "No reason to believe it won't get done".

Yes, there are a few details to work out like the ridiculously stupid rookie wage scale and a compromise over free agency, but those are not considered major stumbling blocks.

((ed.note--original version of espn story basically said it would happen July 21st, they updated in much more nebulous terms in case it doesn't--sounds like a little CYA there))

If you don't believe us, read the ESPN.com report RIGHT HERE

We'll spare you the details invloving the Billions of dollars they are trying to hash things out about because quite frankly, it makes us revisit our thoughts about how absurd this has been in the first place.

Rather, we'll just say "Relax, NFL Fan", you'll get your football this season. Yes, it may slightly delay the start of training camp and may change where teams hold their camps, but they'll have 'em.

Your season ticket investment hasn't gone to waste. Really, it hasn't. You'll get your $100 per ticket upper level seats and have games to actually watch.

Obviously, we'll keep an eye out and let you know once they decide to settle this once and for all.

Enjoy your accompanying cheesy music video from the Big 80's:

BREAKING: Court says NFL Lockout is legal

The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals has issued at least part of a ruling in regards the ongoing battle between the NFL and the NFLPA (not a union).

The short version is this: The 3 judges voted 2-1 to say the lockout was legal. While not totally unexpected, the timing was a bit of a surprise.

No, we don't know what, if anything this actually means, particularly in light of the ongoing negotiations for a settlement, which seem to be fairly close.

We'll try and let you know more about this along with some perspective as the day progresses and we digest the rather lengthy bit of legal-ese foisted upon us.

Your NFL Lockout Update: Almost there (Rich vs. Rich)--Day 5,912

NFLPA Head DeMaurice Smith/File

((ht: breer/nfl.com))

It may soon be over. We could be back to a world with only one Pro Sports league is in the midst of a lockout.

We think.

The NFL, its owners and players are inching ever so much closer to a collective bargaining deal that will reinstate the most popular of all U.S Pro Sports leagues.

It's officially been 112 days now, though it seems like roughly 5,912, since we last had a Pro Football game and there wasn't a lockout involved and as we get closer to the normal opening of training camp and a season, it appears there's movement.

Both the Owners and NFLPA (not a union), realize if they don't do something soon, the oh-so-important revenues they are chomping at the bit to split, will start getting smaller. And they don't want that.

Albert Breer from NFL.com tells us more RIGHT HERE

They will do this, we think, soon. They have to. Still, there are a good amount of details that need to be finalized before it happens and it almost all collapsed last week.

But it didn't.

Neither side in this argument is stupid. They finally realize that if they don't do this soon, they hurt themselves more than they will hurt us. The only financial stake we have in this is buying tickets and concessions, which just so happens to be one of the bigger ways they get money. Of course, the fact they won't get any T.V money dwarfs our needs, but we had to get that out there.

And just for those curious, no, the suit filed by the NFL Alumni, won't affect any of this. While we get the point and agree that the NFLPA (not a union) and the owners should do more for former players and shouldn't be sacrificing their piece of the pie so the active players can get a few more bucks, the suit is essentially meaningless.

You can read about their "Class-action" complaint in the New York Times RIGHT HERE

Don't worry. Judge Nelson isn't going to add the retired players to the negotiating table. Not now.

Either way, kind of keep an ear open in the next 10-days because we believe there will be a tentative agreement by then. We think both sides have bridged enough of the gap to make this happen. They've met so frequently the past couple of weeks, that could be the only reason why.

So stay tuned.

Your NFL Strike/Lockout Update: Getting closer (Rich vs. Rich, Day 4,932)

((ht:chris mortensen/espn-nationalfootballpost))

NOTE-We'd add a photo, but Blogger doesn't seem to want to let us today

They are getting there. We think it will be wrapped up sooner rather than later, so fret not, ye fan of spending inordinate amounts of money on tickets, you will still get your chance.

ESPN.com's Chris Mortensen reported on Tuesday a somewhat detailed list of what the NFL Owners and players were close to agreeing on. Mort said the Jolly Roger (commish Goodell) presented it Tuesday at a meeting in Chicago.

And it is complicated, though quite a bit different from where this stupid negotiation started.

The short version:

The Owners are proposing a 52/48 percent revenue split with the players. Not the 50/50 the players wanted, but close. And it is a lot closer than what they originally wanted.

The cash minimum is almost at 100%. Essentially, this would eliminate or lessen the chances of deferred payments on contracts. At least I think that is what it means. The Owners haven't been willing to do this...until now. The players wanted it, they wanted there money when they play, not later.

Franchise tags would stay, unrestricted free agency would come after 4-years rather than 6.

There will be a rookie pay scale. Details haven't been ironed out, but you won't see 1st round picks getting inordinate amounts of money before they ever play. JaMarcus Russell and Ryan Leaf are prime examples of why this is needed.

No 18-game season, for now. The players hate this, the owners want it because it means more stadium revenue for them. We don't think this is necessary, but what we think doesn't matter.

Read a good, detailed summary of this from Andrew Brandt of the National Football Post RIGHT HERE

Okay, so what does this mean?

It means, like we said earlier, the deal is almost done. We fully expect within the next couple weeks to see an agreement. We said from day 1, this would be done by the time training camp rolled around at the end of July and it looks like we were right.

There's too much at stake for both sides here for this to have dragged on. Though both were stubborn and at time childish through the negotiations, they had to forge an agreement. They've been warned if they don't, the courts would make a decision for them and neither side would like it.

Yes, it is incredibly frustrating to see that neither the players nor the owners understand they still have the potential for killing the goose that lays their "Golden Egg". Had this dragged on, what little support either side had from the fans, would have been gone had games gone away. And while both sides can act at times like 6-year olds, they both, when push comes to shove are truly business people and they understand that this all revolves around one thing: MONEY.

With that in mind and the inability due to a blogger malfunction to post photos, we'll try this video:

Your NFL Strike/Lockout Update: Finally...progress (Rich vs. Rich--Day 5,312)

Roger Goodell

The end may actually be near. Yes, its true or at least it is highly rumored. The NFL Lockout/Strike/Arguing/Mental Block or whatever you want to call it might actually be over soon.

Now, it's not over yet and there are no guarantees, but. There are reports of progress in the negotiations, pretty much for the 1st time since they started.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA (not a union), chief DeMaurice Smith have been meeting on a regular basis the past couple of weeks and side sessions with owners and players appear to have shown signs of success.

Read more from the Washington Post RIGHT HERE

DeMaurice Smith

For those of you contemplating season tickets, you can probably breathe a little easier. If what this report, and others say is true, it will only be a couple of weeks before it gets settled. And if that's the case, it will play out like we predicted it will initially. Camp would start on time, you'd get your oh, so exciting pre-season games and the season would proceed as scheduled.

Quite honestly, we believe the main reason this is finally happening is because things ended up in the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals which basically told both sides "Figure this out" "If we have to make a decision, neither of you may like it".

So, stay tuned, the next couple of weeks should be fun and yes, you, you NFL crazies, can start making plans to spend roughly one weeks pay to go see your favorite team this season.

Your NFL Strike/Lockout Update: Cartels and other things (Rich vs. Rich--Day 3,888)

Roger Goodell/File

We didn't get a chance to opine on this over the weekend, so we will today. For those unaware, several things, mostly rhetoric related happened in the legal battle nobody understands.

The highlight, without any doubt was a late night Friday, legal brief, filed by the NFLPA (not a union) with the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals.

In that brief, they say "The NFL is a cartel that the Supreme Court has repeatedly and, just last year, unanimously held to be subject to the restraints against anti-competitive conduct contained in the Sherman Act."

We say, boy, that is a lot of "C" words in one sentence. The players are trying to make the point their careers would be irreparable harm if the lockout continues. We don't disagree with that, but we have a question: You were making an awful lot of money last season. What was the problem with that? What changed? (Ok, we know, that's 2-questions). Last years money certainly wasn't "Harming" anyone's career. Ask some of us if we'd be happy making $3.2 million a year playing football (not including licensing and endorsement money)...

The players really, really need to think about what they say at times before they say it. (See Sunday story on Ray Lewis)

The owners, for the most part have finally learned to keep their mouths shut, but they are also holding their "Spring Meetings" today in Indianapolis. Just a guess but the lockout will be a topic of discussion.

Ok. The Jolly Roger claims there needs to be a compromise agreement made. He's right. But they also need to remember that NFL Football is a partnership. A 3-way partnership. We still, aside from the owners wanting an extra $9 billion, don't totally understand why this "Lockout" is going on, but it is. And rather than go back and rehash things, we'll stay current.

Again, remember we have until June 3rd--at the minimum, before anything will happen. We think it will probably be sometime well after that before the dueling sides of greed actually agree to anything. And they will.

Unfortunately, it isn't turning off fans...at all. The New Orleans Saints reported last week that they've sold out for the season. A season not even guaranteed yet. Other teams are offering deals on season ticket packages and blind fans are just eating them up. So, we may end up refraining from talking about fan outrage, because there doesn't appear, unfortunately, to be much.

We will continue, providing periodic updates on this story when the situation warrants.

When you say Cartel, for some reason, we keep thinking of this:

Your NFL Strike/Lockout Update: Jim Irsay makes sense (Rich vs. Rich--Day 5,117)

Jim Irsay

Yes, we know that Monday nights stay on the NFL Lockout/Strike or whatever you want to call it has been reported...a lot.

But we can't resist the idea of adding our 2-cents.

First, at stately Wayne Manor...or in this case the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. They made the "Temporary Stay" we reported on Monday permanent. At least until June 3rd.

And it quite honestly, is beginning to sound like the owners have found their ally. No, it doesn't mean that someone is going to win this stupid dispute, but it puts some of the onus on the players now to get things moving again.

Here's what the NFL said their ownselves yesterday: "It's not time to devote all of our energy to reaching a comprehensive agreement that will improve the game for the benefit of current and retired players, teams and most importantly, the fans (ha!). This litigation has taken the parties away from the negotiating table where these issues should be resolved (they are there today, but nothing will happen). We remain confident that the appellate court will determine that this is a labor dispute that should be governed by federal labor law. But the league and players, without further delay, should control their own destiny and decide the future of the NFL together through negotiation."


Okay, but what about today's "Court ordered" mediation in Minneapolis going on today. It's symbolic at best, nothing will happen...at all until June 3rd.

All the NFLPA (Not a Union) will say is this: "The NFL's request for a stay of the lockout that was granted today means no football. The players are in mediation and are working to try and save the 2011 season. The court will hear the full appeal on June 3rd."


Huh?

What does this all mean?

It means that what we said in Monday's story stands. The Appeals court is going to rule in the NFL's favor, and it will be a 2-1 vote. It's already been decided. Nothing will happen in this story until June 3rd. There is no reason for it to.

The players unfortunately are now backed into a bit of a corner. The question is how are they going to react. Really, we liked the comment by Colts owner Jim Irsay yesterday saying on Twitter"Jeff Saturday and I could get this ting done, on cocktail napkins, over a long lunch at Rick's Boatyard" Irsay added "It's not that hard! Everyone's so damn serious, suits, briefcases, lawyers! Let's put on jeans n golf clothes, players/owners remembering we're friends, hang a little."

More Tweets from Irsay, who was on a roll: "Every time we argue about who's fault it is and who did that and who said this...spin,spin,spin..who cares! Get something done." 


"For every week after july15 that's there's no CBA, self-imposed players/owners/fines 2 fan charities...get out of the courts!"


"Drop all lawsuits, waste of time n $, get 2 collective bargaining, have equally, self-imposed fines on players n owners going 2 fan's charities"


"The mantra is not end lockout, it's get new collect. bargain.agreement. We have no CBA at this point, an obvious fact that gets's lost n shuffle"

Up to this point, we weren't a Jim Irsay fan, but, the man makes more sense here, than anyone else in the 9,212 day labor struggle has to this point. We just hope someone listens.

Here's another reason we think we like Irsay. He's not your typical, button-down, no personality businessman:

Your NFL Strike/Lockout Update: More mediation (Rich vs. Rich--Day 3,227)

Cris Collinsworth/Courtesy: peoplequiz.com

We return to our mildly successful series of rants only because there are few odd things to report on the quite possibly stupidest litigation in the history of Sports.

Yes, the NFL and the NFLPA (Not a Union), return to the scene of their Court ordered Mediation today in Minneapolis. And quite honestly, outside of some NFL Beat Writers with nothing better to do, most people don't care.

But yet we are writing about it.

I know.

While this pointless exercise featuring such famous names as Judge Arthur Boylan and owners such as John Mara, the ever exciting Mike Brown, Art Rooney and Jerry Richardson, it's a virtual made for Newspaper story.

No, the story here, still resides in the slow motion movements of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals who have managed to drag out the "Temporary Stay" keeping the lockout in place, out for now 3-weeks. The "Temporary Stay" was supposed to be for them to read and make a preliminary ruling. That "Temporary Stay" looks like it will be carried over at least until the scheduled hearing on June 3rd.

In the meantime, we give you a well thought out, logical explanation of how long the stupidity will continue, by the best analyst on TV, Cris Collinsworth who says he doesn't think you'll see NFL Football until at least November.

Read the story from Collinsworth's website Footballpros.com RIGHT HERE

This scenario makes some sense. And we really hope that he's right and the fans are pissed off. They should be.

All of us are being played the fool by both groups here. They still can't put aside some minor disagreements mostly having to do with not how much they make, but why they can't make more.

For the owners: Perhaps you should have thought about your profit margins before demanding the 8,912 luxury suites in your stadium. Maybe 2,000 would have been more cost effective. It's impossible to believe anything you people say, because for you it's all about bleeding your fans dry.

For the players: You are a bunch of incredibly greedy bastards. Most of you make more money than any of us could dream about. And you spend more than you make. So you need more. Until some, no, any of you start acting like a grown up and be responsible with your money, you'll not get our sympathy.

Period.

And always remember: Stupid is as stupid does

BREAKING: NFL gets their expedited request for a hearing

((ht: albert breer/nfl.com))

And no, we aren't 100 percent sure what that means. The one thing we are pretty sure of is that the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis has granted the NFL what they call a "Quick" hearing...on June 3rd.

This per NFL.com reporting guru Albert Breer who tweeted the information just minutes ago.

What we think this means is the lockout will be in place for at least another 30-days until the case is heard. Though Breer has tweeted that no decision about the temporary stay the NFL requested has been made...so, standby caller.

Here is Breer's story for NFL.com RIGHT HERE

For the scant few of you unsure of what we speak, the case in question was the NFLPA (not a union--well, actually some of their players) lawsuit against the NFL for unfair labor practices among other things. There was a hearing held in that suit to force the league to open the doors while the suit proceeds through the legal process. A Federal Judge in Minnesota agreed two weeks ago, telling the league they have no case, open up for business. The league appealed and got a temporary stay while the appeals court considered it.

They considered it...we're on hold and we be most of you--like us are sick and tired about speaking in legalese in regards to football.

More as the story develops.

NFL Owners Get Their Stay Just A Little Bit Longer...

They wanna play just a little bit more...

In the courts, anyway...

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said that teams "have been told that the prior lockout rules are reinstated effective immediately."

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals located in St. Louis granted the NFL's request for a temporary stay of the injunction that lifted the 45-day lockout of their players. Arguments in front of the Court could be heard this week on whether that order from judge Susan Nelson should be overturned or adhered to once and for all.

The NFL's announcement came during the NFL draft, not long after the third round wrapped up...

Brian Kenny discusses with Andrew Brandt...
((HT: ESPN))


The 2-1 decision from a panel of the 8th Circuit was issued by Judges Steven Colloton, Kermit Bye and Duane Benton. Bye was the dissenting opinion suggesting temporary stays should be issued only in emergencies.

The prevailing question is: What constitutes an "emergency...?" And would unemployment apply regardless of the business in question...

So, for your reminder of where we are... we present Jackson Browne...
((HT: BBC/youtube))

Update: NFL opening the doors Friday

Charlie Batch and Ryan Clark at Steelers Facilities/Courtesy: Jared Wickersham-Getty

It appears your football jones will be on high the next couple of days. The NFL draft is only minutes away as we write this story and the league has told teams they can open their doors and resume business, to an extent, beginning on Friday morning.

By now we've heard about the draft. Heck, the talking heads on TV have been talking about it since the beginning of January. And yes, players are starting to trickle into their respective team facilities.

For a pretty detailed description of where we are in terms of the lockout we recommend the primer written by ESPN's Lester Munson, who is always on top of all issues legal.

You can read his story RIGHT HERE

Essentially, per the NFL, players can use team facilities to work out, get examined and medical treatment along with some meetings and setting of schedules. But...there won't be any transactions...yet.

Read more about what is allowed from the Miami Herald RIGHT HERE

So, sit back, relax...take another swig of your beer and enjoy the draft. Lord knows there has been enough advance hype for a class that is generally considered overrated. And rest easy knowing that despite the desperate appeals of the owners, you'll get your football in roughly 2-3 months.

BREAKING: Judge denies NFL motion to stay: League gets desparate

Roger Goodell and DeMaurice Smith/Courtesy: chicitysports.com

It's almost over, we promise. The NFL Owners have been beaten more times than the Detroit Lions over the past couple seasons. Only this beating was administered in court.

We told you Monday about Judge Susan Nelson ruled for the NFLPA (not a union) in their argument that the league's lockout was illegal. Judge Nelson agreed.

The judge gave the league until the end of business today to make a case as to staying her decision pending an appeal. Tonight, she said "No".

More from the Washington Post RIGHT HERE

The appeal has been filed in the 8th Circuit Court in St.Louis and is expected to be heard by them. But the onus at this point is on the league to convince the court that Judge Nelson was wrong. Most legal experts are in agreement--that ain't happenin'.

What does this mean? Not much. The confusion will continue. Players will for the most part keep their distance until there is some guidance. We suspect the teams may have to open for business, even if it's for a short period of time, but quite honestly, we aren't sure. This is somewhat new ground for everyone involved. We worry--a lot that the Jolly Roger was trying to sell the woe the owners are going to suffer here. We are reasonably certain, that woe isn't going to make them broke, despite what the Commish says.

Your Last NFL Strike Update--More wrangling (Rich vs. Rich--Day 2112)

We've decided that barring some sort of stupid maneuver taking place in the next couple weeks, this will be the last of your daily updates.

NFLPA Head DeMaurice Smith/Courtesy: File

When we last left our hero's, the NFLPA (not a union) won the battle of the courts, but like everyone else--they were struggling to determine what it all meant. As for the other guys (the NFL), they too had little idea what to do, probably because they appeared to never conceive of the thought they might lose.

What we ended up with was a smattering of players showing up for work Tuesday morning. For the most part they walked around the building, said hello, and then left.

Take a look at what happened in Cleveland. Thanks WEWS:



As for the rest of our story, it was left--again, up to the lawyers to try and make some sense. NFL Lawyer Jeff Pash told the huddled masses that the appeal have been filed and he expected things to be heard...quickly.

You can read Pash's dissertation RIGHT HERE

For what it is worth. Judge Susan Nelson has gone on record as saying she won't rule on the request for a stay made by the NFL until the end of the day (Wed.).  She wants to hear from the players 1st, and should late Wednesday morning.

If she upholds her decision or the appeals court upholds it, the NFL will have to start business, something they "Should be" prepared to do. They aren't acting like it.

A great summary of where we are and why the Owners are being incredibly stupid and arrogant from the Washington Post and Sally Jenkins. You can read it RIGHT HERE

The NFLPA (not a union) has told players, particularly free agents, to start shopping their services...that its game on. Which we believe it has already been.

What does this really mean? Not much. It's mostly posturing at this point. You'll get your football in 2011. You'll have the honor of paying $95 for upper level seats in the end zone of your favorite stadium. You'll get the chance to pay $10 for your beer and $8 for your hot dogs. You'll get to act the fool and get drunk and curse in the family section because you are too stupid to know any better.

Bottom line. You'll get to see your beloved NFL. For me, while I enjoy the games--particularly if they involve my favorite team, I'll stick to watching on TV. It's much less expensive and I can support the team without giving the owners, who don't really need it,  $200 of my hard earned money.

To sum things up:

Your NFL Strike Update: It still ain't over (Rich vs. Rich--Day 1922)

Roger Goodell/Courtesy: File

By now most of you already know what happened around 6pm Monday. Judge Susan Nelson ruled for the NFLPA (not a union) and their...well, she ruled on several players from the NFLPA (not a union) who filed suit to force the NFL to open their doors.

They won.

For now.

Since then, there has been a mad scramble as people on both sides of the issue and the phalanx of reporters who follow them try and figure out what this all means. Because to tell the truth, nobody is sure.

Initially it was reported that there was going to be a massive flock of players heading to their team practice facilities this morning. Mostly so they can stake a claim to their workout bonuses.

However. Nothing immediately will be happening. The owners have already asked Judge Nelson for an appeal and they've sent their paperwork to the U.S 8th Circuit Court of Appeals asking for the same thing. It will delay the inevitable, though for how long, is what everyone is trying to figure out.

We'll get back to this.

In today's adventure, the Jolly Roger (Goodell) posted an op-ed piece in today's Wall Street Journal. In it, he moaned about the implications of Judge Nelson's decision. And while we agree with some of them (ie: no draft, no pay ceilings, no rules as a group and no benefits), there are a few that we don't.

Read Goodell's column from onlinewsj.com RIGHT HERE

Several of the issues the Jolly Roger bemoans, are issues that can be controlled, by the owners...if they so choose. But you and I both know they won't. He fears the competitive balance will be forever skewed...and he may be right. Though the owners themselves can control this...if they so choose.

Obviously, the NFLPA (not a union) was ecstatic. What this all means, we still don't know.

Here's their statement RIGHT HERE

Summary: Relax peeps. You aren't going to see football today. Yes, there are scattered reports of kickers and a few other players coming to their teams workout facilities. Most of them are player reps.

Teams have been told to let the players come in the offices, but no workouts. It will be interesting to see if there are any disagreements about this.

Stay tuned friends, romans and countrymen, this ain't over yet. We expect it to be over fairly soon, Judge Nelson's ruling clearly sides with the players. The question is: "What were the owner's thinking?" "Did they really think they'd win this?" It appears, according to the ruling, the owners had no legal basis what so ever for locking the players out.

Here's what will happen. The league will play this year. They will. It will be closer to the way things were structured last season. Goodell's fears are overwrought. The teams can't afford to go bonkers paying people, they'll price the fan bases out of the game if they do. We hope the draft stays and think it will (though it's incredibly over-hyped). And we'll still be subjected to 4 crappy exhibition games.

In other words, the more things change, the more they will stay the same....

BREAKING: Judge to NFL and NFLPA: Lockout lifted

Your wishes are granted, it appears the NFL Lockout may be ending in the very foreseeable future. Reports are beginning to trickle in:

Per ESPN reporter Chris Mortensen on Twitter: "Federal Judge Susan Richard Nelson has ruled for players, lifting lockout, per sources. Owners will seek immediate stay."

**Updated 6:04pm**--Mort's story from ESPN.com RIGHT HERE


Per NFL Network reporter Albert Breer on Twitter: "Judge Nelson has ruled: Injunction to lift NFL Lockout granted, NO stay. Owners now certain to seek stay from 8th circuit."

**Updated 6:06pm**--The NFL.com story RIGHT HERE


Please keep in mind. Today, this is just a symbolic move that starts multiple wheels in motion. The NFL is appealing. But they will be unable to do that until Tuesday morning, when they are expected to appeal to the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. Not much will happen until that maneuver is acted upon.

**Uptdated at 6:26pm**--ProFootballTalk explains the ruling RIGHT HERE


And yes, it reinforces what we said earlier. Nothing will happen until Tuesday when the NFL goes to Judge Nelson and ask for a stay. If she doesn't grant it, which is expected, the NFL will then go to the U.S Court of Appeals. If they decide to issue a stay while they examine the case, nothing will change. If they don't, doors will open, probably within the next week.

**Updated at 6:30pm**--Darren Rovell of CNBC, gives us the NFL's statement about today's goings on. The league's statement: "We will promptly seek a stay from Judge Nelson pending an expedited appeal to the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. We believe that federal law bars injunctions in labor disputes. We are confident the 8th Circuit will agree. But we also belive that this dispute will inevitably end with a collective bargaining agreement, which would be in the best interests of players, clubs and fans. We can reach a fair agreement only if we continue negotiations towards that goal."

**Update at 7:40pm**--For those so inclined, here is a link to all 89 pages of Judge Nelson's ruling. Read at your own peril RIGHT HERE


This is still a story that is developing. Please check back and it will be updated frequently.

Here's early discussion between Jay Harris and Andrew Brandt
((HT: ESPN))


Rick Horrow give his .02 for Fox Sports
((HT: FoxSports))