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: 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:

Cedric Benson in trouble again

Cedric Benson

((ht: austin american-statesman))

Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson is in trouble with the law in Austin, Texas...again.

Benson was arrested early Sunday morning for what was essentially called "Beating up a family member". He was booked on misdemeanor assault charges just before 7 a.m Sunday morning.

You can read more from Statesman.com RIGHT HERE

**Note**--The article doesn't say it, but Benson has been released from jail.

Cedric Benson is very familiar to those who follow the Athlete versus Police blotter. He is due to begin a trial on an Assault incident at an Austin area bar from June of 2010. After that incident, he paid NFL Commish Roger Goodell a visit and whatever he told the commissioner, it was enough to avoid disciplinary action.

Benson is technically going to be a free agent when the NFL Lockout ends this week and we'll be curious to see what happens. The Bengals desperately need his services and there's no guarantee he won't end up in the principal's office again for this incident.

If he is, we suspect the punishment may be a bit more severe.

Your NFL Lockout Update: Any day now....Really (Rich vs. Rich)--Day 8,115

Roger Goodell/File

((ht: nfl.com))

Is the end finally near? It would appear, at least on the surface that yes, it is. And before you say it; we did mention this way back at the beginning of the week and what we said then, hasn't changed.

According to the major Sports Networks, who have the resources to stake out the continuing and ongoing NFL Labor negotiations, most all the stumbling blocks have finally been cleared and if you believe what your read, there may be a tentative agreement today for the owners and players to ratify by the next owners meeting on July 21st in Atlanta.

You can read the full story from Albert Breer and Jason LaCanfora of NFL.com  RIGHT HERE

Well. We've been pretty vocal in our moral anger at this issue from the get-go. And yeah, we're glad that it is finally nearing an end. Though we've been around this enough to know not to believe anything until it actually happens.

We are fully cognizant that both sides can and have used the ever eager, NFL media to try and convince the public that they are right and all is well. We know that it isn't always the truth.

However, we also are very sure that both side recognize they need to get this done fast or they both stand to lose. As much as they've whined, they've done it during the summer, when they wouldn't be playing anyway. Getting a deal done now will have some, but not major impact on the upcoming season and financially won't impact either side. We say that because while both the owners and players like to say they are on the side of the fans, really they are only on the side of lining there own pockets.



Not playing football this season would have a big impact on that. And if nothing else, Roger Goodell and DeMaurice Smith are pointedly aware of this.

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:

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: Meetings and decisions (Rich vs. Rich--Day 4,112)

Roger Goodell/File

We can't say that "D-Day" is here, but it has been a somewhat busy week in the land of NFL negotiations and we'll have the added bonus of a legal ruling from the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals today (Friday).

1st things first. Yes, the league and the NFLPA (not a union) have been meeting the past 2 days in Chicago. The hope: getting negotiations jumpstarted. The outcome: Unkown. Both sides were decidedly non-committal with their answers saying that "The fact they were meeting is good".

Several of the principals took part in those meetings. For the NFL: The Jolly Roger along with owners Jerry Jones, Robert Kraft, Jerry Richardson, John Mara and Art Rooney. For the NFLPA: DeMaurice Smith, Kevin Mawae, Mike Vrabel, Jeff Saturday, Tony Richardson and Dominique Foxworth.

And while they didn't go into detail about what was discussed, enough came out of it that Judge/Mediator Arthur Boylan has postponed next weeks scheduled mediation sessions.

Now as for today (Friday):

We are supposed to find out the decision on the owners appeal of Judge Susan Nelson's decision to lift the lockout back in late April. The 8th Circuit granted the owners a stay on that decision which is why we've had no mini-camps or anything like that.

The expectation is that the owners are going to win their appeal and the lockout will continue. Why? We don't really know. We aren't labor-law experts and quite honestly, we don't understand the reason why there is a lockout/strike going on anyway. We know it has something to do with the owners and the players both wanting a bigger "piece of the pie" along with a few other minor details.

Don't get your hopes up yet for your NFL Football, though it's coming. We think this is going to drag on a bit longer, but both sides are starting to realize the longer this goes on, the more likely they are to piss people off. Though we've been a bit disappointed in the lack of concern on the fans part.

The decision comes at approximately 11:00 a.m eastern time and we will update you as soon as we are able to.

Here's another group who wanted a "Piece of the Pie":

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:

The Lockout Continues: Long live the lockout

Roger Goodell and owners/courtesy: file

Lost among all the draft news, Bin Laden news and everything else over the past few days is the stupid labor arguments in the NFL. (No, we aren't doing our daily updates anymore)

On Friday, as most of you know, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals granted the NFL a stay on Judge Susan Nelson decision barring them from locking out the players. And we now have reached "Ludicrous Speed".

We took great joy in hearing the Jolly Roger get booed at the draft, he had it coming.



Folks, this is just plain getting ridiculous. From the op-ed Goodell wrote last week to the Wall Street Journal saying the draft will cease to exist, the rich teams will be successful and it will be utter chaos..dogs and cats living together...chaos.



To the appeal of the appeal, this is just getting stupid. The owners had some sentiment going in...not any more. They want there money...and are going to do whatever it takes to get it.

So, instead, we get facilities open for 2 days (1st day of the draft), players getting a day of rehab and some getting playbooks...and we're back in court.

What is going to happen in court? Honestly, we don't know. The NFL tried to strategically appeal in a "Ultra-conservative" court with the hope they'd be anti-labor and agree with them. All the 8th Circuit has agreed to at this point is to issue a temporary stay until they can digest Judge Nelson's 89 page explanation.

An explanation most legal types seem to think is totally backed by previous cases and the law of the land. But as we all know, when it comes to big business, the law of the land...doesn't always apply.

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 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....

Your NFL Strike Update: To end or not to end...(Rich vs. Rich--Day 1700)

Goodell and owners/Courtesy: File

We're back. We are unable to do this on the weekends for a variety of reasons, but hope that you are tuning back in on Monday to listen to the latest rants on the stupidity that is known as the Lockout/Strike.

In today's episode, there's been a bit of posturing and at least all the reporters are on the edge of their collective seats anticipating a ruling from U.S Federal Court Judge Susan Nelson on the NFLPA (not a union) motion to end the silly lockout.

While we can see the possibility of Judge Nelson making her ruling today,we don't throw a lot of weight behind it. Whatever she decides, it will immediately be appealed. And when we say immediately, we mean it could be shortly after the decision comes out of her mouth.

In the meantime, we are in the midst of draft week...and quite honestly, it can't get over with soon enough. We've been subjected to an inordinate amount of speculation and nit-picking about a bunch of 22-year old kids. Unlike most football fans, we HATE the draft, because it may be the single most over-thought event in the history of Sport.

We'll spare you our draft rant...for now and move on to our pal...the Jolly Roger. He spoke over the weekend to USA Today Football Writer Jarrett Bell.

In the interview, Bell asked Mr. Commish about quite a few "Lockout" related issues. As expected, Goodell was somewhat vague about how things are going, though he indirectly references something that is being floated, we think by the league, that the players are trying to get rid of the Draft. We doubt the truth-iness of that claim, but we'll refrain from commenting.

Read the entire interview in USA Today RIGHT HERE

George Martin/Courtesy: NYDailynews.com

Also, we've come across a very interesting story. It's the story of NFL Alumni president George Martin. Martin feels his group is being left behind in the current discussions. He has issue with the way the NFLPA (not a union), has treated both he and his group. If true, this just plain wrong. The current players wouldn't be where they are without the alumni and whether then NFLPA (not a union) thinks the group is in the owners hip pocket or not, that's just wrong.

Read the George Martin story from the New York Times RIGHT HERE

I'm not sure what to say here. The NFLPA (not a union) does and has bother me....a lot. While we respect their right to protect their members and get a better deal for them, we question the method. Mind you, the owners aren't exempt from this criticism, they've been incredibly arrogant and obstinate through this whole process.

But why would you exclude the people who mean the most from the debate. Yeah, we know Carl Eller and a group of Alums have claimed a place in the class action against the league, but that is a bit different.

The other issue is this. We still don't understand and may never understand player claims of poverty. Sorry, not buying it. I can't speak for everyone here, but even if I were in the league, making the minimum, I'd be able to find the money to buy insurance if I had to. Even if I were making the minimum, I would have invested a good chunk of that money for my future. Even if I were making the minimum, I'd be happy at the thought of more but let me just say this...."If I were making the league minimum, it would be about $350,000 a year more than I currently make now. Just sayin'........

Your NFL Strike Update: Scheduled but not playing (Rich vs. Rich--Day 1935)

NFLPA (not a union) Head DeMaurice Smith/File

In today's episode, we find out the NFL releases a regular season schedule. Sportswriters and broadcasters rejoice. Certain fans are confused and the rest of us don't really give a shit. (sorry for the language)

Without getting too detailed in the details. Yay! (sigh). Wow, this really doesn't mean a whole lot right now. Some of the features include the New York teams getting to play/remember 9/11, the Green Bay Packers playing on every holiday and the Washington Redskins (can we say Redskins? Jon?), yeah, the Redskins will still suck. (Sorry J-Dub)

For those interested, NFL.com gives you everyones schedule in PDF form RIGHT HERE

And for those interested in news about our favorite subject, the Lockout...well, there isn't much news. The 4-letter seemed to make a very big deal over the fact that both sides met on Tuesday. And that the Jolly Roger and Jerry World were part of the leagues group. Yawn!

But, in the spirit of keeping up with the Jones's (Jerry joke), we give you the NFL's latest PR Spin. In that spin, they take umbrage with NFLPA (not a union) head DeMaurice Smith's claim that the average players career is only 3.2 years. They apparently spent a lot of time researching this.

Their rebuttal, you can read about it RIGHT HERE

Realistically, much like we said when the subject of Mediation came up, nothing is going to happen. Though it would probably be in the owners best interest for an agreement to be made, we don't expect it. Judge Susan Nelson, who heard the case for the players trying to sue the league to in part force them to open their doors, is expected to weigh in soon. It's been two weeks since she said she'd rule in a couple of weeks.

So, expect nothing significant to happen. And even if it does and the Judge makes a ruling, expect it to be appealed. Which essentially means that, well, we will be exactly where we are today. We'll be sitting and looking at gleeful writers and TV guys gushing about the nuances of this years schedule, knowing full-well, that it could be completely meaningless if both sets of children can't agree on anything.

Perhaps they should try this:

Your NFL Strike Update--We're back and so is the stupidity (Rich vs. Rich Day 1,341)

Roger Goodell/File

Did you miss me? Don't pay any attention to the day on the headline, much like this idiotic lockout, it's somewhat irrelevant to pretty much anything.

When we last spoke, the two un-interested parties were beginning forced mediation in Minneapolis. Surprisingly, nothing has come of this mediation. Actually, we aren't surprised at all.

There have been a few, odd news and notes type of things going on...so we'll just cut to the chase.

**Note**--We are fully aware the NFL schedule will be released later today. We'll do a separate story on it.

Over the weekend, our pal--The Jolly Roger began what the NFL calls a "Series of Fan Conference Calls".  And surprisingly, he said very little. (Again--sarcasm, we aren't surprised at all)

You can read about Goodell's conversation with San Diego Chargers season ticket holders RIGHT HERE

Is it just me...or did that sound scripted.

Anyway. Another element to the public face of this "Dis-agreement" has been waged on Twitter. We follow several people associated with the aforementioned issue and yeah, there's been some rather interesting comments and some name calling and generally some stupid statements coming out.

Through the players, (NFLLockout.com), we came across an interesting blog post from the Houston Chronicle's fan blogger, who ended up in a bit of a Twitter war with NFL VP of PR, Greg Aiello. The reason: She responded to a post of his quoting his boss, which said "We need to get back to talking about ideas to resolve the differences". 

Ok. We can't disagree with that.

The blogger, Stephanie Stradley responded to the tweet..and that's where things got snarky. Her comment was: "Idea 1: Stop making ridiculous proposals". 


Again, maybe a bit snarky, but a legitimate comment.

Aiello's reply: "Advice: Stop making ridiculous comments". (Sigh!). Greg. You shouldn't be saying things like that in a public forum.

Read Stradley's blog, which is exceptionally well detailed RIGHT HERE

We have first hand experience dealing with the folks from the NFL and to be quite frank; they come off a bit like Mafioso's. We know they aren't, but you can't help but think Sorprano's when you meet and speak with them.

We again, reiterate a point we've made in each and every one of these stories: JUST SHUT UP! Please stop commenting....both sides. Do your business in private and when you can finally act like grown ups and agree on something, then speak.

Neither side has any idea how much people don't want to hear them whine in public. Sorry, we don't. The only ones with a right to complain are the old NFL Alumni, and they've become secondary in this.

Stop whining about money. Stop whining you are being taken advantage of. In the players case, there's an argument that can be made....not the owners. But when "Push comes to Shove" both sides are just being plain greedy. And because of that, we continue to mock and point out the stupidity of both of your arguments.

Here's your fitting video for today's theme:

Your NFL Strike Update Update: It Still Ain't Over...

The judge in St. Paul is telling both sides that she's going to take a few weeks to decide what she's going to decide...

Here's the Twin Cities coverage...
((HT: MyFoxTwinCities))

Lockout | NFL Players & Brass Meet in St. Paul: MyFoxTWINCITIES.com

And from KARE-TV as well...

Your NFL Strike Update: Mainstream media validation (Rich vs. Rich--Day 21?)

The Jolly Roger/Courtesy: davepear.com

Is it a bad thing that we are losing track of days? But the lockout/strike continues and we are continuing our 5 day a week look at mocking the stupidity that is accompanying this story.

In today's adventure, we talk about validation. Not in the traditional sense mind you, just that there are some out there who are starting to talk about the things that we've been talking about all along.

We give you today's example, a story from philly.com talking about how the "Mainstream", big-time reporting outlets are getting played like a drum from both sides of this argument. It's a good read.

Check out Paul Domowitch's story RIGHT HERE

The example Mr. Domowitch cites is a good one, but there has been far, far more "Using" of the media. The prime example(s) would be the "High-Profile" guys like Adam Schefter, Chris Mortensen, Peter King and others.

The reason I bring them up, is more focused on comments made by King in his fantastic column "Monday Morning Quarterback" hinting that an agreement was a lot closer and could be done a lot sooner than all us "Outsiders" think.

Well, that really didn't happen. And apparently never was going to. For their part, the ESPN guys have moved on to the story they really care about, the draft. King, brought the agreement issue up once or twice when the lockout was getting close, and hasn't mentioned it since.

We know full well the deadline and scoop pressure that these guys are under and are willing to cut them some slack here. However, aside from small blogs such as ours, you really don't hear what the common folk, the people who really drive the game, the season ticket holders/fans have to say or think about this.

In fact, aside from the court case and my 5-day a week rants, there isn't much discussed about this at all. Why? Why has nobody called out both sides of this issue for what they are? We don't have a problem doing it. But then again, we don't have anyone to answer to other than ourselves.

Think about it. Have you really heard anyone talk about the greed of the owners. How they don't seem to be happy making money, they want more. And how they claim they want and need more to help pay off stadiums, stadiums mostly paid for on the backs of whom? You, the taxpayer, the ticket buyer who lives near your given team.

As for the players...do you hear anyone say "They never had any intention of coming to an agreement?". No. Do you hear anyone ask "Why do you need to be provided with a bigger portion of the split?" "Is not the average salary of well over $1.5 million a year not enough to provide for yourself?"

No, we maintain that everyone is protecting their best interest, as they should. The part that pisses us...and others not as vocal off, is that both sides say they are on our side. They aren't.

Baseball just kicked off, and while they aren't so perfect either, it doesn't cost a weeks pay to go see a baseball game. It does to go see the NFL. We honestly don't think the NFL or the Owners care about this. We think they'd much prefer corporate high-rollers be there and buy luxury suites. But, that, while a portion of their business, isn't what sustains them. No, it's the person buying the $100 upper deck end zone seat who pays $10 for their beer and $8 for their hot dog. It doesn't work without that. If only someone other than us would admit it....

With that in mind, enjoy Aerosmith--Eat the Rich!

Your NFL Strike Update: Nothing from nothing means nothing (Rich vs. Rich-Day 13)

DeMaurice Smith of NFLPA (not a union)

Well...there really isn't too much to report here. On the good side, nobody from either side said anything stupid. Which is a change from previous days.

Both sides have spent the better part of the past couple of weeks. No, actually the past couple of years saying stupid things to each other and just being entirely unproductive.

According to many, the players primary complaint really is more the "Lack of respect" shown to them by the owners. And while on one hand we understand that, on the other, it's completely and utterly childish.

Read a good story on respect from Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com RIGHT HERE

For their part, the players are sticking to their revenue complaints. They maintain the league is inflating the figures that the players receive from extra revenues.

You can read the story the refer to RIGHT HERE

Okay. We don't dispute the math here, but the whole thing misses on fundamental issue that neither side is willing to address. This is an ASTRONOMICAL amount of money. Why or how can you not work this part out?

We cringe at comments such as the one by NFLPA President (not a union, a trade association) Kevin Mawae. Mawae is concerned that young players don't have insurance and have to get COBRA insurance and that they may not have the ability to pay it long term.

Ok Kevin, we get that COBRA is not cheap. But the league minimum salary is somewhere close to $400,000 a year. We are pretty sure if the money is budgeted well, it can be afforded.

Do we think the owners should do more for players in terms of medical? Absolutely. Players and former players are injured and have health problems that don't go away. Why can't you take some of the $Billions we are talking about and put it in a HSA?

As for the Owners/Greedy bastards. They seem to be coming across as just looking for more bucks. They already, routinely hold city's hostage for new stadiums paid for on the backs of taxpayers in those cities. At last check, there are a ton of cities and states going broke these days.

We suspect that is the crux of most of their issues. None of them want to dish out of their own pockets...to build a stadium themselves. Which it appears is what the owners believe can drive revenues.

Anyway, we've rambled on and on about this, we could talk for hours. We still maintain this is all about greed...on both sides of the issue. We suspect nothing is going to happen before the "Class-action" case goes in front of a Minneapolis Federal Judge on April 6th. Legitimately, there isn't a reason this can't be resolved before the season starts. It's more a battle of egos than issues, but we suspect it is going to drag on for awhile. So we better do our homework, because it's going to be tough to come up with material every day.

In the meantime, here is your title music, which really...kind of sums everything up: